Safety driving through Venezuela
 

While I generally take the State Department warnings with some scepticism, the safety warnings about Venezuela are pretty strong. I've been all through central and south America and am not easily spooked, but also don't want to be stupid.

I am planning on riding through there in August, on my way back from the "Deep South". I rode down the Pacific coast, and don't want to backtrack. Anyone have any relatively recent experience in Venezuela, and what would you recommend? Also, route or stop recomendations would be appreciated.

I wouldn't worry. Just the usual precautions in the big cities.
Lots of riders pass through Venezuela as you are planning.

it's cool
 

Hey steve,

I just came from the Brazilian border (Boa Vista) yesterday up till Ciudad Bolivar today with one overnight stop. I've been asking around about safety and there seeems to be no problem. Also if any road would have been tricky than it's supposed to be this one, but no problem. Pretty! that's what it is!
I'll be in Venzuela three days more maybe more. Let me know if you want to meet up somehwere. From here I'm heading west to Colombia.

Take care

just rode through there
 

great place ,maybe some places dodgy after dark (like any where) i camped a bit then went up the amazon ,all great times

I was there 2 years ago, backpacking. I think most places / roads will be fine.

Careful in Caracass though: I think the bridge from the airport into the city is still not passable. When I took a taxi from the city to the airport, the driver had to go through the "ranchos", and paid a "special road tax" to a few people when passing through. (They had blocked the road with 2 motorcycles to slow down cars & ask for money).

It's more than a year that the new bridge has been inaugurated...

Venezuela
 

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