Types of Tourism in Venezuela
EXCURSIONS
The largest cities of Venezuela offer tourists an extensive excursion program. For example, from Caracas (Caracas) you can go anywhere in Venezuela, fortunately, there are plenty of attractions in the country. Of the short excursions in Caracas, they offer trips to the nearby El Avila National Park and the city of Colonia Tovar, where the descendants of German immigrants live. The city of Merida is the starting point for travel through the mountainous western part of the country, where the majestic Andes rise. It also offers tours to the largest lake in South America – Maracaibo (Lago Maracaibo), where there is a unique natural phenomenon “catatumbo lightning”. From the city of Barinas (Barinas) depart through the vast savannah of Llanos (Los Llanos). Coro is known for its surrounding Los Medanos de Coro National park sand dunes and nearby deserted Paraguana Peninsula and Morrocoy Marine National park. Kumana Cityis considered one of the oldest settlements founded by Europeans in the New World. From here you can reach the magnificent beaches of the Mochima National Park, the Araya Peninsula and the Paria Peninsula. Tours of the Orinoco Delta start from Maturin, and CiudadBolivar is the starting point for exciting journeys through the Guiana Highlands, home to the country’s most famous protected area, the Canaima National Park. BEACH HOLIDAYS The most popular places for a beach holiday in Venezuela are the Los Roques archipelago and Isla de Margarita . The archipelago of Los Roques has the status of a national park and its main attraction is untouched nature. It attracts not only tourists who want to relax on snow-white beaches and swim in crystal clear waters, but also diving enthusiasts from all over the world. Margarita Island boasts 300 km of beaches. There are beaches for every taste: secluded and noisy with bars and restaurants, with waves and calm waters, surrounded by vegetation and deserted. Moreover, the popularity of the island is added by the fact that it is a free trade zone, in local stores you can buy clothes of famous brands, alcohol and other products at relatively low prices. Check top-medical-schools.org for travel information in Venezuela.
From the beaches of mainland Venezuela the beaches of the states of Aragua (Aragua state) and Carabobo (Carabobo state) – Choroni (Choroni), Kata (Cata), Cuyagua and Puerto Cabello (Puerto Cabello) stand out in particular; the beaches of the Morrocoy Marine National park, located on the northwest coast near Koro, and the Mochima National Park, located on the northeast coast near Cumana; and the beaches of the Paria Peninsula.
DIVING
Northern coast of Venezuela washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, whose rich underwater world attracts diving enthusiasts from all over the world. The most popular diving destination in the country is the Los Roques archipelago. In 1972, the islands of the archipelago were declared a national park. The park includes all the islands of the archipelago, surrounding the Central Lagoon with an area of 400 square meters. km, coral reefs and two barrier reefs (on the eastern and southern sides of the archipelago). 4 species of turtles live in the local waters (caretta turtle, Byss turtle, green turtle, leatherback turtle), 61 species of corals, 60 species of sponges, 280 species of fish, 200 species of crustaceans (crabs, lobsters, etc.), 140 species of mollusks and 45 echinoderm species. From the main settlement of the archipelago of the village of Gran Roque (Gran Roque) dive tours are arranged. Underwater visibility ranges from 15 to 40 m. During diving, you can see underwater walls covered with corals and sponges, pillars and caves and, of course, a wide variety of marine life. Beginner divers and snorkelers will enjoy the quiet inter-island lagoons, while advanced divers should head to the dive sites of the eastern and southern barrier reefs of the archipelago.
You can also see the underwater world of the Caribbean Sea in the Mochima National Park on the northeast coast of the country near the city of Cumana. While diving, you will see coral reefs, underwater plateaus, sunken boats, anemones (sea anemones), a variety of tropical fish, dolphins, turtles, and sometimes whales.
There are also diving opportunities in the western Caribbean coast at the Morrocoy Marine National park, which is located near Coro. The calm waters of this part of the Caribbean Sea are suitable even for inexperienced divers.
SURFING
The Francisqui Islands, part of the Los Roques archipelago, are known for their excellent conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. During the year, northeast winds blow here, the speed of which in the period from December to June reaches 10 m/s. On the Lower Island of Francisca there is a windsurfing center – Vela Windsurfing Center, where you can rent all the necessary equipment and use the services of instructors.
There are also opportunities for kite and windsurfing on Isla de Margarita. In the southern part of the island, 5 km west of the airport, there is Playa El Yaque beach. Most of the year in this part of the coast trade winds blow at a speed of 10 to 15 m/s. Maximum speeds are observed from January to May. Playa El Yaque is suitable for both experienced surfers and beginners, because the waters here are not deep. There are kitesurf stations on the beach, where instructors and equipment for rent are offered. Among kitesurfers, the island of Coche, located south of Margarita, is also popular, where on the beach of Playa La Punta (Playa La Punta) lovers of this sport constantly rest. In addition, all the beaches of the east coast of Margarita Island, which is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, are a favorite vacation spot for surfers, because a good wave is constantly observed here.
On the east coast of the country’s largest peninsula – the Paraguana Peninsula – stretches the beaches of Adicora, El Supi, Tiraya and Las Cumaraguas, famous among windsurfers. In this part of the coast, steady northeast winds constantly blow, allowing you to sail with a sail.
FISHING
City of La Guaira, north of Caracas, is known as one of the best places in the world for deep sea fishing. In the area of the city, 20 km from the coast, there is a vast underwater shallow – La Guaira Bank. It acts as a natural barrier to sea currents, as a result of which huge masses of plankton accumulate here, attracting large marine animals. Blue and white marlin, sailfish, dorado, wahoo and yellowfin tuna are found in these places.
Fishing is very popular on the islands of the Los Roques archipelago (Los Roques), especially for albul (“bony fish”). You can also catch tarpons, pampanos, barracudas, perches and mullets here.
Truly exotic fishing is offered to tourists who have visited the Orinoco River Delta: there is an opportunity to catch predatory piranha fish.