Health
Take precautions against yellow fever, malaria, cholera,
hepatitis and dengue fever.
Best time to go
Temperatures in Venezuela remain constant throughout
the year, so there really isn’t a high season
or low tourist season. Most areas are within 1000m
above sea level, so the average temperature is about
24C, a little warmer and more humid along the coast.
Only in the Central highland regions that we visit
will jackets be appropriate. Typically, the dry season
(summer) falls between December and May while the
wet season (winter) runs from June to November. Though
in reality this varies depending on where you travel.
Caracas and other coastal areas, for example, receive
little rainfall year-round, whereas in the Amazon
region you can expect rain regardless of when you
go. The tourist season in Venezuela runs year-round
so, theoretically, any time you visit is OK. However,
the dry season is more pleasant for traveling, though
some sights - including the famous Angel Falls - are
certainly more impressive in the wet season.
Upon arrival
Once you’ve reclaimed your baggage and cleared
customs, you will be warmly welcomed to Venezuela,
assisted with your luggage and taken you to your hotel
by private air-conditioned minivan/bus. Please do
not leave the airport terminal building unless you
have made contact with Amazing Peru staff. Also ignore
the calls from taxi drivers as your private transport
has been provided for you.
Food and drink
Drink only bottled water. Pasteurised milk is widely
available. Avoid dairy products that are likely to
have been made from unboiled milk. Avoid street food
vendors and the cheaper restaurants.
Highlights
Caracas
Caracas is located on the edge of Monte Avila National
Park, which offers spectacular views of the city.
Plaza Bolivar - Found at the corner of Av Norte and
Av Oeste - the city’s cultural centre if not
the geographical one. There is a monument of the liberator
and hero of the country in the middle. It’s
a good place for people watching as it has become
a playground for the locals. The city’s most
famous cathedral can be found on the east side of
the plaza
Capitolio Nacional - Southwest of the Plaza. Capitolio
Nacional is the neoclassical complex commissioned
in 1870 by Guzman Blanco. The main reason to visit
these buildings is to view the Salon Eliptico, an
oval hall with a large mural on its domed ceiling
depicting the Battle of Carabobo painted by
Martin Tovar y Tovar, Venezuela’s most notable
artist
Museo Bolivariano – Located on Av Norte 1 between
the blocks of Oeste 2 and
Avenida Universidad. This museum is a good place to
see a variety of independence memorabilia such as
weapons and documents. It is also one of the best
preserved colonial homes
Panteon Nacional - Located at Plaza Panteon, Av Norte
y Av Panteon. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am
to noon and 2:30pm to 5pm. Houses the remains of Simon
Bolivar as well as the tomb of Francisco Miranda (the
Precursor of Independence), which lies open in wait
for the return of his body.
There are other notables buried within. The changing
of the guard takes place
around 4:30pm every day
Museo de Arte Colonial - Found in the Quinta de Anauco
colonial country mansion in the San Bernadino suburb.
This museum is difficult to get to, but probably one
of Caracas’ best. The grounds are open from
Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30am to 11:30am and 2pm to
4:30 p.m. with free concerts on Sundays at 11am.
Nightlife - The districts of Las Mercedes, El Rosal,
La Floresta or La Castellana are the best areas.
Around Caracas
Parque Nacional El Avila - This park offers the best
tourist facilities of any in the country. There are
about 200 km of walking trails accessible from any
entrance off Avenida Boyaca for a nominal park entry
fee. The teleferico or cable car used to be the best
way to get to the top of this park but it has been
closed for years and no one knows when it is set to
reopen. We suggest you head to the Hotel Humboldt,
which was closed down when the cable car became inoperable.
It is still a fantastic landmark offering great photo
opportunities.
Amazon Jungle
The southern Amazonas region is thick with tropical
rain forest, crisscrossed by rivers, and home to a
number of isolated Indian tribes. The charming, balmy
town of Puerto Ayacucho is the starting point for
tours into the Venezuelan Amazon on the Orinoco, Sipapo
or Autana rivers.
Caribbean Coast
The northeast coast is the place to go for outdoor
activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing,
sailing or just lying around and enjoying the sun.
The county's beaches are at their idyllic best here
- long expanses of white sand lapped by turquoise
waters and fringed with coconut palms.
Isla de Margarita, 40km (25mi) is
one of the best isles that is easily accessible from
the mainland. A favourite for beach-lovers and a popular
holiday destination for Venezuelans, it's an enjoyable
ferry ride from Cumaná and Puerto La Cruz on
the mainland.
Antarctica tours
