Posted: 15-January-2008
Question:
My 25 year old daughter is going to Venezuela alone for 2 months in February. I am greatly concerned after many of the things I have heard. Would someone please tell me what she is in for and if such a trip is advised. She does not know anyone in Venezuela and will be making her contacts while she is there. I am trying to talk her out of it but her mind seems to be made up. I believe she will be staying in Caracas.
Reply 1:
I cannot imagine she will want to stay in Caracas for 2 months. Won't she be travelling around? I have been travelling alone in Venezuela for about 2 months too, 30 years old and sola gringa. It was no problem at all, I never had any bad experiences. .
Reply 2:
Caracas is not the nicest city in the world, but hey, with common sense I think she will be okay... I hope that she finds the time to find friends and travel around a bit, since Caracas can get boring fast! She must be on the lookout though for petty theft and con artists, specially on the Maiquetia airport and central areas of Caracas.
Reply 3:
I am from the US and have been living in Caracas for about a year. While Caracas is a big city that can be dangerous, with a bit of common sense one can stay safe. I have had no problems and I live in the center of the city (a "not-so-safe" area). To echo a previous poster, I think it really depends what kind of experience your daughter hopes to have. If she wants the big city, then Caracas is the place for her. If she wants a more relaxed atmosphere, she should definitely check out Merida.
Reply 4:
The safest areas in Caracas are Altamira, Campo Alegre, La Castellana, Chacao, El Hatillo (though El Hatillo is on the outskirts of the city). There are several other areas that are fine as long as one uses common sense. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I live in the sometimes crazy and chaotic downtown area and have not had any problems (I carry little cash, no valuables and try to avoid being out too late). I will say that the cost of living in Caracas is quite high and prices have recently increased even more with the currency conversion. There are also food shortages...it is impossible to find milk, sugar, flour, oatmeal, black beans and sometimes meat, chicken, eggs, toilet paper, pasta and other food items at the grocery store. These items can sometimes be found in the markets or with street vendors, but often at higher prices.
Jorge Daniel Barchi
Buenos Aires.
