Is Caracas safe?
High risk. Armed robbery, express kidnapping and detention of foreigners are real, and the political situation is unsettled. Go only with trusted local contacts and pre-booked transport.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 1/5, avoid travel.
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2026-03-18.
- Homicide rate in Venezuela: 12.6 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Venezuela: 39.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Caracas at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 1/5 · Avoid travel |
| Crime | Armed robbery, phone snatching, carjacking and express kidnapping, often violent; resistance is dangerous. Scattered shootings in poor barrios; visitors are targeted for cash and phones. |
| At night | Streets empty after dark even in good districts. Move door to door by hotel-booked car; do not walk or use the Metro at night. |
| Solo women | Harassment and robbery risk apply to everyone. Use pre-booked drivers, stay in guarded districts, keep a low profile and avoid walking alone, especially after dark. |
| Other risks | Power and water cuts; phones and ATMs fail; Earthquakes: June 2026 quakes damaged buildings; Landslides on hillside barrios in the rainy season |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake officials or unlicensed taxis at Maiquetía airport; arrange pickup in advance
- Street cash changers shorting visitors; use hotel or bank rates
- Police or National Guard checkpoint bribe demands
- Strangers offering help at ATMs or cash points
Take care
- Petare, 23 de Enero and hillside barrios: gangs, avoid entirely
- Centro and Metro stations at night: robberies
- Maiquetía–Caracas highway at night: armed holdups
- Showing phones, jewellery or cameras anywhere on the street
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Photographing military sites, the presidential palace or airports is illegal
- Always carry ID; police can detain people without it
- Drug trafficking brings 8–15 years in dangerous prisons
How Caracas compares in Venezuela
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Mérida | 2/5 · High risk |
| Caracas | 1/5 · Avoid travel |
Quick answers
Is Caracas safe for solo female travelers?
Harassment and robbery risk apply to everyone. Use pre-booked drivers, stay in guarded districts, keep a low profile and avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
Is Caracas safe at night?
Streets empty after dark even in good districts. Move door to door by hotel-booked car; do not walk or use the Metro at night.
What is the crime rate in Caracas?
Armed robbery, phone snatching, carjacking and express kidnapping, often violent; resistance is dangerous. Scattered shootings in poor barrios; visitors are targeted for cash and phones. Nationally, Venezuela records 12.6 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Caracas?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Caracas
Going to Caracas solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Metro de Caracas
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.