Venezuela travel advice
Please see our updated travel advice for Venezuela. Protests have been taking place in Caracas and other cities, some turning violent.
Before making any travel plans, please read carefully and observe the travel advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO):
- VENEZUELA TRAVEL ADVICE - full, updated version
Summary:
Around 9,500 British nationals visit Venezuela every year. Most visits are trouble free, however you need to take a series of precautions before making your travel plans.
International airlines in Venezuela have recently reduced the availability of flights to and from the country. This has made it more difficult and expensive to buy flight tickets, especially if paid in local currency.
Be aware that ad-hoc protests may cause disruption to travel plans. Seek local advice from airlines and tour operators before you set out. You can get updates (in Spanish) on the security situation on the Twitter channel of the Venezuelan Ministry of Justice - @GMAtodaVidaVZLA
Levels of street crime are high. Armed muggings and ‘express kidnappings’ are a regular occurrence. Resistance to robbery has resulted in victims being shot dead. Take care at all times, especially when arriving in the country.
The (FCO) advise against all travel to within 80km (50 miles) of the Colombian border in the states of Zulia, Tachira and Apure. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Tachira state. Drug traffickers and illegal armed groups are active in these states and there is a risk of kidnapping. See Safety and security
- VENEZUELA TRAVEL ADVICE - full, updated version