10 main facts about Venezuela that tourists need to know
1.Venezuela was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1498. And the name was given to it by Amerigo Vespucci, who wandered near Lake Maracaibo and saw Indian dwellings on the water. They reminded him strongly of Venice, and then it was decided to call the new land “Venezuela,” that is, “Little Venice.”
2. There is a cult of Simon Bolivar in Venezuela.. At one time (in the first half of the 19th century) he liberated the countries South America from the colonists, and almost created a huge state similar to the USA - the United States of South America, Gran Colombia. According to his plan, it would be one of the most influential states in the world.
The veneration of Bolivar by Venezuelans is similar to the veneration of Vladimir Lenin by the inhabitants of the USSR during the era of communism. highest peak country - 5000 meters, called Bolivar Peak. Money in Venezuela is “bolivar”. You will see the image of the national hero everywhere: on the streets, in homes and offices. In schools, children study Bolivar's biography in detail. In big and small cities there is always a place named after the leader of the revolution. Usually this central square, on which his monument is erected. According to the existing rule, if Bolivar won a battle near the city, then his bronze statue should “sit” on a horse and with weapons.
In the capital of Venezuela, Caracas, there are three main places: the house in which Simon Bolivar was born and raised, the National Pantheon, where his remains are located, and the presidential palace, in which there is an empty chair that participates in all cabinet meetings. The country's former president Hugo Chavez said, that this is a chair in which the ghost of Simon Bolivar sits.
The end of Bolivar's political path is interesting. “With tears in his eyes, he said: “Independence is the only thing we have achieved. At the cost of everything else." After this he went into exile. Eight months later, the former leader of the revolution died of tuberculosis. And Gabriel Garcia Marquez was inspired by this story and wrote a book about the collapse of all illusions, “The General in His Labyrinth.”
3. 1 liter of gasoline in Venezuela costs about 47 kopecks. For 1 dollar you will fill the tank full. Venezuela is one of the world's richest countries in terms of mineral reserves (the country ranks 4th in the world in oil production and third in its exports).
4. Venezuela has the most high waterfall peace. It is called Salto Angel, and has nothing to do with angels. Its name comes from the American pilot James Angel, who crashed near the falls in 1935. The Pemon Indians who live nearby call it the “Waterfall of the Deepest Place.” Water pours from a height of almost 1 kilometer (979 meters). It is so high that the water does not reach the ground, turning into dense fog. The waterfall is located in the tropical Canaime National Park of Venezuela.
5. The capital of Venezuela, Caracas, has one of the highest crime rates in the world.. Venezuelans are even a little proud of this, as one of their strong qualities. In Caracas there is such a thing: barrios. The poor live there, and the level of crime there is such that the state police do not even dare go there without heavy equipment. In fact, Barios residents do not pay taxes, and of course, they do not pay for utilities. The most interesting thing is that the inhabitants of these slums consider themselves happy people. About 95% of Venezuelans answered the question “Are they satisfied with their lives” - “Yes”.
6. Official language in Venezuela - Spanish. Few people speak English, even in tourist places.
7. 96% of the country's believers are Catholics, about 2% are Protestants, and 2% are from other denominations. On the island of Margaret, Saint Virgen del Valle is especially revered. Locals affectionately call her “virgensita” and worship her in almost every home.
9. The most traditional fast food in Venezuela– arepas (corn tortillas) and empanadas – fried corn flour pies filled with meat, cheese, fish, eggs or vegetables. The national snack is “tequeños” - crispy cheese sticks fried in dough. The most popular drinks on Margarita: alcoholic cocktail “cuba libre” - rum and cola, “hugo de parcita” - passion fruit juice with sugar, “hugo de licosa” - papaya juice and coffee (“con leche” - with milk) , “cocada” is a coconut drink with milk and rum, “papellon con lemon” is sugar cane juice with lemon.
10. Mañana– a concept that characterizes the character of Venezuelans. Manyana means “tomorrow”. That is, “let’s leave everything for later.” Writer Isabel Allende in her book “Eva Luna” explained the reasons for the Latin American mentality: “There has never been hunger here. Whatever it is, you can reach out and pick a mango. It shaped our character."
Colorful Venezuela is famous for its numerous Miss Worlds and endless TV series. For tourists, there are mountain landscapes of the Andes, the resort island of Margarita and ancient cities conquistadors, waterfalls and national parks...
IN Venezuela there are: a) old cities of the conquistadors, b) a couple of thousand kilometers of beaches, c) the absolutely unearthly beauty of the Andes, d) a great river Orinoco , d) the world's highest waterfall Angel . And this entire list is surrounded by luxurious flora, under whose shelter amazing animals live: ocelot, tapir and armadillo, not counting the darling anteater and anaconda (of course, also darlings, but in a slightly different sense). By the way, not one or two Venezuelans won the different time world beauty contests (and continue to win). This is so, by the way, it had to be.
The role of tourists in Venezuela are usually individuals with passports stamped to the very least “I don’t want to”, a long track record of countries visited and a fat wallet.
Capital - Caracas . Basic tourist centers - Margaret Island , National parks.
Visa to Venezuela
Citizens of Russia and the CIS do not require a visa to enter Venezuela for a period of up to 90 days.
Customs
The import and export of foreign and local currency is not limited, amounts over 10,000 USD, gold and jewelry must be declared. Persons over 18 years of age are allowed duty-free import of 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars, 2 liters of alcoholic beverages, 4 bottles of perfume, as well as other packaged goods worth no more than 1000 USD.
Import and export of vegetables, plants or materials is prohibited plant origin, drugs and drug-containing preparations, meat and meat products, firearms and ammunition (requires appropriate permission from local police), as well as objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value.
Climate of Venezuela
Caracas
Average monthly temperature, °C
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
during the day +27 +28 +29 +29 +29 +28 +27 +28 +28 +28 +28 +28
at night +16 +16 +17 +19 +20 +19 +19 +19 +19 +19 +18 +17
Most of the country's territory is dominated by a subequatorial climate. And since it is located only slightly north of the equator, the temperature there varies little throughout the year. For example, in Caracas - from +18 to +20 °C, and in Maracaibo - from +27 to +29 °C. In mountainous areas, the temperature in January ranges between +4..+9°C, but in summer it can reach +23°C.
The best time to visit the country is from November to May , but some world famous attractions ( Angel Falls and others) are most picturesque during the rainy season. During the dry season, it is impossible to get to the waterfall by land - only by helicopter. See also the current weather forecast for the main Venezuelan resorts in the coming days.
Banks and exchange offices in Venezuela
Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 15:30. Currency can be exchanged at casa de cambio exchange offices, at the airport, banks, hotels, shops and transport agencies.Exchanging local currency back is not an easy task.
In the capital and large resort areas you can pay with credit cards. There are many ATMs, but they often have a limited supply of bills. Travel checks can only be cashed at branches of large banks: exchange offices only accept cash. USD and EUR are widely accepted in the country, especially in markets and private establishments.
Despite some limitations of credit cards, they are worth using in Venezuela. And here's why: in addition to the above restrictions on currency exchange, the country has established state control over all foreign exchange transactions. The official dollar exchange rate is 2.15 VEB, but on the black market it is much higher. To avoid becoming a victim of speculation, it is better to have as little dealings with cash as possible.
Transport
Bus service in the country is well developed (unlike railway service). There are stations in all major cities, and buses there usually stick to a schedule. In remote areas the situation is somewhat different - flights are infrequent, outdated buses operate, schedules are constantly changing and it is very difficult to plan a trip.
Ferries operate between Puerto La Cruz and Margarita Island (3-5 hours depending on the type of vessel). All major cities have an extensive system of public passenger transport - buses and minibuses.
During the rainy season, many roads are washed out, traffic on them is very difficult, or even stops altogether for several days or even weeks.
Car rental in Venezuela
Renting a car in Venezuela is not a cheap pleasure. A class A car will cost at least 70 USD per day, plus mileage is paid separately. To be able to turn the steering wheel yourself, you must be over 21 years old, have at least 3 years of driving experience, credit card and international law.
Tourist safety
In recent years, the crime rate in the country has increased significantly. Therefore, moving around the capital at night is not recommended, and the city center is considered unsafe even in the evening. Outside of Caracas, security problems are less severe.
It is recommended to avoid swimming in local freshwater bodies
(water in swimming pools is usually chlorinated and is safe). For drinking, brushing teeth or ice, use only boiled or bottled water. Vegetables must be thoroughly washed and processed, and fruits must be skinned.
Traveling around the country during the Christmas and Easter holidays, Carnival and Holy Week is not the most brilliant idea.At this time, half the country is traveling somewhere, and there is a shortage of tickets and hotel rooms.
Always carry insect repellent with you
and stay only in hotels whose rooms are equipped with mosquito nets.
A traveler flying to Venezuela directly from Russia does not require vaccinations. But if before that he decides to visit Ecuador or Peru, it is necessary to get vaccinated. It is also worth doing if the tour includes visiting areas of the Amazon. You should check with your doctor for a complete list of required or recommended vaccinations.
Venezuela Hotels
The classification of hotels in Venezuela is standard five-star, with high requirements for service. Moreover, hotels not only correspond to the declared star rating, but sometimes even noticeably exceed it. For example, a simple “three ruble” can boast a level of service similar to that of a good 4* hotel.
Electrical voltage 110 V, 60 Hz. American type sockets with two pins.
Shopping and shops
The best souvenir from Venezuela is, of course, rum. Also popular are original local products, such as painted clay dolls, as well as hammocks, baskets, colorful capes and openwork baskets made by local Indians. Aromatic local coffee and chocolate are a must.
Most stores in the country are open from 8:00 to 18:00 on weekdays, but outside Caracas many shops close by noon and do not open until 14:00-15:00. Many shopping centers open until 21:00-22:00.
Cuisine and restaurants of Venezuela
Like many other countries Latin America, the basis of Venezuelan cuisine is meat, legumes, corn, special bananas, as well as many vegetables and spices, often used in the most unpredictable combinations.
Tips are usually 10% of the bill. Most bars and restaurants automatically add this amount to the bill, but even in this case, it is customary to tip the waiter directly. More often than not, money is simply left on the table.
A special attraction of Merida - local ice cream parlor "Koromoto". This establishment is rightfully included in the Guinness Book of Records, as it has the widest assortment in the world. In addition to amazing fruity and sweet varieties, you can try ice cream flavored with shrimp, beer, sardines and even garlic!
The most popular word in Venezuela is “manana” ", which here, in addition to its original meaning of "tomorrow", has many other translations, and is used by local residents for any reason.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Venezuela
The colorful city of Merida - one of the most popular tourist centers in Venezuela, where many trails and routes for hiking, trekking and other activities begin active rest. Around Angel there are four picturesque waterfalls - Salto Acha, Salto Ucaima, Salto Galondrina and Salto Guadima, plus the picturesque Laguna de Canaima with small sandy beaches.
The Roraima Plateau is considered by the Indians to be the “center of the Earth” and got its name from the name itself high mountain massif - Roraima (2772 m). However, there are also plenty of other famous mountains in the vicinity: Cerro Autana, Cerro Pintado or “Painted Mountain” (several dozen petroglyphs, many of which have no analogues on the continent), Serra de La Neblina or “Mountain of Mists”, Cerro Sarizarinama with huge canyons.
When I was offered to go to Venezuela for two weeks, I was warned that the flight only took 14 hours to Cuba, and from there to Venezuela, and there were about ten more flights. All because direct flight There are no flights from Moscow to Caracas yet. Therefore, flying through Havana, and only then to Caracas, takes three and a half hours. The reverse is the same. Well, across the country: from island to island.
Then the following conversation took place between my relatives:
“Poor thing,” said one. - Is there no way to refuse?
“It’s possible,” answered the other. “They’ll just decide that I’m completely stupid.”
And I went, or rather, flew. I just stocked up on lollipops so that I don’t get motion sickness on planes and my ears don’t get blocked. Then it turned out that it was in vain. The service there is such that on local airlines these same candies are served throughout the entire flight. And in every toilet there is a vase with them.
So there is no need to be afraid of flying. The most unwise act of a tourist, in my opinion, would be to come to Venezuela, far away, settle somewhere in one place and enjoy some one beauty all the time. Because there is a huge amount of beauty in Venezuela and it is scattered everywhere - across the mainland and various islands. Therefore, if you want to see anything, you have to fly. To put it mildly, a lot. This is a country in which, like Greece, there is, dare I say it, everything. There are tropics where it is summer for twelve months in a row, and there are areas where there is snow all year round. There are mountains, plains and coral reefs. There is the Caribbean Sea, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. But something else is surprising: much of what is in Venezuela is the largest. If it is a waterfall, then the Holy Angel is the highest in the world. If mountains, then you can climb them along the longest in the world cable car(Merida state). If flora and fauna, then the largest: Venezuelan mice can be up to half a meter in size and weigh up to sixty kilograms (Los Llanes state), and the familiar “kala” flower can be up to forty centimeters in diameter.
To see it all, you fly endlessly. On the second day you start to treat the plane like a bus. He is late, you are late for him, the life credo of Dovlatov’s grandmother “I’d rather wait for the train for two hours than for it not to wait for me” is irrelevant in this country.
We were once traveling in a car with local residents. We're driving - we're shaking. I speak: “Your roads are like in Russia”. And they are surprised: “We have such roads because we mostly fly on planes, rather than drive cars. Why do you have it?”
Right after we arrived in Venezuela, a guy caught us on the way out and helped us drag our things onto the bus. And he was so active and smiling that we decided that he was either the bus driver or one of the people meeting him. We reached the mountainous area, and he said: “You have four dollars.” We were so surprised that we asked if it was from the group or from everyone. The man agreed to take it from the group, received the money, jumped off at full speed and climbed the mountain. Probably to catch the next bus.
Meanwhile, we were being taken to another airport, from where we had to fly to Margarita Island, probably the most tourist place in Venezuela. The most touristy, not in some bad sense, but in the most positive sense - the island lives only from tourism, and there are few tourists yet, so each of them is especially loved and each of them is given special attention. Of course, this also has its downsides: prices on the island are higher than on the mainland, and again there are fewer local residents. But there are all conditions for relaxation.
We arrived at the hotel quite late, and most importantly, incredibly tired. I wanted to take a shower and go to bed. This was not the case - for hotels on Margarita, welcoming tourists is a matter of honor, especially when it is not the season (and it was not the season). Because the season on Margarita begins when it’s cold here and in Europe. That is, starting from October-November and ending with March-April. The rest of the time it's good there too. For example, there are fewer people on the beach and by the pool, there are no queues in the canteens for breakfast and dinner - in general, again, it is not known which is better. Because the weather is the same all year round: 35 degrees during the day, 28 in the evening, and the entertainment and excursions are the same.
If tourists come in a group, they can be greeted with songs, dances and local cocktails. And invite you to the evening performance. However, everyone is invited to the evening performance. They take place every day in some bar or restaurant. The standard set of the hotel is about 15 shows, different every evening: “Miss Hotel”, “Mr Hotel”, quizzes or the same dances. The hotel administration is not afraid to show the same thing twice, because rarely do any tourists come for more than two weeks.
Since the island is a tourist island, almost the entire beach is divided into zones belonging to different hotels. This is where the competition begins. Some organize stalls with souvenirs on the beach, others organize night discos, others rent equipment for all kinds of extreme water sports: windsurfing, water boats and motorcycles, diving, scuba diving, water skiing, parachute flight tied to a boat, etc.
Almost every hotel has some unique feature. In some of them, which have an advantageous location, sunset viewing is organized every day, or rather every evening. Around six in the evening, people gather in the glassed corridors of the upper floor and watch how quickly the colors and patterns of the tropical sky change - an unforgettable sight.
It is clear that at least one of the goals pursued by a person going on vacation to the tropics is a tan. So, it is not recommended to spend a lot of time on this. From half past twelve to three it is not recommended to be in the sun at all. Some try to deceive nature: they apply sunscreen with a protective factor of 30-35. Then they walk around spotted and striped, since it is impossible to spread the cream completely evenly - where it fits better, where it fits worse. This is what they look like later – where there is a white spot, where there is a brown spot. And then they suffer that in this form in a decent house it’s a shame to undress.
In addition to the fact that the climate in Margarita is very hot, it is also very humid. They say that if you open the windows in an apartment and then leave, close the windows and doors and turn on the fan, then when you return, the whole apartment will be wet - the moisture will condense.
If you get tired of lying on the beach in one place, you can fly to another, on an excursion. The only downside is that you have to get up very early. For me it is especially noticeable: I really am a very lazy person and also a night owl. Now imagine a very lazy owl who has to get up at four in the morning, take a bus to the plane, take the plane to the boat, and take the boat to the island in order to be there before the sun rises high. Introduced? So Los Roques was worth it.
Its name is translated into Russian as “stones” or “rocks”. Main Island called Big Rocks. And this is indeed a rather rocky area, like the rest of the islands of the archipelago, devoid of much vegetation. In general, the water around the island is not particularly clean. You understand that on the tiny island there are hotels, an airport, and all sorts of ships. No matter where you spit, seagulls and albatrosses shit again. But every day, from eight in the morning, planes with tourists begin to arrive, because from this nondescript island you can go anywhere in the archipelago. Moreover, there are more islands than tourists, so you can rest assured that two groups will not be crammed onto one island. And there you can already swim with a mask, fins and snorkel and take photographs underwater, for which plastic disposable cameras are sold near the plane.
In addition to Los Roques, we were taken to Canaima, national park, which is 90 percent water. Water flows as rivers, drips, or falls as rain or tropical downpours, respectively. In addition, it falls from the mountains and forms a huge number of waterfalls and waterfalls, which are impossible to count, since, depending on the time of year, their number increases or decreases.
The most memorable thing was a night walk along these same waterfalls with Indian guides - with a visit to a disco in an Indian village and a huge number of fairy tales or legends local significance. For example, about how the world's highest waterfall, the Holy Angel, was discovered in 1937.
A certain Jimmy Angel was a gold miner, and the river forming the waterfall carried grains of gold. When Jimmy discovered this, he landed the plane on the top of the mountain, collected gold, but was unable to take off due to some technical problems. During the eleven days it took him to descend the mountain on foot, he fell so in love with this place that after his death he bequeathed to scatter his ashes over the waterfall. This is what Angel’s wife and son did in the fifties, naturally, after his death, touching the Venezuelan government to the point that the world’s tallest waterfall was named after the American gold miner. Although in fact the waterfall was discovered much earlier, in 1910, by a retired Venezuelan officer navy Ernesto Sanchez, as evidenced by documents kept in the city of Bolivar.
Another big waterfall– Sapo – is located on an island named after Anatoly, a Russian, one of the local old-timers. There were three friends in total: a Dutchman, a Lithuanian and ours. The first two died of old age when they were already over eighty. Anatoly, according to legend, died at the age of seventy-five, after getting drunk and falling into a waterfall.
In general, excursions are also very interesting because they help to understand the psychology of Venezuelans. One in particular helped bus tour according to Margarita. Half asleep, the excursion is rather boring. And suddenly they announce:
I'm asking:
It turns out that on this day Venezuela became independent.
When I asked what happened then, the guide explains that the island government, due to the geographical remoteness of the island, learned about the independence of Venezuela only on May 31.
Many vacationers abroad are faced with the question: what to bring as a gift to those left behind. So, from the island, as well as from the rest of Venezuela, you can bring products made from black and other corals and pearls of all colors. I actually bought a bottle of rum for my grandmother. There are a lot of shops there that offer tastings. I don't drink it, so in my case I smell it. What’s both strange and pleasant is that all rum costs almost the same - regardless of whether it’s aged three years or twenty to five dollars.
By the way, national currency unit in Venezuela it is called “bolivar” - in honor of Simon Bolivar, the national hero of Latin America, who led the struggle of Latin American peoples for independence from Spain. On the money, on every coin, on every bill, there is the Roman profile of this great statesman, commander and thinker. One dollar is equal to approximately five hundred and thirty bolivars. In hotels the exchange rate is five hundred - five hundred ten. Prices vary depending on whether it is a city or tourist area. Ice cream at McDonald's costs 200, and in a five-star hotel it costs 3,500 bolivars.
From an airplane, that is, from a bird's eye view, Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, looks exactly like an anthill. The fact is that almost all of it is located on the mountains. Each subsequent house stands a little on the mountain, and a little on the roof of the previous one. Therefore, there are no streets between them, and you can only go upstairs by stairs. Local residents are very concerned about this, since neither ambulance, nor a fire truck can drive up to the house in case of emergency, although it is beautiful. In general, I feel sorry for them, but the ancestors are to blame, who several hundred years ago, without thinking about the consequences, climbed the mountain, either from pirates or from natural disasters.
Some people travel because they like to fly or, conversely, to drive. Some people like to meet foreigners. For some, sightseeing. But there are people who travel to eat all kinds of national food. They cannot be called gourmets, because gourmets eat what is really tasty, and in most cases they consume outright rubbish. For example, in Venezuelan cuisine, most dishes are prepared from specially cooked rice, beans and all kinds of seafood. As well as bananas and other tropical fruits and vegetables, of which there are a huge amount in Venezuela. There are nine varieties of bananas alone, of which ( mysterious country!) four are related to vegetables. Those bananas that are vegetables are much larger in size and are usually served fried, or at least stewed. And those that are fruits - raw, dried, sometimes as part of fruit salads, and sometimes with ice cream.
True, I didn’t eat all of this, but preferred familiar dishes. I only tried live termites from a tree once. It tastes like fresh Christmas tree needles.
Guard: what could be worse than your best friend's illness? especially if this friend is a favorite animal. Treatment of dysplasia in dogs is not an easy process, but if it is carried out under the supervision of specialists from a veterinary clinic, then you don’t have to worry about the health of your pet.
- The country owes its name to Venice. When the navigator Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian by birth, first arrived in these parts, the Indian huts built on stilts reminded him of Venice. The discoverer named the new lands in honor of her.
- Venezuela has a rich nature and varied landscape. There are islands, rivers, swamps, mountains, glaciers, deserts, canyons, forests and jungles.
- Located in Venezuela the most big lake South America. With an age ranging from 20 to 40 million years, Maracaibo is also one of the oldest on earth.
Express information on the country
Venezuela(Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) is a country in northern South America.
Capital– Caracas
Largest cities: Caracas, Maracaibo, Valencia
Form of government- Presidential republic
Territory– 916,445 km 2 (32nd in the world)
Population– 30.88 million people. (44th in the world)
Official language– Spanish
Religion– Catholicism
HDI– 0.762 (71st in the world)
GDP– $381.28 billion (31st in the world)
Currency– Venezuelan bolivar
Borders with: Guyana, Brazil, Colombia
4. Most of the country is located in the tropics, so there are only two seasons– dry (from December to April) and wet (the rest of the year). Moreover, as can be seen from the names, they differ only in the amount of precipitation - the temperature does not change significantly throughout the year and is +21–26 o C.
5. Venezuela is among the top 20 countries that are home to endemic (unique) animals and plants. 50% of the country's amphibians, 23% of reptiles, 48% of birds and 38% of its plants are found nowhere else in the world. You can see them in one of 43 national parks Venezuela.
6. In the country dollars are officially banned. They can only be exchanged for local bolivars on the black market. At the same time, you will not be able to buy American currency in Venezuela - no one will agree to sell it to you.
7. Venezuela – the country of street art. House walls and fences often become canvases for street artists. However, there are no fines for writing graffiti.
8. Venezuelan women have won the Miss World beauty pageant more often than others- as many as six times. The last time this happened was in 2011. The crown went to Ivian Sarkos.
9. Despite the rich deposits of oil and natural gas, inflation in Venezuela reached 1600% in 2017. The country faces acute shortages of basic food products, consumer goods and medicines, and money is not counted by banknotes, but weighed on scales.
10. The Internet sector in Venezuela is very poorly developed. Only large companies have their own websites. Home Internet is expensive and very slow. Perhaps this is why local residents still read newspapers every day.
11. Located in Venezuela world's tallest waterfall- Angel. Its waters fall from a height of 979 m (according to other sources, 1054 m).
12. The capital of Venezuela, Caracas, has been recognized as the most dangerous city in the world. All because high level crime. In 2015, 119.87 murders were officially recorded here for every thousand inhabitants. No one can say for sure how many there were in reality.
13. In Venezuela you can observe the so-called Catatumbo lightning– unique a natural phenomenon, appearing above the confluence of the Catatumbo River and Lake Maracaibo. It happens up to 160 times a year and can last for 10 hours straight.
14. Venezuelans often resort to the services of plastic surgeons. Venezuela is in the top 3 countries for the number of such operations, which are considered an excellent birthday or graduation gift.
15. During New Year's holidays Caracas residents usually come to church... on roller skates. This is the Christmas tradition here.
Venezuela is replete with national parks and cozy Caribbean beaches. The unique landscapes in protected areas are amazingly diverse. Unique sandstones show inaccessible steep slopes decorated with many waterfalls.
The overgrown banks of the Orinoco protect a rich flora - numerous trees covered with fruits, liana-like ferns and exotic flowers. Evergreen mangroves harbor exotic species of animals and birds. And the fresh waters of Venezuelan rivers have become home to many rare reptiles and amphibians.
The stunning coastlines of Venezuela are worth a visit to appreciate the rich undersea world. Connoisseurs of beach holidays, having rested once on the fine white sand, will forever fall in love with the fabulous coves and Caribbean lagoons. When visiting this South American country, you should definitely try the local cocoa and chocolate. Don’t forget about tropical fruits, which Venezuela is rich in in abundance.
The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles/day
What to see in Venezuela?
The most interesting and Beautiful places, photographs and brief description.
The highest waterfall can be found in the impenetrable tropical wilds of Venezuela. A stream of water rushes down from the flat-topped Devil's Mountain in Canaima National Park. Having overcome the 978-meter height, the water breaks into tiny particles of fog, which spreads for kilometers around. You can get closer to this unique attraction only by water or air.
This natural wonder is called the Maracaibo Lighthouse, named after the lake over whose waters the phenomenon occurs. The light from regular discharges is visible 400 km from the delta of the Catacumbo River flowing into the lake. The endless Venezuelan storm lasts up to 200 days annually. The cause of the phenomenon is a swampy area that produces methane.
The beauty of the local landscape is in the blue lagoons, amazing coral islands, wild mangrove forests and luxurious beaches. The protected northwestern coast of Venezuela has become a haven for rare reptiles, large sea turtles, pelicans, flamingos and other birds. Perfectly calm sea - a real find for divers who want to enjoy the unique marine fauna.
The picturesque coast of the Caribbean Sea welcomes tourists with cozy beaches, mesmerizing bays and shady coconut palms. Proximity national park Henri-Pitet allows you to see rare parrots, fast-winged hummingbirds, spider monkeys and other inhabitants of the mountain jungle.
Founded by the Spaniard Ampies in the sixteenth century, the city was repeatedly sacked by pirates. But its advantageous location has always contributed to its rapid recovery. Nowadays, quiet colonial Coro attracts tourists with its many cathedrals and churches, ancient colonial mansions, cozy streets and spacious squares. Several museums showcase the centuries-old town's rich heritage.
Uncharacteristic of northwestern Venezuela sand dunes occupy the entire area of the national park. The height of the moving hills reaches 40 meters. Traveling through sandy terrain is possible on camels specially brought here for this purpose. Rare rains contribute to the survival of only a few shrubs. But among the desert slopes you can sometimes find lagoons formed by sediments.
Pleasant fresh air, together with a wide variety of flora and fauna, attract a lot of tourists to the tropical paradise of water spaces. It is home to red book crocodiles and endangered freshwater dolphins. Boat trips on local curiara boats will allow you to get up close and personal with the unique fauna.
Mochima Marine Park is interesting for its exotic animals and plants. Those who enjoy diving will find an outlet in the many coral reefs, wrecks and caves. Preferred beach holiday You will certainly appreciate the azure beaches, including the famous Colorado with sand of a unique golden-red color.
The record holder among the Venezuelan islands received the nickname of the pearl of the Caribbean. Discovered by Columbus The island was named after the Princess of Austria. The dry, sunny climate attracts tourists to its marvelous beaches and indescribable beauty of the mountains. Margarita contains two national parks with strange parrots, flamingos and other birds.
The impressive concrete structure spans the strait connecting the Gulf of Venezuela to the stormy Lake Maracaibo. The total length of the bridge, built according to the design of Riccardo Morandi, is more than eight and a half kilometers. The cable-stayed bridge was named after a political and military figure born in the city of Maracaibo.
About 20 percent of Venezuela's population lives on the shores of Maracaibo. Illumination in the form of incessant lightning, common for locals, attracts tourists. Maracaibo hides oil deposits in its swampy shores, which made this region industrially significant. The lake is surrounded by cocoa plantations, and howler monkeys crawl in the nearby rainforest.
Constantly shrouded in white clouds, the flat mountain seems like a guest from a fantasy world. Tepuis, also known as table mountains, consist of sandstone, which, when destroyed, forms bizarre shapes. The peat bogs of Roraima are overgrown with beautiful flowers and interesting trees. Most of the animals living on the plateau are endemic.
You couldn't find a more ideal spot for surfing. South coast The Venezuelan island of Margarita welcomes beginners and avid athletes with the best weather conditions. The strong winds blowing across the beach create an ideal climate for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The restless, busy life of the coast attracts thousands of tourists with friendly beach parties.
You can enjoy the contemplation of Venezuela from a mesmerizing height on a two-hour journey from Merida to the top of Espeggio. There are no analogues of this cable car in height and length in the world yet. The journey will reveal picturesque mountain landscapes, and funicular stops will allow you to take a walk through amazing places.
The highest point in Venezuela is named after Simon Bolivar, who fought for the independence of his homeland. The five-kilometer peak is accessible to every tourist, who can use the cable car to the neighboring peak of Espejo. Those wishing to get directly to Bolivar Peak will have to walk, contemplating the wondrous beauty of the eastern Cordillera.
Four large islands together with 350 small ones, created by nature in the Caribbean Sea, as if especially for lovers of scuba diving. The islands of the archipelago are protected from strong currents by a system of coral reefs included in the national park. The privacy of this place allows tourists to see Caribbean Islands in its original form, enjoying shallow sandy lagoons and the richness of the aquatic world.
A flat territory with an intertropical climate, with countless riches in the form of a variety of animals, reptiles and birds, occupies a third of Venezuela. Wildlife lovers can enjoy local boat safaris, horseback riding, piranha or saber-toothed payara fishing. Hunting enthusiasts have the opportunity to defeat an anaconda or caiman.
The main wealth of Canaima are the unique flat-topped mountains - tepuis. The structure of the table giants is unusual due to karst processes. Unique stone plateaus with steep slopes are hung with marvelous ribbons of waterfalls. The amazing nature of the national park is one of the oldest on the planet. Rich animal and plant worlds contain mainly endemic species.
The burial place of the Venezuelan hero Simon Bolivar and many honorable figures of the country is located in the northern part of Caracas. The building of the pantheon stores about 2 thousand paintings telling the life of the great liberator. And in the central nave you can find the bronze sarcophagus of Bolivar. The halls also feature monuments to many great Venezuelan celebrities.
The popular resort lake in northern Venezuela has the second largest size, second only to Maracaibo. Fertile soils north coast The reservoirs became the basis for the cultivation of cane, cotton and coffee trees. The numerous islands of Valencia delight tourists with a rich wildlife.
The oldest Venezuelan park was founded in 1937 to preserve unique ecosystems. The territory is divided into mountainous areas with 9 major rivers and resort coast with closed quiet bays and azure beaches. The protected area is an important source of fresh water for local residents.
In the north-east of Venezuela, near the picturesque Caroni River, amazing landscapes stretch - wooded areas successfully alternate with meadows full of noisy streams of water, and wild nature harmoniously gives way to equipped recreational areas.
The karst cavity in the limestone hill got its name thanks to its feathered inhabitants. Guajaro frugivorous birds nest in the cave, leaving their shelter only for night feeding. The walls of the cave are decorated with natural paintings formed as a result of mixing chalk, sandstone and limestone.
The local area attracts climbers with its high mountain ranges. Evergreen tropical thickets give way to bamboo and low-growing ferns, which with height are replaced by halka steppes and, finally, eternal ice. The park got its name from the Cordillera de Merida ridge, which is constantly covered with snow.
Venezuelan port city nestled on Caribbean coast one of the most visited in the state of Anzoategui. Tourists are rushing to visit the marvelous local beach, surrounded by the protected nature of Mochima Park. The sandy shore and rich underwater world allow you to forget about city congestion and enjoy pristine nature.
