Caracas

Hi

I stayed in CCS a few days a month ago.
For the first time in 14 years I got robbed.Nothing serieus, only 180 us, and he could have taken more, I have to blame myself for being negligent.
Cover your hair maybe, wear old or worn clothes and stay inside at night.
I ve been all over the city, just be confident and you ll be ok
In jan I probably will be back for a few days.

Hi,
Sorry but I don't agree about covering your hair. That would make you stand out! There are plenty of blond Venezuelans. It will be fairly obvious you are foreign from the way you dress and bags you carry around.

Unless things have changed from last year or are different in Caracas, very few Venezuelan women wear dresses or skirts. If you want to blend-in try very tight cropped jeans.

Happy travels

morgankey, the most important thing is not to be wandering around. Take taxis from one place to the other and dont walk unless there is a river of people walking.
Blonde hair is common and it wont make you stand out. Your way to dress (typical tourist: skirt, flipflops and backpack) might give you out as a tourist and it would be undesirable if you are going to walk a lot. Wear jeans and sneakers.
So the most important thing is to know where you're going and avoid the dangerous parts of the city. Follow up on this thread with a little more of your trip and I'll help you out.
Regards and safe journey,
Wilcho

Hello Morgankey,

Little more to say than what has already been said. Nevertheless you might want to consider the following as advice for while in Caracas or travelling around the country.
To make your stay less nerveracking, easier and safer I suggest you follow some simple guidelines, for example:

Check your route before taking it.
Know where you're heading.
Arrange accomodation before hand just in case you get to your destination late in the evening. You don't want to be searching for places to stay late at night.
Do not wear or show off any fancy items that may draw attention.
Always carry your personal belongings with you when travelling. Make use of safe boxes in posadas or hotels, if available.

Please bear in mind that to blend in you have to dress as the vzlans, that means leave you're flip flops/sandals at home when out in the city. Only tourists do that!
Try to stay in Altamira and whereabouts (los Plaos Grandes, la Castellana) it is a safe seccion of the city and close to public transportation make acces to other sites in the city easy. Also it boasts some nice bars, restaurants, clubs, theaters, cinemas and shopping centers.

You'll have a great time if you play your cards right. Stcik to the right palces and you'll meet some very friendly people who will go out of their way to make sure you feel at home!

All the best,

Thomas
Caracas
berry_venezuela@hotmail.com