Nestled below
rolling mountains and a short hop from the
sun-drenched coastline, Caracas is a
frenetic city of tangled motorways, gas-guzzling cars, soaring high rises, modern architecture and
vibrant culture. Birthplace of South American independence hero
Simón Bolívar, it is a city inordinately proud of its
past, but with its eyes set on the
future – though these days not all its inhabitants are looking in the same direction.
Famed for its dedication to the good life, Caracas fizzes with
energy at night when
clubs,
bars and
open-air cafés absorb hordes of
tireless revelers hell-bent on having a good time. Another thing Caraqueños take seriously is the content of their stomachs, with an astonishing
variety of cuisines on offer, be it gourmet, international, down-home or freshly sizzled street fare. You’ll also find a broad range of
accommodation, a string of
excellent attractions, a busy
arts scene and an obsession for
shopping that borders upon the religious.
However, be warned that
public discontent,
political strife and crime have been serious problems in Caracas recently, and some areas are strictly off limits. Evidence of
poverty is omnipresent and visitors are shocked by homeless families camping outside corporate skyscrapers and glitzy malls. At night twinkling lights decorate the mountains – a
beautiful but bitter-sweet sight emanating from the
shanty towns that encircle the city. But the
mountains are also an
escape from the city’s relentless noise and hustle, with the blissfully serene
Parque Nacional El Ávila looming directly over northern Caracas, its slopes riddled with
walking trails and home to a
cable car.
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
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Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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