32 Best Sights in Venezuela

Arabica is hands-down the best coffee in the city—it also may be the priciest. Choose from the delectable desserts, order a coffee, and sit outside to watch the world go by. The success of this location has led to the opening of three other coffee shops in Beverly Hills, Stanford and Palo Alto, California.

One block south of Plaza Bolívar, the Ateneo de Cumaná hosts dance and opera evenings in addition to periodic exhibits of contemporary and colonial art.

Capital of the state of Anzoátegui, Barcelona was founded more than 300 years ago by Spanish settlers. Today it is Puerto La Cruz's gritty next-door neighbor, and, most important, the site of the region's largest airport. Barcelona's colonial-era vibe makes it a pleasant day trip from the resort-town style of its neighbors. Go to the corner of Plaza Boyacá, the city's tree-lined main square, where you can visit and photograph the Iglesia de San Cristóbal, a stunning church built in 1748.

Perhaps more impressive is the adjacent Palacio del Gobierno (Government Palace), built in 1671. Today it houses the Museo de la Tradición, which has rotating exhibits of colonial and religious art.

Overlooking Cumaná from its hilltop perch, Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia is one of two forts commissioned in the 1680s to protect what was at the time the world's largest salt deposit. The four-point fort was built entirely of coral and outfitted with 16 guns.

Overlooking the main square, the Castillo de Santa Rosa, with its famous dungeon, is one of seven fortifications constructed by the Spanish to guard against pirate attacks.

The fort Castillo de Santiago de Araya, is on treeless Araya Peninsula. Ferries leave daily from Cumaná's harbor for the 90-minute trip.

Pampatar was founded nearly 400 years ago. Its strategic importance is clear when you visit the star-shaped Castillo San Carlos de Borromeo on the waterfront in the center of town. Constructed entirely of coral, the fort was rebuilt by the Spanish in 1622 after the original was destroyed by Dutch pirates.

Built in 1568, the Catedral de Nuestra Señora is one of the oldest churches in Venezuela. Of particular interest is its three-tiered tower—the country's only surviving example of a colonial church tower.

Facing the main square is the embellished baroque facade of the Catedral Metropolitana. Although construction began in 1787, the cathedral wasn't completed until 1958. Its geometric designs make this one of Venezuela's most striking churches. A visit to the plaza for a rest in the shade (with a view of the cathedral, of course) is an absolute must.

It's estimated that Cueva del Guácharo, Venezuela's largest cave, has at least 9 km (5½ mi) of subterranean passageways. Groups are led into the dank caverns by guides who tote kerosene lanterns so as not to upset the light-sensitive guácharos—a nocturnal species of fruit-eating birds. Visitors are not allowed to bring anything inside, including purses, flashlights, or cameras. To reach the cave from Cumaná, take Highway 9 south toward Caribe for about 65 km (40 mi) and follow signs; there are bathrooms, guided tours, and a a visitor center available at the mouth of the caves.

The sight of a giant Ferris wheel beckons you to the island's largest amusement park, Diverland. There are 16 attractions, including a roller coaster, water slide, and dolphin exhibit.

Located on the east side of the harbor are the ruins of Fortín Santiago de la Caranta, built between 1586 and 1595. Although destroyed by dutch pirates in 1926, you can still see several of the original cannons pointing toward the ocean. This is an excellent place to snap photographs of the surrounding area.

At least once during your sojourn in Mérida, head to Heladería Coromoto for a scoop of ice cream with the flavor of rose petals, local beer, or even chicharrón (fried pork skin). Proprietor Manuel S. da Oliviera holds a proud place in the Guinness Book of Records for producing the most flavors (860 and counting). Dare your companions to sample the sausage or smoked trout, and order for yourself a cone topped with ginger, corn, arroz con leche (rice pudding), or plain old strawberry. We were tempted by the more mysterious flavors, such as El Nido de Amor ("the nest of love") and No Me Odies ("Don't hate me").

After the last major earthquake in 1929, the Iglesia de Santa Inés was rebuilt a few blocks south of Plaza Bolívar. Inside are a few items from the colonial period.

Pampatar is home to the blindingly whitewashed Iglesia Santísimo Cristo del Buen Viaje, dating from 1748. The church features a bell tower with an outside staircase—an architectural oddity found on several houses of worship on Isla Margarita. Inside stands the "Christ of the Good Voyage" figure, to whose intercession many attribute safe sea travels.

Las Nieves is true old-school Caracas—the same baristas seem to have been pulling delicious, crema-topped espressos here for years. All of the high-quality pastries and goodies are made here: it's a true family affair. Parking can be a pain outside, but be patient, because it's worth the wait.

Le St. Tropez sits right across the street from a massive church in the Castellana neighborhood. The sweet owner serves up yummy couscous dishes on Thursdays, but the real draw here are the simple, fresh sandwiches, desserts, and pastries—not to mention the divine coffee.

From Lomas Redonda, the second-highest point on the Teleférico, you can hire donkeys, mules, or horses for a descent to Los Nevados, a secluded mountain village that was once a garrison for Spanish conquistadors. Following an initial sharp ascent through a thick forest called the Bosque de los Coloraditos, you'll begin a four- to five-hour ride down a rocky path followed by pre-colonial indigenous peoples. Weary and winded, you finally come upon the red-tile roofs of Los Nevados. There are unpretentious accommodations in local posadas. For the return trip, take a four-wheel-drive vehicle back to Mérida. This route takes you through tiny hamlets, past generations-old farms, colonial ruins, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the Andes.

With five beautiful lakes and several waterfalls, this section of Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada is the ideal area in which to get to know the páramo. The well-designed and informative displays at the visitor center introduce you to the flora and fauna of the region. Travel on foot or horseback along the clearly marked scenic trails to Pico Mucuñuque, which soar to 13,800 feet. While you're enjoying the mountain air, remember that there isn't much of it. Keep your pace slow and take time to smell the frailejones (daisy-like flowers). Mucubají is 2 km (1 mi) from Apartaderos on the road to Barinas.

The Museo Arqueológico has the region's finest collection of figurines, ceramics, and tools from the pre-Hispanic cultures that once dominated this part of the Andes.

The Museo de Arte Colonial houses a rich collection of religious art from the 16th to 19th centuries and also showcases rotating exhibitions with plenty of local flavor. Though the space is small, it's utterly worth the small entry fee to enjoy the sun-splashed space and to soak up some rays in the open-air courtyard.

A few blocks east of Porlamar's shady Plaza Bolívar is the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Francisco Narváez, named after the native Margariteño sculptor (1905–1982) whose works also can be viewed on the grounds of the Bella Vista Hotel. Here you'll find a permanent collection of Narváez's works, plus a rotating exhibit of national and international artworks.

Perhaps more impressive is the adjacent Palacio del Gobierno (Government Palace), built in 1671. Today it houses the Museo de la Tradición, which has rotating exhibits of colonial and religious art.

On the southern side of the peninsula, in Boca del Río, 50 km (30 mi) west of Porlamar, stands the Museo Marino de Margarita, a museum whose eight exhibit halls serve as a repository for Venezuela's astounding variety of marine life. The museum is home to a small collection of marine life, including sharks, turtles, and fish. The best part of the complex, though, are the exhibits, vintage photographs, and bilingual explanations focusing on the history of sea exploration in northern South America. There are even detailed exhibits of nautical knot tying and painstakingly assembled model boats. Be sure to check out the two-headed shark on the frst floor. It's this fun, eclectic mixture of information and the tangible local pride that goes into this museum that make it a must-see.

Parque Nacional Cerro El Copey, along the road between Porlamar and La Asunción, has the highest point on the island. The mountain soars to 3,109 feet. From here you can often spot the smaller islands of Coche and Cubagua.

Ask most Caraqueños what defines their city the most, and you'll often hear "El Ávila!" The mountains of Parque Nacional El Ávila rise some 3,300 feet over the northern edge of Caracas, then slope down its other side directly into the Caribbean. The national park is a favorite destination for weekend hikers, as its southern side is crisscrossed with trails. Novices prefer the daylong hike that leads to Pico Ávila, while more experienced hikers take the two-day trek to Pico Naiguatá. The park is easily accessible from the Altamira neighborhood in eastern Caracas. If you don't feel like hiking, you can ride up in a cable car.

San José de Galipán, a settlement on the coastal side of Mount Ávila, makes a nice destination if you've been hiking all morning. Horses are available there for further exploring. The town's cool climate makes it perfect for growing flowers to sell in Caracas.

The mangrove forests of Parque Nacional Laguna de la Restinga cover the 20-km (12-mi) thread of sand that makes up the tenuous link between the main part of the island and the Península de Macanao. (Laguna de la Restinga means "sandbar lagoon" in Spanish.) Here you'll find a variety of colorful birds, such as the scarlet ibis. The park has an unspoiled beach where you can rent lounge chairs, and there are several fishermen's huts where you can buy the catch of the day. Dozens of small, traditional wooden boat operators can take visitors on short trips through the mangrove forests.

If you are looking for a spalike vacation, then the Parque Nacional Los Roques is your place. Los Roques has several "posadas" or bed-and-breakfasts ranging from rustic and simple to elegant and exclusive. An archipelago composed of some 350 tiny islands sprinkled in the dazzling Caribbean, Parque Nacional Los Roques is a 30-minute (propeller-aircraft) flight north from Caracas. Only one of those islands, Gran Roque, boasts a bona fide town, tiny as it is. A few others have private weekend retreats or fishermen's shacks, while most are completely uninhabited. Some are so small they disappear at high tide. The sandy beaches of Parque Nacional Los Roques are uncommonly white, even by uncompromising Caribbean standards. Coral reefs here are home to more than 300 species of fish.

A national park since 1976, Parque Nacional Los Roques is subject to strict federal regulations that protect it from overdevelopment. New construction is prohibited on any of the islands. Every structure on Gran Roque—which enjoys fresh water from a desalinization plant and electricity from a generator—existed before the archipelago became a national park. Many have been extensively remodeled and are meticulously maintained as posadas (small inns). A handful of bars and eateries make up the rest of the businesses. A mid-19th-century lighthouse, its windmill-like appearance revealing its Dutch heritage, overlooks the town from a small hill nearby.

Los Roques is considered one of the finest locales for hooking bonefish and other types of fish. You can head out in powerboats or in peñeros (local fishing boats). Sea kayaking is also popular, and some of the islands have emerged as premier sailboarding destinations. More sedate pastimes include scuba diving and snorkeling. Sunbathing, however, remains the most popular activity. Approximately 60 posadas line the sandy roads of Gran Roque. Most have two to six rooms with private or shared bath and a common dining area. Except during the peak season you should have no difficulty finding lodging on the island.

Founded in 1558, Mérida grew up around the Plaza Bolívar, a bustling center that attracts meandering students, locals, and artisans hawking their wares during the day; By night, you'll see shadier characters along with flocks of young couples. The best time to come is mid-morning, before Mérda's famous midday heat makes things too hazy, and, hopefully, in time to catch the views of the mountains.

Italian-born innkeeper Elena Battani's heritage is evident throughout the exquisite Posada Mediterráneo, from the simple furnishings of the rooms to the white stone staircase leading to the rooftop terrace hung with sun-shaded hammocks. Join her for a chat at the rustic wooden dining table on her flowering vine-laden front patio.