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Venezuela Maracaibo ...Don't go there

Quick note . I have just got back from Maracaibo . I stayed in the Hotel Gran Delicas. Staff are not friendly or helpful. The taxi drivers who work at the hotel are a bunch of robbers and they will give you misleading information. Go somewhere else.
On the bus to Venezuela we were stopped 5 times and at one of the points they pulled the tourists off the bus and then tried to extort money from us. They managed to get money from some Italians because the new game is to say " You landed at an airport you have to leave by an airport" even though the Italians had arrived in Venezuela by bus.
The police also took most of their money (only a small amount)} but then you have to pay an exit tax of 46 BsF and they did not have enough for that . Luckily some nice Australians and French people had a few small notes and we were able to come up with the money for them....

Considering that Venezuela is not at war with anyone the amount of police wasting everyones time and army people on the roads you have to wonder who is the government frightened of ?

We met some more toursits who were on a bus behind us and they were put through the same thing.

All in all the attitude of all the extranjeros was relief at getting out of Venezuela ....

Seriously everyone think very carefully before going there ...The police are very corrupt and lying to people is the name of the game and read the local papers about how many people have been kidnapped there .. En Zulia state they are at 73 for the year. That is the reported numbers. Friday 29 august newspaper.

I went to Venezuela expecting a little bit of hassle but it is way out of control there....

By mikeinpuerto on Aug 31, 2008, 10:31 in Venezuela forum.

guacharaca says on Aug 31, 2008, 17:51:

Thanks for the post. I have heard of the restriction about "if fly in, must fly out" before from Colombians visiting Venezuela.

I noticed the following on the Venezuelan Embassy in UK website with "if entering and leaving the country by air" in bold letters:

"British passport holders do not need a visa to travel to Venezuela as tourists for up to 90 days, if entering and leaving the country by air. A Tourist Entry Card (TEC) valid for 90 days is available from the airlines serving Venezuela at no cost but these cards cannot be extended. If planning to travel to Venezuela by land or sea you should apply for a tourist visa beforehand."

I do not see it on their Canada or US website.....but I suspect it will come soon.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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Ken says on Sep 3, 2008, 22:32:

OK-

But I am going to live there- Work or Chevron.

Es Maracaibo mas peligroso y corrupto que Colombia?

Is it? I didn't notice any corruption of Police in Colombia, and (todavia, gracias a Dios), I have not as yet been bombed, robbed or kidnapped . Same as Peru. And between the 2 of them, I have spent about 9 months.

Has anyone been to both Colombia and Venezuela (particularily Maracaibo) and can tell me whichiis more dangerous?

Ken

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Tejeringo says on Sep 8, 2008, 22:23:

Maraicabo no es mas peligroso que Colombia pero si igual de Corrupto.

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mikeinpuerto says on Sep 10, 2008, 05:54:

Sorry I would have to say from what I saw of it that Venezuela is now the most dangerous place ...When you look around and see very few people on the streets you start to wonder why ?..

The corruption in Venezuela is now out of control....Why are the police harassing tourists non stop..why are the police spending all their time stopping the locals and asking for ID's every 2 seconds ... Maybe the police realize how corrupt the Venezuelan people have become ..??

Something is clearly wrong when the police are trying to intimidate everyone??? Venezuela is a police state...

Smile and everyone will wonder what they are missing.

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DodgerDogs says on Sep 12, 2008, 09:32:

Maricabo ,
is no more corrupt than any other Latin America town. I travel between Colombia and Maricabo twice a week, some people exagerate or get paranoid.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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quantum says on Sep 19, 2008, 16:48:

Can anybody give me any information about Monterin in the east of Venezuela? Is it any better way out there? Is the general attitude of the people and police different or much the same. Cuz from what Ive read here not much point in goin to Venezuela at all. Please some experienced Venez traveler tellme how it varies depending on where u go? mahalo......

quantum

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Conchale Vale!! says on Oct 4, 2008, 08:56:

Quantum I am assuming you mean Maturin in the state of Monagas? I like it there a lot ..people are very friendly but it is another big oil production center. the actual stat on monagas outside maturin has many beautiful parts and worth seeing. I would disagree with your comment that Venezuela has no point in going..It is a incredible place with great people, food, beaches. The current political situation has made it very expensive even with black market money but other than that there is a lot to do and see. I am assuming you are comparing to Colombia? I have driven about 2000KM this year in Venezuela and have never had a problem. Been stopped by police for paperwork and never had a issue.

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Juba17 says on Nov 9, 2008, 17:15:

DON'T EVER GO TO VENEZUELA!!!!

I'm currently stuck in Caracas due to some of the worst imaginable and possible situations posible. I have had to deal with corruption several times (too many times) and people at any official department only want MONEY from you. Things regular even in the poorer countrys here are a reason to take money away from you.
Just a small example:
My sister-in-law is arrested right now cos she wanted to travel to her own country on vacations! She's a resident here and due to the sort of scum that crawls around here they retained her at the airport with the excuse her papers weren't correct. Shes has been illegaly detained for more then 2 days now. They already managed to take her more then 300 $ US in bribes just so she could keep her lugage safe.
What kind of people would do this to other people? Well now you know. Venezuelan people.
Don't trust anyone here! It's sad to say it but I never thought these things happened anywere.

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Chriscan (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 30, 2008, 07:16:

If only Venezuela had Colombian police

Beam me up Scotty; No intelligent life here.

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lpdiver says on Dec 2, 2008, 00:00:

Ken...I worked in the refineries in Maricaibo. A fellow HSE employee was beheaded. I left and don't intend to return.

I have spent much time in Colombia and may live there one day.

ts

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

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Loggi says on Feb 20, 2009, 13:41:

These people deserve Chavez. the most unpleasant place I have ever been. They assume every tourist is an American and treat you like a dog. Even my 7 year old asked my why are all the people so nasty in this country.

Live for the moments you can't put into words

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Ken says on Feb 26, 2009, 19:31:

Actually the Venezuelans, either Chavistas or not, are generalyvery nice, respectful people, and brothers of the Colombians.

Right now the politoical situation is one way, for certain reasons I prefer not to get into (becausse some day I may want to come back here and work). But some day, it will change. remember that George Bush once had ove 60% approval rating.

I've probably already said too much.

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