Visit Caracas: What are the best things to see and do in one of Latin America’s most beautiful cities?
Caracas is the capital of Venezuela, a metropolis nestled at the bottom of a mountain valley in the north of the country. Founded in the 16th century by the Spanish explorer Diego de Losada, Caracas soon became a major economic, political and cultural crossroads in South America: this famous city even had the honor of welcoming the remains of Simón Bolívar, who is buried in the Venezuelan National Pantheon, erected in the 19th century in the historic heart of the old city. Today, this gigantic city is a tourist attraction for visitors from all over the world, eager to catch a glimpse of the twin towers of Parque Central or to discover the many places of interest in this city at the confluence of all cultures.
Wondering what to do in Caracas during your stay? Here’s the answer, with our 6 must-sees to visit Caracas and make the most of your stay here!
1. El Ávila National Park
Photo credit: Facebook – Geography Today International
In this splendid natural park to the north of the town, accessible by the Caracas cable car, a host of activities await you, sure to delight lovers of wide open spaces and nature: hiking trails take you to numerous panoramic points offering dreamlike views of the metropolis, and the sound of birdsong accompanies you throughout your stay! It’s possible to lodge directly under the stars, but we recommend that you bring a mosquito net – an essential ally for your stay in this dense mountain jungle! Our tip: a two-day ascent of pico Naiguatá at 2765 m, a physical challenge for the most courageous visitors to Caracas.
2. Macuto and Galipàn
Photo credit: Flickr – A.Davey
The Caracas cable car is definitely useful: it takes you to the town of Macuto, a seaside resort renowned throughout Latin America for its idyllic beaches. For Venezuelans, this very touristy area represents the coastline of the city of Caracas, and a strong cultural attachment unites them with the neighboring town of Galipàn, nicknamed « the city of flowers », where you can sample one of the tasty local culinary specialties! Ideal if you don’t yet know what to do in Caracas and want to immerse yourself in authentic Venezuelan culture, among warm, smiling locals.
3. Caracas Museum of Contemporary Art
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Vallera gabriel
This fascinating cultural space in the heart of the city, in the Parque Central complex, offers unique works of art, and for art lovers (and non-art lovers) it’s the perfect opportunity to discover the fabulous graphic gallery, featuring 100 engravings by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, as well as many other marvels typical of contemporary art. This gigantic 21,000 m² building is home to some of the world’s greatest artists! You can also enjoy a meal here, and even have your children play with you. A must-see when visiting Caracas.
4. Topotepuy ecological garden
Photo credit: Facebook – Jardines Ecológicos Topotepuy
In this urban garden, a 30-minute drive south of the city, you can discover colorful birds and equally colorful plants! The park, which features a restaurant popular with locals who come here on Sundays for family lunches, and a luxury hotel, is also known for being particularly respectful of the environment, and for offering guided tours demonstrating the ecological know-how of this natural area, which is unique in Latin America. What’s more, admission is very affordable, enabling visitors to Caracas to learn more about the local flora and fauna, between ocean and jungle.
5. Bolivarian Museum
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Erik Cleves Kristensen
If you’d like to learn something new, our team highly recommends a first-rate historical space: the Bolivarian Museum, dedicated to Simón Bolívar, the hero of Latin American independence who helped many countries – including Bolivia, to which he gave his name – to free themselves from the Spanish colonialists! This museum, located right next to the birthplace of this great 19th-century politician, boasts a unique collection of objects and treasures linked to the revolutionary process, as well as more intimate snapshots of Simón Bolívar‘s life. For those still looking for something to do in Caracas, this historical pilgrimage site is an opportunity to immerse themselves in Venezuela’s fascinating history.
6. Altamira district
Photo credit: Flickr -ruurmo
To spoil your loved ones back in France, or yourself, round off your stay with a visit to theAltamira area and its unique shopping zone! Altamira is a bit like the local Time Square, with gigantic aisles separating luxury stores and high-end restaurants, leading you to the Plaza Francia, one of the city’s most important squares and the economic heart of the Venezuelan metropolis. Altamira is home to cinemas, hotels, gigantic shopping malls, the business district and the embassy district.
Once there, don’t miss the stunning contemporary architecture of the San Ignacio, a mecca for local nightlife!
How to get to Caracas
Caracas has its own international airport, Maiquetía – Simón Bolívar, located in the Maiquetía district a few kilometers north of the city. Of course, the best way to get to Caracas is by air, and our partner Ulysses can help you find a flight at preferential rates.
The city is relatively well served by a good-quality motorway network, but can also be reached by road: numerous buses connect it to other cities on the South American continent, provided the traveller is not in a hurry! In addition, several railroad lines link the megalopolis with the rest of the continent. Once you’re here, cabs and the metro will take you between the various parts of the city, and the cable car linking the city to Macuto, a seaside resort to the north of the municipality, will allow you to enjoy the pleasures of swimming!
Where to stay in Caracas
As a Venezuelan metropolis, Caracas offers several types of accommodation, each with its own advantages, to choose from according to your profile as a traveler visiting Caracas. For typical, family-style accommodation, don’t hesitate to choose from the many charming guesthouses in and around the city, run by authentic, friendly Venezuelans.
Those with a comfortable budget can also opt for a room in the downtown area, where embassies and luxury shopping malls are located, in order to benefit from all Western conveniences: in fact, you can find the hotel of your dreams in Caracas by carrying out a search on this hotel comparator. And if you prefer a flexible, affordable solution, opt for Airbnb: despite the opposition between the USA and Venezuela, the American platform nonetheless offers numerous deals in the sector, and for a very reasonable price will enable you to benefit from an apartment that suits you, and a flexible solution to make you feel at home!
Now you know how to make the most of your visit to Caracas, and the charms of this very special region during your stay. But will you be able to decide what to do in Caracas and… where to start?
Map of hotels and accommodation – Caracas,ve