Safest cities in Venezuela
41 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting
- Border areas
- Bolívar
- Delta Amacuro
- Zulia
- The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the remaining areas of Venezuela
- within 80km (50 miles) of the border with Colombia
- within 40km (25 miles) of the border with Brazil
- within 40km (25 miles) of the border with Guyana
- all of Cedeño Municipality
- the northern part of Sucre Municipality, from the Orinoco river to 80km south of the Troncal 19 road
- all of Heres Municpality
- the northern part of Raul Leoni Municipality, north of the Rio Paragua
- all of Caroni Municipality
- all of Piar Municipality
- all of Padre Pedro Chien Municipality
- all of Roscio Municipality
- all of El Callo Municipality
- all of Sifontes Municipality
In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in VenezuelaTerrorist attacks in Venezuela cannot be ruled out.
Political and economic situation
- The UK does not accept the legitimacy of the current administration in Venezuela.
Protests and demonstrations
- Demonstrations and gatherings can turn violent and could be dispersed by the use of force, including with the use of rubber bullets and tear gas. Avoid political rallies, demonstrations and crowds, and do not cross security-force lines or barricades.
Crime
- Crime in rural areasIn many rural areas, the authority of the Venezuelan state is limited, and the British Embassy’s ability to help British nationals in trouble in these areas will also be limited. Mobile and internet connection in rural areas is often limited.
- Armed groupsIllegal armed groups and criminal gangs are active in states along Venezuela’s borders and where illegal mining or drugs trafficking is common. The risk is particularly significant in:
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAlways carry identification with you. You can carry copies of the photo page of your passport and your entry stamp. Keep your passport in a safe place where you can access it quickly if you need to. Local security forces may ask you to show ID at any time, particularly at police checkpoints. If you cannot produce it, you could be arrested and…
- Illegal drugs and prison sentencesDrug trafficking is a serious crime in Venezuela. Detection methods are sophisticated, and drug traffickers should expect to be arrested. Conviction leads to a lengthy prison sentence of between 8 and 15 years. Conditions in Venezuelan jails are harsh, dangerous, and among the worst in the region.
- Using cameras and binoculars in secure areasIt is illegal to photograph military or strategic installations, including military airports and the presidential palace. Avoid plane spotting.
- Networks and internetInternet service is generally slow outside of major cities. Mobile network operators run modern 4G (LTE) networks in most major cities, while they also operate slower legacy 3G (WCDMA) networks for their nationwide voice and data services.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex relationships are not illegal. However, showing affection in public will most likely be frowned on by locals and may receive negative attention from the police and other security forces. Venezuelan law does not recognise same-sex partnerships, so same-sex partners have no rights as next of kin.
- Age of consentThe age of consent in Venezuela is 18 and sex with anyone 17 and under is illegal. Offenders face long jail sentences.
Outdoor activities
- Swimming safetyThe waters of the Caribbean can be deceptive. There are strong currents and undertows in some areas that can make swimming hazardous. Lifeguards and warnings are not normally in place.
Transport risks
- Travelling to and from Maiquetia Airport, CaracasBe especially vigilant around Maiquetia airport due to the risk of criminal activity. Some travellers have previously been targeted at the arrival or departure terminals, at the airport’s car park and during travel to or from the airport. If you show signs of wealth this could lead to targeting by criminals.
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive a hire car or a UK vehicle, see information on driving abroad.
- Air travelAvailability of flights to and from Venezuela remains limited. Stay in contact with your airline or travel agent/tour operator for up-to-date information on your itinerary.
- Sea travelThere have been incidents of piracy and armed robbery in and around Venezuela’s waters, especially east of Puerto La Cruz and in waters between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- HurricanesThe hurricane season runs from June to November and affects parts of northern Venezuela. Follow the weather reports on local TV and radio. You can also monitor weather updates online from the World Meteorological Organization and the US National Hurricane Center. Always follow the advice of the local authorities.
- FloodingDuring the rainy season from May to November there may be flooding in low-lying areas (for example, the Llanos) and in some valleys in the Andes, mainly in Merida State. There may be disruption to transport, services and infrastructure.
- EarthquakesOn 24 June, Venezuela suffered two earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, causing significant damage in La Guaira, parts of Caracas and elsewhere.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Venezuela, updated 2026-09-02 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 13.81 /100k2023
- Income inequality
- Gini 44.72006
- Human development
- HDI 0.7092023
- Income
- $20,840/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 39.0 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 36/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 19/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 10/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 6.4/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.64GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 19.2 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 1.7 doctors /1k1.0 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 8 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Earthquake
- 8.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Flood
- 5.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Cyclone
- 5.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Tsunami
- 5.4/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 1.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Venezuela (as of 2025).
How Venezuela compares
| Measure | Venezuela | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 14 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +11 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 44.7 | 35.2 | +9.5 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.709 | 0.763 | −0.054 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 39.0 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +23.6 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 19/100 | 52/100 | −33/100 — better for World median |
| Corruption perceptions | 10/100 | 39/100 | −29/100 — better for World median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 19.2 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −0.5 µg/m³ — better for Venezuela |
| Natural-hazard risk | 6.4/10 | 3.8/10 | +2.6/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Venezuela | South America median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 14 /100k | 8.6 /100k | +5.2 /100k — better for South America median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 44.7 | 43.0 | +1.7 — better for South America median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.709 | 0.786 | −0.077 — better for South America median |
| Road deaths | 39.0 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +23.6 /100k — better for South America median |
| Rule of law | 19/100 | 49/100 | −30/100 — better for South America median |
| Corruption perceptions | 10/100 | 36/100 | −26/100 — better for South America median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 19.2 µg/m³ | 16.9 µg/m³ | +2.3 µg/m³ — better for South America median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 6.4/10 | 4.0/10 | +2.4/10 — better for South America median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 41 cities, safest first
- Cabimas57.5 · #4660 worldwide
- Ciudad Ojeda57.5 · #4661 worldwide
- Punto Fijo54.1 · #4932 worldwide
- Coro53.7 · #4971 worldwide
- Calabozo53.7 · #4972 worldwide
- Tucupita53.7 · #4973 worldwide
- Valle de La Pascua53.7 · #4974 worldwide
- Acarigua53.4 · #4989 worldwide
- Maturin52.4 · #5060 worldwide
- Porlamar51.8 · #5087 worldwide
- Barrio Alí Primera51.8 · #5088 worldwide
- Anaco51.8 · #5089 worldwide
- Carúpano51.8 · #5090 worldwide
- Maracaibo51.1 · #5123 worldwide
- Carora50.7 · #5139 worldwide
- Puerto Ayacucho50.7 · #5140 worldwide
- Ciudad Guayana50.5 · #5155 worldwide
- Chirica Vieja50.5 · #5156 worldwide
- Mérida50.3 · #5172 worldwide
- Guanare49.9 · #5192 worldwide
- San Carlos49.9 · #5193 worldwide
- Cumana49.5 · #5208 worldwide
- Barcelona48.8 · #5310 worldwide
- Puerto Cabello48.8 · #5314 worldwide
- Valera48.8 · #5315 worldwide
- Ciudad Bolivar47.9 · #5361 worldwide
- El Vigía47.2 · #5404 worldwide
- Barinas46.6 · #5433 worldwide
- Barquisimeto45.7 · #5496 worldwide
- Cabudare45.7 · #5497 worldwide
- San Cristobal44.8 · #5556 worldwide
- La Victoria44.7 · #5561 worldwide
- San Juan de Los Morros44.7 · #5562 worldwide
- Valencia44.2 · #5604 worldwide
- Maracay40.7 · #5790 worldwide
- Guarenas38.6 · #5887 worldwide
- Santa Teresa del Tuy38.6 · #5888 worldwide
- Caracas36.0 · #5945 worldwide
- Catia La Mar [La Guaira]36.0 · #5946 worldwide
- San Antonio de los Altos [Los Teques]36.0 · #5947 worldwide
- Charallave36.0 · #5948 worldwide