A spectacular variety of landscapes with waterfalls, rivers, Amazonian rainforests, Andean mountains, wide tropical beaches and Caribbean Islands make Venezuela an ideal destination for outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, diving and surfing. Venezuela hosts perfect island hideaways for beach holidays as well as a rich nature and wildlife with dolphins, crocodiles, jaguars and abundant birdlife. In the bustling cities of Venezuela there is plenty to see and do as well: colonial buildings, fascinating museums, inexpensive restaurants, small shops and modern malls.
The Venezuelan capital Caracas is the city of contrasts with fine dining, endless opportunities for shopping and interesting museums to explore. The cosmopolitan city of culture has a wide selection of theatres, concerts, festivals and nightlife options. The magnificent Avila mountain provides breathtaking views over the city and the Caribbean Sea.
The outdoor city of Venezuela, Mérida is located at the foot of the magnificent Andes with glaciers, lakes, streams and rivers. There are good opportunities for extreme sports around the city. For the less adventurous, the world's longest cable car can take you up in the mountain scenery and the picturesque Andean villages.
The natural side of Venezuela includes mountains, deserts, vast open plains called llanos, as well as lush Amazonian rainforests. Home to world's tallest waterfalls, Angel Falls, Canaima National Park is one of the greatest scenic attractions in Venezuela. The National Park consists of tropical jungles, canyons, table-top mountains and rich flora and fauna. Canaima's dramatic and untouched scenery offer good trekking climbing and mountain biking.
Islands & beaches. Venezuela is also home to several beautiful tropical islands in the Caribbean Sea. Isla de Margarita is a Caribbean paradise island with turquoise sea and long, white-sand beaches ideal for sunbathing, windsurfing and other water sports activities. One of the most popular destinations in Venezuela, Isla de Margarita offers good opportunities for duty-free shopping. The famous tourist resort of Puerto La Cruz is not far from Isla de Margarita. Los Roques Archipelago has an outstanding natural beauty with its pristine white beaches by the crystal-clear turquoise sea. Los Roques is also a underwater paradise with colorful coral reefs, abundant species of fish and other sea animals perfect for snorkeling, diving and fishing.
Busy cities, nature wonders and Caribbean islands in Venezuela
Venezuela is a large South American country with a wide selection of activities and accommodation options to every budget and taste. There are both busy cities, small authentic villages, national parks and beach resorts to be explored. The majority of the best beaches and biggest cities in Venezuela, such as the busy Capital Caracas, are located in the central part of the country.The Venezuelan capital Caracas is the city of contrasts with fine dining, endless opportunities for shopping and interesting museums to explore. The cosmopolitan city of culture has a wide selection of theatres, concerts, festivals and nightlife options. The magnificent Avila mountain provides breathtaking views over the city and the Caribbean Sea.
The outdoor city of Venezuela, Mérida is located at the foot of the magnificent Andes with glaciers, lakes, streams and rivers. There are good opportunities for extreme sports around the city. For the less adventurous, the world's longest cable car can take you up in the mountain scenery and the picturesque Andean villages.
The natural side of Venezuela includes mountains, deserts, vast open plains called llanos, as well as lush Amazonian rainforests. Home to world's tallest waterfalls, Angel Falls, Canaima National Park is one of the greatest scenic attractions in Venezuela. The National Park consists of tropical jungles, canyons, table-top mountains and rich flora and fauna. Canaima's dramatic and untouched scenery offer good trekking climbing and mountain biking.
Islands & beaches. Venezuela is also home to several beautiful tropical islands in the Caribbean Sea. Isla de Margarita is a Caribbean paradise island with turquoise sea and long, white-sand beaches ideal for sunbathing, windsurfing and other water sports activities. One of the most popular destinations in Venezuela, Isla de Margarita offers good opportunities for duty-free shopping. The famous tourist resort of Puerto La Cruz is not far from Isla de Margarita. Los Roques Archipelago has an outstanding natural beauty with its pristine white beaches by the crystal-clear turquoise sea. Los Roques is also a underwater paradise with colorful coral reefs, abundant species of fish and other sea animals perfect for snorkeling, diving and fishing.
Practical information for your stay in Venezuela
Venezuela is located in the northern coast of South America between Colombia and Guyana. It has a long coastline by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The Venezuelan landscape is very diverse with Caribbean Islands, Andean Mountains, lowland plains and jungles. Most parts of the country enjoy hot and humid tropical climate, while the highlands of Venezuela have a cooler climate. The dry season in Venezuela lasts from November to May and is ideal time for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Photo: superbez, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
The magnificent waterfalls of Venezuela are best visited during or after the wet season.
How to get there. The easiest way to travel to Venezuela is by air. The majority of the international flights land at Simon Bolívar International Airport located near Caracas. The airport receives direct flights from North America and major cities in Europe. There are also road connections to Venezuela from Colombia and Brazil, and the Caribbean coast of Venezuela can be reached by sailing.
Public transportation in Venezuela is served by cheap and comfortable buses and there is a wide bus network in the country. The capital Caracas has a metro system. Shared taxis named cars-for-hire are popular mode of transportation among locals. Taxis are the most convenient way of traveling around the cities. Rental cars are also easy to find. Military checks are common on many roads in Venezuela.
Visitor services in Venezuela are good with plenty of choices of accommodation and restaurants in most large cities and popular destinations. However, English is not commonly spoken in Venezuela outside the main tourism destinations, and some Spanish skills are needed for independent travel.
Safety. Traffic in Venezuela is quite chaotic and dangerous. Due to the political instability and street crime in the country, it is advisable to exercise normal caution when travelling in Venezuela. Stay away from demonstrations and public gatherings. Traveling to the Colombian border should be avoided. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and landslides are not rare in Venezuela.
History and culture of Venezuela
The original inhabitants of Venezuela were the Caribs, the Arawak and the Chibcha. The area was found by Columbus and later colonized by the Spanish in the 16th century. Venezuela broke free from Spanish colonial rule with the help of Simón Bolívar in 1821. The discovery of the oil reserves in the beginning of the 20th century brought some relief to the country which had suffered of political instability and corruption. Today, majority of the inhabitants of Venezuela live in cities.The Venezuelan culture is typically Latin American and has been influenced by both indigenous, Spanish and African traditions. Immigrants from Asia and Middle East have also brought their distinctive cultural marks to the rich ethnic tapestry of Venezuela.
