Caracas
Capital of Venezuela,
Caracas is renowned as the birthplace of South American liberator Simón Bolívar. This
bustling urban jungle of nearly 5 million inhabitants is located in a valley bound by
towering mountains. At its heart is Plaza Bolívar, a colonial-style square surrounded by
handsome buildings. Beyond it, however, the architecture of much of the city is a product
of the oil boom in the 1960s and 70s. The city is home to several excellent museums and
galleries showcasing Latin American art and history. Excursions to the colonial village of
El Hatillo, to the south, the wonderful botanical garden, or one of the nearby national
parks provide respite from the furious pace of this sprawling cosmopolitan city.Vargas
With the notable exception of Ávila National Park, no other region in the country offers
as many wooded trails. East of Los Caracas, the road travels alongside a spectacular
coastline studded with overhanging cliffs, breakwaters, small villages and public
beaches.Seaside National Parks There are three groups of uninhabited islands where you can
stay: Los Roques, Morrocoy and Mochima. All these islands were declared national parks
because of the fragility of their ecosystem, which is composed of coral reefs, sebkhas
(inland areas of salt deposits), mangrove swamps and marine communities.Isla Margarita
Isla Margarita is Venezuela's island paradise on the Caribbean Sea. Without a doubt, it is
the country's most important tourist area. Nicknamed the "Pearl of the Caribbean,"
Margarita was initially known for its pearl oysters.The Oriente Coast This region offers
tranquil beaches, the famous Gúacharo caves, forests, mountains and a flurry of country
villages. Coconut-tree plantations line the bays of Paria and the humid zones are home to
water buffalo. Large trees shade coconut plantations and sugar cane glistens in the lush
Cariaco and Cumanacoa valleys. You can visit more beaches in Anzoátegui and colonial
churches in Píritu, Caigua and El Pilar.Los Llanos Los Llanos -- the far-reaching, grassy
plains along the northern bank of the Orinoco River between the Andes and the delta -- are
one of the greatest natural attractions in South America.Bolívar The state of Bolívar is
one of the most fascinating regions in the country. Two big attractions are situated in
the Canaima National Park: the Gran Sabana -- a vast, undulating savannah with an unusual
topography composed of plateaus (tepuis) -- and the Ángel Falls, the world's highest
waterfalls.The Andes The páramos (open moorlands in the Andes) is a very popular area for
hiking. Trails in this superb mountain range lead to some of Venezuela's most prized
attributes, such as charming mountain villages, friendly campesinos and extremely
well-maintained hiking trails.Falcón The state of Falcón has much to offer travellers. The
island beaches in the Parque Nacional Morrocoy attract Venezuelans and foreigners alike.
Of all the colonial towns in Venezuela, Coro is the largest and best
preserved.