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Tourist guide: what to do and see in Caracas
Discover the "city of eternal spring" in a valley surrounded by mountains
Visit the economic, political, commercial and cultural center of Venezuela, and be amazed by this city 2600 feet above sea level. Thanks to its altitude, it enjoys a pleasant climate that has made it known as "the city of eternal spring." Lose yourself in its streets and marvel at its mix of ancient and modern buildings, such as the birthplace of Simon Bolivar and its soaring skyscrapers. Complete your visit with the most famous sights: the National Pantheon, Miraflores Palace, the Cathedral of Caracas, the Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim Mosque and the National Theater.You will never forget your trip to Caracas, with its mountains, beaches, parks and squares impregnated with colonial and modern architecture!
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
International Food
Not only Venezuelan food is present in Caracas. As a cosmopolitan city, international food abounds.
A mix of cuisines.
Venezuela's capital has received a tremendous amount of immigration from abroad as well as arrivals from all over the country itself, and so Caracas is rich in regional and global cuisines including Spanish, French, Mexican, Italian, and Asian (the Spanish influence is especially notable, and particularly in the neighbourhood of La Candelaria, a great area if you like tapas). In the bakeries and pastry shops, too, you'll find many international sweets, including Spain's ensaimadas, milhojas, and turrón, as well as the likes of Italian cannoli; to accompany these treats, nothing better than a tasty cup of expresso or café marrón (latte).
Typical Drinks
Chicha, carato, tizana. Remember these names: you'll be toasting with them during your stay in Venezuela.
Cheers!
There are libations which cross all age groups and social classes, such as rum and a thick, non-alcoholic beverage of precolumbian origin called chicha, made from rice and cowsmilk, drunk very cold (in fact, with crushed ice). Another drink present at all Caracas parties is chichero, commonly sold by street vendors. One which is typical and nutritious is carato, made from chunks of the tuber cassava plus spices and fruit pulp. Another very fruity tipple is tizana, a kind of sangria in which wine is substituted by orange juice and grenadine.
Sweets
There are many typical desserts to choose from in Venezuela. Three top temptations: majarete, black cake, and three milks cake. Enjoy!
Sweet delights.
Many sweets in Venezuela are based on sugarloaf, cornmeal, and fruits such as coconut, guava, and banana. One favourite is majarete (corn pudding), which besides cornmeal and sugar also features cinnamon. Tres leches ("three milks") is another - and popular elsewhere in Latin America, by the way - white sponge cake soaked in a mixture of milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream, with whipped cream or meringue on top. Torta negra (black cake) is similar to the English figgy pudding, with nuts, candied fruit, brown sugar, and rum (in fact, it's thought to have originated with English colonists of Trinidad, not far off Venezuela's Caribbean coast.
Pasapalos
Tequeños, serpentinas, ham bread... Just a few of the most famous and delicious appetizers.
Venezuelan tapas.
Alcoholic beverages are sometimes referred to in Venezuela as palos, and so the usually simple tapas served with them as appetisers are therefore dubbed pasapalos. The best known are tequeños, a bit of pastry stuffed with cheese. Then there are serpentinas, little white-bread roll-ups with ham, cheese, mayonnaise, and sometimes tomato sauce and peppers. Another popular pasapalos, especially during Christmastime, is pan de jamón, which is like a strudel filled with ham and bacon mixed with raisins and pimento-stuffed olives.
Asado Negro
A delicious stew of uncertain origin and so dark that you might think it's burned.
Burnt offerings?
The story goes that the name of this roast, asado negro (black roast) came about when a cook burned a roast and sought to cleverly dress it up in an effort to mask the damage. Be that as it may, the result is tasty, indeed, and highly prized by Venezuelans. It's a large cut of steak, generally from the hindquarters, slowly and laboriously dressed with spices and a sugarloaf to give it its characteristic dark colour. It's traditionally served with fried plantains, but these days you can also just as easily find it accompanied by salad, baked potatoes, and/or steamed vegetables.
Hallaca
Voilà! A typical Venezuelan Christmas delicacy: A very unique meat pie.
Unusual presentation.
A treat especially from August through Christmas, hallacas (called tamales in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America) are cornmeal wedges with meat, olives, raisins, onions, and peppers, wrapped in banana leaves, tied up in string, and boiled. You can find them in restaurants all over Caracas, but one we especially recommend is El Mastranto on Calle Nueva York.
Cachapa
Softer than the arepa, and just as yummy. Another one of those dishes not to miss.
A starring role for corn.
Another very common and typical Venezuelan dish, like arepas, cachapas are round cornmeal flatbreads, but of finer, softer texture. They're eaten filled with cheese, boiled ham, or both, as well as various other fillings including ground beef, chicken, avocado, and so forth; occasionally also plain, accompanying other dishes. You'll find them in a wide variety of establishments, from fine dining restaurants down to roadside stands, but one of the best known is La Cachapera Doña Inés e Hijos, in the outlying Caracas municipality of El Hatillo. It's simple and unpretentious - plastic tables and chairs, for example - but its cachapas are delicious, generous, and come with various tasty sauces.
Pabellón Criollo
Yum! Leftovers can be used to make authentic delicacies, such as "Creole pavilion."
Leftovers, revisited.
Back in the day, when food was more scarce in poor areas, nothing was thrown away, and leftovers were always recycled. Here in Venezuela, it's pabellón criollo, based on white rice, usually flavoured with sweet sauce, garlic, and onions, and accompanied by ground beef, black beans, and fried plantains. One of the country's culinary classics, it's said to represent all of Venezuela's three main cultural influences: white European (the rice), the first nations (brown beef), and the African (black beans). Nutritious and usually carefully prepared, pabellón criollo is Venezuelan par excellence.
Arepas
Fried corn stuffed with strong and tasty fillings. It's forbidden to leave Caracas without eating an arepa.
The Venezuelan dish par excellence.
One of Venezuela's justifiably best known contributions to international cuisine, arepas are round, fried-cornmeal flatbreads eaten both for breakfast and accompanying dishes in other meals. Most often they have some kind of filling, and come in dozens of varieties. Popular examples include reina pepiada, filled with chicken, avocado, and mayonnaise, and pelua, with ground beef and cheese. They're served in virtually all restaurants, but in addition you'll find eateries specialising in them, called areperas, usually open daily for takeaway or eating on site well into the wee hours (and some 24/7).
Bookstores
Literary recommendations? Try the Suma, Noctua, Templo Interno or Fondo de Cultura Económica bookstores.
Books and more books.
If you're the type who always leaves a little extra space in your luggage for books, here in Caracas you'll have some decisions to make, because the whole city is awash in book shops. One of the top choices is the Fondo de Cultura Económica (Economics Culture Fund), which despite its dry-sounding name is actually great for chidren's books. The historic Suma book shop on Boulevard de Sabana Grande has been the haunt of some of Latin America's greatest writers, and carries titles that are unique and often not available in other shops. At Noctua, in the Palos Grandes development, the owners love to make individualised recommendations. Poetry mavens should hie to Templo Interno, owned by poet Alexis Romero.
Handcrafts
Hannsi is one of those crafts shops where you could easily spend an entire morning.
Heaven for lovers of local arts and crafts.
Your go-to spot for Venezuelan handicrafts should be Hannsi, located at Calle Bolívar 12 in the outlying municipality of El Hatillo. One of the largest such shops in all of Latin America is replete with the delightful likes of papier-mâché devil masks and religious carvings, as well as hammocks, cigars (in a special humidor room), and other products from all over the country - decorative, useful, or both. There's also a café here to enjoy some delicious Venezuelan pastries with a fabulous cup of coffee. Around here it's not just Hannsi, either - other shops dedicated to handicrafts have sprung up on nearby streets. If you'd really rather not trek all the way out here, another good option in downtown Caracas is Maquita on Avenida Este.
Luxury Shopping at Las Mercedes
This area is all about luxury without pretension. If you're looking for major international brands, you will find them here.
Elegant and exclusive.
For luxury brands, your best bet is to head for the upmarket Las Mercedes development east of of the city, with its wide, lushly appointed avenues, riverside golf course, and leafy precincts - all a project of a locally based investment group from the USA. Out here the businesses are similarly posh, including restaurants, pubs, discos, and especially retail options, from clothing shops to art galleries to shopping malls. Finally, there are also wonderful cultural options available along Avenida Río de Janeiro and on Plaza de Alfredo Sadel.
El Hatillo Bakery
One of the best places to try Venezuelan pastries is El Hatillo Bakery. Yum!
Sweet tooth? This one's for you.
Fans of pastries, pudding, and sweets will find it well worth their while to head out to Caracas' outlying municipality of El Hatillo to experience this pastry shop, which specialises in Venezuela's most typical sugary treats. Right on El Hatillo's central Plaza Bolívar, you may even catch its scent before you see it, baking, boiling, and mixing up the likes of marquesas de chocolate (a biscuits-and-pudding confection), cocadas (coconut smoothies), guava paste, and tarta de arequipe (cake made with creamy, gooey caramelised milk, known elsewhere in Latin America as dulce de leche). You can buy for take-away or enjoy it right here at a table with a cup of coffee or chocolate, or cool glass of tropical juice. It can get crowded in here, though, especially on weekends!
Peruvian Market
Proof that the Peruvian community in Caracas is both numerous and important: this characteristic Sunday market.
Peruvians go shopping!
In Venezuela there is a large Peruvian community, as evidenced by this peculiar market that is held every Sunday on Amador Bendayán Boulevard. It's the perfect place to sample Peruvian cuisine, one of the most diverse and comprehensive in the world, although you can also find ceramics, textiles and silverware typical of the Andean country. The best part is that, in addition to takeout, you can have it right there, freshly cooked, and accompanied by beer, chocolate and traditional desserts. The prices are affordable and the quality is high, especially for typical dishes such as ceviche, chowder or chili dishes. To get there, it's best to take the metro to the Colegio de Ingenieros station; once there, you can't miss it. If you want to buy food, it's best to arrive before two o'clock, because from that time on many products may sell out.
Quinta Crespo Market
Looking for the most traditional market in town? You've found it and you will not be disappointed!
The main market in town.
Located on Avenida Baralt, this is undoubtedly the most important market in the city, the most traditional and also the main food supply center of Caracas. Inaugurated in 1951, it houses countless stalls organized by products: meat, fish, cheeses, prepared dishes and even candy. It is highly recommended to stop and look (and taste) Venezuelan fresh cheeses (telita, Guyanese, hand, palmita...) and other culinary specialties. However, it is also possible to get a number of typically European products made popular by Italian, French and Spanish immigrants. Although it's not tourist oriented, or perhaps because of this, it's worth visiting this market to appreciate the vast gastronomic variety of Venezuela and to have a chance to enjoy all kinds of home-style products.
Bosque Chinese Social Club Market
Asian products and Chinese cuisine within walking distance of the Chacaito subway station.
The Far East in Caracas.
Caracas does not have a Chinatown like those existing in other Latin American cities, but every Sunday morning the city hosts the Chinese Social Club, an extensive market where you can find all kinds of Asian products. There are three Chinese restaurants nearby where you can taste some of the most typical dishes of Chinese cuisine, but within the market itself you can also certainly eat delicacies such as roast duck and pig ears, vegetable dumplings, cinnamon and peanut cakes, sweets, and oriental drinks. It is located at the intersection of Avenida Principal del Bosque and Avenida Gloria, near the Chacaito subway stop.
La Hormiga City Market
Clothing, accessories and good prices define this gigantic market.
Like a giant boutique.
Many know it as the Cemetery Market, being as it is next to the cemetery in the south part of the city, but this name does not do justice to what is considered the largest "boutique" in Venezuela. True, it has seen better days, but it's still a huge space where clothes, shoes, bags and accessories, both national and international, are sold at very attractive prices, especially if purchased in large quantities. These are not usually of the highest quality, but you can find almost anything imaginable in clothes and accessories. If you decide to stop in, better to do it on a Sunday, when it's usually less crowded (on weekdays many small merchants from other parts of the country come to stock up).
Art Galleries
Improvised art, genuine art, pop art, traditional art... In any shape or form, Caracas offers art.
Breathing art.
In many of Caracas' squares and avenues you will find small-time art dealers, but if you're interested in buying genuine pieces, whether paintings, sculptures or antiques, head for the many galleries spread throughout the city. One is the Acquavella Gallery (www.acquagal.com), founded in 1959 to promote Venezuelan and Latin American contemporary art. To this end, since 1980 it organizes exhibitions of both established and young talent. Very similar is the Okyo Gallery, founded in 1990 to support emerging artists. Finally, it is worth checking out the Ascaso Art Gallery, reminiscent of a museum with its four exhibition floors. This gallery was founded in 1989 in the Venezuelan city of Valencia, and in 2002 inaugurated the important Caracas branch.
Shopping Centers
Sambil or San Ignacio are just two on the endless list of Caracas shopping centers. You won't know which to choose.
Shopping therapy on a grand scale.
Caracas has more than 30 shopping centers, and it's very common for families to spend the whole day there, as they are considered safe places with an endless supply of goods. The biggest is Sambil, located near the Chacao subway station. In this impressive five-story complex, you will find shops selling products both mass-produced and exclusive, plus all kinds of restaurants – traditional, Asian, fast food – as well as several cinemas. It also has a large outdoor terrace and often organizes fashion shows, performances and events for children. Another interesting option is the Centro San Ignacio, located in La Castellana, which houses shops and offices. Its two tall towers are joined by a large central space where concerts, cultural events and exhibitions are organized.
La Rinconada Horse Track
The construction of this racecourse set a trend and subsequently there were many who imitated its spectacular style.
Known around the world.
Whether or not you are fond of horse racing, it's worth a visit to this spectacular racetrack, one of the largest in the world in 1959 when it opened. It was so innovative, in fact, that it served as a model for the construction of other racetracks around the world. Its elegant facilities were designed by the American Arthur Froelich, famous for having designed the Aqueduct Racetrack in New York, and Brazilian Roberto Burle Marz, who designed the garden. It currently accommodates 12,500 people and includes a park, playgrounds, numerous places to enjoy a drink, and even a veterinary hospital. It's the ideal place to experience the spectacular atmosphere of the races, though it also hosts concerts and events, which have occasionally brought in up to 60,000 people.
Avant-garde culture at the "Trasnocho Cultural"
Theater, cinema, photography are all part of Caracas' rich cultural scene, the main objective of the Trasnocho Cultural.
Hooray for culture!
This non-profit association based in the Paseo de las Mercedes shopping center works to promote culture in Caracas through activities such as theater, photography, film and painting. It takes up a whole floor of the complex, with four movie theaters, two stage theaters, and various spaces related to culture: a library, craft shop, record store, exhibition hall... The Trasnocho Theater in particular stands out, born at the end of 2001 and now known as a space for artistic creation and exhibition of a wide variety of shows. And if you want a drink before or after performances, stop by the "Lounge," a former reception hall of the theater that today is a modern and pleasant bar that offers small events, music sessions and individual performances.
Popular Festivals
If you plan to travel to Caracas in July, take note: there's no shortage of holidays!
July festivals.
July brings together Caracas' main holidays, closely linked to some of the most significant events in the country's history. The month starts with the feast in memory of the Independence Day, which took place on July 5, 1811 with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That day a great floral offering is presented at the Tomb of Simon Bolivar, and a great number of institutional and popular events and concerts take place. Three weeks later the city celebrates again, this time to commemorate the birth of the Liberator (July 24, 1783) and, a day later, to celebrate the Naval Battle of Lake Maracaibo, which finally reaffirmed Venezuela's independence from Spain. And it does not end there, as the city celebrates the founding of Caracas the last week of July.
Holy Week in Chacao
If Chacao is famous for something, it's for its legendary Easter celebration. Amen.
Rites and processions.
The town of Chacao has gained enormous fame thanks to its traditional Easter Week celebrations. Especially popular is the Descent of the Palmers, celebrated the Friday before Palm Sunday, during which palm fronds are collected on El Avila mountain, and said fronds are thereupon blessed and distributed to parishioners who display them in their windows and balconies. But this is not the only characteristic rite of Easter Week in Chacao: also noteworthy are the Route of the Seven Temples, held on Maundy Thursday; or the Procession of the Nazarene, in which the image of Christ wearing a purple tunic and surrounded by hundreds of orchids is paraded through the center of town in the evening. And to finish off the week in style, nothing better than sharing a table, bread and wine with neighbors, family and friends, just as tradition dictates.
Learn to dance salsa
If you want to perfect your Latin dance skills, two good options are "El maní es así" and "Con aché."
Salsa is not something you eat with chips!
Nobody will say anything if you enter a local Venezuelan nightclub and start to dance, but you might prefer to hone your salsa skills a little first. At "El Mani Es Asi" you can try out your first hip movements, or simply watch. This venue, located on the corner of El Cristo Street and Avenida Francisco Solano, is one of the classic places for Latin music in the city. Originally it was a traditional restaurant, but in 1986 it was converted into 'Caracas' temple of salsa,' as its motto proudly announces, and it's certainly true that some of the main masters of Venezuelan music have passed through its doors. Another good option is "Con Aché," a dance club located on the same street, where you can shake your groove thang and enjoy live music until the wee hours of the morning.
Nightlife
Venezuela is not only beach and history, as evidenced by Caracas' fun and inexhaustible nightlife.
Party nights.
Beyond learning about Simon Bolivar's battle for independence or sunbathing on the beach, Venezuela is also an ideal destination for those who like to enjoy the night, Caribbean-style. And Caracas, like any self-respecting Latin American capital, is by no means an exception. You can enjoy a vibrant nightlife which has its main hubs in the districts of El Rosal, Las Mercedes, La Floresta and La Castellana. In addition, the most famous dance clubs are east of the city; Tiffany's (with techno and house sounds) is especially recommended, along with The Fly Pu for rock and heavy metal or Flanagan's Pub (at the Paseo de las Mercedes mall). Other refined options include the disco Ziba, or karaoke at Roraima restaurant, both located in the area of Las Mercedes.
Reading
During April and May Caracas becomes more literary than ever as the International Book Fair invades the city.
For bookworms and their friends.
One of the most important literary events in Venezuela takes place during the months of March and April: the annual International Book Fair of Venezuela, a celebration held at varying venues around the city, such as the Teresa Carreño Theater, the Experimental University of the Arts, Museum Square, the Museum of Science, the National Cinematheque, the Museum of Fine Arts or the Axis of Good Living. During the event traditional book stalls abound, and various activities such as lectures, book presentations, poetry readings, encounters with writers, workshops and children's activities take place. In addition, the nearby town of Chacao hosts the Reading Festival in April, also full of activities and drawing around a hundred publishers.
Cinemas
Caracas' film scene is as broad as interesting: movie theaters, festivals, film libraries, outdoor movies…
Let's go to the movies!
Caracas has a large film scene that includes more than 40 theaters and an active film library promoted by the National Film Foundation. In addition, the Venezuelan capital is home to many festivals such as Film + Architecture, which takes place in March and during which different documentaries are shown which are then discussed with Venezuelan architects. Other good examples are the Entre Largos y Cortos Film Festival of the East (held in September) and the Festival of Documentary Film. As if that were not enough, Caracas also has a long tradition of projecting films outdoors; in March one of the most important cycles of this type starts, in the facilities of Hacienda La Trinidad Cultural Park. Most of the interesting titles are independent productions.
Theater
If you travel to Caracas in March, enjoy the exceptional and world-famous Caracas International Theater Festival.
A tradition of great theater.
Caracas has a dozen theaters, although this figure is even higher if we take into account the different experimental theaters scattered throughout the city. Performances usually take place from Wednesday to Sunday, with the Ateneo being one of the most recommended venues to witness some of the best shows. Located on Avenida La Salle, over the years it has become the epicenter of the city's cultural life, thanks to its steady commitment to reflection and innovation. If you visit Caracas in March, don't miss the International Theatre Festival of Caracas, which dates back to 1973. It is the most important event of its kind in Latin America, and one of the leading worldwide.
Cablecar
The cable car ride ends at El Ávila National Park: highly recommended.
Flying high over Caracas.
This means of public transportation allows you to enjoy the best views over the center of Caracas, the Tuy valley and the Caribbean Sea. The tour begins at the Maripérez station and ends in Waraira Repano National Park. Once there, you can enjoy Avila Magica, a place where you can skate on ice, stay at the Humbodlt Hotel, watch a 3D movie and have a drink in the many restaurants and kiosks all around, specializing in coffee, chocolate, soft drinks and in general, all kinds of snacks. Another alternative: an excursion to the surrounding area, including the nearby town of Galipán. It is advisable to dress warmly, as the temperature is much lower, and to do so before the middle of the afternoon, as a dense fog usually forms from that moment on, impeding the views.
Altamira and Palos Grandes
The crème de la crème: districts full of business centers, restaurants, cafés, hotels and embassies.
Luxury, Caracas-style.
Luxurious Altamira, the largest business district in the Venezuelan capital, is also home to a large number of cafés and restaurants, as well as major international hotel chains. It is located east of Caracas, in the municipality of Chacao, and has its hub in the Plaza de Francia, dominated by a huge obelisk and a spectacular fountain located right at its feet. Both were built in 1943 at the initiative of Luis Roche, owner at that time of most of these lands. In the town of Chacao, there is also Palos Grandes residential and business district, home to many embassies. This area is well known among Caracans for its famous 'gastronomic block,' which houses a great number of national and international dining establishments. Both districts are reachable by Metro.
El Pinar Zoo
90 animal species coexisting on 17 acres: jaguars, cougars, monkeys, donkeys ...
Amazing animals!
This zoo dates back to 1944, when it was founded on a 17-acre spread that had been home to the first Forestry School of Venezuela, known as Hacienda La Vaquera. Inside, you can admire such exotic species as jaguars, pumas and Capuchin monkeys, although there are also more mundane animals such as donkeys. There are in total some 90 different species, as well as educational workships geared toured young children. During the visit you may run into the Ecological Brigade, a group of youths who act as guides and make sure that visitors respect all the rules, such as not feeding the animals or leaving their waste behind. There is also an area with fast food restaurants that are quite reasonably priced.
Caves of the Indian Park
You should not leave Venezuela without visiting these caves — just make sure to go with a guide who knows the area.
Almost 400 feet long!
One of the most interesting excursions out of Caracas: the caverns of Parque del Indio. You should go on an organized tour, or at least with a local guide who knows the terrain well. Once there you'll enjoy spectacular views over Caracas and Naiguatá Peak, a limestone mountain where some 30 natural caves have formed over the centuries (though only two may be visited). These are the Cuevas del Indio (390 feet long) and the much smaller Pio Cave. Its also a great area for rock climbing, although you need to get a special permit from the National Parks Institute of Venezuela. Paid admission.
Botanical Garden
Whether you're into botany or not, a visit to these gardens is truly wonderful.
Green and fascinating.
Located on the main campus of the University of Venezuela, it's an interesting place indeed, with more than 2500 species (half endemic to the country). You can sit and relax in its lush green spaces, or take part in group activities such as yoga or tai chi. There are hundred-year old trees and a small artificial lake shaped like the map of Venezuela. The garden started to take shape in 1945 thanks to botanist Tobías Lasse, who put all his effort into creating a true botanical garden for Caracas, but it didn't open its doors until a decade later in 1958. Today it occupies almost 173 acres and contains the Botanical Institute of Venezuela, named after the man who so fought for its creation.
Los Chorros Park
Famous for its man-made swimming holes, the perfect antidote to a warm day!
Get close to nature.
North of the city is one of Caracans' most beloved natural spaces: the Los Chorros Park, located at the base of the Waraira Repano National Park. Its famous for its numerous man-made swimming holes, in which both young and old love to splash on warm days. There are also hiking trails and a spectacular waterfall which may be enjoyed from different lookout points. But the natural beauty of this park doesn't end there, as there are many species of tropical trees and animals to admire. If you'd like to get away from the traffic and pollution of the center of the city, this is without doubt a top destination.
El Hatillo
If this charming village is not on your bucket list, it should be.
A bit of national heritage, 9 miles from Caracas.
This small quaint town, just 9 miles southeast of Caracas, was declared a national heritage site for its great architectural value. It's one of the top daytrips for those who spend a few days in Caracas (there are several buses which make the trip from the center of the city). Located on the highest part of the mountain, it's home to simple houses and cute little streets that converge on a small square. You'll enjoy the many colonial buildings painted in bright colors, many converted into art galleries, crafts shops and restaurants. Also, if you visit between October and November, you'll be able to enjoy the El Hatillo Music Festival, which draws both Venezuelan and international talent of all musical styles, including rock and jazz.
Los Caobos Park
On weekends this park is filled with children who come to enjoy its theatrical plays.
An old park for the young.
Very close to the Plaza de los Museos you'll find one of the top recreational spaces in the capital of Venezuela. It's Los Caobos Park, inaugurated in 1920 as Sucre Park, in honor of Venezuelan hero Antonio José de Sucre. Among its key attractions: a great variety of local trees, many more than a century old. Also, in the center of the park you'll find the Fountain of Venezuela, with human figures representing the different regions of this Caribbean country. The park draws young people who come to practice sports as well as younger ones who come for the children's theater productions every weekend.
Waraira Repano National Park
The view from up above will stun you: the Caribbean meets the Caracas skyline. Get the picture?
Jawdropping views.
From this park, which surrounds Caracas on the north, you'll enjoy some truly spectacular views of the city, thanks to its location and altitude. From the upper heights, which form part of the Cordillera de la Costa, you can even see the clear waters of the Caribbean on one side, and the Caracas skyline on the other. It's also the main source of fresh oxygen for the city, which attracts lots of young people who come to exercise, hike, and enjoy the clean air in general. You can get there by bus, though it's preferable to do it via the cable car. If you need directions, you can ask for El Ávila, as this was the name of the park until 2011 (named for previous owner Juan Álvarez de Ávila).
Alí Primera Park
Green acres… 110,000 of them, and a favorite with locals.
West of Caracas, a natural playground.
Although this enormous 114-acre green space was named in 2007 after musician and activist Ely Rafael Primera, most Caracans know it as Parque del Oeste, or West Park, as it is, logically, west of the city. Originally founded in 1983, it has become one of the most popular recreational getaways for locals, with its children's areas, bars, cafeterias, lovely artificial lake and amphitheater with occasional music shows. You'll also enjoy the variety of its flora (lots of palms and yuccas) and fauna (from rabbits to iguanas). Don't miss the Jacobo Borges Museum and the Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen.
Francisco de Miranda Park
Large, pretty and interesting, with leisure and entertainment options as big as its beauty. A true must!
Simply colossal.
This sprawling, tree-covered expanse, the city's second-biggest park, is home to five lakes that attract typical regional birds. There's also a small zoo, where you can see some animals in captivity and others roaming free. But these are not the only highlights of the park, in which you can also rent a pedal boat, enjoy a stroll along its long pathways, or admire a replica of the ship that an early independence fighter used to return to Venezuela to call for revolution. The Humboldt Planetarium completes the picture, a place where people gather on weekends to enjoy Caracas' starry sky. The park is open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., so you should go early.
Ezequiel Zamora Park
Do not leave without a stop here, well worth it for the views alone.
A park to explore.
This space is known to locals as El Calvario Park, as for many years this was where the procession of the Nazarene of St. Paul took place. The celebration included the transportation of a heavy sculpture up the park's steep path, which reminded Caracans of the Calvary, where Jesus had to carry his cross to be crucified. The park, from which you'll enjoy amazing views of the city, was founded in 1880, although ever since then it has undergone numerous renovations. Among the most important elements: the Arch of the Federation, right at the entrance, and five small and spectacular plazas, among which the one named "Parnassus," with its classical Greek touches, especially stands out. We recommend going by tram, given the altitude of the park, although you may certainly also go on foot.
Jacobo Borges Museum
Like up-and-coming art? Then don't miss this small but interesting collection!
New concepts in art.
Despite being one of the youngest museums in Caracas, this one boasts an interesting permanent collection with almost 200 works from the "new arts" (photography, video, mosaics, drawings, etc.). These are all pieces that don't fit in in other museums in the city, and which demonstrate the wide range of artistic creation in the last several decades. While the museum is named after Venezuelan artist Jacobo Borges, you will only find one of his pieces here, dating from the mid 1990s and known as 'Everything Grows.' Apart from spreading the word about up and coming artists, the center dedicates an important space to Venezuela's photographic patrimony, with works such as those of Luis Felipe Toro ("Torito"), who documented the evolution of the city through photography.
Museum of Natural Science
Fossils, indigenous objects, fossils, rocks, fish, amphibians, reptiles... Where shall we start?
Both educational and fascinating.
With more than 100,000 artifacts divided into different categories (archaeology, anthropology and mineralogy, among others), this neoclassical space on Plaza de los Museos designed by Carlos Raul Villanueva is an obligatory stop for lovers of natural and human history. It includes a good number of objects from Venezuela's - and the entire continent's - prehistoric past, among which there are skeletal remains of prehistoric indigenous people, as well as objects that once belonged to them; many fossils and rocks; even almost 5000 varieties of Venezuelan fish, amphibians and reptiles. Open every day and admission is free.
Museum of Contemporary Art of Caracas (MACC)
No wonder this interesting collection is considered the best of its kind in Latin America.
The destination for lovers of modern art.
At the MACC you'll find 13 halls dedicated to all types of artists born after 1945, with special attention to painting and sculpture. The collection, ranked among the best in contemporary art in all Latin America, includes 100 engravings by Picasso created between 1931 and 1934. There are also works by modern artists such as Marc Chagall, Matisse, Monet or Leger, or the famous Colombian sculptor Botero. In short, it's a highly interesting collection, brainchild of Sofia Imber, a journalist of Rumanian origin, who founded it in 1973 with public support. There's also an auditorium and workshops, a great library focused on art, and a peaceful inner garden where you can enjoy a soft drink or coffee. Located in Central Park, it's open from Tuesday to Sunday and admission is free.
Museum of Colonial Art
A peek at the Venezuelan colonial era: cane ceilings, iron windows, cobbled streets.
Travel back in time.
Set in the Quinta de Anauco, a kind of vacation home built in the eighteenth century for a wealthy Venezuelan family, this place will truly transport you to the colonial era, with its cane ceilings and iron windows so typical of the period, as well as an interesting garden with cobbled walkways. Inside you'll find all manner of valuable artistic and historic works of - both originals and reproductions - among which horse carriages and porcelain stand out. The permanent collection also includes some 100 paintings, as well as religious sculptures and more than 200 pieces of furnitures. The museum was inaugurated in 1961 and is located on Avenida Panteon in the center. It's open every day except Monday and offers guided visits.
Children's Museum
A great stop if traveling with children. They'll develop their creativity like never before while they have a blast.
Please do touch.
With slogans such as "Please Touch!" and "Learn by Playing," this museum is a great option for anyone traveling to Caracas with children between 6 and 14 years of age. It's a fun place designed to encourage creativity by exploring absolutely everything. It's divided into various halls dedicated to different areas such as biology, communications, art or ecology. There is also an annex called "Conquest of Space," in which you can learn about space and the first trips to the moon. The museum, located on Avenida Bolivar, was the brainchild of Alicia Pietri de Caldera, First Lady of Venezuela during the 1970s, although it did not open its doors until 1982. Admission includes access to the Planetarium.
Birthplace of Simon Bolivar
Visiting the house where national hero Simon Bolivar was born can prove both educational and quite alluring.
Crucial local history.
In 1783, the man who would one day become the Father of the Country and leader of independence movements throughout Latin America was born in this typically Spanish colonial home dating from 1680. The house, with its central courtyard and surrounding rooms, was donated to the Venezuelan state by relatives of Simon Bolivar in 1912, although it was not inaugurated as a museum until 1921. Currently, what was the office has been decorated with murals by Tito Salas, depicting the most salient moments in the national hero's life. Also, the baptismal font in which Bolivar was baptized has been installed in the courtyard. The museum is open free of charge from Tuesday to Saturday.
Bolivarian Museum of Contemporary Art
An artistic walk through the last years of the colonial era and the first years of Venezuelan independence.
Small but highly representative.
In this small space you can admire some of the most important works of art of the last years of the colonial period and the first years of the Republic, including some pieces that originally belonged to Simon Bolivar and other leading historical figures of the era. The idea to create such a museum arose around 1911, with the goal of commemorating the first century of independence; the museum did not move to its current site, an ancient colonial home with white walls and a spacious interior courtyard, until the 1960s, however. In its halls you will find historical documents, arms, uniforms, and a great collection of shields of the most important families of the colonial era. The most interesting artifact, without doubt, is the coffin in which Bolivar's remains were transported to Caracas from Santa Marta, Colombia, where he died.
National Gallery of Art
Venezuelan art at its best. More than 6,000 works under the roof of this huge building.
Free admission.
This is the greatest exhibition of Venezuelan national art, spanning the centuries from pre-Columbian to the present, and featuring colonial painting and sculpture as well as masterpieces from the early years of independence. Created in 1975, the National Gallery of Art was originally housed in the former headquarters of the Museum of Fine Arts at the Central University of Venezuela. In 2009, however, it moved to its current home, a giant building on Avenida de Mexico designed by architect Carlos Gomez de Llanera. Its 290,000 square feet are totally dedicated to Venezuelan art, divided among 11 halls housing more than 6000 works. The National Gallery of Art may be visited every day free of charge, and includes an interesting shop within its walls.
Museum of Fine Arts
World art as manifested in paintings, photographs, drawings, ceramics, and prints. Long live diversity!
World art.
This museum holds all manner of works of art from all parts of the world, which make it an interesting space indeed. It was founded in 1917, originally within the Central University of Venezuela. During the 1940s it moved to its current home, designed by architect Carlos Raul Villanueva, on the Plaza de los Museos in the city center. During your visit you'll find plenty of Egyptian, European and American art, along with Chinese porcelain, photography exhibits, drawings, prints and a collection of Cubist paintings. Apart from the permanent collection, there are no less than seven halls for temporary exhibits, as well as a videotheque, a photography, prints and design archive, several educational workshops, a shop and an outdoor café.
Religious Temples
Catholic churches, synagogues, mosques, Orthodox temples… there's a place for everyone to worship in Caracas.
Religious variety.
Although the population of Venezuela is mostly Catholic, the capital city has many other venues for followers of other religions. On Amador Bendayan Boulevard, next to Caobos Park, you'll find the Tiferet Israel synagogue, inaugurated in 1963 and a meeting place of the Venezuelan Jewish community. Nearby is the Sheikh Ibrahim mosque, the second biggest in Latin America, easily recognized for its minarets. Perhaps the most unusual monument of all, due to its pecular shapes, is the Rumanian orthodox church of St. Constantine and St. Helen, one of only two temples of this kind built outside Rumania (where there are another 13). The building was inaugurated in 1999, after many Rumanian artisans imported for the task completed its construction without the use of a single nail or other metallic object.
National Capitol
Right on Avenida Sur in Caracas, this National Monument is interesting inside as well as out.
A giant dome.
Also known as the Federal Legislative Palace, the Capitol building was declared a national monument in 1997 and is located on the very central Avenida Sur in Caracas. At first sight, what most strikes you is the enormous 85-foot tall dome, currently covered in aluminum (although the original was plated in gold and was brought from Belgium). The neoclassical complex includes a huge garden full of palm trees and a great fountain imported from the United Kingdom. Beyond its walls you can admire its stately halls, the most important of which is the Elliptical Hall with its painted ceilings and the original Declaration of Independence document, signed on July 5, 1811. Admission is entirely free.
Arch of the Federation
That woman hoisting a national flag and a wreath are a moving sight indeed.
Remembering that war.
This monument honors the Venezuelan Federal War, which took place between 1859 and 1863, in which the Liberals defeated the Conservatives. Located in the central Ezequiel Zamora Park, better known to locals as El Calvario, it was inaugurated just under three decades after the war, in 1895, based on designs by local artists Juan Hurtado Manrique and Alejandro Chataing. Over the arch you can see the word "Federation" next to the coat of arms of the country, but what most strikes the visitor is the female figure atop the arch, victoriously holding the national flag in one hand and a laurel wreath in the other, typical symbology of nineteenth century independence movements.
Central University of Caracas
70 buildings and lovely gardens: an unparalleled UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Unfathomable artistic and cultural treasures.
The most important educational center in Venezuela was born in 1721 as a Pontifical university thanks to a bull from Pope Innocent XIII. It was secularized by an independent Venezuela in 1827, although it was not until the twentieth century that its facilities were transferred to the current campus designed by architect Carlos Raul Villanueva. It is a beautiful place indeed with more than 70 buildings that are perfectly integrated into the surrounding green spaces, the most important of which are the Botanical Gardens and the Central Library. Do take a stroll along its long avenues, where you may admire all manner of works of art, among them paintings, murals and sculptures. The cultural and artistic value of Caracas' university campus is such that in 2000 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
National Pantheon
From Simon Bolivar to Ezequiel Zamora: Venezuela's great historical figures are buried here.
Rest in peace.
Resting place of the main historical figures in the struggle for Venezuela's independence, starting with the Liberator, Simon Bolivar (in whose honor this place was built), and including the Marquis de Toro, Andres Ibarra and Ezequiel Zamora. Originally it had been the site of the old church of the Santísima Trinidad, in which Bolivar himself was baptized, and which was totally destroyed in an earthquake in 1812. The interior includes three great naves separated by columns and a ceiling decorated with paintings by Tito Salas depicting scenes from Bolivar's independence campaigns. Don't miss the impressive lamp composed of more than 4000 pieces of crystal, installed shortly after the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Bolivar. The pantheon, which had been closed for reconstruction for two years, reopened to the public in 2013.
Monument to the Precursors
A towering obelisk, a bronze statue, and a large pond add up to this impressive monument.
Quite the obelisk!
This monument, inaugurated in 1956, is composed of two fundamental parts. The first, a 69-foot tall obelisk commemorating the independence of the country, and the other, an immense bronze statue of an indigenous man riding a horse and guarded by eight lions. Almost 20 feet tall not counting the base, it's the work of Spanish sculptor Ernest Maragall, who lived and created most of his œuvre in Venezuela. A great reflecting pond, known to locals as the Mirror of Water, completes the picture. If possible, visit at night, when the intense lighting makes it all even more spectacular.
Promenade of the Heroes
A stroll along this street is a must during your visit to Caracas: great history and architecture!
One of those "musts."
To really understand the history of Venezuelan independence, there's nothing better than a stroll along this Promenade of the Heroes, full of fountains, plazas and statues honoring the greatest national heroes. The pièce de résistance is the Monument to the Heroes of the Nation, composed of two great monoliths inside of which you will find statues of Bolivar, Sucre, Urdaneta, Mariño, and other figures of note. All were done by Venezuelan architect Luis Malaussena, along with the interesting bas-reliefs that recall the four great battles for independence. Next to these, three other murals reflect the principal stages of the history of the country: the conquest, the colonial era, and the birth of an independent Venezuela. The immense promenade, which also includes several fountains and a small lake, is where military parades celebrating key dates in the country's history take place.
Palace of the Academies
Unmistakeable, with its towers and windows. You'll enjoy its long corridors and gardens.
Home of the National Academies
This striking white building today is the headquarters of the National Academies (medicine, science, mathematics and history, among others), as well as the home of the Caracas Metropolitan Library. Its strongly neo-gothic style, reflected in its towers as well as in its windows, hails from the sixteenth century, when it was built as a convent for Franciscan monks. It operated as one for almost three centuries, until 1821, when an independent Venezuela decided to take it over for other functions. At first it was the Chamber of Deputies, and later, the Central University. Inside, take note of its ample corridors, patios, and landscaped areas, in which you will find numerous statues honoring some of the most outstanding figures in Venezuela's history. The exterior was remodeled during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, when the south façade and the second story were completed.
The Yellow House
Visit this National Historic Monument with its imposing yellow walls and great wooden door.
Yellow Neo-Classical style.
Located across from the Cathedral, this neoclassical building is quickly recognized by its yellow color, for which it is named. Throughout its history it has served several functions, such as a royal jail, presidential palace and headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. It has also been the site of intense political and social events, such as the first call for the independence of Venezuela, when church canon Cortes de Madariaga called for the Venezuelan people to rise up against the Spanish colonial administration. Of its imposing façade, the most striking element is its great wooden door with its gold ornamentation and ample balcony. Inside, you will find a simple colonial style, with two stories surrounding a central patio. This National Historic Monument may be visited free of charge, along with the library and archives that also form part of the complex.
Plaza Bolivar
Independence hero Simon Bolivar presides over this busy square on horseback.
The heart of Caracas.
Located in the center of the city, this square is one of the liveliest places in the Venezuelan capital, as well as one of the ones that have been witness to the most historical events. During the Spanish colonial period it was known as Plaza Mayor de Caracas; when independence hero Simon Bolivar's remains returned to Venezuela, it was renamed in his honor post-independence. This was also where public executions of those the colonial government considered subversive took place. Paradoxically, the square was also the site of the first independence movements, including in 1810 an important rebellion against mother country Spain. Since 1874, a great 12-foot tall equestrian statue of Bolivar presides over the square, the work of the sculptor Adan Todalini.
Cathedral
Five naves, countless columns and a Baroque altar define the interior of this temple.
Perfectly white and colonial.
Located right in the center of the city, the perfectly white exterior of Caracas' cathedral displays a certain colonial style. Originally, the land where it stands was occupied by a small church, destroyed by a great earthquake in 1641. Construction then began in 1665, directed by the architect Juan de Medina (although the façade dates from a later period, well into the eighteenth century). Since then, it has been remodeled several times, as in 1933, when the ceiling was replaced with vaults to create a greater sense of height. The interior consists of five naves with columns all around, with a Baroque main altar and the remains of national hero Simon Bolivar's family in a side chapel.
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