Street Crime, Caracas

Okey, then go for a walk in the middle of the night around the city. There is no safe place at all when the sun sets.

During the day, stay as far away from the mountains with "ranchitos" (like the brasilian "fabelas").

Never, ever, count your money in the street in front of everybody. I know that all of these bolivares (our currency) may look like Monopoly fake money to you. But remember that what you have in your hands may be what a venezuelan earns in a whole year.

if you need to go someplace during the night (theater, cinema, disco, restaurant), get a taxi.

Remember that you dont want to get killed so far away from home. What would your family say?

Perfect. Great experience. Big adventure to tell your grandchildren (if you have them or whenever you have them).

To get robbed at plain day light be sure to bring very expensive cameras and photography equipment. Take pictures of everything and make sure that everyone is watching you. Want to bet? Someone will grab your sophisticated camera and will run away.

And, if you liked this experience, dont forget to bring all of your jewelry and most specially your Rolex watch. Venezuelans thieves preffer Rolex than Cartier or Baume Mercier or Longines.

If you dont want to get robbed, then bring low profile clothing, cheap and regular camaras, no jewelry at all. Look dressed down.

All of my friends have been robbed. I havent. Every year I look more low profile and homeless. I'm safe.

Don't wear any jewelry, even if it's obviously fake. Watches still allowed, it seems. My friends were over-protective, but even an elegant lady at a small shopping mall in a "safe" neighborhood ("urbanización") made take out my cheap necklace.

Be aware of common scam that happens in Caracas' subway station. When on the escalator off the station a person in front of you imitates to drop something, than bends down to retrieve it, which blocks the traffic on the escalator. The person behind you pushes you rightwards and the thir one picks your wallet at the same time. They're extremely swift& skilful. Once your wallet is out, you can be sure not to see it again!
On the whole Caracas is a really dangerous place! Even in the daytime you don't feel secure walking in the city.

I was invited to a show at the Teresa Carreno Theatre so i ventured into this area but I would strongly advise anyone from going into this area. It is extreamly dangerous and a little too close to the barrios. DOn't walk around, especially at night, and if you must be around here only take taxis to get around. I was lucky not to get mugged a couple times that night, but fortunately lived to party on.

At that time in 1985 we had to be careful at night time leaving the hotel just walking. The area is rather dark along the downhill roads. The nearby area was known for robbing and pick pocket thieves. Therefore, after dark it was always recommended to go by taxi to any destination outside the hotel

Let me know if the situation has changed since then.

I have a friend who lives in Caracas and says it is still very unsafe to be out anywhere after a certain point at night. The criminals really love to "nail" the tourist that come into the airport. If I recall, you have to go thru a poor area before you get into the hotel area(which that alone is not a short drive), so be aware of EVERYTHING your doing when you fly in. Take as little of valuable things with you, hence the cheaper the watch, wallet, clothing. This is a good place to travel light.