Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably have heard of the rather “dramatic” exfiltration of the now ex Venezuelan president Maduro by the US.
And with the regime change in Caracas, many sailing enthusiasts have their eyes set on Venezuela’s coast again.
If you are one of them, here is what you should know.
Venezuela Was Once a Popular Caribbean Destination… For Good Reasons
It’s hard to imagine nowadays but Venezuela used to be a popular Caribbean tourist destination before becoming the no-go zone that it’s now famous for.
These Venezuelan destinations were (and still could be) the star of the show.
Los Roques Archipelago: The “Polynesia” of the Caribbean
If you stripped the Caribbean of every hotel, cruise ship terminal, and souvenir shop, then multiplied the water clarity by ten, you would have Los Roques.
Located 80 miles offshore, this archipelago is an anomaly, an atoll structure usually found in the Pacific, not the Atlantic.
Los Roques are an archipelago of 300 islands and cays protected by a barrier reef. Since it’s virtually been closed to tourism for a generation, it offers a glimpse of what the Caribbean looked like 50 years ago with a bit of a Polynesian or even Maldives twist.
Mochima National Park: Where the Andes Kiss the Sea
Many (not all) Caribbean islands are quite flat. Mochima is the opposite: a place where the Andes Mountains plunge directly into the sea, creating a coastline of fjord like bays in a tropical setting.
If you love St Lucia or Dominica, you will love Mochima National Park too. A true nature paradise… on a continental scale unlike smaller Caribbean islands.
The park is home to a lot of secret coves only reachable by boats. It’s not uncommon to have your own private beach every single day of the week.
Isla de Margarita: the Lost Pearl of the Caribbean
Before “the crisis”, Isla de Margarita was called the Pearl of the Caribbean and was a duty-free playground for a lot of international tourists.
As one of the oldest touristic destinations in Venezuela, Isla de Margarita has the potential and infrastructure to have an epic comeback.
Could it be the next St Barth or the next St Martin of Venezuela? Who knows. Once thing is almost certain, if the current change of regime is followed by an influx of tourists, the changes will likely start here.
La Tortuga: the Uninhabited Paradise You Can Only Explore by Boat
La Tortuga has never been a prime Venezuelan destination. And it’s kind of the point.
No hotels. No marinas. No roads.
Just white sand, blue water, your boat and you.
It’s not a destination for any sailor, but if you like seclusion in paradise, it certainly is something you can find in Venezuela.
The list of Events That Plunged Venezuela Tourism and Sailing Into a Deep Crisis
If you are new to the Venezuelan situation and are curious to know how / why tourism collapsed that bad, here is a quick summary that will recap the sequence of events that led to the current situation.
- 2010-2013: Chavez declare economic war, GDP growth stagnates, crime begin to rise and so do the first security concerns from tourists
- 2014-2016: Oil prices crashed and triggered hyper inflation in the country. Around 60% of businesses closed at that time. Visas have become mandatory for US citizens. Violent crime hit 91 per 100,000. Most tourism is on hold.
- 2017-2019: US oil embargo, frequent blackouts and water shortage. High safety concerns. Virtually no tourism.
- 2020-2024: Tourism for allied countries (Russia, Cuba…), sharp decrease in violent crimes, other countries start to come back to Venezuela.
- 2025-2026: New currency crisis, diplomatic tensions with US that led to the exfiltration of Maduro to the US.
Why it Was Dard to Sail to Venezuela in the Last Few years
It’s been hard during the past decade to sail to Venezuela for several reasons
Safety: The Main Issue Standing in Venezuela Since the 2010s
When the economy collapses, safety tends to follow, and it’s exactly what has happened in Venezuela since the 2010s.
Violent crime reached dramatic numbers in the 2015s. Kidnapping risks were also significant, especially at the peak of tensions with the US.
For these reasons it was very difficult to organize yacht charters in the country:
- Most insurance companies would not deliver insurance contracts
- Boat owners were skeptical having their boats in Venezuela
- Many charter companies refuse to take the risk of sending their clients there
Shortages: a Constant Venezuelan Issue That Was Making Provisioning a Yacht Complex
The economic and currency collapses of Venezuela triggered a lot of hurdles on logistic chains. Amongst the main ones:
- Oil / Fuel shortage
- Water shortage
- Food supply instability
Needless to say, these aren’t ideal situations to provision a yacht properly or to have reliable stop over.
Visas: a Big Issue for US Citizens (Not So Much For the Rest of The World)
Getting a Venezuelan visa as a US citizen became increasingly difficult.
From 2010-2014, US citizens had visa free for up to 90 days. In 2015, the Venezuelan government required a visa with an arduous application process that deterred a lot of applicants. From 2019 until now, embassies closed in both countries so it was nearly impossible to get a visa as a US citizen.
This wasn’t really the case for other nationalities though. EU or UK travellers could still travel easily to Venezuela from a visa standpoint. They were usually more discouraged by the economic / social situation rather than the visa application process.
What Could Indicate a Potential Sailing Golden Age for Venezuela
Of course, we don’t know yet how the situation will unfold in Venezuela. But positive indicators that could indicate a rebirth of the tourism and sailing industry in Venezuela will likely include the following.
Stabilization of the Political and Economic Situation of Venezuela: a Necessary Evil
Stability is necessary for the tourism industry. Nobody wants to go to a country that could turn upside down during their holidays or yacht charter.
If the political situation stabilize, hopefully the rest will follow, including:
- Currency stabilization that avoids hyperinflation and import / export issues
- Economic rebirth that can benefit the whole country
- Less fuel, water and food shortages
- Less social tensions and violent crimes
Improvement of Safety: On the Right Track?
Safety was improving in Venezuela since the Covid years, so way before Maduro’s fall.
But you can’t change an “unsafe” image in a heartbeat. It can take a few years, a few adventurers on the field reporting that it’s all good for the tourists to come back.
Ease of Visa Application or Free Visas for US Citizens
US citizens were the main international tourists in Venezuela. Closing entry to Americans forced Venezuelans to reach out to other nationalities to discover this Caribbean paradise, but there is little doubt that US tourism would still be more than welcome for a full recovery of the Venezuelan tourism industry.
When tourist visas or visa exemptions are back for US passports, that will be a very clear green light that something has shifted.
You can follow the situation on this website.
Investment Influx in Infrastructures, Including Tourism Infrastructures
One of the main problems of the past two decades in Venezuela was the lack of investment or maintenance in all sorts of infrastructures. And this includes the tourism infrastructures.
Once we’ll see investment, whether onshore or from foreign sources, resuming in Venezuela, that will also be a clear sign of change.
The Challenges That Will Remain for the Early Birds Setting Sails on Venezuela
If you intend to sail to Venezuela in the upcoming months or years, keep in mind these few details.
Infrastructure Decay is Real: Do Not Expect a Charter Like in Other Caribbean Countries
If you are used to the best marinas in the Caribbean or in the Mediterranean, you’ll have to manage your expectations to sail in Venezuela.
Sadly, the infrastructure decay in the whole country is real and affects marinas, hotels and other touristic buildings.
To put it bluntly, Venezuela will likely not be a “marina destination” for a few years. For now, you better focus on its natural assets. But who knows what the future might hold.
Expect a Lot of Bureaucracy During These Uncertain Times
The political situation might not be stable in the next few months or even years.
Expect a certain level of bureaucracy that you might not get used to (yet).
If you hold a US passport, you might have to wait for the borders to reopen before being able to do anything.
Fuel Quality and Shortages Might Still Be an Issue
It’s not because Maduro’s government fell that all problems Venezuela has been facing for nearly 2 decades will disappear overnight.
You will likely experience fuel, electricity and water shortage during your yacht charter and you must plan accordingly to avoid any surprises.
Don’t Expect Insurance Policies to Have Your Back (Or to be Cheap!)
Ironically, insurance companies don’t like risk.
It’s safe to bet that they won’t like you or your boat going to Venezuela until the situation gets more stable.
Venezuela is at the moment excluded from most insurance policies and/or requires a special policy that you get in high risk countries. Naturally, high risk often rhymes with high price.
How to Sail Venezuela Safely in The Next Few Months
If you are feeling adventurous and consider a sailing trip to Venezuela in the next few months or years, here is some advice.
Get in Touch With a Yacht Charter Company, Do Not DIY a Sailing Itinerary
The most important piece of advice is to not plan a sailing trip alone in Venezuela just yet.
For these sorts of itineraries and destinations, you should rely on the expertise of a yacht charter company for several reasons:
- They have all the contacts to ensure your trip can happen smoothly
- They have local boats and boat owners at their disposal
- They can place a skipper or a full crew that know Venezuelan waters, culture and risks
- They have facilities to get provisions on your yacht and avoid shortage situations
- They are in touch with insurance companies and can find you a policy that matches your needs
Stick to the Safe Archipelagoes for the Foreseeable Future
If you want to stay on the safe side during your Venezuelan sailing trip, stick to the touristic archipelagoes like Isla de Margarita or Los Roques at the beginning.
Risks will always be higher on the mainland or close to it. The good news is that on a yacht charter you don’t have to go on the mainland at all costs.
Follow the Venezuelan Situation to See How it Unfolds
Monitoring the situation during these uncertain times remains mandatory.
Things can change fast, for better or worse.
It can be a safe bet to have a plan B in case your Venezuelan sailing trip can’t happen, which is another area where a yacht broker / charter company can be (very) handy!
Conclusion
Maduro’s fall has sparked a lot of enthusiasm all over the world regarding a potential rebirth of the Venezuelan tourism industry.
While it’s true that Venezuela has been one of the crown jewels of the Caribbean for years, the past decades have been rough on its infrastructure, safety and overall stability.
There is little doubt that the most adventurous sailors will find a Caribbean country with little crowd, unbelievable sailing playground, dreamy landscapes and probably a few stories to tell.
Get in touch with our team if you are interested in exploring or rediscovering Venezuela.
