Attractions from Venezuela

Caracas

Arte Contemporáneo Museum

The art museum in Caracas is one of the finest of its kind on the South American continent. Here, you can see how Venezuelan art has developed over time, and at the same time the museum contains lots of works by international artists like Picasso and Miró. The museum is a must when you are in Caracas

Bolívar square in Caracas

This square is named after Simon Bolívar, Venezuela's liberator and national hero, and is the centre of the old part of town. This is where you will find monuments from the history of the city, like Parliament, the beautiful cathedral and the Santa Capilla chapel with its colourful stained glass. Something is always going on in the square, either passionate, religious messengers or enthusiastic politically active people shouting out their messages to the crowd.

Central Park

This is a good place to start, if you want to get an impression of modern Caracas. Actually Parque Central is not really a park, but a large area consisting primarily of concrete and iron, and with buildings that are so modernistic that the place looks like the set of a science fiction movie. These buildings are however impressive in their own special way, and even though there are no trees or bushes there is a flourishing life inside the park.

Venezuela

Angel Falls

This waterfall is named after the American pilot Jimmie Angel who discovered the fall during his search for gold in 1935. No other waterfall in the world is as high as this, which also has the world's longest unbroken fall of water. From the top of the Ayantepui mountain the water falls 807 metres down into Devils Canyon. An impressive sight, made all the more beautiful by the many rainbows created by the water.

Araya salt quarry

Salt as far as your eye can see. This quarry on the Araya peninsula is the largest in Venezuela. Gigantic Salinas are filled with salt water, put out to dry in the hot sun, and then the salt is broken into large blocks. The salt takes on some amazing colours in the bright sunlight, and sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether it is brown or pink. Salinas de Araya has guided tours from time to time, but otherwise there is an excellent view of the quarry from the El Mirador ridge.

Beaches

The island's main attraction is definitely its beautiful beaches, but this is not a place for those who prefer authentic, deserted, palm tree beaches. You must enjoy being among lots of happy people, surrounded by bars and restaurants, in order to enjoy the breathtaking beaches of Isla de Margarita and their many facilities. Some of the finest beaches on the island are Playa el Agua and Playa Puerto Cruz.

Bolívar Place in Barinas

The town square in Barinas shows impressive architecture from the colonial period, perfectly illustrated by the beautiful church, which was recently restored and now stands as is did hundreds of years ago. Palacio del Marques is the most resplendent building from the past.

Bolívar square in Caracas

This square is named after Simon Bolívar, Venezuela's liberator and national hero, and is the centre of the old part of town. This is where you will find monuments from the history of the city, like Parliament, the beautiful cathedral and the Santa Capilla chapel with its colourful stained glass. Something is always going on in the square, either passionate, religious messengers or enthusiastic politically active people shouting out their messages to the crowd.

Bullfighting

Spain is not the only place where the matador's fight against a snorting bull is extremely popular. Most large cities in Venezuela have their own bullring, where up to 20,000 shouting people can cheer on the fighting parties. Spain's best bullfighters come to the country for the carnival, which fills up the rings.

Caripe

The surrounding area of this city is what makes it worth a visit. You will see sparkling waterfalls and fresh, green hills, but the biggest attraction in the area is the enormous Cueva de Guáracho stalactite cave. From the top of the Cerro Negro you have a magnificent view of the entire area.

Cerro Perico ridge

On top of the ridge just outside Puerto Ayacucho you have a beautiful view of the town, the river, and the green Amazonian Jungle, and the mo st spectacular times are when the sun is either setting or rising. The view is just as amazing from the El Mirador ridge a little further away from town.

Cueva del Guácharo stalactite cave

No one knows exactly how deep this enormous and very impressive stalactite cave actually is, but it is possible to go 1,200 metres down into the darkness. The cave is a complete eco-system in itself, with bats, spiders, fish, crabs and other vermin. The place has its name from the small owl-like bird the guácharo, which also has its home among the beautiful stalactites in the cave.

Devil Dance

The most fascinating ritual found in the country is the Devil Dance, which symbolizes good's fight against evil. Covered by demoniacal, colourful masks the dancers dance through town to music inspired by African styles, to end up by the town's church to surrender to "the good". This ritual is carried out in June in many of the northern towns, and if you are travelling in Venezuela around this time, make sure not to miss it.

El Ávila National Park

With its amazing camping sites and net of paths and trails this park north of Caracas is a great place to go for hikers. The best way through the mountains leads to the top of Pico El Ávila, and from here you can enjoy the wonderful view of Caracas and the Caribbean Sea.

Henri Pittier National Park

The oldest national park in the country is still one of the best. The Cordillera mountain range forms the southern boarder of the park, which then goes as far as to the exotic, Caribbean shore with its wonderful beaches. In the park you can see many different kinds of animals, such as cougars, anteaters, and curious monkeys. The park is also home to as much as 7% of the world's bird species, and most of them are incredibly beautiful.

La Gran Sabana area

Eastern Venezuela is a very unique area. In the savannah you will see the so-called tepuis, which are flat-topped mountains with each their own spectacular fauna and flora. As the mountains are isolated from each other, they have each created their own eco-system, and on some of the mountains you will find animals that are otherwise only found as fossils. Explore the mysterious landscape with all its breathtaking waterfalls.

Laguna de la Restinga National Park

The park is situated on the western part of the island, and among its rich bird life you will find lots of pelicans. Turtles swim around the little canals in the park, and in general this is a nice break from the hectic life at the beach.

Mochima National Park

This park by the Caribbean coast has everything you can ask for and more. Unending sandy beaches and numerous small islands from where you can dive down to explore the beautiful coral reef make the perfect place for relaxing and swimming. The park is a nice place on weekends and is even better during the week, when you can easily find your very own paradise beach.

Morrocoy National Park

This park is located around one of Venezuela's most beautiful stretches of coast. Off the shore and its white, sandy beaches there are lots of small islands, and if you have a snorkel and a mask you can explore the coral reef near the coast. The park has a large number of pelicans and flamingos as well as amazing beaches.

Mountain railway

This railway stretches 12 kilometres from Mérida to the top of the Pico Espejo Mountain, which is nearly 5 kilometres above the surface of the ocean, and the railway is not only the highest, but also the longest of its kind in the world. On the way up you will see some of South America's most spectacular views of the Andes. The railway makes several stop, and if you get off and continue on foot you have already set out on a fantastic walk.

Museum of Colonial Art

The Museum of Colonial Art in Caracas is one of the finest in the country. It is located in a big, beautiful building from the colonial time, surrounded by little gardens, and in the museum you will find mainly art objects from this era, but also other things from the time the Spanish came to the country

Nature

Even though the Venezuelan rain forest is full of monkeys, jaguars, anteaters, and anacondas you have to be lucky to catch a glimpse of these animals in the thick wilderness. It is not impossible, of course, but it all depends on your guide's knowledge of the area. It is extremely interesting to learn about the effects of the plants in the rain forest. Some can bring down a fever; others can cure snakebite, while others yet contain several litres of fresh drinking water. The local guides are walking encyclopaedias on this subject.

Roraima Mountain

Perhaps the most fascinating trekking route in Venezuela can be made on this flat-topped mountain on the boarder of Brazil and Guiana. Your way to the top will not be effortless going though this strange piece of nature, but when you get to the top you will feel it was worth your while. You will be surrounded by a mysterious moon landscape with extraordinary rock formations and flowers you have never seen before. A hike to the top is something you will never forget.

Safari

Los Llanos has a rich wildlife, and safaris to the open savannahs are arranged where you get very close to the enormous hordes of wild animals. The bases of these expeditions are the many big ranches where local cowboys breed Venezuela's beef cattle. There are crocodiles in the rivers, jaguars in the bush along with lots of other animals. The area has amazing birds as well, as many of them have the most spectacular plumages in beautiful colours. Typically, a safari will last three to four days, and this is long enough to see the many wild animals.

San Carlos Borromeo Fort

This fort by the town of Pampatar is a classic example of a Spanish military facility from colonial times. The building is spectacular, and inside you can see exhibitions of weapons and other military equipment from when the Spanish came to this new continent.

San Miguel colonial church

The Andes are renown for their beautiful landscapes, but in the village of San Miguel you will find a hidden pearl among South America's many colonial churches. The special construction in itself makes the church stand out, but the true beauty of it lies in the wonderful altarpiece inside.

The Indigena market

There are many Indian tribes in the jungle around Puerto Ayacucho, and every morning the Indians sell the things they make on a market. Here you can also buy fresh, exotic fruits you have never seen before, or you may just enjoy the intense market atmosphere.

The Maracaibo light

This incredible natural phenomenon called Faro de Maracaibo can only be seen at night, and is created at the mouth of the Catacumbo River. Due to electric tension a bright light, which can be seen hundreds of kilometres away, appears from the water. You cannot help feeling all blissful when this light illuminates the Venezuelan night sky.

The mountains around Mérida

The area around the wonderful town of Mérida is a paradise for climbers and trekkers, as there is no end to the possibilities there. Mountain climbers can challenge Pico Bolívar, the highest mountain in Venezuela, while less experienced trekkers can take the just as beautiful walk to the mountain village of Los Nevados. The breathtaking landscape around Mérida alone is worth a trip to Venezuela.

The old part of Carora

Carora has a beautiful, well-kept, historic part of town, which was recently restored. At the chateaus near Carora, or the bodegas as they are called, you can taste a glass of Venezuela's very young wine culture.

The old town of Coro

Coro is the only town in Venezuela, which is found on UNESCO's list of places that are worth preserving in the world. It is amazing how well kept the relics from the colonial time are in the town's streets laid with cobblestone. Recently the colonial churches and the beautiful, whitewashed houses have gone through a very successful restoration, so today Coro is a perfect window to past times.

The patron saint of Venezuela, Virgen de Coromoto

The icon of the official patron saint of Venezuela is located in the city of Guanare. The actual statue and the fainted painting of the holy virgin are not great landmarks, unless you are a strong believer of the Catholic faith. But the beautiful church built in the virgin's honour along with the respect for the icon shown by locals and visiting pilgrims say a lot about how significant religion is in Venezuela.

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