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South America

VenezuelaTravel guide

Explore Venezuela visa rulesCommon scams in Venezuela

Venezuela has waterfalls, Caribbean beaches, rich wildlife and Andes scenery. Many governments advise against all travel because of violent crime, unrest, kidnappings and wrongful detention. Consular help may be limited.

Why go

  1. Angel Falls is the world's tallest waterfall.

  2. Los Roques has clear Caribbean waters and beaches.

  3. Los Llanos is known for its wildlife.

  4. Mérida offers Andes mountain scenery.

  5. More than 40% of Venezuela is covered by protected areas.

Getting there

By air

  • The main international airport is Simón Bolívar International Airport, also called Maiquetía. It is about a 30-minute drive from Caracas.
  • International flights also serve Maracaibo, Porlamar, Barquisimeto, Barcelona and Valencia, but choices are limited.
  • Many Venezuelan airlines do not appear on regular flight search websites. You may need to book directly with the airline or through a travel agent.

By land

  • Venezuela has road links with Colombia and Brazil. The source warns against all travel near either border.
  • The main Colombian crossing connects Cúcuta with San Antonio del Táchira. Border checks can include frequent searches, and crossings have sometimes closed.
  • The Brazilian road crossing is near Santa Elena de Uairén, far from most tourist destinations.

Customs

  • At Caracas airport, immigration checks take place before baggage collection. Officers check passports and may ask about the purpose of your visit.
  • At baggage collection, you must match the baggage sticker on your ticket with the barcode on your bag.
  • You then hand your tax form to customs officials.

Getting around

  • Bus

    Buses serve major cities and are generally affordable. Terminals can be hectic. Robberies occur on city and highway buses. Choose services that check bags and use metal detectors. Large buses can be very cold because of strong air conditioning. Bring a blanket. Aeroexpresos Ejecutivo has its own Caracas terminal, checks baggage and offers reclining seats on some routes. Aeroexpresos Ejecutivo allows advance booking by phone and payment by credit card.

  • Shared cars

    Shared cars called por puestos serve some smaller towns without regular buses. They usually wait until four or five passengers have joined. A driver may ask you to pay for empty seats to leave sooner. Look for signs showing the route or destination. Avoid travelling alone in these cars. Avoid unofficial taxis called pirates, which may target foreigners for robbery.

  • Taxi

    Use legal taxis with yellow plates. Taxis with white plates are not legal and may be dangerous. At the airport, use the official taxi counter and check the displayed fare. The source identifies official airport taxis as black Ford Explorers with an official yellow oval seal. Agree on the fare before entering a taxi. Carry small notes because drivers often lack change. For Teletaxi in Caracas, call +58 212-9534040 and ask the fare before ordering.

  • Driving

    An international driving licence is needed. Police may also check the vehicle's frame or engine number. Drive on the right and give way to traffic already in a roundabout. Traffic can be chaotic, and speeding is common. Avoid long journeys after dark because of crime, poor lighting and deep potholes. Some roads need an off-road vehicle, especially during the May to October rainy season. Fuel can be scarce outside main towns and cities. Fill up before travelling to remote areas. Fuel quality can damage engines, especially in modern cars. Download offline maps because mobile phone coverage is limited. Police and military checkpoints are common. Watch any search of your vehicle and ask officers to inspect one area at a time.

What to see and do

  • Angel Falls and Canaima National Park

    See the world's tallest waterfall in the Guiana Highlands.

  • Los Roques

    Known for beaches and clear water.

  • Los Llanos

    Known for spectacular wildlife.

  • Mérida

    Offers striking Andes scenery.

  • Caracas

    Venezuela's capital offers a busy urban setting.

Food and drink

  • Arepas

    Thick corn flatbreads split and filled. Try reina pepiada with chicken salad and avocado, or dominó with black beans and white cheese.

  • Pabellón

    A traditional lunch of rice, black beans, shredded meat and fried plantain.

  • Cachapas

    Corn pancakes often topped with salty cheese.

  • Empanadas

    Savoury pastries commonly filled with cheese, meat or fish, usually fried.

  • Hallacas

    A popular Christmas dish with meat, olives and raisins in corn dough, wrapped in plantain leaves and steamed.

  • Cazuela de mariscos

    A shrimp soup.

Money

Bolívar Digital

  • Prices are often shown in United States dollars or euros. REF beside a price can mean a reference price in dollars.
  • Inflation and exchange rates can change prices quickly. Ask which currency a price uses before paying.
  • Old notes replaced in the 2018 and 2021 currency changes are no longer valid and cannot be exchanged.
  • Many cash machines are broken or give only small amounts. Do not rely on them for all your cash.

Tipping: Taxi drivers do not normally receive tips. In restaurants, a 10% tip is customary if service is not included; if a 10% service charge is included, you can leave a little extra change.

Typical costs

  • A two-hour bus ride may cost US$3–7.
  • A nine-hour bus ride may cost US$10–35.
  • A one- or two-hour shared car ride may cost US$5–9 per person.
  • Car hire usually costs US$20–50 per day, plus insurance and liability cover. A car with a driver may cost about the same.
  • Some restaurant prices exclude 16% tax and a service charge, usually 10%.

Language

  • Spanish is the official language.
  • Indigenous languages are spoken, especially in the Amazon region.
  • English is not widely spoken or understood outside Caracas. It is also limited within the capital.
Curva peligrosa
Dangerous curve.
Sucesión de curvas
Winding road.
Reduzca velocidad
Reduce speed.
Conserve su derecha
Keep right.
De la máquina
Machine-made; useful when ordering coffee.

Staying safe

  • Many governments advise against all travel because of unrest, violent crime, kidnappings and wrongful detention. Diplomatic assistance may be limited.
  • Avoid areas near the Colombian and Brazilian borders. The Colombian border has frequent kidnappings and cross-border violence.
  • Stay alert in crowds and keep valuables out of sight. Take care when using a phone, camera or map.
  • Avoid walking at night and arrange vehicle transport. Also avoid long-distance road travel after dark.
8 common scams in Venezuela, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Show empathy when discussing the country's political, economic and humanitarian crisis.
  • Understand that nicknames referring to appearance may be used affectionately.
  • Recognise that people may point with their lips and chin when giving directions.

Don't

  • Avoid discussing Chávez or his politics unless you know the views of the people you are with.
  • Do not assume that being called gringo is intended as an insult.
  • Do not mistake pointing with the lips for blowing a kiss.

Staying healthy

  • Medical supplies are severely limited, and emergency treatment may be difficult to obtain. Have travel insurance that includes medical evacuation.
  • Drink bottled water rather than tap water.
  • Choose street food carefully because handling and storage may be poor. Fresh food and mayonnaise spoil quickly in the heat.
  • Food changes may cause diarrhoea.

Where to stay

  • Caracas has a selection of expensive five-star hotels.
  • Guesthouses called posadas are usually the best option in tourist areas elsewhere. Prices and quality vary widely.
  • Posadas often provide breakfast or dinner if requested.
  • Youth hostels are very scarce.

Outdoor adventures in Venezuela

Venezuela has Caribbean beaches, Andean mountains, vast wildlife-rich plains and Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall. Outdoor highlights include hiking on Ávila, exploring the dunes near Coro and paragliding near Colonia Tovar. Many governments advise against all travel because of violent crime, kidnappings, wrongful detention and unrest; medical supplies are also severely limited.

  • Angel Falls in Canaima National Park

    More to doGuayana

    The falls are inside Canaima National Park. Transport and tour arrangements are not described.

  • Los Roques Archipelago

    BeacheCaribbean Islands

    Visit the Los Roques islands for their beaches. Transport and local arrangements are not described.

  • Los Llanos wildlife watching

    WildlifeLos Llanos

    Visit the plains of Los Llanos. Wildlife tour arrangements and starting towns are not described.

  • Ávila mountain hiking

    HikeCentralnear Caracas

    Take a bus from Altamira to the popular Sabas Nieves entrance. Another option is the Teleférico cable car, with hiking trails branching from its upper station.

    • Trails from the upper cable-car station are unmarked and hard to follow without a map.
    • The cable-car summit area is about 2,600 m above sea level.

  • Choroní Beach

    BeacheCentral, Araguanear Maracay

    Workdays tend to be quiet. Avoid Carnival, Holy Week and December 23–January 2 if you want easier bus and hotel availability.

    Travel north from Maracay. Buses leave from the terminal at Avenida Constitución and Avenida Fuerza Aéreas.

    • Avoid long-distance road travel at night.

  • Margarita Island

    BeacheCaribbean Islands, Nueva Esparta

    Visit Margarita Island in the Caribbean Islands region. Transport and individual beach access are not described.

  • Mochima National Park

    More to do

    Access and visitor arrangements for the park are not described.

  • Morrocoy National Park

    More to do

    Access and visitor arrangements for the park are not described.

  • La Gran Sabana

    More to doGuayana

    Travel routes and local tour arrangements are not described.

    • Avoid travel near the Brazilian border.

  • Orinoco Delta

    More to doGuayana, Delta Amacuro

    Transport, routes and local tour arrangements are not described.

  • Médanos de Coro sand dunes

    More to doNorthwestnear Coro

    The dunes are within walking distance of central Coro. Médanos de Coro National Park is a few minutes north of the city.

    • Do not go far into the dunes, as you can lose your way.

  • Colonia Tovar tandem paragliding

    ParaglidingCentralnear Colonia Tovar

    Arrange a tandem flight with Paragliding Colonia Tovar Venezuela on the road between La Victoria and Colonia Tovar. Listed hours are 10:00–17:00; telephone +58 4167600374.

    • Cost: US$60
    • Flights are tandem, meaning you fly together with an expert pilot.

  • Cata Beach

    BeacheCentral, Araguanear Maracay

    Workdays tend to be quiet. Avoid Carnival, Holy Week and December 23–January 2 if you want easier bus and hotel availability.

    Take a bus north from Maracay's terminal at Avenida Constitución and Avenida Fuerza Aéreas.

    • Avoid long-distance road travel at night.

  • Cuyagua Beach

    BeacheCentral, Araguanear Maracay

    Workdays tend to be quiet. Avoid Carnival, Holy Week and December 23–January 2 if you want easier bus and hotel availability.

    Take a bus north from Maracay's terminal at Avenida Constitución and Avenida Fuerza Aéreas.

    • Avoid long-distance road travel at night.

  • Parque La Llovizna waterfalls

    More to doGuayananear Ciudad Guayana

    Visit Parque La Llovizna in Ciudad Guayana. Local transport and routes through the park are not described.

  • Parque Cachamay rapids

    More to doGuayananear Ciudad Guayana

    Visit Parque Cachamay in Ciudad Guayana to see the Río Caroní rapids. Local transport arrangements are not described.

Airports, metros and trains in Venezuela

Airports with scheduled flights

  • VLNArturo Michelena International AirportValenciaMain international airport
  • PMVDel Caribe Santiago Mariño International AirportIsla MargaritaMain international airport
  • BLAGeneral José Antonio Anzoategui International AirportBarcelonaMain international airport
  • PZOGeneral Manuel Carlos Piar International AirportGuyana CityMain international airport
  • BRMJacinto Lara International AirportBarquisimetoMain international airport
  • MARLa Chinita International AirportMaracaiboMain international airport

Metro and subway

  • CaracasCaracas Metro49 stations67.2 kmsince 1983
  • MaracaiboMaracaibo Metro6 stations6.5 kmsince 2006
  • ValenciaMetro Valencia9 stations6.2 kmsince 2006

Trains

Rail network
336 km

People and safety in Venezuela

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian89%
  • No religion10%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #118 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

52% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 72 of 198 countries can visit Venezuela easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required72
  • eVisa78
  • Visa required47
  • Admission refused1

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe38 of 46 countries
  • Americas18 of 34 countries
  • Asia13 of 50 countries
  • Oceania2 of 14 countries
  • Africa1 of 54 countries

Questions

Is Venezuela safe for a first visit?

Many governments advise against all travel because of violent crime, unrest, kidnappings and wrongful detention. Help from your country's diplomatic mission may be limited.

Can I arrange flights without using a booking website?

Yes. The source says many Venezuelan airlines can be booked through a travel agent, and some do not appear on regular flight search websites.

How should I get from the airport to Caracas?

Use the official airport taxi counter and check the displayed fare before buying a ticket. The airport is about a 30-minute drive from Caracas.

What money should I carry?

United States dollars are commonly used, and small notes are useful because traders and taxi drivers may lack change. Cash machines can be broken or provide only small amounts.

Will people understand English?

English is not widely spoken, especially outside Caracas. Spanish is the official language.

Where can I stay outside Caracas?

Guesthouses called posadas are usually the best option in tourist areas. Their price and quality vary, and meals may be available on request.

What local food should I try?

Arepas are a typical choice, with fillings such as chicken and avocado or black beans and cheese. Pabellón is a traditional lunch of rice, beans, shredded meat and fried plantain.

Can I drink tap water?

The source recommends bottled water instead of tap water.

What is the main natural sight?

Angel Falls, in the Guiana Highlands and Canaima National Park, is the world's tallest waterfall.

What should I do about medical emergencies?

Have insurance that includes medical evacuation because medical supplies are severely limited. The emergency numbers listed are 911 and 171.

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