Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomía
North of San Rafael, at an altitude of about 3600m, is the Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomía , an astronomical observatory with four telescopes and a museum of astronomy. It’s normally open to the public only on weekends, but during peak holiday seasons (Christmas, Carnaval,
Santa Fe
This fishing town is popular with international backpackers for its proximity to the islands of Parque Nacional Mochima. Travelers spend their days island-hopping and their nights drinking beer or merengadas (fruity milkshakes) on the beach - all without breaking the budget. Althou
Kamarata
Kamarata is an old Pemón village on the Río Akanán, at the southeastern foot of Auyantepui. Since being discovered as an alternative access point for Angel Falls, it has been attracting adventurous travelers. There are a few simple places to stay and eat in town, and an airstrip. H
Statue of the Virgin Mary
This gigantic, 47m-high monument is said to be the world’s tallest statue of the Virgin Mary . Frankly, it bears an eerie, uncanny resemblance to Darth Vader. Inaugurated in 1983, the massive, concrete statue stands on a 1700m-high mountaintop overlooking Trujillo, 11km southwest o
Iglesia de San Antonio
The Iglesia de San Antonio is at the upper end of the historic town of Clarines. Built in the 1750s, the church is a massive, squat construction laid out in a Latin-cross floor plan, and is one of only a few examples of its kind in Venezuela. Twin square towers border the austere f
Centro de las Artes
On the southern edge of the colonial sector is the tree-shaded Plaza Miranda . Positioned at the halfway point between the cathedral and the cemetery, it was once known as the Plaza Descanso (rest), because funeral pallbearers would stop to break here along the way to burials. A si
Castillo Libertador
North of the old town, and separated from it by the entrance channel to the harbor, is colonial Fortín San Felipe, later renamed Castillo Libertador . It’s a fine-looking fort, though in a state of disrepair. It was constructed in the 1730s to protect the port and warehouses. Durin
Teatro de la Opera
Commissioned by Gómez in 1934, this Soviet-esque theater was intended to be the best in the country, to match the capital status of the city. An immense budget of two million bolívares was allotted for the structure alone. The theater was constructed swiftly, and by December 1935 (
Catedral
The massive, fortress-like Catedral was begun in the 1580s and finished half a century later, making it the oldest surviving church in Venezuela. There are no remainders of its early history inside, but the 1790 baroque main retable is a good example of late colonial art.
Iglesia de San Francisco
Just south of the Capitolio Nacional, the Church of San Francisco was built in the 1570s, but was remodeled on several occasions during the 17th and 18th centuries. Guzmán Blanco, unable to resist his passion for modernizing, placed a neoclassical facade on the church to match the
Gran Roque
Gran Roque is the main island and population center, and exudes a distinct Caribbean feel. The sandy streets of the fishing village are lined with single-story, brightly painted concrete houses and the waterfront is packed with fishing boats and visiting yachts - all covered by a v
Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada
The most popular high-mountain trekking area is the Sierra Nevada national park, which has all of Venezuelas highest peaks, including Pico Bolívar (5007m/16,427ft), Pico Humboldt (4942m/16,214ft) and Pico Bonpland (4883m/16,020ft). Climbing these peaks shouldnt be attempted without
Salto Ángel (Angel Falls)
Thundering Angel Falls is the worlds highest waterfall and Venezuelas number-one tourist attraction. Its total height is 979m (3211ft), of which the uninterrupted drop is 807m (2646ft), about 16 times the height of Niagara Falls. The cascade spills off the heart-shaped Auyantepui,
Fundación Bigott
If you’d like to dig a little deeper into traditional Venezuelan culture – perhaps learn to play joropo music with the bandola llanera (a string instrument) in the style of Anselmo López, or how to create your very own Festival de los Diablos Danzantes masks – you’ll want to pay a
Plaza Bolívar
This leafy square is the nucleus of the old town. Its always alive with huddled groups of caraqueños engaged in conversation and children feeding freshly popped corn to the black squirrels in the trees. Vendors hawk lemonade and cepilladas (shaved ices) on the sidelines, and the wh
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Caracas
Occupying the eastern end of the Parque Central complex, the Museum of Contemporary Art is by far the best in the country, though it can be a little tricky to find amid the concrete jungle. In a dozen halls on five levels, you’ll find works by many prominent Venezuelan artists, suc
Doing business & staying in touch while in Venezuela
Venezuela: Doing business & staying in touch
Venezuela Weather, Climate and Geography
Venezuela Weather, climate and geography
Venezuela History, Language and Culture
Venezuela History, Language and Culture
Venezuela Travel Guide and Travel Information
Venezuela Travel Guide
