Venezuela is a country with cheapest fuel prices on earth with less than 10 (USD) cents per liter. Venezuela also has the largest oil and second largest natural gas reserves in the world. Majority of the Venezuelan economy is focused on oil. This once rich country, however, has experienced hyperinflation and dramatical crisis which caused many disastrous strikes, hunger, poverty and lack of services. Tourists traveling to Venezuela should carefully prepare for the hazards awaiting them.

Travelling info

All tourists visiting Venezuela are required to have a valid passport and a return ticket. Certain nationals will be able to stay in the country for up to 90 days without the requirement of obtaining a visa whilst others may be required to obtain the document prior to departure. (list of visa requirements in sources). Visitors who choose to drive in Venezuela are not required to obtain an international driving license, only domestic driving license is required. National Guard checkpoints are common throughout the country and mandatory stops are enforced by law.

Travelling hazards

Road conditions vary around Venezuela. Major city roads and highways are well maintained however rural roads and roads of lesser importance may be quite damaged and often not maintained. Primary and secondary roads may be shut down for long periods of time due to severe flooding, road repairs of damage caused by landslides, etc. Traffic is mostly moving freely on the roads however in major cities it gets congested during rush hours which may become very dangerous due to gang activity. (See crime). Public transport is widely available throughout the country for cheap prices however it is advised to avoid it or use with increased caution due to high risk of criminal activity. Because of the current situation in Venezuela, these conditions may greatly change.

Environmental hazards

Almost half of Venezuela is covered by thick tropical forest. There are many different species of animals of which some may be quite dangerous. There are two large cats roaming the jungle of Venezuela. Jaguars and Cougars inhabit the same area that covers more than half of Venezuela. These are however quite a rare sight due to their jungle preference. Although attacks on humans are very rare, interaction with such a large and dangerous creature might be fatal. Spectacled bears inhabit parts of northern Venezuela however these animals are extremely rare and there has been only 1 recorded fatality on their account. When coming into contact with humans these usually act in a docile manner however a female bear with cubs might attack to protect her young. There are several dangerous reptiles in Venezuela. The Orinoco crocodile is a native to Venezuela and inhabited mostly the areas around the Orinoco river. These rare creatures can be extremely dangerous for humans that either come close to them or swim in the crocodile-infested water bodies. There are several species of venomous snakes, among these are the coral snake and 11 types of pitvipers that are capable of killing humans. Due to the ongoing crisis and medical supply shortages, antivenom may not be readily available throughout the country. It is important to use bug repellants as both mosquitoes and Chagas bugs carry serious diseases that may even result in death. The coastal waters of Venezuela are generally safe to swim in without any major threats however freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers may be inhabited by apex predators such as the Orinoco crocodile that can be very dangerous for humans.
There are several natural hazards that affect Venezuela. Earthquakes can occur on a monthly basis however last significant earthquake occurred in 2010. Although Venezuela lies outside of the hurricane alley, the hurricane season often causes coastal roads to be flooded. Heavy rains and flash floods can cause serious damage and be dangerous for human lives. In 1999 the Vargas tragedy occurred when a mixture of heavy rains and flash floods resulted in deaths of tens of thousands of people.

Health hazards

All visitors traveling to Venezuela from countries with a risk of yellow fever must present proof of yellow fever vaccination. Although the yellow fever vaccine is only required if traveling from risk countries, it is strongly recommended for visitors from non-risk states as there is a risk of it throughout the country. There are several other vaccines that are strongly recommended. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, rabies, hepatitis A and B and typhoid vaccine. There is a risk of contracting Zika or malaria in Venezuela. There is, unfortunately, no approved vaccines against either of the two. There is however medicine on prescription against malaria which should be available to anyone after consulting their local general practitioner. A visitor should also use mosquito repellents and mosquito nets. Due to the current situation in Venezuela, most health-related services are unavailable. The vast majority of hospitals are in serious demand for supplies or lack any at all. The facilities are also understaffed as a vast amount of physicians have left the country for better opportunities. Power shortages are common resulting in inoperable conditions in clinics and hospitals. The private sector was least hit and some clinics operate on somewhat moderate level however very few Venezuelans are capable of affording such expenses as a day in a private clinic can cost up to a 130 (USD) while the average Venezuelan salary is 2 (USD) per month. If traveling to Venezuela it is strongly advised to get a supply of medicine prior to departure as there is a little chance to obtain medicine in the country.
In case of an emergency dial 171.

Crime

Due to the current situation in Venezuela, it is considered one of the most dangerous countries currently to be in. Widespread starvation and lack of medical supplies cause people to turn to crime. Caracas is currently a place where most homicides are committed which is a result of both the ongoing crisis and the drug cartels operating within the country. The main cities of Venezuela may be dangerous in the day as well as at night. Armed robberies very commonly occur on roads with high traffic congestion where two assailants on mopeds or bikes approach a car and demand the victim’s goods. Not complying usually results in death. Random demonstration and clashes with the local police occur. Theft is common, not even deposits in hotels are safe. Normal precautions are not enough, most travel advisories suggest to either reconsider travel or not to go.

Summary

Although Venezuela uses to be one of the richest countries in South America, due to its current state it is not advised for inexperienced travelers to visit. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://visados.com/en/visa-for-Venezuela
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/venezuela
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever-malaria-information-by-country/venezuela#5332
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291
(Travel advisories)
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/venezuela-travel-advisory.html
https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/venezuela