Sightseeing in Caracas - what to see. Complete travel guide

Caracas is a Latin American city that is developing dynamically in our modern times. However, before starting their adventure in this Venezuelan megalopolis, tourists need to keep in mind that the crime level here is quite high, just like in most large cities. That being said, travelers can escape unpleasant situations if they know how and when to explore the city. Caracas is a typical city that has both rich and poor districts. It is a bad idea to visit poor quarters with expensive gadgets and wearing fancy clothes. Don’t forget about this simple rule, and nothing will spoil your vacation here.

Captain Diego de Losada was the founder of Venezuela’s capital. This event took place in 1567. Initially, the city had another name - Santiago de León de Caracas. The name is quite long, isn’t it? The city’s name is actually a combination of several names. The first part of the name refers to Santiago, a Spanish patron saint. The second part of the name refers to Pedro Ponce de León, the region’s governor. Finally, the last part of the name refers to a tribe that inhabited this land. Caracas had a strategically beneficial location that protected it from pirates. The Peak of El Avila safely protects the city from sea invasions.

Caracas became the capital in 1577, and the city’s development started since that time. Even numerous earthquakes and endless attempts of pirates to plunder the city couldn’t harm Caracas. However, the city didn’t have any significant natural resources just like the rest of the country. This land didn’t have silver and gold deposits, and this fact greatly slowed down Caracas compared to other Latin American cities. After the oil boom in the 20th century, the development of the city speeded up significantly. The population of Caracas started growing, and so first skyscrapers appeared here. Nowadays, Caracas is a large political and financial center of the country. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The capital of Venezuela is rich in landmarks. Every tourist can easily find the variant that is the most suitable for them. The Miraflores Palace definitely deserves the attention of travelers. This is an important national landmark. The beautiful palace dates back to the 19th century. This is the official workplace of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The luxury of the gorgeous palace and its beautiful paintings were hidden from the general public for many years.

In modern times, a part of the presidential palace has been transformed into a museum. The museum’s exhibition is dedicated to the history of the Bolivarian Revolution. For visitors, this is a fantastic opportunity to see the palace from the inside. Tourists can see the luxurious setting, in which presidential families used to live. A gold sun donated by the Peruvian government is one of the main artifacts displayed here.

Young guests of the city are welcome to attend a special museum for children established in 1982. This is the right place for curious visitors who want to learn more about different sciences, technology, the culture and history of Venezuela. Is your child interested in botanic? In this case, he or she will find it interesting to visit the museum’s halls dedicated to the flora of the region. The fauna hall is a true magnet for all visitors who wish to see different species of animals that live in Latin America and Venezuela in particular. Finally, the museum has been hosting interesting events dedicated to space for more than twenty-five years.

When it comes to sunbathing, both residents of Caracas and tourists enjoy visiting Balneario Camuri Chico, a popular public beach. Here, visitors will find several naturally formed bays, each of which is a calm pool without a strong current. At Balneario Camuri Chico, visitors can enjoy a truly exciting activity – they can try to catch crabs. Soft and warm ocean water is perfectly suitable for families with small children. Parents can relax knowing that their kids are safe. All beach gear is available for rent. There are also several cafes along the coast where visitors can pamper themselves with delicious ice cream and refreshing cocktails.

The Metrocable is definitely one of the most prominent landmarks in Caracas. The cable car will take you to the top of the mountain from the city center. The length of the Metrocable is two kilometers. You will be able to see the panorama of the city from a bird’s eye view and admire Caracas and the surrounding area. When the cable car takes you to the top of El Avila, you can use binoculars to admire a mesmerizing view of the sea. This is fantastic and absolutely unforgettable scenery that is sure to leave many warm memories.

Many countries do not have a direct air connection to Caracas. Passengers usually make a change in Frankfurt, Paris or London. As a rule, the flight lasts roughly twenty hours. After you arrive in Caracas, you can take a bus to the city center that departs every hour or get a taxi. It is also possible to get to the capital of Venezuela by water. La Guaira and Maracaibo are the main ports in the country.