Let me tell you about my unforgettable trip to Caracas City!
This place is a slice of paradise nestled along Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, with stunning beaches, tall palm trees, and lush greenery all around.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to be here, right?
As I arrived, I noticed tourists from all over the world mingling with locals, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the place.
On the horizon was Margarita Island, a popular resort that looked like a postcard come to life.
But the real highlight of my trip was the Teleferico Ride, which gave me an unparalleled view of Caracas City at an affordable price.
The cable car was surprisingly well-maintained, despite its vintage charm.
And as I soared over the dense vegetation of Avila or the El Avila National Park (Guaraira Repano), the breathtaking panorama of the entire city unfolded before my eyes.
At the top, I strolled between the chalets selling all the typical Venezuelan treats, like dulce de leche, guava candies, tamarindo, or the fresas con crema.
And let me tell you, those treats were like a party in my mouth!
But the adventure didn’t stop there.
I hopped on a jeep for an exciting journey to a small Galipan village located in Avila, where I had the rare chance of meeting its hospitable locals.
Watching them engage in creating their livelihood, heavily reliant on handicraft making, was a humbling experience that gave me a new perspective on life.
Now, I’m not one to brag, but my trip to Caracas City was a real hit, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves nature, adventure, and vibrant cultures.
Don’t miss out on this unique travel experience – your taste buds and your soul will thank you for it!
When is the Best time to Visit Caracas?
Caracas city has an agreeable climate all year round even if Venezuela lies just north of the equator.
However, the low lying areas are very hot.
If there are areas or cities with so little rain, vegetation cannot survive and the land becomes a desert.
But in Caracas, the temperature barely ever changes so you can visit the city and its connected shorelines at whatever time of the year.
The coldest
The winter season and the cold atmosphere is still manageable despite the presence of heavy fog in the morning.
For national events, the best time to visit and when the city becomes more festive and vibrant is every July 24th.
It is Simon Bolivar’s (1783 – 1830) birthday and most of the celebration happens around his monument in Caracas City.
It is one of the greatest festivals and an extraordinary time to party and celebrate with the majority of the Caraqeueños.
Best Things to do when in the city of Caracas
So ready to dive into the vibrant city of Caracas?
Get ready for an adventure filled with delicious street food, exploring breathtaking landscapes like Avila National Park, and immersing yourself in the lively local culture at Plaza Bolívar.
Let’s uncover the best things to do in this bustling Venezuelan gem:
Galipan, Venezuela
The tour of Galipan, Venezuela is an excellent ride with the most beautiful view of the city of Caracas.
You have not been to Venezuela if you don’t make the mandatory stop to the district of Galipán, which has easy access from the cable car ride.
Besides being one of the most beautiful views of the city, the tour lets you enjoy a little cold mountain climate and splurge on eating strawberries with whipped cream, arepas, sandwiches of ham, or simply taking a hot chocolate.
To explore it further, ride on the park’s rustic trucks that will take you to the village of Galipán, where you can find more options for food, horseback riding and crafts.
Take your camera and a jacket because the temperatures are always lower here than in Caracas.
Caracas, like any big city can become overwhelming at times.
If you have such moments, pump your adrenaline and escape to Galipán.
To reach it, you must take the cable car from the Cerro Ávila Park, and once up there, grab a “coach” for 15 bolivars to Galipán.
While on the way, feast on the beautiful scenery and attractions you can see from above.
The place has a very pleasant mountain climate and menus differ from one restaurant to another.
Meet the locals, taste their food, ride an old coach, take pictures, breathe fresh air, and watch local shows, and get a glimpse of the Caribbean Sea are just a few of the things to do here in Galipan.
The picturesque scene is indeed a delight from this vantage point.
Most Popular Caracas attractions
Centro de Arte La Estancia
The Centro de Arte La Estancia (Officially PDVSA La Estancia Art Center) is a cultural center located in an old colonial farm.
The functions of the institution include the restoration, promotion and dissemination of the historical and artistic heritage of Venezuela.
Its purpose is to support the programs of social development and enhance national cultural identity.
Caracas needs more places like this!
La Estancia, as known by Caraqeueños is a great place to lay on the grass, read a book, make a picnic or meet with friends.
Besides the beautiful garden, it is a cultural center with lots of activities.
Update yourself with the activities of the month by picking up a brochure with the schedule of their monthly events and list of activities to offer.
CALE of Caracas, a free attraction is very beautiful and safe, it was originally an ancient land of the Bolivarian Guard and located next to a few ministries renovated by PDVSA which conducts various amusement and art shows throughout the year.
Such as cultural performances, Capoeira dance, art lessons and yoga class.
The park is not average and is always with young people who are enthusiastic to learn about the wide variety of short courses and activities they can explore in this center.
It is well maintained, organized, and has free Wi-Fi spots making it another good reason to stay, sit, relax, while checking your emails.
Paseo de Los Proceres
The place is extremely beautiful, impressive and helps every visitor to understand a little about the history of the Americas.
The Paseo de Los Proceres has splendid looking gardens.
It looks serene as the heavens above and the monument to the men who defended the Americas is given a special spot in every corner of this famous park in Caracas.
Above all, the place exudes a feeling of peace despite being surrounded by war tanks everywhere.
According to a marker in one of the monuments, it was designed with the intention of harboring festive solemnities of the military forces.
It is a safe place to stroll because it is kept secured by the military and surrounded by the terrible memories of war and hardship of the people.
It is the best option for an outdoor recreational park adventure for the family.
In the central part you can see the name of the main leaders of the independence and the statue of the principal characters including Simon Bolivar, named and famous for being “The Great Liberator”.
He lead the revolution that freed the following countries;
Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, from Spanish control in the early 1800s.
Teleferico (Cable Car Caracas)
The Teleferico (Cable Car Caracas) is one of the best tourist attractions in Caracas and the most excellent opportunity to see the city from above.
The queue is quite long on weekends, but they put things like dances or local music performers in order to entertain visitors while waiting.
The highest point it reaches is about 1800 m and has a great view of Caracas (if it’s not cloudy and you’re lucky with the weather) Up there it is pretty cool!
It offers a little adventure or immersion into the culture of the Galipans.
It is a very long cable car and when you reach the top there is a small park with a magnificent visual of the mountains and a lot of food, drink, and souvenir shops.
Famous Caracas Venezuela tourist attractions
Centro de Arte Los Galpones
The Centro de Arte Los Galpones is a cultural center surrounded by lush green and creativity.
The cultural center houses several art galleries, a library, and a restaurant.
On weekdays tranquility reigns.
Saturday and Sunday are perfect for taking the kids because there are lots of engaging exhibitions and scheduled activities.
The gallery also offers art workshops for kids and teens.
It is a nice space dedicated to culture with various galleries and presentations from local artists.
It has a café, restaurant, garden, outdoor movies, and scheduled cultural events.
In a city where there are few places of entertainment, these cultural attractions are greatly appreciated and you have to enjoy them.
You can spend an afternoon or bring the kids to learn more about art and culture of Caracas City.
Hacienda Floresta
These are the former premises of the coffee plantation of Hacienda Floresta that is now transformed into a recreational and cultural park to every visitor of the Caracas.
It is basically comprised of three areas: First, the gardens are near the entrance, beautifully decorated with colorful flowers, with roadside banks and the perfect location to enjoy nature.
Then there is the farmhouse where they usually perform various exhibitions, and cultural shows which keeps the hardware needed for coffee processing.
And finally on the right side (as viewed from the entrance) to the bottom there is a wide ideal space for outdoor recreational activities, including a children’s playground meadow.
All the spaces are clean and well cared for.
It provides visitors with basic amenities like toilets and drinking fountains. Despite being under the national government, the political propaganda is fairly contained.
And it is located in one of the safest part of the city. Admission is free.
It is an oasis in the city of chaos.
The sum of its attributes makes it without a doubt one of the best recreation options currently available in Caracas for both locals and visitors.
Casa Natal de Simon Bolivar
The Casa Natal de Simon Bolivar is the birthplace of Simon Bolivar and a reconstruction of the house of the Liberator and his family.
It allows you to understand the family context in which it is formed and grown.
The museum is much more interesting because it also includes the painstaking process of how the reconstruction of this entire place went through and the help given by the Venezuelan society.
It also highlights the arrival of the conquerors until the final part of the revolution.
In Caracas City everything is about Simon Bolivar and visiting his birthplace, beautiful colonial mansion, and museum are part of the historic tour of the city.
It is an interesting old building with beautiful interiors, especially with the impressive paintings that were creatively painted directly on the walls.
Cool entertainment in Venezuela
Panteón Nacional
The Panteon Nacional is perfectly located in one of the best areas of Caracas and should be visited if you are interested in learning about the history of Venezuela.
From this cemetery you can find the preserved relics of Simon Bolivar and his sword.
In general everything is inspired by the founding fathers of Venezuela and there are lots of statues and monuments dedicated to them here.
On the outside of the National Pantheon , you can appreciate lots of charming architecture.
In front, there is a church and on the back there is a modern designed mausoleum that house the bodies of some ex-presidents, and especially the body of Simón Bolívar, who was transferred there some years ago.
It is located in the city center. About 15 minutes walk from the house of Simon Bolivar. Important Note: the site does not open on Mondays.
It is an appropriate posthumous museum for the late leaders of the revolution who fought hard for the total independence of Venezuela.
What do Venezuelans do for fun?
Galeria de Arte Nacional & Museo de Bellas Artes
The Galeria de Arte Nacional & Museo de Bellas Artes groups a number of museums and theaters in Caracas, all within walking distance.
The row of museums and the Bellas Artes is recommended for those who want to see up close some of the works of Armando Reveron, one of the masters of Venezuelan painting.
It has a great collection of works, including some from the major artists of South America. There is no entrance fee to explore this huge gallery of Venezuelan art.
Take an afternoon walk around the park and lots of pictures when you enter the Museum of Fine Arts.
The museum consists of two buildings, which at two different times represents the contemporary architectural history of Caracas.
The Neoclassical and Modern designs are evident in their structures and in the same way, their movement into the rooms.
You can spend an entire afternoon between temporary exhibitions and permanent collection. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most important cultural centers of Caracas.
This is because it was the first Museum of Venezuela and the first collection of art in the country.
Do not forget, the neoclassical building housed the National Gallery of Art until 2009 and now has a separate new home of the Museum of Fine Arts.
It is worth visiting the entire museum and don’t forget to include the tour of the nearby Parque Carabobo.
Catedral Metropolitana de Caracas
The Catedral Metropolitana de Caracas is essentially a majestic building that has stood the test of time for many years.
It has remained unscathed and has evidently seen all kinds of national and political events of the city.
The clock is located on the highest part of the church and has always been there marking the passage of time and letting everyone feel his importance.
It is one of the most iconic and significant places of the inhabitants of Caracas because it holds so much national history and tradition of the first inhabitants of the city.
It is a special place outside the busy capital.
It is a small cathedral, by the standards of the cathedrals and churches in Latin America.
It is not highly decorated and so simple but very neat and holds the traditional holy mass in great devotion every Sunday.
Iglesia de San Francisco
The Iglesia de San Francisco is a remarkable church nestled in the center of Caracas City.
It is situated a few blocks from the Plaza Bolivar and close to many other tourist attractions of the city.
The church of San Francisco is a refuge for reflection.
The church has a magnificent altar and there are a number of other valuable pieces of religious art that are still proudly displayed and revered inside this ancient church.
In fact this church has the most number of icons and images displayed among other churches you can find around the city.
This church is of great colonial lineage.
And it is here where devotees faithfully revere the images of San Francisco, St.
Jude, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
This church is just in front of the National Assembly.
Museo de Arte Contemporaneo
In this museum you will find gems of contemporary and classic art.
During the decade of the 1990’s, it was the museum with the largest collection of contemporary art in Latin America.
Today, you can see a great variety of works from Francis Bacon, Henry Moore, Picasso, Lucio Fontana and the fascinating Ski Lesson done by modern artist Joan Miró.
Undoubtedly, through the efforts of its founder Sofia Imber, Caracas now have unique copies of rare masterpieces worldwide just like the complete collection of The Vollard Suite by Pablo Picasso.
The comprehensive museum highlights all the important works from different artists all over the world in all 13 showrooms.
Please be guided accordingly once you enter the doors of the
Museo de Arte Contemporaneo
Caracas is a city of contrasts and welcomes every traveler into an abundance of interesting places to discover and learn.
It has successfully stressed the importance of patriotism , bravery, creativity, deep devotion to their Catholic faith, and utmost respect to the courageous heroes who first fought for independence of Venezuela.
It is also a great patron of art and culture and continues to support programs and centers that will promote their interesting customs and traditions.
