Avenida Bolivar
Why? A holiday in Caracas is a rather daunting experience
as this is a chaotic, polluted and intimidating concrete jungle,
seething with humanity. Those who are brave enough to travel to
Caracas are rewarded with a chance to get a true perspective of
Venezuela by exploring its capital city, and there are more than
enough sights to fill a holiday. For relief from the crowded city
it is possible to make pleasant excursions by cable-car up the
Avila Mountain that overshadows the city.
When? Caracas has a tropical climate that is moderated by
its altitude, therefore it is warm and sunny all year round, so any
time is a good time for a Caracas holiday.
Who for? A holiday in Caracas is for the intrepid traveller
who is not averse to putting up with squalid conditions and the
threat of crime in order to discover the nitty gritty on one of the
world's most populated metropolises.
More Info: The more you know before you go on a Caracas
holiday the better you will be able to deal with conditions in this
human ant-hill. Our comprehensive Caracas travel guide is packed
with information about health, safety, public transport and a host
of useful facts and figures.
Overview
Caracas, capital of Venezuela, hosts the country's international
airport and is therefore the gateway for visitors. This immense
metropolis is home to nearly five million people, situated in the
north, between the sea and the foot of the Avila Mountain.
It began as a Spanish colonial settlement, founded by Diego de
Losada more than 400 years ago, its growth burgeoning since the
1970s oil boom. Today the sprawling, untidy city throbs with life,
the landscape dominated by high-rise office and apartment
buildings, threaded through with knots of motorways and junctions,
all against the impressive backdrop of the lush, green mountain.
All sorts of races, cultures and creeds throng the streets of the
concrete jungle, which contain gourmet restaurants, bustling
shopping precincts, museums, concert halls, fine art galleries and
the massive Bellas Artes cultural centre. Sights there are aplenty,
including the 19th century neo-Gothic Santa Capilla church, the
birthplace of Simon Bolivar, the palace of Joaquin Crespo, and the
Sofia Imber Museum of Contemporary Art (with works by Matisse,
Picasso and Chagall as well as Venezuelan artists).
Those who need a break from the urban energy can slip away for a
hike on the nearby mountain slopes, or take a day trip to the
surprising Bavarian-inspired town of La Colonia Tovar.
