Caracas Travel Forum

I am an 18 year old American girl. I attend an international school in Norway and have traveled extensively, including to Mexico, Argentina, and Uruguay. I also speak passable Spanish. My boyfriend is Venezuelan and lives in Caracas and I am planning on going home with him for Christmas/New Year's this year. My parents are completely against this. They are certain I will get shot/stabbed/raped at some point in Caracas. They think I will be harassed by security and customs officials at the airport for being an American and for being a woman traveling alone. They are sure I will be a target for crime because I am American/white.

I am wondering how dangerous Caracas really is for an American. I will be with my boyfriend and his Venezuelan family the whole time so I only have to navigate the airport alone. Is it reasonable for me to fight to go to Caracas, or is the danger as severe and real as my parents think?

Exactly what happens when we listened too much to our parents! They're crazy, didn't you know that already? You ought to be ashamed of yourself for giving them the light of day when it comes to the fun stuff in life. If you don't go, you're as equally crazy as they are!

I wouldnt be so nagativistic about any parents,like the previous reply.

Anyway i think it will be OK for you to go to Caracas. Airport is quite good and if it was the only thing to worry about you should go. If your boyfriend is waiting you there as you arrive, then it is safer than going shopping in a mall :)

enjoy Caracas :)
and if you will have time make some tous around, it is worth it.

vojto

Well, I have lived in Venezuela for many years, I also american and I had other family living there. My sister got assaulted 3 times in around 3 or 4 years and she did not go to off limit places, fluent Spanish, looks like American .... But they did not rape or seriously hurt her, only rob her of what she had.
I had a couple of issues with the transit police as they sometimes require stuff not necessarily because infractions but other reasons.
In general, as you will be with Venezuelan friends that probably decreases the risk, but it is very advisable that you are aware that these problems happen and you better take your precautions. I donīt think the airport itself poses major issues as theyīll wait for you and if you were to take a cab as in many developing countries you can expect to be overcharged if you donīt get a price in front.

Well, that's the usual propaganda against Venezuela. Of course crime is an issue but it won't target you, just because you are american, there are plenty of white people here, so unless you are dressing like a tourist and speaking english, no one will notice you are a foreigner. There are just two checkpoint at the airport one for Inmigracion and one for Seniat (Customs). And no one, absolutely no one will bother you there. Just stay away from bad places in Caracas, don't be late alone in night, and don't flash any jewelry, the usual precautions you have to take in cities with crime issues like Caracas.

I am a Brit and now live in Caracas. My parents were very worried about me coming here too and I was rather worried too after living in the U.S. and seeing the news reports. It is like every big city, you just have to be street smart and aware. If you boyfriend is here, you should be perfectly ok as he will know Caracas and will know how to take care of you, what you should and should not wear on the street (i.e. no expensive watches and jewelry, esp gold), and where you should and should not go. There are lots of very nice and safe parts of Caracas. Just avoid walking in the street once it is dark and avoid the poorer areas and you should be ok. Walking around with lots of jewelry and with a camera, you will get robbed so just need to take care.

The airport can be dangerous and many are robbed there. Hopefully your boyfriends family will pick you up or he will meet you there, I strongly advice that. You do not want to have to find a safe taxi alone. Just avoid talking to people who come up to you in the airport and hold your bags safely as there are often people trying to snatch bags there. The airport is very nice though and there is a nice waiting area inside where you will be ok (as long as you hang on to your bags).

Venezuela is a great country with a lot of amazing places to see. I would take the opportunity and visit.

You dont have to worry soooo much about it.

Of course there is dangerous places like any city in the WHOLE world, take the previous recommendations, like not use expensive things, Jewels, things that could be very showy, be in places where there are lot of people and there is people that speak english, make questions if you want it, better to people from stores, airlines.

Venezuela is a beautiful country!, enjoy it and welcome!!

Angie

I was in Caracas with my 13 year old daughter, this past January. We stayed at a friends apartment in a nice area and we were fine. We walked to local restaurants and visited a bar.

As above, do not wear gold jewelry or draw attention to yourself by waving alot of cash around.

Make sure you are met by someone 'in the know'.

In some aprts, be careful in slow moving traffic eg hadbag on lap in view etc.
I would totally avoid getting caught up in rush hour.

I have heard many reports of theft from my numerous family members, but it is very rarely with voilence and often things stolen from cars.

There are some really lovely aprts of Caracas, shopping etc It looked lovely lit up with Christmas lights. Be prepared for a crazy ride from the airport , especially if at night!

Have a great trip.

Did you go? Are you back home now? My neice went last year for Sring break 07 she went back in Jan 08 we doubt we will ever hear from her again. Her boyfriend is in there and is also Venezuelan. He threatened to kill himself over the holidays if she did not come back to her. She is very naive 18 and very blond looks like Nicole Kidman, she is her mother's only child. Her mother cries everyday and is worried to death. When she called her home, her mom asked was she coming home and she said she didn't know yet and when asked was boyfriend standing there with her, she said yes. We bekieve he has manipulated her to get there and is manipulating her to stay there. Very sad

ermmm I am half Venezuelan. We are a passionate people, but an unbalanced person (as it sounds from what you are saying) can come from any country!

That's true Amapola