Venezuela · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Venezuela
Our pick of places across Venezuela, from Angel Falls, the Ávila and the cays of Los Roques to Andean villages, bakeries and beaches most visitors miss. Opening days and services change often, so check locally before you go and book the popular ones ahead.
Places to Visit in Caracas
Things to Do
- Teleférico Warairarepano (Maripérez)
The cable car climbs the Ávila for views over the whole city on one side and the Caribbean on the other. - Plaza Bolívar de Caracas (Centro)
The historic heart of the city, shaded by trees and surrounded by the cathedral and old government buildings.
Nature and Outdoors
- Parque Nacional El Ávila, Sabas Nieves trailhead (Altamira)
The city's favourite morning hike starts here, climbing through forest to a ranger station with valley views. - Galipán (El Ávila)
A mountain village of flower farms, strawberries and cosy restaurants reached over the top of the Ávila. - Parque del Este (Los Ruices)
A huge Burle Marx designed park where Caracas families picnic, jog and relax at weekends. - Jardín Botánico de Caracas (Los Chaguaramos)
A peaceful botanical garden next to the university campus, with palms, cacti and native plants. - Colonia Tovar (Aragua hills)
A German founded mountain village an hour from Caracas, with strawberries, sausages and cool air.
Arts and Culture
- Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas (Los Chaguaramos)
A UNESCO listed modernist campus where Calder's floating clouds hang in the Aula Magna. - Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Caracas (Parque Central)
A major collection of modern art, including Venezuelan kinetic works by Soto and Cruz-Diez. - Galería de Arte Nacional (Bellas Artes)
The national collection of Venezuelan art, from colonial painting to the twentieth century. - Casa Natal del Libertador (Centro)
The restored birthplace of Simón Bolívar, steps from the Plaza Bolívar. - Panteón Nacional (Centro)
The resting place of Bolívar and other national heroes, with a striking modern mausoleum beside it. - Hacienda La Trinidad Parque Cultural (Sorocaima)
A restored colonial coffee estate turned cultural park, with exhibitions, gardens and a weekend market. - Teatro Teresa Carreño (Bellas Artes)
The country's main performing arts centre, home to concerts, ballet and the famous youth orchestras. - Quinta de Anauco (San Bernardino)
A colonial country house turned museum of colonial art, with a quiet garden courtyard.
Shopping and Markets
- Pueblo de El Hatillo (El Hatillo)
A colonial village of painted houses and craft shops on the edge of the city, lively at weekends. - Mercado Municipal de Chacao (Chacao)
A busy neighbourhood market for tropical fruit, cheese, fish and a quick arepa. - Centro Sambil Caracas (Chacao)
One of the largest malls in South America, an easy and sheltered place for errands and food. - Centro Comercial Tolón Fashion Mall (Las Mercedes)
A modern mall in the main dining district, handy before dinner in Las Mercedes.
Events
- Leones del Caracas baseball at Estadio Monumental (La Rinconada)
Winter league baseball is a national passion, and a Leones game is loud, family friendly fun. - Diablos Danzantes de Yare (San Francisco de Yare)
A UNESCO listed Corpus Christi ritual of masked red devils dancing in the streets, near Caracas.
Restaurants
- La Casa del Llano (Altamira)
A round the clock arepera where Caracas eats shredded beef, cheese and black bean arepas at any hour. - Arepas at El Hatillo village (El Hatillo)
Simple restaurants around the plaza serve arepas, cachapas and fresh juices.
Bars and Nightlife
- Las Mercedes restaurant and bar strip (Las Mercedes)
The main nightlife district, best visited by car or ride app and enjoyed in well known venues. - Bars of Los Palos Grandes (Los Palos Grandes)
A neighbourhood of relaxed bars and terraces near the Ávila, best by ride app at night.
Stays
- Hotel Eurobuilding Caracas (Chuao)
A large business hotel with a pool and on site security, a common base for first visits. - Hotel Tamanaco Caracas (Las Mercedes)
The city's classic big hotel, with gardens and a large pool close to the dining district. - Pestana Caracas (El Rosal)
A modern hotel in a central east side business district with a rooftop pool.
Places to Visit in Mérida
Things to Do
- Mukumbarí Sistema Teleférico de Mérida (Barinitas)
One of the highest and longest cable cars in the world, climbing to Pico Espejo above the glaciers. - Jají (Jají)
A restored colonial village of white houses, wooden balconies and craft shops in the hills. - Los Aleros (Tabay)
A recreated Andean village of the 1930s with actors, old trades and plenty for children. - Venezuela de Antier (Mérida)
A theme park recreating old Venezuela, with traditional food, music and costumed characters. - Paragliding over Las González (Las González)
Tandem flights over the valley with established local pilots are a Mérida classic. - La Azulita (La Azulita)
A misty, green village known for birdwatching, waterfalls and coffee farms.
Cafés
- Heladería Coromoto (Centro)
An ice cream parlour famous for hundreds of flavours, from trout to avocado to beer.
Shopping and Markets
- Mercado Principal de Mérida (Centro)
Andean cheeses, sweets, crafts and a hearty pisca andina breakfast under one roof.
Nature and Outdoors
- Laguna de Mucubají (Sierra Nevada National Park)
A glacial lake on the páramo with an easy trail onward to the dark waters of Laguna Negra. - Laguna Negra (Sierra Nevada National Park)
A deep, dark mountain lake reached on foot or horseback from Mucubají. - Pico del Águila (Mucuchíes)
One of the highest road passes in Venezuela, with condor statue, páramo views and hot drinks. - Jardín Botánico de Mérida (Universidad de Los Andes)
A university garden with orchids, bromeliads and a canopy walk. - Los Nevados (Sierra Nevada National Park)
A remote mountain village reached on foot or by mule, for walkers who want real adventure. - La Mucuy, Sierra Nevada National Park (Tabay)
A forest sector of the national park with trails, rivers and campgrounds near town.
Arts and Culture
- Capilla de Piedra de San Rafael de Mucuchíes (San Rafael de Mucuchíes)
A stone chapel built by the artist Juan Félix Sánchez, one of the most moving sights in the Andes. - Catedral Basílica Menor de Mérida (Plaza Bolívar)
The city's cathedral overlooks the main square and is the starting point for a walk around the centre.
Events
- Feria Internacional del Sol (Mérida)
A February fair with bullfights, concerts, parades and the crowning of a carnival queen. - Paradura del Niño (Mérida)
January celebrations in Andean homes and villages, with music, prayers and a procession of the Christ child.
Stays
- Hotel Los Frailes (Santo Domingo)
A historic stone hotel in a former monastery high in the páramo.
Restaurants
- Trout restaurants of Mucuchíes (Mucuchíes)
Roadside restaurants serve fresh mountain trout with arepas de trigo and hot chocolate. - Arepas de trigo at Mercado Principal (Centro)
Wheat arepas, local cheese and hot chocolate make an easy, typical Andean breakfast.
Bars and Nightlife
- Mérida evening plaza life (Plaza Bolívar)
Evenings around the central plazas are relaxed, with students, street food and music.
Places to Visit in Los Roques
Things to Do
- Gran Roque village (Gran Roque)
A car free village of painted posadas and sandy streets beside the turquoise sea. - Sunset walk to the Faro Holandés (Gran Roque)
A short climb up the hill behind the village to an old lighthouse with a sweeping view of the reefs. - Snorkelling the Los Roques reefs (Los Roques National Park)
Clear water, turtles and rays make snorkelling here a highlight of any trip. - Bonefishing the flats (Los Roques National Park)
The shallow flats are famous among fly fishers for catch and release bonefishing. - Catamaran sailing trips (Los Roques National Park)
Spend several nights sailing between cays and anchoring in empty bays.
Nature and Outdoors
- Cayo de Agua (Los Roques National Park)
A sandbar joins two islands here, creating one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. - Francisquí (Los Roques National Park)
Close to Gran Roque, with a natural pool, calm water and easy snorkelling. - Crasquí (Los Roques National Park)
A long, quiet white beach with a simple fish restaurant for lunch. - Madrisquí (Los Roques National Park)
Calm, shallow water make this cay a good choice for families and weak swimmers. - Noronquí (Los Roques National Park)
A far cay with calm turquoise bays and very few other visitors. - Cayo Carenero (Los Roques National Park)
A sheltered bay where sailing boats anchor, ideal for snorkelling and calm swims.
Restaurants
- Dinner on the sand at Gran Roque (Gran Roque)
Many posadas serve fresh fish and pasta by candlelight on tables set on the beach.
Places to Visit in Canaima
Nature and Outdoors
- Salto Ángel (Auyán Tepui)
The highest uninterrupted waterfall on earth, seen from the Mirador Laime after a river journey. - Laguna de Canaima (Canaima)
A tea coloured lagoon with pink beaches and a row of waterfalls framed by tepuis. - Salto Hacha (Canaima)
The widest falls on the lagoon, a spectacular sight from the beach and by boat. - Salto Ucaima (Canaima)
A broad waterfall upstream of the lagoon, reached by short boat rides. - Kavac Canyon (Kamarata Valley)
Swim through a narrow canyon to a waterfall in a remote Pemón community. - Isla Orquídea (Río Carrao)
A riverside island stop on the way to Angel Falls for a swim and a picnic. - Salto Yuri (Río Carrao)
A waterfall a short walk from the river, often visited on the way to Angel Falls.
Things to Do
- Walk behind Salto El Sapo (Canaima)
A path runs between the rock and the falling water, a thrilling and very wet experience. - Scenic flight over Auyán Tepui (Canaima)
A light aircraft flight over the tepui and Angel Falls, the best way to see them in dry months. - Boat trip on the Carrao River (Canaima)
A day trip up the river past rapids, tepuis and small beaches.
Stays
- Campamento Isla Ratoncito (Río Churún)
A simple hammock camp facing Angel Falls, where river trips spend the night. - Waku Lodge (Canaima)
A comfortable lodge on the lagoon shore with views of the falls. - Campamento Parakaupa (Canaima)
A lodge near the airstrip with gardens and tepui views, often part of packages. - Campamento Ucaima, Jungle Rudy (Canaima)
A historic riverside camp founded by the pioneer Rudy Truffino, upstream of the lagoon.
Places to Visit in Gran Sabana
Nature and Outdoors
- Quebrada de Jaspe (Gran Sabana)
A stream flowing over a bed of red jasper, one of the most unusual sights in the region. - Roraima Tepui (Paraitepui)
The tepui that inspired The Lost World, reached on a guided multi day trek. - Salto Kama (Gran Sabana)
An easy roadside waterfall with a viewpoint and simple Pemón run stalls.
Places to Visit in Isla Margarita
Nature and Outdoors
- Playa El Agua (Antolín del Campo)
Margarita's most famous beach, a long stretch of sand lined with palms and beach restaurants. - Playa Parguito (Antolín del Campo)
A beach known for its waves and surfers, with a lively young crowd. - Parque Nacional Laguna de La Restinga (La Restinga)
Boatmen weave through mangrove tunnels to a wild shell beach on the far side. - Península de Macanao (Macanao)
The wild, dry western half of the island, with cactus hills and quiet fishing villages. - Playa Manzanillo (Manzanillo)
A fishing beach in the north with simple restaurants serving the morning catch. - Playa Puerto Cruz (Pedro González)
A curved, quieter beach of fine sand that feels far from the busy east coast. - Playa Guacuco (Guacuco)
A long beach near the capital, popular with local families at weekends. - Parque Nacional Cerro El Copey (La Asunción)
Cloud forest trails above La Asunción with views across the island.
Things to Do
- Playa El Yaque (El Yaque)
Shallow water and steady wind make it one of the best places in the Caribbean to learn kitesurfing. - Sunset at Fortín de La Galera (Juan Griego)
The hilltop fort above Juan Griego bay is the island's favourite sunset spot. - Pampatar seafront and fishing boats (Pampatar)
An easy evening stroll past colourful fishing boats and the old fort.
Restaurants
- Oyster stalls at La Restinga (La Restinga)
Fresh oysters with lime and fried fish on the long beach, simple and memorable. - Empanadas de cazón at beach stalls (Playa El Agua)
The island's signature snack, fried shark empanadas eaten on the sand.
Arts and Culture
- Castillo de San Carlos Borromeo (Pampatar)
A seventeenth century fort facing the bay, a short walk from Pampatar's seafront. - Castillo de Santa Rosa (La Asunción)
A hilltop colonial fort with a famous story of independence heroine Luisa Cáceres de Arismendi. - Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Valle (El Valle del Espíritu Santo)
The shrine of the island's patron saint, the focus of a huge pilgrimage each September. - Museo Marino de Margarita (Boca del Río)
A marine museum with aquariums and skeletons, a good family stop near the Macanao road.
Events
- Fiesta de la Virgen del Valle (El Valle del Espíritu Santo)
A September feast with processions, music and pilgrims from across eastern Venezuela. - Carnaval in Margarita (Porlamar)
Parades, music and beach parties fill the island during the carnival holidays.
Shopping and Markets
- Mercado de Conejeros (Porlamar)
The island's big market for fruit, fish, hammocks and everyday Margarita life. - Sambil Margarita (Pampatar)
A large mall for shopping, cinema and air conditioned breaks.
Bars and Nightlife
- El Yaque beach bars (El Yaque)
Kiters and windsurfers gather at sunset for cold drinks on the sand.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Tarzilandia (Altamira, Caracas)
A long running restaurant set among jungle like gardens at the foot of the Ávila. - Panadería Danubio (Los Palos Grandes, Caracas)
A classic Caracas bakery for cachitos, golfeados and strong coffee at the counter. - La Praline Chocolatier (Las Mercedes, Caracas)
Fine Venezuelan cacao turned into bonbons and hot chocolate in a calm little shop. - Alto Restaurante (Los Palos Grandes, Caracas)
Modern Venezuelan tasting menus built on local produce, one of the city's ambitious kitchens. - Hotel Humboldt (El Ávila, Caracas)
A landmark round tower on the Ávila summit, reached by the cable car, with mountain views. - Feria Internacional del Libro de Caracas (Caracas, Caracas)
A citywide book fair with readings, concerts and stalls, usually held each year. - Observatorio Astronómico Nacional de Llano del Hato (Llano del Hato, Mérida)
A high altitude observatory with night visits and spectacular starry skies. - Posada Casa Sol (Centro, Mérida)
A boutique posada in a restored colonial house with a garden, close to the centre. - La Abadía (Centro, Mérida)
A restaurant in an old mansion with candlelit rooms, popular with couples and students. - El Hoyo del Queque (Centro, Mérida)
A long standing student bar for live music, cold beer and a young, friendly crowd. - Coffee farms of Jají (Jají, Mérida)
Small farms in the cloud forest welcome visitors to see how Andean coffee is grown and roasted. - Fundación Científica Los Roques turtle station (Dos Mosquises, Los Roques)
A sea turtle conservation project that has welcomed visitors to learn about its work. - Kitesurfing at Francisquí (Francisquí, Los Roques)
Steady trade winds and shallow lagoons make this a good place to learn or ride. - Posada Mediterráneo (Gran Roque, Los Roques)
A stylish, simple posada with a breezy terrace, known for its food. - Posada Acquamarina (Gran Roque, Los Roques)
A comfortable posada with sea views, full board and boat trips arranged for guests. - Posada Piano y Papaya (Gran Roque, Los Roques)
A small, artistic posada with a friendly feel and good Italian influenced cooking. - Lobster lunch at Cayo Pirata (Cayo Pirata, Los Roques)
A tiny fishing settlement where fresh lobster in season is grilled for visitors. - Boca de Sebastopol (Los Roques National Park, Los Roques)
A natural pool in the south of the archipelago with crystal water and soft sand. - Kamarata (Kamarata Valley, Canaima)
A Pemón village in a wide valley below Auyán Tepui, starting point for longer expeditions. - Pemón crafts in Canaima village (Canaima, Canaima)
Woven baskets and carvings sold by local families, a direct way to support the community. - Hesperia Isla Margarita (Pedro González, Isla Margarita)
A large resort on the north coast with a golf course and pools, popular with families. - Hotel Costa Linda Beach (Playa El Agua, Isla Margarita)
A beach hotel close to Playa El Agua with gardens and a pool. - Pastel de chucho in Juan Griego (Juan Griego, Isla Margarita)
Margarita's famous layered dish of stingray and sweet plantain, best before sunset at the bay. - Café at Pastelería Mozart (Las Mercedes, Caracas)
A traditional pastry shop for tres leches cake and good coffee. - Graffiti and murals of Petare walking tour (Petare, Caracas)
Community led tours have shown visitors murals and life in Petare; go only with an established local guide. - Playa Los Caracas (Vargas coast, Caracas)
A coastal resort area on the Caribbean east of Maiquetía, popular with Caracas families.