Caracas dangerous?

kalder says on Jun 4, 2008, 08:18:

In 'Secuestro Express' it looked appallingly dangerous.

"A piece of cheese may entrap a mouse, but a bicycle could ensnare the Imperial Chancellor."~~An Bai Kuang

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wetdreamer says on Jun 4, 2008, 08:30:

If i was any of you guys, i'll try to stay away from Caracas, go to Puerto La Cruz or Margarita Island instead.

Another casualty of the colombian DIASPORA "more than 6 millions of colombians around the world"

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Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jun 4, 2008, 11:10:

Morrongo says on Jun 4, 2008, 14:55:

Every backpacker i meet in Caracas,all seemed to have a tail to tell,muggings .hotel thefts....They are good parts in Caracas...but overall you need your wits about you!!!
..Stay away from hotels in the centre..cheap,but a bugger if you want to go out at night.

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Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jun 5, 2008, 05:03:

nine inch nails says on Jun 6, 2008, 11:35:

When I traveled to Panama last year met a couple gents from Texas with one working in the oil industry.

I think he said it was his company where one of the employees on a trip to Caracas entered what he thought was the limo for his company. Turns out it was not and they offered him a coke laced with droga then robbed him and left him for dead on the autopista. Turns out the guy was run over by a car and killed.

DON'T ACCEPT AND FOOD OR DRINK OR SMOKIES FROM ANYONE YOU JUST FIRST MET EVEN IF YOU THINK IT IS OK.

VERIFY YOUR TRANSPORTATION FROM THE CARACAS AIRPORT.

PLEASE KEEP VIGILENCE AT ALL TIMES!

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Peet says on Jun 11, 2008, 15:58:

I started my travel journey in South America in January 2007 ... in Caracas. I usually don´t nag too much about unsafeness to other travellers but it is true that Caracas is another cup of tea. It is by far the most dangerous place I have visited during my trip. The problem is: you can get a hotel in Chacao or another nice neighbourhood of which I have forgotten the name (one station east of Chacao by metro) but these areas are fucking expensive (at least for the hotels - like 60 dollars a night)! The first time I was in Caracas I stayed in Sabana Grande, at day quite okay, but at night dangerous. One night I was waken up by gunfire in the streets. The second time I was in Caracas I was in a hotel close to the historical centre (Capitolio): at daytime okay, at night even more dangerous. Again: gunfire at night, olé! I was also mugged at the entrance of the subway.
So, during the daytime you can visit quite some places in Caracas though never go into streets that are deserted, always stay where you see many people. Don´t take any valuables or documents in the streets and act as if you know where you´re going to. Wandering around doubtfully with a Lonely Planet in your hands is not a good idea ... you´re not in paradise. At seven pm it´s better to go to your hotel and stay inside. (I guess this doesn´t apply for Chacao which is safer) When going out at night I advise taking a cab which comes to your hotel (maybe reserve by phone?). Yes, in Caracas: almost no people in the streets at night ... this is not without reason.
I have heard quite some bad stories of people coming from the airport. I think it is better to take an official cab, but even with these there might be problems (they get stolen as well by criminals). If your flight arrives at night you might consider waiting at the airport until day comes when you can take the bus to the centre. That might actually be safer than taking a cab.
It is not impossible to visit Caracas. However, more than in any other place in South America, I felt as if I had to watch my back all the time. If you stay some time in Caracas, visit the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo though, it´s wonderful, as well as the park el Avila ...
Furthermore, I wish everybody good luck. Don´t stay too long, in Venezuela there are much nicer places to visit ... If you are adventurous and interested in what the expression ´urban jungle´ means in reality, Caracas might be your thing ...

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stealthyrr says on Aug 21, 2008, 14:08:

Caracas is a very dangerous place to go right now if you are not with locals that know what they are doing. Just like any large metropolis, there are good and bad sides of town. I have seen people get shot in Venezuela right in front of me and almost everyone I know that lives there has been robbed at least on one occasion in their lives (more often than not, multiple times). It's really sad because VZ is such a wonderful country with some of the nicest people and most beautiful women. Hopefully things will change in the future...My advice would be to stay away for now (unless you are going with locals that you know VERY well). VZ did not used to be like this. It would absolutely blow gringos' minds to know what is a normal day for people in certain parts of VZ. Me extraño el verdad VZ.....

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Tejeringo says on Sep 8, 2008, 22:21:

Don't go to Caracas! they will not only rob you they will kill you!.

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Juba17 says on Nov 9, 2008, 17:37:

Caracas:
Not a safe place at all. Corrupted to the bone and lot's a very bad people.
Believe me. It' s not a place you will feel pleasant at.

Instead visit Chichiriviche, Morrocoy, Choroni

DON'T GO TO BIG TOWNS UNLESS YOU WANNA GET ROBBED OR DIE!

Don't get near Caracas, 100 Km. Don't trust police, oficcial government workers or cab drivers. If you fly to Maiquetia, grab another flight directly to anywere else. Don't go out! Tourists get killed just to steal their watches (it's true!!!).

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Elmin says on Nov 22, 2008, 10:17:

best thing about Caracas is the transit to Colombia.

The above post claiming "DON'T GO TO BIG TOWNS UNLESS YOU WANNA GET ROBBED OR DIE!" is a bit exaggerated though.

p.s
If you happen to ride a cab in Caracas, keep the doors and windows shut

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Conchale Vale!! says on Nov 23, 2008, 11:56:

Peter I travel throughout Venezuela frequently and will be in Caracas next week. I have never had a issue but you can an will get robbed if you are careless. Normal common sense and caution and you are fine. I even ride the metro but on the metro you must use extra caution. Same rules apply as Colombia, taking a taxi in the street is not a good idea..use tele-taxi and you are fine. Police and Military while they are corrupt are not that bad. On my last trip by car from Caracas to Barinas was stopped at 4 checkpoints and never had a issue or asked for money. I would rather be stopped in Caracas than anywhere in Mexico by authorities. Although Venezuela has changed significantly in the last 5 years or so I still feel safer here than Rio, Sao Paulo or Mexico City. I will be going next week to Caracas and then Valencia and then also again for 10 days at Christmas. I do agree with Jubas places to go as well as many other locations in Venezuela. Caracas itself is very expensive due to uncontrolled inflation.

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elchantajista says on Mar 13, 2009, 16:25:

Been to caracas" # 1city as for as murder rates among no war zone cities in the world" New Orleans my back yard is 3rd ;becareful in el centro also I was at the hilton" Safe area" one time and saw a fire fight between the federals and malandros lots of gun fire;as for as the barrio on the outside of the city don't even think about it ; the police don't go to some parts, becareful what taxi you take to from the airport make sure they have the proper cedula IN MY HUMBLE opinion caracas is more dangerous the bogata but you are not American so maybe it won't be quite as bad . i AGREE with wet dreamer 100% about margarita island and puerto EL cruz been to those places you will have lots more fun in the sun still gotta watch your self but much safer and you should have fun with the excusions to the small island stay around Polamar great night life

anda de parranda al Juanchito "Vicente"

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