CARACAS

With a population around 4 million, Caracas is the capital and more populated city in Venezuela. It is located close to the Coast (La Guaira Port), but at an altitude of 800 meters (2400 feet), which gives it an unique climate.

View of Caracas	Parque Central (Central Park)

Teleferico	East of Caracas and the Avila

Skating ring

Golf - Caracas Country Club	Hotel Humboldt

Caracas is located under the Avila, a mountain that reaches 2600 meters (7800 ft.), where the Humboldt Hotel (currently out of service, undergoing arrangements) is located, which you can reach by cable car. Definitely for tourists, it is the best activity around the city, because of the beautiful view and the nice and cool weather. If you like hiking you can also make a three to four hour excursion, and return by cable car (or walking).

Los Caobos and Parque Central

Paseo Colón - Plaza Venezuela

 

PARKS AND RECREATION

Caracas has several parks. The biggest one is the Avila National Park, where sport fans can climb 400 meters (1200 ft) in half an hour, and be awarded with a beautiful view of the city.

East Park 

MARGARITA ISLAND

Margarita Island is a Venezuelan island about forty miles offshore from the mainland city Barcelona / Puerto la Cruz. It is west of Trinidad/Tobago and south of Grenada, 11 degrees north of the equator. This allows the island a very consistent temperature averaging 82 degrees. Typically arid, the island is semi-desert. Margarita's mountains range to 3000 feet (1000 meters). Scenery is great and the villages are quaint with many historical sites. The eastern part of the Island is called Macanao and is virtually undeveloped save for a few villages. One of the more popular tourist stops is the La Restinga Lagoon where you can take a boat ride through the mangroves.

Golf, Scuba, PADI dive courses, snorkeling and horseback riding are available, windsurfing on the south shore is world class and the beaches all around the island are fantastic. There is also great deep sea fishing or combination fishing and snorkeling tours.

Porlamar has great nightlife including casinos. The city is a duty-free zone, which makes for great shopping especially such high tax items as liquor and cigarettes. The language of Venezuela is Spanish however many people in the tourism related businesses speak some English or German.

The best way to enjoy Isla Margarita and appreciate the culture and diversity of its people is to arrange a stay at one of the smaller independent guest houses or hotels who are represented in this site. It will be a pleasant change from the monotony of the large all-inclusive resorts.

Tourism Links