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Venezuela

Due to ongoing crime, unrest and instability throughout Venezuela, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all travel to the following areas: within 80km (50 miles) of the Colombian border in the states of Zulia, Tachira, Barinas, Apure and Bolívar; 80km (50 miles) from the Colombian border in Amazonas state, as far as 100km (62 miles) south of Puerto Ayacucho; within 40km (25 miles) of the rest of the Colombian border.

The FCO further advises against all but essential travel to all other areas of the country. If you're in Venezuela, you should remain vigilant and informed, avoid protests and demonstrations – which can turn violent with little warning – and keep your departure options under review. Borders with Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are closed and there is currently no air or sea traffic between Venezuela and these islands.

Venezuela, home to some of South America's most incredible landscapes, rightly has a terrible image problem at the moment. Hyperinflation has led to a dramatic drop in living standards and issues with the supply of basic goods, while personal safety, particularly in Caracas, is worse than anywhere else on the continent. Thousands of its own citizens have fled the country and spread throughout South America (it's estimated more than two million have left since 2014). While visiting can be incredibly cheap because of the black-market value of the dollar/euro, safety is a serious concern.

Few countries in the world have this degree of natural beauty: Andean peaks, Caribbean coastline, idyllic islands, grasslands teeming with wildlife, the steamy Orinoco Delta and the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls. We cannot recommend traveling here at present, but we hope that the future holds amazing tourist possibilities.

Explore Venezuela

  • Salto Ángel (Angel Falls)

    Thundering Angel Falls is the world's highest waterfall and Venezuela's number-one tourist attraction. Its total height is 979m (3211ft), of which the…

  • Iglesia Santa Capilla

    This neo-Gothic church, one block north of Plaza Bolívar, is modeled on the Sainte Chapelle of Paris. It was ordered by General Antonio Guzmán Blanco in…

  • P

    Plaza Bolívar

    This leafy square is the nucleus of the old town. It's always alive with huddled groups of caraqueños engaged in conversation and children feeding freshly…

  • F

    Fundación Bigott

    If you’d like to dig a little deeper into traditional Venezuelan culture – perhaps learn to play joropo music with the bandola llanera (a string…

  • P

    Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada

    The most popular high-mountain trekking area is the Sierra Nevada national park, which has all of Venezuela's highest peaks, including Pico Bolívar (5007m…

  • I

    Iglesia de San Francisco

    Just south of the Capitolio Nacional, the Church of San Francisco was built in the 1570s, but was remodeled on several occasions during the 17th and 18th…

  • G

    Gran Roque

    Gran Roque is the main island and population center, and exudes a distinct Caribbean feel. The sandy streets of the fishing village are lined with single…

  • C

    Catedral

    Set on the eastern side of Plaza Bolívar, Caracas' cathedral started its life in the mid-16th century as a mere mud-walled chapel. A church later replaced…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Venezuela.

  • See

    Salto Ángel (Angel Falls)

    Thundering Angel Falls is the world's highest waterfall and Venezuela's number-one tourist attraction. Its total height is 979m (3211ft), of which the…

  • See

    Iglesia Santa Capilla

    This neo-Gothic church, one block north of Plaza Bolívar, is modeled on the Sainte Chapelle of Paris. It was ordered by General Antonio Guzmán Blanco in…

  • See

    Plaza Bolívar

    This leafy square is the nucleus of the old town. It's always alive with huddled groups of caraqueños engaged in conversation and children feeding freshly…

  • See

    Fundación Bigott

    If you’d like to dig a little deeper into traditional Venezuelan culture – perhaps learn to play joropo music with the bandola llanera (a string…

  • See

    Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada

    The most popular high-mountain trekking area is the Sierra Nevada national park, which has all of Venezuela's highest peaks, including Pico Bolívar (5007m…

  • See

    Iglesia de San Francisco

    Just south of the Capitolio Nacional, the Church of San Francisco was built in the 1570s, but was remodeled on several occasions during the 17th and 18th…

  • See

    Gran Roque

    Gran Roque is the main island and population center, and exudes a distinct Caribbean feel. The sandy streets of the fishing village are lined with single…

  • See

    Catedral

    Set on the eastern side of Plaza Bolívar, Caracas' cathedral started its life in the mid-16th century as a mere mud-walled chapel. A church later replaced…

Guidebooks

Learn more about Venezuela

Uncover the heart of travel and be inspired to see new sights with one of Lonely Planet’s in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.