Caracas, Venezuela — Overview
Nestled below rolling mountains and a short hop from the sun-drenched coastline, Caracas is a frenetic city of petrodollar wealth, 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.
Caracas must have one of the most dramatic settings of any city in the world - the Parque Nacional El Ávila looms directly over the city's northern edge, its green forested slopes are riddled with walking trails and home to a spectacular cable car ride, making a cool and breezy escape from the urban sprawl an easy reality. Famed for its dedication to the good life, Caracas fizzes with energy at night when clubs and bars absorb tireless revelers hell-bent on having a good time. Another thing Caraqueños take seriously is their food, with arguably South America's best eating options on offer, be it gourmet, international, down-home or freshly sizzled street fare. However, be warned that public discontent, political strife and crime have become serious problems in Caracas, with some areas 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.
