Venezuela - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 852

Introduction
Deterred by an unjustly poor international reputation, many visitors to
South America choose to avoid Venezuela. In fact, some of the continent's
most rewarding and varied attractions are here, packed into a relatively small
space. An outdoor-lover's paradise, Venezuela boasts nearly every natural
environment: towering mountains, mini-deserts, endless plains, Caribbean
beaches, lush green jungle and wildlife-rich wetlands. You'll also find a
passionate and welcoming people, proud of their nation and keen to showcase
it to foreign visitors. Although the FCO still advise against travel to the border
areas with Colombia, security has improved greatly since the increase in tourist
tra c to the neighbouring country. The time to explore is now, as Venezuela's
unique brand of socialism may not be around for much longer.

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With 43 national parks and many private
nature reserves, Venezuela's prime
attractions lie outside its major urban areas.
Its capital Caracas is a lively and
cosmopolitan city, although given its high
prices and shoddy budget accommodation
it does little to encourage backpackers.
Most visitors explore at least part of
Venezuela's stunning 2600km-long
Caribbean coast . Several hours east of the
capital, Parque Nacional Mochima boasts
red-sand beaches, fishing villages, fantastic
seafood and playful dolphins, while Parque
Nacional Henri Pittier , about three hours
west, offers wildlife-spotting opportunities,
crystal-clear lagoons and a lively social life.
Further west is Parque Nacional Morrocoy ,
which features picturesque white-sand
cays. More exclusive, the Los Roques
Archipelago in the Caribbean is actually an
extension of the Andes range, and contains

the country's most pristine beaches with
fewer crowds, given the off-mainland
transport issues.
An overnight bus ride from the coast
will take you to Mérida , in the northern
extent of the continent-spanning Andes
range. Mérida is also the best place to
arrange trips to Los Llanos , the extensive
plains that provide some of the best
wildlife and birdwatching opportunities
on the continent. The enormous region
of Guayana encompasses most of the
south and east portions of the country
and boasts a number of adventure-based
attractions. Here you'll find the Orinoco
Delta , a labyrinth of jungle waterways
formed as the enormous river reaches the
Atlantic Ocean. Further up the Orinoco,
the historic town of Ciudad Bolívar is
the most economical base from which
to explore Parque Nacional Canaima ,

WHEN TO VISIT
Venezuela can be visited year-round, but you are most likely to get the best out of visiting
during the November to May dry season . On the coast , there is less rain and fewer
mosquitoes, if slightly higher temperatures. Wildlife spotting in Los Llanos is much better in
the dry season, when animals congregate at the few watering holes, while the abundance of
mosquitoes during the wet season makes walking very unpleasant. Travel in the Guayana
region is more comfortable during the dry season, though Angel Falls tends to be fuller and
therefore more spectacular during the wet season.
If you are after beach time, it is best to come outside the national holiday periods of Easter,
Carnaval (which begins at the end of Feb or beginning of March), Christmas (Dec 15-Jan 15)
and the summer holidays (July 15-Sept 15). Venezuelans tend to spend their holidays at the
beach and the hordes drive prices up significantly.