VENEZUELA TRAVEL GUIDE
Lying north of Brazil, west of Guyana and east of Colombia is Venezuela, described by Christopher Columbus as ‘paradise on earth’. The landscape encompasses parts of the Amazon Basin, the Orinoco River delta and the Andes Mountains. The result is a varying environment that offers not only heavenly beaches and tropical forests, but also immense mountains amass with plunging waterfalls, including Angel Falls – the world’s highest waterfall. Watersports, trekking opportunities and sunshine are abundant for outdoor-enthusiasts heading to Venezuela.
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VENEZUELA WEATHER - When to Go
Venezuela is located near the equator in the tropics and as a result the average temperatures are generally constant throughout the year. The low lying areas of Venezuela are typical of a Caribbean environment, hot and humid. However, it does have some high lying areas within the Andes Mountains. These parts are home to glaciers and are therefore chilly at all times with maximum temperatures hovering around the eight degree Celsius mark. The best time to visit would be during the dry season which runs from November through to May. You would be well advised to pack clothing suitable for all weather conditions if you would like to indulge in the complete Venezuelan experience and do a full tour of the country.
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VENEZUELA HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Caracas is a buzzing city within the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley. It is framed by mountain ranges on either side, with the Caribbean Sea lying just beyond, making for a beautiful and temperate setting. Aside from the usual attractions of nightlife and shopping that a capital city normally offers, Caracas is also the location of many historic attractions. The five hundred year old Spanish centre is home to monuments and architecture that speak of its colonial past. The Federal Capitol is a beautiful building that occupies more than a city block. The structure was built in the 1870’s and boasts a domed hall with spectacular murals highlighting the history of the city. Other major attractions include the East Park, the Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex, the Simón Bolívar birthplace house, the National Pantheon, the Parque Central Complex, El hatillo village, Cerro El Ávila mountain, the large Las Mercedes shopping and leisure district, the Latamira Neighborhood, a variety of plazas and many religious buildings. Visit in February and you’ll get to experience the four-day lively carnival known as Mardi Gras, which is celebrated country-wide, though Caracas is home to the most vibrant celebrations.
- Isla de Maragarita is a small island that lies just 40km off of the Venezuelan coast. This tropical location is accessible by charter flights or by ferry cruises from the mainland’s Puerto de Cruz. Isla de Margarita is renowned by locals and foreigners alike for its picturesque beaches. There are more than fifty different ones to choose from, each unique yet equally breathtaking. Rolling mountains meet wide stretches of white sand extending into tranquil, undulating waters on some. Others are quiet nooks with lone palm trees and looming cliffs. The island offers duty free shopping, care-free nightlife and excellent diving, snorkeling and windsurfing opportunities. It is therefore no wonder that its tourism industry increases radically with each holiday season. Remarkably, the beaches still remain clean and untouched resembling the ideal postcard holiday.
- National Parks & Angel Falls: There are a whopping forty three National Parks in Venezuela. Due to the varying natural surroundings that the country has to offer, each has a special beauty and appeal. The Canaima National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This 30,000 km² park’s main attraction is one hundred table top mountains and numerous waterfalls. The most famous being the highest waterfall in the world, the Angel Falls. The Medanos de Coro National Park is in contrast to Canaima. It is essentially a large area of protected dunes. Exploration by foot or on camel may reveal the sighting of the many species that call the park home including lizards, rabbits, kestrels, anteaters and foxes. Other parks include Sierra Nevada National Park, Henri Pittier National Park, Cueva del Guácharo National Park, Mochima National Park, San Esteban National Park, Parima Tapirapecó National Park and Cueva de la Quebrada del Toro.
- Gran Roque is an island within the Archipielago Los Roques which is a series of islands off of the coast of Venezuela. This small fishing island’s main town of the same name is a quaint and unique location for a day’s outing or a short visit. The streets are lined with houses painted in bright colors and there is a lighthouse that dates back to the 1870’s. Boats can also be chartered from the main town to visit surrounding islands. Enjoy the peace and quiet that this small town has to offer. Exceptional seafood and honest, heartfelt hospitality make it a special and recommended treasure worth exploring.
- Ciudad Bolivar: Along the southern banks of the Orinoco River is the city Ciudad Bolivar. The historical zone is a popular attraction due to the large amount of colonial buildings and structures that are located there. Numerous seventeenth century constructions form part of the long list of noteworthy sites within the city. These include the old prison, the San Isidro Museum, the Plaza Bolivar, the Parochial House, the Ciudad Bolivar Cathedral, the Government Palace and the Piar House, the Jesus Soto Museum of Modern Art and the House of the Congress of Angostura.
- Merida is one of the most frequented cities in the Andes region of Venezuela. Though much cooler than the lower lying areas, the weather becomes bearable in light of the astounding beauty that the city has to offer. The city’s cable car teleférico that escalates to the pinnacle of Pico Espeja (4765m) is the world’s longest (12.6km in length) and highest. Start your treks form here. The view from the top is simply amazing and hammers home the sheer enormity of the mountains within the Andes range. Views from the various peaks surrounding the city can also be accessed by car or by foot. Being a univeristy town, Merida also provides a good nightlife.
- Colonia Tovar: For something more unusual, have a side-trip from Caracas to this small town formed by Geman settles over 100 years ago, where you can still see and even taste the Germanic influences.
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VENEZUELA HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: The Venezuelan population comprises of a substantial amount of immigrants so Chinese, Spanish, Italian and Middle Eastern Restaurants are abundant and generally authentic. The local cuisine is made up of roots, beans, yams, yuccas and plenty of char grilled, homegrown beef. Tropical fruit such as pineapples and papayas feature prominently in main courses as well as deserts and drinks. Arepas are corn pancakes that are served with a variety of fillings and make for a wholesome lunch as well as Chachapas which are sweeter variations filled with cheese and ham. Naturally seafood is abundant near the coast and on the islands. A ten percent tip is usually added to the bill ahead of time, though you may leave an additional tip on the table if you feel the service was worthy of it.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: Venezuelans are fond of dancing so most cities and even small towns usually have a number of locations designed for gyrating bodies and thumping music. A typical evening in Venezuela starts off with cocktails at a bar and so clubs usually only start to fill up and get heated around ten o’ clock at night. Locally produced rum is usually blended with tropical fruits to make tasty cocktails, though scotch and the local beer “Polar” are also favored drinks. Venezuelan coffee is held in high regard and is enjoyed in its purest form, espresso style.
- Accommodation within Venezuela ranges from five star hotels to cozy bed and breakfast locations. Some of the smaller towns offer more intimate experiences while the major centers play host to the regular big names in hospitality. When visiting the islands you can choose from simplistic huts on the beachfront to lavish resorts with spas and golf courses.
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