Venezuela is a country of beautiful landscapes and surprising sights, from the coast to the mountain tops. Magnificent waterfalls tumble off tabletop mountains, and coastal towns and offshore islands offer pleasant escapes and soft-sand beaches. The best places to visit are not always the easiest to reach, and Venezuela is no exception. Some of these destinations are well off the beaten path. For inspirational ideas, see our list of the top tourist attractions in Venezuela.
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6 Tourist Attractions In Venezuela
1. Angel Falls
In the heart of the country, where tabletop mountains rise up like giant monoliths from the surrounding landscape, is Angel Falls. Dropping 979 meters, it is the highest waterfall in the world and one of the highlights of South America.
This stunning site in Canaima National Park is remote and difficult to access, but flights over the falls are easily arranged.
The best time to see the falls is during the rainy season, between May and November when water is plentiful and the falls do not disappear into a mist before reaching the bottom as they do in the dry season. During the dry season, the falls may be little more than a trickle and you will want to check in advance to see if there is enough water to make the trip worthwhile.
2. Los Roques Archipelago (Archipiélago Los Roques)
Sun-drenched beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs, and modest development with no high-rise hotels, are what draw travelers to this beautiful chain of islands 160 kilometers north of the central coast of Venezuela.
The archipelago is Los Roques National Park, but most people refer to the area simply as Los Roques. This is one of the best places to visit in Venezuela. The small seaside fishing village of Gran Roque, on the island of the same name, is the main settlement, with single-story homes painted in the typical bright colors seen throughout Venezuela.
The buildings stretch out along the beachfront, which seems to go on forever. One of the highlights is the little island of Cayo de Agua. Reached by boat, this is one of Venezuela’s most beautiful beaches, with shallow turquoise waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
3. Morrocoy National Park
Morrocoy National Park which is one of the best tourist attractions in Venezuela has over 32,000 acres of the protected island and marine preserves filled with island beaches, mangroves, and cays like Cayo Sombrero. The white sand beaches are spectacular and perfect for visitors to come and relax while enjoying water activities; the clear water coral reefs are home to sea turtles, fish, and dolphins, many of which are visible during a scuba diving trip.
Visitors can also explore the wetlands and see the rich birdlife in the area, including flamingos, which are fun sites to see for the entire family. Other animals people may come across include anteaters, opossums, sloths, howler monkeys, and various species of deer.
4. Canaima National Park
Home to the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world, Angel Falls, Canaima National Park consists of three million hectares of grassy savannas, tropical forests, flat-topped mountains, and tepuis. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is the sixth largest national park in the world and has some spectacular landscapes for visitors to explore.
There are tons of activities for visitors to partake in while in Canaima National Park including abseiling, camping, hiking, and exploring the many caves there. While there, visitors will also come across some exciting flora and fauna such as the White-faced saki, jaguars, hummingbirds, dusky parrots, and giant otters and anteaters.
5. Casa Natal & Museo Bolivar
Simon Bolivar is a military and political hero who played a significant role in establishing Venezuela as a sovereign state. Casa Natal & Museo Bolivar is the seventeenth-century house, now a significant tourist attraction, where the leader was born. In addition to being the place of his birth, the house is also one of the very few from the colonial era that still stands today.
Visitors will be able to see the main room where Bolivar was born, the courtyard in which he was baptized, and the period furniture and artifacts that belonged to him. Other exhibits include mementos from his childhood, personal records, and paintings by Tito Salas depicting heroic battles and scenes from Simon Bolivar’s life.
6. Galipán
For a taste of rural life in Venezuela, a visit to the sleepy mountain village of Galipán offers a stark contrast to bustling Caracas, despite being just 15km north of the city. Perched on the mountainside at 1870 meters, Galipán is best reached by 4WD, either direct from the city or in combination with a ride on the Caracas cable car, and it’s a jaw-droppingly scenic drive, serving up magnificent views of the city below.
Established by the first settlers from the Canary Islands, the village is now home to a small community of around 2,500 inhabitants and welcomes a steady stream of tourists from Caracas. Visitors can stroll the village streets and admire the church, school, and central plaza, all built into the mountainside; tuck into regional specialties at a local restaurant; or browse the many roadside stalls, selling traditional handicrafts, fresh strawberries and cream, and homemade jams, juices, and sweets.
