Reconsider Travel
“Reconsider travelto Venezuela due to risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and poor health infrastructure and natural disaster. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Sat, 27 Jun 2026
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Is Maracaibo safe? 🇻🇪
Venezuela · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Maracaibo scores 23/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No. Maracaibo is extremely unsafe for travelers due to severe crime and infrastructure collapse. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (severe risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Maracaibo 🇻🇪
Venezuela · Assessed 19 October 2026
23
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~9% of countries
Score capped at 44 — Level 3 advisory — reconsider travel. No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime35/100ElevatedCrime index 80.5 / 100
Sentiment21/100ElevatedOverwhelmingly negative
Advisories13Elevated
Stability41Caution
Health77Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all travel Border areas FCDO advises against all travel to: within 40km (25 miles) of the border with Colombia within 40km (25 miles) of the border with Brazil within 40km (25 miles) of the border with Guyana Amazonas FCDO advises against all travel to Amazonas state.”
Updated 2026-10-15T14:00:27Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Venezuela: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-10-13T15:19:40.3940984-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Elevated
Urban scale factor
1.8M residents
61
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
12.6 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Venezuela12.6Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
39
Robbery / mugging
SevereArmed robbery and mugging pose severe risk to visitors, especially near oil facilities and border zones.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are high-risk in markets, bus terminals, and crowded streets.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Elevated
Traveller sentiment score
Overwhelmingly negative
21/100
Reported feel10Overwhelmingly negative
Robbery risk12Severe risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Travelers report feeling extremely unsafe day-to-day, citing frequent power cuts, inability to access medical care, and pervasive fear of armed crime.
No. Maracaibo is extremely unsafe for travelers due to severe crime and infrastructure collapse.
Maracaibo scores 16/100 on safety indices, reflecting extreme risk from violent crime, kidnapping, and armed robbery, particularly in oil-industry zones and border areas. The city suffers from prolonged power outages, fuel shortages, and gang warfare tied to smuggling routes, which cripple emergency response. All major governments advise against travel, with Canada and the UK urging avoidance and the U.S. recommending reconsideration.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Venezuelans report prolonged electricity cuts leaving Maracaibo without reliable power for days— Miami Herald
- Aug 2023Analysis reveals scale of resource-driven violence in Zulia state tied to fuel theft and smuggling routes— Global Witness
- Mar 2019Maracaibo experienced a 'tsunami' of violent looting during nationwide unrest— The Guardian
Common scams
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or robbing passengers
- Officials demanding bribes at checkpoints
- Distraction thefts in crowded markets
Full briefing
Maracaibo remains in crisis, with power outages lasting days and no reliable emergency services due to collapsed infrastructure. Gang warfare over fuel smuggling and Colombia-border routes drives violence comparable to Caracas, making the city impractical for leisure travel. Visitors face severe risks of armed robbery, particularly near oil zones, and high pickpocketing threats in markets. Avoid all nighttime movement, use only pre-arranged transport, and conceal valuables. The city offers no safety net for tourists — medical help is uncertain, and scams involving fake taxis or corrupt officials are common. Current conditions confirm Maracaibo is not viable for travel without specialist security arrangements.
Was this Maracaibo, Venezuela report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Maracaibo districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Maracaibo safety map.
SabanetaavoidHigh crime area with frequent armed robberies and gang activity; not suitable for visitors.
Francisco Eugenio BustamanteavoidKnown for drug trafficking and violent crime; avoid entirely due to safety concerns.
Centro HistóricocautionDaytime visits to plazas and landmarks are possible with vigilance; avoid after dark due to robbery risk.
Santa LucíacautionResidential zone with moderate risk; exercise caution, especially at night, due to petty theft.
CoquivacoacautionMixed-use area; daytime movement is acceptable with care, but nighttime travel increases robbery risk.
San JosécautionCommercial area with moderate risk; remain alert for pickpocketing and avoid isolated streets after dark.
La Vereda del LagosaferPopular lakeside promenade; generally safe during daylight hours for walking and exercise.
Los HaticossaferAffluent residential district with lower crime incidence; suitable for visitors during day and early evening.
07 · After Dark
Is Maracaibo safe at night?
Armed robbery and mugging pose severe risk to visitors, especially near oil facilities and border zones.
After dark, be most careful around Sabaneta, Francisco Eugenio Bustamante, Centro Histórico, Santa Lucía. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Maracaibo safety FAQ (2026)
Is Maracaibo safe right now (2026)?
No. Maracaibo is extremely unsafe for travelers due to severe crime and infrastructure collapse. Maracaibo scores 16/100 on safety indices, reflecting extreme risk from violent crime, kidnapping, and armed robbery, particularly in oil-industry zones and border areas. The city suffers from prolonged power outages, fuel shortages, and gang warfare tied to smuggling routes, which cripple emergency response. All major governments advise against travel, with Canada and the UK urging avoidance and the U.S. recommending reconsideration. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is Maracaibo safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Maracaibo report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Maracaibo should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Sabaneta, Francisco Eugenio Bustamante as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Maracaibo (2026)?
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or robbing passengers
- Officials demanding bribes at checkpoints
- Distraction thefts in crowded markets
How does Maracaibo compare with other places in Venezuela (2026)?
Maracaibo ranks #1 of 4 Venezuela destinations we've assessed, scoring 23/100. See the Venezuela safety overview for the full list.
How is this maracaibo safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: maracaibo.json (CC BY 4.0).