6 safety tips traveling to dangerous but awesome and exotic cities like Caracas

3. Always withdraw your money from an ATM inside of a shopping center, the hotel or a bank rather than an ATM outside in the street, and always during daylight hours. Do not discuss personal information or other relevant details of your trip within hearing distance of strangers, like taxi drivers or persons you just met on the beach.2. While leaving the airport do not take a random taxi on the street, instead make sure you’re taking a company taxi, not just a car with the taxi symbol. You could call a 24-hour taxi service from a public phone in the airport lobby, or ask the airline representatives to contact a licensed cab company; or at least have the hotel pick you up, however not every Caracas’ hotel offers that service. If travelers don’t pay attention to this detail they could be the easy target of an express kidnapping.1. In the plane before stepping onto Venezuelan ground discreetly put any cash, passports and credit cards you brought inside your clothes and underwear as close to your body as possible. It sounds crazy or a bit extreme but the majority of robberies happen while leaving the airport. Other belongings like laptops and tablets should be hidden inside the big suitcases.View the list »
Caracas at dawn

International Travel newsletter

To get rid of many concerns about your trip try to book with a tourist company that’ll pick you up and travel around to nicer places. In dangerous places like the capital of Venezuela it’s better to move around with a trustworthy local if possible, however sometimes that’s not a possibility. Here are some tips that’ll help you to move around the city with greater safety and ease

Related topics

Advertisement
Caracas
10.49477481842 ; -66.920104980469
View the list
  • 1. In the plane before stepping onto Venezuelan ground discreetly put any cash, passports and credit cards you brought inside your clothes and underwear as close to your body as possible. It sounds crazy or a bit extreme but the majority of robberies happen while leaving the airport. Other belongings like laptops and tablets should be hidden inside the big suitcases.
  • 2. While leaving the airport do not take a random taxi on the street, instead make sure you’re taking a company taxi, not just a car with the taxi symbol. You could call a 24-hour taxi service from a public phone in the airport lobby, or ask the airline representatives to contact a licensed cab company; or at least have the hotel pick you up, however not every Caracas’ hotel offers that service. If travelers don’t pay attention to this detail they could be the easy target of an express kidnapping.
  • 3. Always withdraw your money from an ATM inside of a shopping center, the hotel or a bank rather than an ATM outside in the street, and always during daylight hours. Do not discuss personal information or other relevant details of your trip within hearing distance of strangers, like taxi drivers or persons you just met on the beach.
  • 4. Also, ask the front desk not to give out your name or room number if someone inquires. They should call up if someone wants to contact you. Women traveling alone should also book the room under Mr. and Mrs. this way it seems they are not alone. Always make sure all doors in your room are locked before going out on your daily tour. Remember after dark it is always recommended to go by taxi to any destination outside the hotel; ask the receptionist to call one for you.
  • 5. If you're clubbing and drinking, don’t leave by yourself with strangers, people you have met recently. Keep your drink close to you, never leave it by itself and try to purchase them yourself this way the risk of them being drugged is much lower. Know the number to call in case of emergency. The designated local emergency response number in Caracas is 171.
  • 6. Always be smart about your tour daily planning, do it before you leave the hotel premises, especially if the chosen destination is not frequently visited by travelers. Use popular streets to walk around and do not carry or wear items such as jewelry and watches that will attract the attention of thieves.
View the list

, Bronx Travel Tips Examiner

Eilin Cabutto was born and raised in South America's Caracas in Venezuela, she has a Major in International Studies from Santa Maria College, where she graduated as Salutatorian of her class in 2009. Two years later in 2011 she came to New York looking to expand her professional and personal...

Advertisement

Today's top buzz...