Venezuela: Carnival season to start February 8

Event

Carnival celebrations will officially begin on Thursday, February 8, across the country. In the capital Caracas, events will start with a parade at 16:00 (local time) on José María España Avenue. According to government officials, celebrations will be held at 168 locations nationwide. Over 15,000 tourists are expected to visit the Los Caracas beach resort in Vargas state, over the weekend of February 10-11. An influx of visitors is also anticipated in Barlovento (Miranda state), Cumaná (Sucre state), San Cristobal (Táchira state), and parks in Barquisimeto, Lara, and Mérida. Government officials also announced that an additional 184,000 security personal will be deployed nationwide during the celebrations.

An influx of tourists across the country is expected for these celebrations and, as such, increased congestion at travel hubs, increased demand for hotels (and higher prices), and increased car traffic in the capital is to be anticipated, along with business, store, and government office closures. It should also be noted that the country continues to be afflicted by severe shortages (food, medicine, and other consumer goods) and massive inflation, and looting and other forms of unrest are relatively common.

Furthermore, rates of petty (as well as more violent) crime tend to rise considerably during the carnival period. Increased security measures, such as security checkpoints, are to be anticipated.

Context

Carnival celebrations, held in Catholic cities and countries across the world, are often marked with parades, street parties, and colorful costumes. The festivities culminate ahead of Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of the solemn 40-day Lent period.

Advice

Those present in Venezuela during the Carnival period are advised to exercise an increased level of vigilance regarding crime (carry only small amounts of cash, leave copies of passports/credit cards in a safe location, etc.) and to allow for additional time to reach their destinations.