Caracas, Venezuela?

Question

I'm going to go on vacation in Caracas, and I've never been can someone tell me what it is like there and how different it is from the U.S. and in the U.S. I'm from Tennessee.

Answer 1

Used to be my favorite city in Latin America (pre-Chavez).  It is currently spinning into an uncontrollable dictatorship (despite the conflict in terms).  Nightlife is great, Cafe L'Attico is the best bar in the world on Plaza Altamira, don't you dare say one good thing about Chavez there, they'll lynch you.  Great Weather, Parque Nacional Avila is great for mountain jungle treks, good restaurants.  Go Now, Chavez is ruining what little is left.

Answer 2

Caracas is a big city and also dangerous to some degree.

Answer 3

I agree about avoiding the beaches near the airport. I suggest you take a day or weekend trip to Los Roques. It's a protected archipelago a small plane ride over from Caracas. GORGEOUS beaches, no cars, excellent snorkeling, laid back... you won't regret it. Margarita is a bit too touristy for me but it is nice. Be careful going around Caracas. It's the only place in the world (I've lived in 9 countries) where I've been robbed at gunpoint. Las Mercedes has cool bars/restaurants. Definitely climb up Mount Avila. Take lots of water and a camera. Taking a picture up on the summit with the ocean on one side and the city on the other was one of my favorite moments.

Answer 4

I would get out of caracas as soon as I can - its mad.  try www.cacaotravel.com for some excellent venezuelan experiences!!

Answer 5

Look I live in Vzla and I can tell is very different from U.S. I recomend take a copy of your passport and every important paper... Don´t go out at night alone is dangerous in some places is better if you know spanish you are go to find many people who don´t know english at all. Hey don´t worry venezuela is very beautiful you should go at the Avila mountain by the cable car... you are going to enyoy it...

Answer 6

Caracas is possibly the worst city I have visited ever. If you are staying in a good hotel people will monitor you as you enter/exit. Bums, beggars are all around. Power outages are common and crime is growing especially with the decline of the economy under Chavez.  If I were you, I would not go alone and make copies of your passport. Lock up everything in your hotel and have the number and address of the U.S. Embassy on hand in case.