you've get some replies already, one person says that Venezuela is cheap, and the other person says that Venezuela is expensive. I assume you are a little confused right now. Lol. I have traveled (backpacking) all over South America. However, I have never been to Venezuela but I think I can give you some valuable info based on conversations I had with fellow backpackers that went to Venezuela, and my knowledge about Venezuela.
Venezuela is among the most violent countries in the world, and Caracas has the 6th highest homicide rate among large cities in the world. However, if you apply common sense, don't get involved with drugs, stay away from the shady areas in Caracas, never go out in Caracas after dark unless you are part of a larger group. Don't wear any expensive looking jewellery or flashy clothes.
As you probably know the relationship between Venezuela and the U.S. is pretty bad. A large percentage of the population (mostly the poorer people) have been brainwashed by the former Chavez administration for many years, and these people are suspicious about foreigners in general and Americans in specific. All my backpacker friends like Venezuela as a country with beautiful beaches, mountains, waterfalls, etc., however, they all didn't feel really comfortable. They always had the feeling of getting ripped off by almost everybody. Also, note that Venezuela is a pretty corrupt country.
Nevertheless I still would visit Venezuela to get your own experience, and hopefully it is better. I also plan to visit Venezuela despite all the negative things, but I am a very positive person and will certainly find the positive side of Venezuela.
Have a great trip.
Venezuela is awesome, Caracas is awful.
Isn't like it says on TV, nah, you have to remember their have a government which is totally against the U.S. and when a country has a government against the U.S. all the media say they're not democratic and a lot of bad things.
But Isla Margarita is totally great, there are perfect beaches, good seafood, nice people, everybody there is really polite and it's full of sexy people.
Beaches in Venezuela are really nice, the problem is in Caracas, it's just a big Latin American city, it's not a really nice city, it's full of buildings.
The only people with Venezuela right now, if you want to visit their beaches is that everything there is so expensive, EVERYTHING!
Venezuela is a really expensive country to visit, they have an inflation higher than 30%, so everything there is so expensive. For example, if you want to buy the same bottle of water than in your country, it would cost 200 times more expensive.
Venezuela is awesome, just stay out of Caracas. I have backpacked twice there now, just recently in April/May. Just use common sense like you will need to everywhere and every other country. The people are nice, don't believe people when they say the place is dangerous, they probably just sit in front of TV and take everything told to them as gospel. EDIT: To the woman who answered below - Venezuela is NOT expensive right now, it is cheap, change your money on the black market, not in a bank like her!
There are lots of drug dealers & they’re pretty much dangerous.
Venezuelans
Me and my friends are thinking of going backpacking through South America next year, and we'd like to include a trip through Venezuela, but on Google I've seen that the country isn't very nice and that it's extremely dangerous. Does anyone know why? And also should me and my friends go there or give it a miss? Thanks!!!!!
