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Definitely everything depends on the objective and the way it is done. Although in the eyes of the international press Venezuela is a dangerous country with high crime rates, there are some ways to travel through it without major risks and inconveniences.
The best way to travel safely, regardless of the country of destination, is to prepare the journey well in advance. Whatever the reason for a trip abroad, obtaining prior information is essential to avoid problems, and even; emergency situations.
– Every trip, especially if it is abroad, requires some time for planning –
Know the immigration requirements, living conditions, the health situation, vaccinations, foreign exchange, customs, local legislation and the main telephone numbers of interest; it should always be the first step of any international transfer.
Update and Statistics
It is unquestionable that Venezuela is going through the worst moment in its contemporary history. A political, social and economic situation that has affected almost all areas of daily life and that has seriously tarnished its image at the international level. However, and despite this, it is a country that still receives more than half a million tourists a year.
And it is that in the end our particular reality differs little from that of other Latin American nations such as Brazil, Mexico or Colombia; where the marked differences between the social strata, unemployment and the low purchasing power of the majorities, constitute a perfect breeding ground for the proliferation of crimes, drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
– Crime statistics in Venezuela –
However, it is interesting to consider the following figures in this regard:
- In Caracas (capital city) more than 80% of thefts, robberies or murders occur in “los barrios”, very depressed areas located on the outskirts of the city.
- The vast majority of them take place at night, after 8:00 pm.
- In 87% of cases there is always an asset or visible material property involved; such as a vehicle, jewelry, money, or electronic devices.
- More than 2/3 of the violent deaths are due to “settling of accounts” between criminal gangs or those associated with drug trafficking.
- In more than 60% of homicide cases, excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs by victims has been demonstrated.
Also, it is important to note that unlike countries at war, immersed in ethnic and/or religious conflicts or those susceptible to the action of international terrorism, where violence is almost always random and unpredictable, in Venezuela the two main causalities of it are perfectly identified: drugs and common underworld.
Social Evolution
Just as in biology species evolve and adapt to their environment to guarantee their survival, the inhabitants and passers-by of a country like ours have had to modify their habits and customs to a certain degree to prevent incidents and protect their personal integrity.
– Daily life in the city of Caracas –
As millions of Venezuelans do day by day, including of course our professional staff, submitting to some restrictions and adjusting to the circumstances of the local environment will be more than enough to circulate through our territory without major risks and inconveniences.
Traveler’s Guide
Below we list each and every one of the recommendations that, as a precaution, you should comply with in case you decide to visit us:
Contract an International Travel and Medical Insurance
It will never hurt and will be your best support in case of any medical unforeseen event, flight cancellation, loss of luggage, assistance with lost documents, deportation or health repatriation. It is always possible for the unexpected to happen and making a small investment to travel protected will be a wise decision. Here are some recommended links to access these services:
INSUBUY
www.insubuy.com
TRAVELINSURANCE.COM
www.medical.travelinsurance.com
ASSIST 365
www.assist-365.com
Avoid Exposing Large Amounts of Cash
Since they are the main focus of attention of “friends of the alien”. We recommend paying for your treatment through online transfers and bring with you a maximum of between $1,000 and $1,500 USD in low-denomination and well-protected bills to give tips or please minor whims. Always use your debit or credit cards as a preferential payment method for eating, move around or any other usual activity.
If you decide to cancel your treatment in cash, keep it well secured and out of sight of other people.
Do Not Bring Expensive Watches, Jewelry or High Value Items
Travel only with what is necessary and refrain from exposing any material element susceptible to theft or forced subtraction. Projecting an appearance of simplicity or “low profile” is the strategy that best works in the prevention of crime and criminal acts.
Add to Your Plan the Services of a Particular Guide
It is the best decision you can make! Count on one of our trusted companions at all times will make your development easier, more comfortable and safer. For only $50 USD a day, a well-trained bilingual staff will provide guidance, advice and protection in all your activities and displacements.
Stay in a Good Hotel
They are a guarantee of comfort and safety. They dedicate a large amount of human and material resources to the protection and care of their guests and facilities. CHACAO & SUITES and SHELTER SUITES are recommended for their rates and proximity to our clinic, but you can also consider other chains that offer greater entertainment and relaxation options.
Best Accommodations in Caracas
Restrict Your Social and Commercial Activities
Although in Caracas you can enjoy modern shopping centers and extraordinary restaurants with complete normality, try to focus on the true objective of your trip; to get quality dental treatment at the best possible price. Reserve the big buys, parties and night activities for other destinations that offer better conditions for it.
In our post on Gastronomy and Leisure at the Feet of “El Ávila”, you will find the main options for entertainment and relaxation that our capital city offers.
Limit Your Night Life to the Options Offered by Your Accommodation
The real danger of our city is hidden at night. Caracas lacks good lighting and police surveillance after sunset. Do not take risks and always seek guard at your hotel after 7:00 pm.
Avoid the Use of Mobile Phones in the Streets
This type of electronic device is the most in demand on the black market and is the target of more than 50% of thefts and robberies that are committed in the city. Always wait to be inside a closed facility to use it.
Always Stay Within the Indicated Area
According to the Venezuelan Violence Observatory (OVV) of the 5 municipalities in our capital city, there are 2 that have the highest rates of criminal activity; the Libertador municipality to the west and the Sucre municipality to the east. In the middle of both, with rates much lower than the national average are the Municipalities of Chacao, El Hatillo and Baruta.
Be Very Careful with Pirate Taxis
Trust only in the most traditional taxi companies, hotel taxis and shopping center taxis, all properly labeled and identified. Another good option is to download the Ridery application that groups the most recognized and safest lines of our capital city in a single mobile app.
www.ridery.app
Refrain from Any Opinion or Political Participation
Although the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela establishes in its article 44 that personal freedom is inviolable, in recent years there have been some cases of government arrests and deportations for “imperialist interference and interventionism”.
Venezuela is experiencing a complex political crisis that has reached unprecedented levels today, and the truth is that the government on turn is very little tolerant of the activity that foreign people may carry out in this regard.
Tradition and Tourism
Historically, Venezuela has been one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Caribbean for its unbeatable geographical location, variety of exotic landscapes, beautiful beaches, rich flora and fauna, cultural variety and a privileged tropical climate that allows to enjoy each of its regions during all year.
– Venezuela is considered by many as “the pearl of the Caribbean” for its 2,800 km of coastline and wonderful beaches, as well as a diversity of ecosystems rarely seen in other parts of the planet –
However, at present, the imposition of so many limitations for the normal development of people within its borders, undoubtedly makes the country an unfavorable destination for recreational or conventional tourism.
Nevertheless, are those same restrictions that create a fairly predictable and reliable environment for health tourism.
If you travel informed, focus your visit on dental care and are able to comply with the considerations of the protocol outlined above, you will have nothing to fear, since the possibility of being the victim of some aggression or incident of a personal nature will be almost null. On the contrary, we guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised by a warm, close and very familiar atmosphere; characterized by the hospitality and overflowing friendliness of our people.
On the Balance
Need, inaccessibility and uncertainty vs quality, economy and health.
– Weigh very well the pros and cons of the trip, they will surely make you make the right choice –
In short, only you will be able to determine to which side the balance is tilted. Undertaking a health tourism plan has its own peculiarities and almost always involves facing and overcoming some doubts, uncertainties and handicaps of the selected destination.
Only you will be able to know if the real possibility of accessing extensive or complex first-class dental treatments, with the latest technology and provided by one of the best dental clinics in Caracas, constitutes sufficient stimulus to move, spend a few days outside and undergo the rigors of the recommendations already listed.
Very competitive prices and the clinical practice of renowned professionals with more than 20 years of experience, fourth-level academic training, extensive teaching experience, consolidated scientific leadership and impeccable ethical conduct; are our best offers and counterweights for measurement.
“Taking the Necessary Precautions, the Possibility of Suffering Some Aggression in Venezuela Will Be the Same, or Even Less, Than that You Could Experience in Any Other City in Europe or North America”.
DENTAL TIP
VIP Custody and “Zero-Risk”
The accompaniment, safeguard and permanent protection of armed civilian escorts and duly trained in the prevention, deterrence and reaction to daily and extraordinary events, will always be a valid option; especially for the most apprehensive, susceptible or with special requirements patients.
– A basic protection service, with two escorts, is around $200 dollars a day –
If for your peace of mind you consider such a service necessary, with 2 or 3 highly experienced bodyguards and armored transport, please contact us immediately to prepare a quote.
Final Considerations
Venezuela definitely has a serious security and crime problem; no one can deny it. However, the media magnification and exaggeration of its situation at the international level is also, in our opinion, an unquestionable reality.
The truth is that with just a little information, common sense and prudence, we continue to be a highly recommended destination in the health sector. Spending 5, 10 or 15 days adequately advised in the city of Caracas, staying in a good hotel and dedicated exclusively to dental treatment, undoubtedly represents a viable and very convenient entrepreneurship for many foreigners.
Like millions of residents, modifying some social behaviors and submitting to certain time and displacement restrictions will keep you completely away from incidents and/or sources of violence, almost always associated with crimes against property. We guarantee that if you do not display valuables on the streets, avoid visits to conflictive areas and do not go out at night, the possibility of suffering any aggression will be equal, or even less, to what you might experience in any other city in Europe or North America.
– DENTAL VIP is the pioneer clinic and leader of dental tourism in Venezuela –
378 foreign patients attended in the last five years with 97.2% of absolute satisfaction, constitutes our successful performance in the field of dental tourism and also reliable evidence of the effectiveness of our preventive approach on safety matter.
To conclude we can reaffirm that if you are looking for high-quality medical and dental services at low cost, Venezuela is an extraordinary option and we sincerely encourage your visit, but if on the contrary, what you aspire to is fun and evening entertainment, we consider that another country will be, for the moment, much more suitable and compatible with the objectives of your trip.
Please contact us immediately in case of any doubt, suggestion or additional concern related to the subject of this post.
We Are Just One Step Away!
Globalization and dental tourism are two extraordinary tools for accessing world-class dentistry. Currently millions of people travel to other countries in search of opportunities and prices that allow them to face their dental treatments and recover their smile.
Wherever you are, generally in just a few hours you will be able to get to Venezuela, move to a comfortable hotel and start your oral rehabilitation process with dental implants, porcelain veneers and 100% metal-free ceramic structures; at only a fraction of the cost you would have to pay in your home country.
Almost certainly traveling or not traveling will mean the difference between satisfaction and resignation, or at best; between just getting “something” or be able to reach “the best option”. At DENTAL VIP we are very good hosts and excellent professionals.
Contact us and ascertain how traveling to Venezuela can improve your self-esteem and quality of life!
