Venezuela Travel Guide

Caracas

Caracas, capital of Venezuela, hosts the country's international airport and is therefore the gateway for visitors. This immense metropolis, home to nearly five million people, is situated in the north of the country, between the sea and the foot of the Avila Mountain.

It began as a Spanish colonial settlement, founded by Diego de Losada more than 400 years ago, its growth burgeoning since the 1970s oil boom. Today the sprawling, untidy city throbs with life, the landscape dominated by high-rise office and apartment buildings, threaded through with knots of motorways and junctions, all against the impressive backdrop of the lush, green mountain.

All sorts of races, cultures and creeds throng the streets of the concrete jungle, which contain gourmet restaurants, bustling shopping precincts, museums, concert halls, fine art galleries and the massive Bellas Artes cultural center. There is plenty to see, from the 19th century neo-Gothic Santa Capilla church, the birthplace of Simon Bolivar, to the palace of Joaquin Crespo, and the Sofia Imber Museum of Contemporary Art (with works by Matisse, Picasso and Chagall as well as Venezuelan artists).

Those who need a break from the relentless urban energy can slip away for a hike on the nearby mountain slopes, or take a day trip to the surprising Bavarian-inspired town of La Colonia Tovar.

Read more about Caracas »

Isla Margarita

Fondly known as the 'Pearl of the Caribbean', Isla Margarita is part of the Neuva Esparta state, which comprises three islands off the north coast of Venezuela, Coche and Cubagua being its neighbors. Dotted with palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear azure waters and vast sugary white beaches juxtaposed by high mountains, Isla Margarita is a favorite attraction for most tourists who travel to Venezuela.

With year-round sunshine, a tropical climate, a laid-back atmosphere and oozing with distinct character, Isla Margarita offers world-class scuba diving opportunities, kayaking, windsurfing and hiking. Being two islands joined by a stretch of sand where the breathtaking Restinga Lagoon National Park leis, Isla Margarita is home to more than just rugged and natural beauty.

Boasting a duty-free status, many travelers from far and wide come here on shopping sprees, while the capital of La Asunción features magnificent colonial Spanish architecture dating back to the 1500s. Visit the Macanao peninsula in the west for some of the most pristine isolated beaches in the Caribbean, east a coconut ice cream while relaxing on one of Margarita's 50 sandy white beaches, or sip on your favorite cocktail at a local beach bar while the sun goes down.

Climate

Isla Margarita experiences constant year-round temperatures making it an ideal destination to visit in any month. During the summer months the temperature in Isla Margarita can climb as high as 100F (37C) but thankfully the cooling sea breezes help to maintain a comfortable temperature. Isla Margarita does not experience a rainy season but sporadic rains are common during the summer months or from the middle of November to the beginning of January.

Caracas

Caracas, capital of Venezuela, hosts the country's international airport and is therefore the gateway for visitors. This immense metropolis, home to nearly five million people, is situated in the north of the country, between the sea and the foot of the Avila Mountain.

It began as a Spanish colonial settlement, founded by Diego de Losada more than 400 years ago, its growth burgeoning since the 1970s oil boom. Today the sprawling, untidy city throbs with life, the landscape dominated by high-rise office and apartment buildings, threaded through with knots of motorways and junctions, all against the impressive backdrop of the lush, green mountain.

All sorts of races, cultures and creeds throng the streets of the concrete jungle, which contain gourmet restaurants, bustling shopping precincts, museums, concert halls, fine art galleries and the massive Bellas Artes cultural center. There is plenty to see, from the 19th century neo-Gothic Santa Capilla church, the birthplace of Simon Bolivar, to the palace of Joaquin Crespo, and the Sofia Imber Museum of Contemporary Art (with works by Matisse, Picasso and Chagall as well as Venezuelan artists).

Those who need a break from the relentless urban energy can slip away for a hike on the nearby mountain slopes, or take a day trip to the surprising Bavarian-inspired town of La Colonia Tovar.

Read more about Caracas »

Isla Margarita

Fondly known as the 'Pearl of the Caribbean', Isla Margarita is part of the Neuva Esparta state, which comprises three islands off the north coast of Venezuela, Coche and Cubagua being its neighbors. Dotted with palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear azure waters and vast sugary white beaches juxtaposed by high mountains, Isla Margarita is a favorite attraction for most tourists who travel to Venezuela.

With year-round sunshine, a tropical climate, a laid-back atmosphere and oozing with distinct character, Isla Margarita offers world-class scuba diving opportunities, kayaking, windsurfing and hiking. Being two islands joined by a stretch of sand where the breathtaking Restinga Lagoon National Park leis, Isla Margarita is home to more than just rugged and natural beauty.

Boasting a duty-free status, many travelers from far and wide come here on shopping sprees, while the capital of La Asunción features magnificent colonial Spanish architecture dating back to the 1500s. Visit the Macanao peninsula in the west for some of the most pristine isolated beaches in the Caribbean, east a coconut ice cream while relaxing on one of Margarita's 50 sandy white beaches, or sip on your favorite cocktail at a local beach bar while the sun goes down.

Climate

Isla Margarita experiences constant year-round temperatures making it an ideal destination to visit in any month. During the summer months the temperature in Isla Margarita can climb as high as 100F (37C) but thankfully the cooling sea breezes help to maintain a comfortable temperature. Isla Margarita does not experience a rainy season but sporadic rains are common during the summer months or from the middle of November to the beginning of January.

Caracas

Caracas, capital of Venezuela, hosts the country's international airport and is therefore the gateway for visitors. This immense metropolis, home to nearly five million people, is situated in the north of the country, between the sea and the foot of the Avila Mountain.

It began as a Spanish colonial settlement, founded by Diego de Losada more than 400 years ago, its growth burgeoning since the 1970s oil boom. Today the sprawling, untidy city throbs with life, the landscape dominated by high-rise office and apartment buildings, threaded through with knots of motorways and junctions, all against the impressive backdrop of the lush, green mountain.

All sorts of races, cultures and creeds throng the streets of the concrete jungle, which contain gourmet restaurants, bustling shopping precincts, museums, concert halls, fine art galleries and the massive Bellas Artes cultural center. There is plenty to see, from the 19th century neo-Gothic Santa Capilla church, the birthplace of Simon Bolivar, to the palace of Joaquin Crespo, and the Sofia Imber Museum of Contemporary Art (with works by Matisse, Picasso and Chagall as well as Venezuelan artists).

Those who need a break from the relentless urban energy can slip away for a hike on the nearby mountain slopes, or take a day trip to the surprising Bavarian-inspired town of La Colonia Tovar.

Read more about Caracas »

Isla Margarita

Fondly known as the 'Pearl of the Caribbean', Isla Margarita is part of the Neuva Esparta state, which comprises three islands off the north coast of Venezuela, Coche and Cubagua being its neighbors. Dotted with palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear azure waters and vast sugary white beaches juxtaposed by high mountains, Isla Margarita is a favorite attraction for most tourists who travel to Venezuela.

With year-round sunshine, a tropical climate, a laid-back atmosphere and oozing with distinct character, Isla Margarita offers world-class scuba diving opportunities, kayaking, windsurfing and hiking. Being two islands joined by a stretch of sand where the breathtaking Restinga Lagoon National Park leis, Isla Margarita is home to more than just rugged and natural beauty.

Boasting a duty-free status, many travelers from far and wide come here on shopping sprees, while the capital of La Asunción features magnificent colonial Spanish architecture dating back to the 1500s. Visit the Macanao peninsula in the west for some of the most pristine isolated beaches in the Caribbean, east a coconut ice cream while relaxing on one of Margarita's 50 sandy white beaches, or sip on your favorite cocktail at a local beach bar while the sun goes down.

Climate

Isla Margarita experiences constant year-round temperatures making it an ideal destination to visit in any month. During the summer months the temperature in Isla Margarita can climb as high as 100F (37C) but thankfully the cooling sea breezes help to maintain a comfortable temperature. Isla Margarita does not experience a rainy season but sporadic rains are common during the summer months or from the middle of November to the beginning of January.

Caracas

Caracas, capital of Venezuela, hosts the country's international airport and is therefore the gateway for visitors. This immense metropolis, home to nearly five million people, is situated in the north of the country, between the sea and the foot of the Avila Mountain.

It began as a Spanish colonial settlement, founded by Diego de Losada more than 400 years ago, its growth burgeoning since the 1970s oil boom. Today the sprawling, untidy city throbs with life, the landscape dominated by high-rise office and apartment buildings, threaded through with knots of motorways and junctions, all against the impressive backdrop of the lush, green mountain.

All sorts of races, cultures and creeds throng the streets of the concrete jungle, which contain gourmet restaurants, bustling shopping precincts, museums, concert halls, fine art galleries and the massive Bellas Artes cultural center. There is plenty to see, from the 19th century neo-Gothic Santa Capilla church, the birthplace of Simon Bolivar, to the palace of Joaquin Crespo, and the Sofia Imber Museum of Contemporary Art (with works by Matisse, Picasso and Chagall as well as Venezuelan artists).

Those who need a break from the relentless urban energy can slip away for a hike on the nearby mountain slopes, or take a day trip to the surprising Bavarian-inspired town of La Colonia Tovar.

Read more about Caracas »

Isla Margarita

Fondly known as the 'Pearl of the Caribbean', Isla Margarita is part of the Neuva Esparta state, which comprises three islands off the north coast of Venezuela, Coche and Cubagua being its neighbors. Dotted with palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear azure waters and vast sugary white beaches juxtaposed by high mountains, Isla Margarita is a favorite attraction for most tourists who travel to Venezuela.

With year-round sunshine, a tropical climate, a laid-back atmosphere and oozing with distinct character, Isla Margarita offers world-class scuba diving opportunities, kayaking, windsurfing and hiking. Being two islands joined by a stretch of sand where the breathtaking Restinga Lagoon National Park leis, Isla Margarita is home to more than just rugged and natural beauty.

Boasting a duty-free status, many travelers from far and wide come here on shopping sprees, while the capital of La Asunción features magnificent colonial Spanish architecture dating back to the 1500s. Visit the Macanao peninsula in the west for some of the most pristine isolated beaches in the Caribbean, east a coconut ice cream while relaxing on one of Margarita's 50 sandy white beaches, or sip on your favorite cocktail at a local beach bar while the sun goes down.

Climate

Isla Margarita experiences constant year-round temperatures making it an ideal destination to visit in any month. During the summer months the temperature in Isla Margarita can climb as high as 100F (37C) but thankfully the cooling sea breezes help to maintain a comfortable temperature. Isla Margarita does not experience a rainy season but sporadic rains are common during the summer months or from the middle of November to the beginning of January.