Caracas
Travel Guide > South America > Venezuela > Caracas
In this Article
- Introduction
- Neighbourhoods
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Weather
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Eat
- Drink
- Sleep
- Work
- Learn
- Keep Connected
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Introduction
Venezuela's capital Caracas is located in the north of the country and is the most populated city in Venezuela. Venezuela's major international airport is located in Caracas, making it the primary entry point to the country for visitors. Located near the coast, Caracas is situated in a valley at an altitude of roughly 800 meters (2400 feet). This gives the city a unique climate which many describe as the Caracas' best feature - never too hot and never too cold.
Caracas has a bad reputation amongst travellers as it offers very little in the way of charming and beautiful. Consisting of densely packed concrete buildings, it is a congested and polluted city. On top of that, many parts of the city are considered downright dangerous, even during the day. Taking the proper precautions however, Caracas will provide you with a unique and interesting travel experience. One of the most popular activities for visitors is ascending Avila (2600 metres), the mountain at which foot Caracas lies. You can reach the top either by cable car or by foot, which is roughly a 3 to 4 hour hike. Caracas is also an important cultural center and it's museum of modern art is one of the best in South America.
Caracas is hard place to visit, to have an enjoyable trip to this city is strongly recommended to be oriented by a "Caraqueño" who can give you, tips to a safer a funny trip. If you want to know the fancy and avoid the danger, keep about the following "urbanizaciones": Altamira, La Castellana, Los Palos Grandes, Sebucan, Chuao, Las Mercedes, El Hatillo, El Rosal, Campo Alegre, El Cafetal (Este de Caracas). If you want to taste the "third world" feeling, visit on daylight and leaving your important belongs safe at your accomodation: Sabana Grande and El Centro de Caracas, Bellas Artes, El Ateneo and Parque Central. Avoid any place on the western part of the city, and avoid "Petare" in the eastern part of the city.
Quoting spruce16
I visited caracas for a short period of time. I did not see much of the dangers of which we were warned. it is a very lively city and was very enjoyable. there was only one incident when my english guide stole our money!! but other than that great fun and brilliant if you are looking for culture.
Neighbourhoods
Sights and Activities
Events and Festivals
Weather
Caracas has a tropical climate but with somewhat lower average temperatures and rainfall. Maximum temperatures are between 24 and 27 degrees Celcius, minimum temperatures around 16 degrees year round. June to November is the wet season, with around 100 mm of rain during each month, while January to April is fairly dry, with only about 20 mm of rain a month on several days each month.
Getting There
By Plane
International
Simón Bolívar International Airport of Maiquetia (CCS) is located near Caracas. Aero Postal offers flights from both airports to Florida, Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Aruba and Curacao. Iberia has flights to and from Madrid, while Lufthansa serves Frankfurt and Air France serves Paris. Other destinations are mainly within the region, Havana and a few American cities.
Domestic
Aserca, Avior and Santa Barbara Airlines all have scheduled domestic flights to almost all airports in the country from Caracas. The main destinations include Maracaibo, Merida and Ciudad Bolivar.
By Train
By Car
By Bus
There are direct buses between Caracas and Bogota, the capital of Colombia. If you want to visit the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia from Venezuela, there are direct buses from Caracas all the way to Santa Marta and Cartagena.
The main long distance bus companies for domestic travels are Rodovias, Aeroexpresos Ejecutivos and Peli Express.
By Boat
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Budget
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Altamira | Avenida Jose Felix Sosa | Hotel | 63 |
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This is version 12. Last edited at 10:56 on Aug 1, 09 by Hien (-301). 12 articles link to this page.
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