Alright folks, here is our round-up of the most common questions that we get about travelling in Venezuela:
Is Venezuela safe to visit now?
Ahh, probably the MOST commonly asked question we get, so I’ll dive a bit deeper into this one.
Whilst Venezuela is not “safe” in the same way as Singapore or Japan, for example, it is much safer now than it was pre-2022, when this was one of the world’s most dangerous countries, and Monday morning work discussions between locals were about who was robbed or kidnapped at the weekend.
Caracas feels safer these days than some other Latin American cities, such as Bogotá and São Paulo.
Surprisingly, it is even safe to go out after dark, where you can see locals dancing or playing football in the streets.
Whilst crime still exists, the chances of becoming a victim are now relatively low since the majority of dangerous criminals have either left the country (ironically, after making it so bad there was no money left to steal) or have been dealt with by the police.
The biggest threat in Venezuela today is not crime, but the authorities who have been known to detain tourists without good reason, albeit mostly between the July 2024 re-election of Nicolas Maduro, and his inauguration in January 2025.
Having links to the police or military in any country increases your risk of detention. You will be asked for your occupation when you first arrive.
What is the best way to get around in Venezuela?
To be honest, getting around Venezuela is a pain. But you’ve got two options for travelling around the country.
One is to fly. Venezuelan airlines aren’t fantastic, so expect long delays, but they are at least the quickest way of getting from A to B. If visiting Angel Falls, then you must fly. There is no other way in.
The other is to take the bus. Long-distance buses are generally okay in terms of quality, and far safer than short-distance buses, which are dilapidated, attract pickpockets, and are far more likely to be stopped by police… which could lead to lengthy interrogations as a foreigner.
Does Venezuela have Uber?
No. Venezuela has two taxi apps called Yummy and Ridery. You should download these two apps before your trip and have them set up and ready to use as soon as you arrive in the country.
They aren’t so useful in remote parts of the country, but they can help a lot in the major cities.
How to reach Caracas city centre from the airport
Do NOT take a taxi from outside the airport. At best, they’ll charge a high price; at worst, they could have dangerous intentions.
Either pre-arrange a ride with a trusted local who can take you to the centre. Around US$35 is a ballpark figure you should look to pay.
Or use Venezuelan Uber equivalents, Yummy or Ridery.
What do I need to visit Venezuela?
The first thing to do is check if you need a visa. US citizens do, as do most people from Africa and Asia. Most Europeans have visa-free access. However, the rules do change; therefore, you should check with your local Venezuelan embassy for the latest up-to-date information.
You should also bring a printed itinerary, in Spanish (this will make things much smoother). It should include your planned accommodations and activities each day, as well as your flight details.
You also need proof of your flights out of Venezuela. Immigration can be quite funny about needing a flight back to your home country. You can get away with flights elsewhere, but it may mean more intense questioning.
What are the best places to visit in Venezuela?
The capital, Caracas, is fascinating and a unique cultural experience with a different feel to any other Latin American city, as it recovers from a challenging period dealing with scarily high crime rates and crazy hyperinflation.
Head to Los Llanos to enjoy safari experiences where you can feed caimans, fish for piranhas, see anteaters, and so much more. The Orinoco Delta is another wildlife-rich gem worth visiting.
Angel Falls is perhaps Venezuela’s most famous attraction. It’s the world’s largest waterfall by height, and is located deep in the jungle, making it accessible only by plane.
Isla Margarita is famous for its relaxing beach environments and crystal-clear waters. The Los Roques archipelago offers similarly stunning scenery.
Morrocoy National Park combines beautiful beaches with many opportunities to see lots of wildlife.
Mount Roraima is a really awesome tabletop mountain with breathtaking views that takes around 5 days to hike up (and back down).
What’s the best way to get a SIM card in Venezuela?
You should download an eSIM before you go. We recommend Nomad, who operate in Venezuela, which isn’t the case for every eSIM provider.
Having an eSIM installed is the best way to stay connected here, as Venezuela is the sort of country where you want to have reliable internet access from the moment you arrive, especially to contact your hosts and use Yummy/Ridery.
Relying on a traditional physical SIM can lead to safety issues and a lot more hassle in terms of looking for somewhere reliable to buy one. You should only use these in easier countries.
What do I need to know about money in Venezuela?
The US dollar is used here nowadays. Bolivars are effectively worthless and, at best, will be given to you as change.
You should bring lots of USD with you, enough to cover all of your expected expenses. This is because foreign cards rarely work (you may get lucky, but don’t rely on it).
Zelle is sometimes used for payments. If you use Zelle, then it may come in handy here.
Bring lots of US $10, $5 and $1 notes to avoid being shortchanged, as Venezuelans often don’t have enough to pay you exact change (even in bolivars).
Is it safe to drink the tap water in Venezuela?
No. You should use a filtered water bottle to drink the water here, or boil it first.
You can brush your teeth with it, but don’t swallow or attempt to drink it.
Do I need to know Spanish to travel in Venezuela?
Venezuela is just about the trickiest South American country to visit without knowing the local language (Spanish in this case).
English is not widely spoken here.
Going with a fluent Spanish speaker is incredibly useful here. Knowing basic Spanish will go a long way while ordering food or checking into hotels, but it can be tricky to use for tasks such as navigating the country’s chaotic bus system.
What’s the best time to visit Venezuela?
Venezuela is great to visit at any time, although your preference may vary depending on what you plan to do.
November-April is the dry season, and the best time to go to Los Llanos for wildlife spotting or visiting the amazing beaches.
May-October is the wet season. This is when Angel Falls is at its most spectacular, making this the best time to visit the country’s main attraction.
What is the internet like in Venezuela?
The internet can be a little slow at times, but with an eSIM, you can easily overcome any issues in the cities, at least.
In more remote areas, such as the plains of Los Llanos, you may have a few more issues finding a good connection. Wi-Fi can be a little frustrating to use due to speed issues.
Internet censorship does occur at times. You can often bypass this with a VPN.
Is Venezuela safe to visit for Americans?
Venezuela and the US do not have a great relationship, and US citizens are at greater risk of being detained by the authorities.
Whilst the Venezuelan government are often suspicious of Western tourists, they are the most paranoid about Americans, and US passport holders are more likely to be seen as “spies” even with no real reason to suspect this.
Whilst American tourists have visited the country recently without issues, you should be aware that the risks of being arrested here are higher for you than for any other passport holders.
Is it safe to enter Venezuela by land?
No. The border regions are guarded by officials who have been known to detain foreigners without good reason in the very recent past, and they are prime territory for dangerous criminals, especially drug smugglers.
Whilst there have been reports of travellers safely visiting Venezuela after crossing from Colombia or Brazil, it is much riskier than flying in and is not recommended.
How safe is it to go out at night?
Venezuela is surprisingly safe at night now. That doesn’t mean you should go anywhere you want without a care in the world. Avoid slums and other run-down neighbourhoods where crime may still be a problem. Don’t go out alone or visit places with dim lighting.
The general rule is that if locals are in a place after dark, it is probably safe to go there.
Use Yummy and Ridery to get around if in doubt.
Is public transport safe to use?
Long-distance buses are generally safe, rarely stopped by police (who have been known to grill foreign tourists for hours), and even have Wi-Fi in some cases. These are by far the safest public transportation methods in the country.
Short-distance buses are not so safe. Now, even bus journeys that take 6 hours are considered “short distance” here, but you should easily be able to recognise these.
Short-distance buses are generally very old, battered and look like they’re falling apart. Smashed windscreens aren’t uncommon, and you may even find the metal lining of the bus has been ripped out and can be incredibly sharp to touch.
Short-distance buses are also much more popular with pickpockets, as well as being subjected to numerous police stops, which can be challenging at times.
The Caracas metro, on the other hand, is pretty safe to use. Whilst pickpockets are around, the risk is no higher than it would be in New York City or London, for example.
Metro trains are slow to arrive as most of them have become defunct to the point where they are no longer usable. And power cuts are a regular occurrence underground. But safety isn’t a major concern at all.