Venezuela

Our expert review and guide.

Venezuela has enough diversity for every traveler. From backpacking through the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes Mountains to1,860 miles of splendid coastline to the world’s largest waterfall, Venezuela provides value for your travel dollar. Its capital is Caracas, which has two major museums, an upbeat nightlife, and one of South America’s excellent food options, all in a major city with a population of three million.

About Venezuela

Venezuela is a country in the northern part of South America. Its size is that of France and Germany combined, and it is nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, 

Indigenous tribes inhabited Venezuela for centuries. In 1498, Christopher Columbus was the first European to set foot on the land that was to be called Venezuela. Spain occupied the country and founded a few towns but was not overall very interested in being there and did not have much of an effect. In 1821, the Venezuelan hero Simon Bolivar officially liberated the country from Spanish control, and the country reached total independence in 1830.

Independence did not equate with peace. Several military dictators vied for supremacy. The winner was Marcos Jimenez, who officially became dictator in 1948. He was overthrown in favor of President Hugo Chavez, who was followed by President Maduro. It has been a difficult political struggle for Venezuela. Today, it is primarily known for its oil industry.

The population of Venezuela is very mixed, with almost half having a combination of Spanish and indigenous ancestry. Some are direct descendants of Spain. The hodgepodge citizenry also includes immigrants from the Middle East, China, and Africa, making the country a genuine melting pot.

Venezuela is one of nature’s treasures, with 43 national parks and some extraordinary waterfalls. With the world’s seventh country in the number of wild animal species and 21,000 different plants, the country exemplifies biodiversity.  

Venezuela is a tropical Caribbean country, but the Andes Mountain Range ensures that it enjoys a variety of different climates. The Venezuelan Andes is a picturesque landscape of lakes, valleys, green mountains, and quaint small towns, such as the charming Merida. Here, houses on high cliffs seem to reach for the sky. Merida is an excellent base for exploring the grandeur of the Andes.

Beauty is not just confined to the landscape. Venezuela is famed for having some of the most beautiful women in the world after winning seven Miss Universe titles.  

Language Spoken in Venezuela

The official language of Venezuela is Castilian Spanish, which refers to the pure Spanish of Castile, Spain. 

Currency Used in Venezuela

The Bolivar is Venezuela’s official currency, but the U.S. Dollar is always welcome.

Things to Do in Venezuela 

A visit to Venezuela is all about its wondrous beauty, whether it’s the coasts or the mountains. Certain destinations are off-the-beaten-path, but that just adds to the adventure.

Angel Falls

Angel Falls in Canaima National Park near Anima Village is the world’s tallest waterfall, plunging from a height of 979 meters. It intimidated the indigenous people enough for them to call it the “Mountain of the God of Evil.” This spectacular fall is all rainwater from the humid, tropical clouds overhead. Angel Falls is one of the off-the-beaten-path sites, requiring a boat ride and a 90-minute hike to find. It’s all part of the thrill. There is an open-air camp for resting and sleeping. Another incomparable way of seeing the falls is by flying overhead.

Los Roques Archipelago 

Los Roques is an archipelago of 50 islands surrounding a lagoon, coral reefs, and mangroves. The area, near the central coast, is 36 kilometers wide and 24.6 kilometers long with a 1,700 deep lagoon. This beautiful collection of islands is visited by 70,000 visitors annually, some of whom cruise the lagoon in their own yachts.

Fishing is a major activity, and 90 percent of Venezuela’s lobsters are caught here. The village of Gran Roque is the sole inhabited island with villas, excellent snorkeling, and diving. There is also a turtle breeding sanctuary for endangered turtles. Many visitors take a catamaran tour, spend the day surrounded by turquoise waters, then get picked up a few hours later.

Roraima

Mount Roraima is a flat-topped mesa and one of the world’s most mysterious mountains that span three countries – Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana. It rises like a giant from the rainforest with a top area of 20 square miles. 

The cliff makes for a challenging climb that can be completed in three to five days, but a guided tour is recommended. For the mountain trek of a lifetime, consider a 10 or 11-day guided tour that includes exploring the top for nature’s hidden gems, such as meat-eating plants. It frequently gets misty, so hikers may end up above the clouds. There is camping along the way. Arthur Conan Doyle used Roraima as the inspiration for his novel, The Lost World.

Orinoco Delta

The Orinoco River flows through the rainforest to the Atlantic Ocean between narrow channels of thousands of small islands. The Delta, which is approximately the size of Wales, is the home of 20,000 indigenous people that have lived hidden and quietly within the rainforest for 6,000 years, which they share with parrots, capuchin monkeys, otters, dolphins, piranhas, and toucans. 

The river is perfect for their boat-living lifestyle. Some of these boats can carry up to 50 people. All traveling takes place via canoe on the river – even children transport themselves by water.

Explore a forgotten world by staying at the Orinoco Eco Camp with its private rooms and tours of the river banks. Dinners are included. 

National Pantheon of Venezuela

Venezuela’s national shrine, the National Pantheon of Venezuela in Caracas was the site of an ordinary church. It was subsequently turned into a shrine for Venezuela’s great hero, Simon Bolivar, and other important historical entities. The ceiling depicts scenes from Bolivar’s life and struggles.

Regions in Venezuela

Merida is a busy and active college town flanked by two rivers and the soaring Andes, which can be climbed by hiking through the Sierra Nevada National Park. It has a great deal of colonial charm not often found in Venezuela. While the landscaping is made for adventurous hiking, the college environment also ensures lots of activity. The Merida Botanical Garden is home to 12,000 plants. Visitors can take a guided tour and learn about eco-restoration, flora, fauna, and more. Merida has abundant sightseeing opportunities. 

There is fine dining, but everyone ends up at the Coromoto Ice Cream Shop, a Venezuelan adventure in its own right with the largest selection of ice cream flavors in the world. How does spaghetti with cheese sound? Or the local favorite, avocado sweetened by mango? This is a place for adventuresome palettes. The rum-flavored ice cream gets a definite thumbs up.

Following an ice cream treat, visitors can take the Merida cable car, the best sightseeing in Merida. This is the world’s highest and longest cable car system, rising to an altitude of 4,765 meters and spanning 12.5 kilometers.

Islands in Venezuela

Venezuela has 1,700 miles of stunning Caribbean coastline. It is undeveloped territory with clear, golden beaches. There are inexpensive accommodations for hostelers, and resorts that offer some spoiling. A total of 300 islands stretch along the coast of Venezuela, and the following are the most attractive for visitors.

Island Crasqui

Crasqui is a part of the Los Roques archipelago. The gorgeous beach is lined by a charming fishing village with several eateries right on the beach. The beach is perfect for snorkeling, and the wind makes kitesurfing fun. This is a fabulous family beach.

Isla Margarita, Venezuela

Isla Margarita is a secret gem of an island with white beaches and a laid-back Caribbean attitude. It isn’t as well-known as some Caribbean islands, so there are fewer crowds and more privacy. Surrounding the beach are mountains to explore, and the town of Porlamar offers great duty-free shopping. 

Playa El Agua is the island’s most famous beach, with its swaying palm trees, restaurants, and shopping. 

The best beach for watersports is Playa El Yaque. This is where surfing and kiteboarding rule. The water is mostly shallow, so it is an ideal family beach. 

Playa Parguito is Isla Margarita’s ultimate surfer island. There are huge waves, which are terrific for surfing but may be too much for young children.

To get to Margarita Island, visitors need to fly into Caracas and take a ferry.

La Blanquilla Island

La Blanquilla is a beautiful fan-shaped, uninhabited island with alabaster-white sand. The tranquility is disturbed only by the occasional adventure tour looking for superior snorkeling and diving among the schools of angelfish, parrotfish, porcupine fish, and others. The reefs are famed for their black coral. Iguanas, donkeys, and lizards make themselves at home on the island.

Most visitors come to La Blanquilla on a chartered boat. Lost World Adventures in Caracas offers cruising, snorkeling, and fishing packages to La Blanquilla. 

The Best Hotel or Resort in Venezuela

The Sunsol Isla Caribe on Isla de Margarita by Playa El Tirano. The resort has onsite restaurants and bars. A game room with billiards, a mini-market, and a spa are all available for the guests. Adults can enjoy the outdoor pool while kids can splash in the kids’ pool.

The nightclub with a live DJ provides entertainment for adults while the kids are entertained in the kids’ club.

The Best Resort or Hotel for Couples in Venezuela

Renaissance Caracas La Castellana Hotel, with its 212 luxury rooms, is situated in an exclusive part of Caracas near all important attractions, restaurants, and nightclubs. The hotel was granted the 2021 Trip Advisor Travelers Choice Award. The onsite restaurant specializes in fusion Indian dining, and the lounge serves amazing cocktails with their tapas.

Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool and fitness center.

Couples wishing to make their dream wedding come true can work with the hotel’s wedding planners, who are trained to arrange all aspects of every type of wedding. 

Best Resort or Hotel for Families in Venezuela

Sunsol Ecoland and Beach Resort (formerly the Dunes Hotel) on Margarita Island is a short walk from Playa Zaragoza and Playa Pedro Gonzalez. Five hundred and thirty-two rooms have a splendid view of the surrounding islands. 

Parents can enjoy the spa and wellness facilities, the tennis court, aerobics, and nightclub while the children have their kids’ club with their own play area. The entire family will enjoy the free breakfast.

About The Author
Jim
Jim is the founder of EpicCaribbean.com. He loves the Caribbean and wants to share it with everyone he can. He has been traveling in the Caribbean since he was just 18 months old and has seen most of its beautiful beaches and turquoise waters.

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