Venezuela🇻🇪
Venezuela is located in South America and is known for its geographical diversity, splendid natural landscapes, and cultural heritage. Sharing borders with Colombia in the West, Brazil in the South, the Atlantic Ocean in the North, and Guyana in the East, it is known for housing the world’s highest waterfall, Angel Falls, and the second-longest river, the Orinoco. Venezuela has a strained relationship with most of its neighbors due to political and economic instability. Known for its warm hospitality, musical traditions like salsa and merengue, the colonial architecture of its towns, it makes for an intriguing destination. When visiting, tourists shouldn’t miss out on the picturesque Los Roques Archipelago, the spirited city of Caracas, and the vast plains of Los Llanos.
⚠️Things you should avoid⚠️
- Avoid travel after dark: Night time is when most criminal activities, including muggings and carjackings, occur.
- Avoid political gatherings and protests: These can quickly turn violent and lead to altercations with law enforcement.
- Avoid consuming tap water: Due to poor sanitation standards, tap water is likely to be contaminated and can cause gastrointestinal problems.
- Avoid isolated locations: When sightseeing, stick to well-traveled tourist sites and avoid exploring remote areas alone.
- Avoid dealing with street vendors: Street vendors can be connected to criminal elements or sell counterfeit or stolen goods.
- Avoid showing signs of wealth: The display of wealth increases the risk of becoming a target for theft and robbery.
- Avoid the border areas with Colombia and Guyana: These regions are notorious for illicit activities including smuggling and drug trafficking.
- Avoid poorly maintained roads: Especially in the remote areas, roads can be very rough and dangerous, often with inadequate signage.
- Avoid unauthorized taxis: These are often involved in express kidnapping and other forms of crime.
- Avoid non-essential travel: Due to economic instability and crime, non-essential travel within Venezuela is discouraged. Always consult with local authorities and be aware of the current situation.
Overall
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Crime 🔫
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Venezuela has a very high crime rate including major cities like Caracas, Maracaibo, Valencia, and Ciudad Guayana. Notably, Caracas has one of the highest murder rates globally. Violent crime, including homicide, carjacking, kidnapping, robbery, and burglary are prevalent due to economic instability and political unrest. Street crimes such as pickpocketing and purse snatching are also rampant.
Terrorism 💣
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Although Venezuela does not frequently face terrorist attacks, the country's political volatility, particularly between 2018 and 2021, has led to violence and unrest. Protests and clashes between opposition groups and government forces have resulted in several casualties. The country also allegedly harbors and provides support to some radical groups.
War ⚔️
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While Venezuela is not currently at war with any country, it does contend with internal conflicts. Social unrest related to economic collapse and political corruption often lead to violent protests. The ongoing crisis between the government forces and opposition groups can be severe but does not reach the scale of a traditional war.
Natural Disasters 🌊
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Venezuela experiences a range of natural disasters including floods, landslides, and earthquakes. The La Guaira flood of 1999 remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in the country which led to thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. However, due to its location near the equator, Venezuela is less prone to severe weather phenomena like hurricanes.
Medical Care 🏥
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Venezuela's healthcare system has deteriorated significantly in recent years due to a lack of resources and economic hardship. Shortages of essential medicines, medical supplies, and well-trained personnel are widespread. Emergency services are understaffed and under-equipped.
Tap Water Quality 💧
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The quality of tap water is poor in Venezuela. In most parts of the country, tap water is not safe to drink. In some areas, tap water can be contaminated with bacteria and heavy metals, leading to a host of health problems.
Disease Burden 🤒
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Venezuela suffers from several endemic diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and Zika virus. The outbreak of measles and diphtheria from 2017 to 2018 also exposed the inadequacies of the healthcare system. Additionally, the country has seen an increase in malnutrition and associated diseases due to food scarcity.
Corruption 💸
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Corruption in Venezuela is a pervasive issue and manifests at all levels of society. Government officials have been accused of corruption, including bribery, embezzlement, and money laundering. The Maduro administration has been embroiled in several corruption scandals, affecting international relations and the country's economy.
Safety for Women ♀️
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Women's safety is a concern in Venezuela. Sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and femicide are significant issues. Additionally, the economic crisis has led to increased vulnerability of women and girls, with a noted increase in sex trafficking incidents.
Safety for Queer People 👬
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While homosexuality is legal in Venezuela, the LGBTQ+ community faces social discrimination and violence. The country does not have comprehensive laws protecting against hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Same-sex couples do not have the same legal protections as heterosexual couples.
Censorship 📺
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Censorship is a severe problem in Venezuela, with the government maintaining strict control over media outlets and regularly cracking down on freedom of speech. Journalists face harassment, detention, and even death for their reporting. These issues have been escalated in recent years due to the political crisis and issues surrounding the legitimacy of Presidential power.
Public Transportation 🚌
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While public transportation is available in major cities of Venezuela, it is often unreliable and overcrowded. Buses and metro services are known to be targets for petty crime. Several accidents have been reported due to poor maintenance and lack of safety measures.
Other useful information
🔒 How safe is it?
Given the prevalence of violent crime, poor medical facilities, political volatility, and basic shortages of goods, Venezuela poses significant safety risks for travelers. Special caution must be taken to minimize exposure to potential hazards. It is essential to stay informed about the recent political and security updates and avoid places known for criminal activities. Essential services such as healthcare and public transportation are not reliable. Travel to Venezuela should be reconsidered unless absolutely necessary.
🏰 Embassies in this Country
Several countries maintain embassies in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, Brazil, and many others.
💉 Recommended Vaccinations
Recommended vaccinations for Venezuela include routine vaccines like measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and the annual flu shot. Travelers are also advised to get Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, and Rabies vaccine.
🐍 Dangerous Animals
Venezuela is home to several dangerous animals. These include venomous snakes like the Fer-de-lance and the Bushmaster, jungle cats like jaguars and pumas, and crocodilians. Mosquitoes and other insects can transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue, and ZIka virus.
🛂 Visa Requirements
Most nationals require a visa to enter Venezuela. It requires an invitation from a local contact or a travel reservation for tourist visas. Business travelers require a letter from a company or organization in Venezuela. It is advisable to check with the local Venezuelan embassy for the most current regulations.
💲 Currency
The official currency of Venezuela is the Venezuelan bolívar. Money can be exchanged in major cities at banks and exchange bureaus. Credit cards are accepted in many places, though due to a high rate of credit card fraud, cash is preferred.
💳 Credit Card Acceptance
Major international credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and some businesses in major cities. However, due to high fraud rates, it is best to use cash whenever possible.
🧑🏭 Is it possible to work and travel in this country?
Due to the current economic and political climate, Venezuela is not a suitable destination for work and travel. Job opportunities are severely limited, living conditions are hard, and safety is a major concern.
💵 Cost of Travel and Living
While Venezuela is one of the least expensive countries in South America, hyperinflation makes prices volatile. Basic goods and services can be hard to find due to scarcity. Accommodations can be inexpensive, but tourists will find that prices for imported goods are exceptionally high.