PBH / Venezuela / Forums (active) Pictures

Temp Job in Venezuela?

I work for a multi-national company and a there is a chance to do a business trip to Caracas. The job would last 1-2 weeks and would consist of working with locals in an office in El Rosal. I would stay in a hotel and have a driver to/from the airport and to work.
I would love to see a bit of the city, maybe go out on the town once, and maybe do a 2 day trip to Los Roques at the end of the business trip. I speak conversational Spanish.

I've read numerous threads on other sites about safety in Caracas, and know that safety is an issue. I previously lived in Mariscal district of Quito for 7 months and have also travelled in Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina so I'm not completely clueless about safety in S.A. cities, but Caracas seems to be a scarier place.

Questions:
What do you think about this? Would you take this job? Any other advice?

By marqual on May 27, 2009, 17:33 in Venezuela forum.

Elmin says on May 28, 2009, 05:31:

i'm assuming the hotel would be in El Rosal as well Marqual? i would take the job if that's the case. Sounds like a interesting assignment.
I would never be willing to live and work in Caracas for longer term though.

Heavy crime certainly is more rampant in Caracas then Quito, but once again for a short business trip i wouldn't hesitate to head out there.

as for tips, watch out with the cabs :)

p.s
Amazing you managed to live in Mariscal for 7 months lol. 1 week did it for me

0 funny, 0 helpful.

marqual says on May 28, 2009, 14:26:

Thanks for your response.

As for Quito - was there in 2005-2006. Felt very safe in the daytime - I usually walked at least 1 hour per day (up to CCI, parque Carolina) and we would go lay out and do aerobics in the park on the weekends. It wasn't even scary to carry my school bag/purse in the daytime. I lived in Mariscal because it was a 10 minute walk to my teaching job & I went out alot of nights & it saved on taxi costs. I was friendly with the managers of a hostel, so I had my own room 95% of the time for $5 a night with breakfast, kitchen and TV lounge, and it was fun to meet other tourists to go out when my local friends were busy.

From other forums, it looks like going for a walk in the daytime is not safe in Caracas - in any neighborhood? Is this true?

Other tips are appreciated!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

El Expatriado says on May 29, 2009, 03:52:

I lived in Maracaibo which is a lot safer than Caracas, and there are very few places you can go walking, Parque del lago, a thin strip along the lake and a few other 1 1or 2 square block areas. Caracas is similar, ther are a few parks which are safe, but very small compard to total area.

I would get strong references on your driver, make sure he knows the area good, and talk to him before you get there. If you are satisfied, pay for him when you are there fulll time, no private taxis. I sure as hell wouldn't try to save taxi cost when you are there. Kind of like skimping on parachutes when sky diving.

After all, it is the most dangerous major city in the world

0 funny, 0 helpful.

C5vzla (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 29, 2009, 20:03:

I don't know maracaibo because I went there only once, so I can say nothing about it, but I lived in Caracas for over 10 years and, during daytime, you can walk about anywhere in town except the poorer areas.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Conchale Vale!! says on May 30, 2009, 08:47:

Our local office is in El Rosal in Centro Lido. The area is one not bad. You should be fine. There is not a whole lot to do in that area. However you still need to use caution. We don't use the elevators in the building where my office is alone after 6 pm because people have been robbed in them. Los Roques is OK but my personal opinion is it is not worth the cost. If you are going to do the trip make sure you bring dollars and trade them to pay for the trip otherwise it will be very expensive. I would recommend maybe going to El Hatillo which is south east of Caracas and not far. Older style architecture and some good restaurants. If you decide to go the museums be careful the area can be very sketchy at times. The art museum is being moved to a new building I am not sure if it is finished or not. The old one was open last year but had very little to see due to the move. Use a car service form the hotel or your company driver.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

marqual says on Jul 10, 2009, 07:23:

Conchale Vale, We will be in Centro Lido too! We'll probably stay at Embassy Suites or Lido Hotel.

We booked a tour for angel falls and Los Roques. Was expensive, but I'm not sure if I'll ever get back to Venezuela, or if the conditions will get more expensive and less safe. We're also arranging transport to & from the airpot.

0 funny, 0 helpful.