Venezuela

The South-American country of Venezuela is known for its stunning landscape and natural beauty. Due to economic sanctions, Venezuela was hit hard by a crisis which resulted in poverty, higher crime rates and political instability. As a result, heeding government advisory before planning a trip is highly recommended.

What happened to Venezuela is quite heartbreaking, and we hope the country gets back its normal life soon, so that people can travel and explore its stunning beauty. But for the moment, let us leave its turmoil aside and focus on the positive – and what Venezuela can offer visitors.

First of all, the 979m high Angel Falls (also known as Salto Angel) – the highest waterfall in the world is located in Venezuela, and is its topmost attraction. To give you a perspective of its immensity, the Angel Falls is almost 16 times higher than Niagara Falls, more than 3 times the height of the Eiffel Tower or 150m taller than Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper! However, it is not easy to get here – there are no roads connecting Angel Falls. You have to fly to the closest town Canaima, take a boat from there along Rio Carrao, and then trek through the jungle to reach the base of the falls. It is worth the effort, and the pristine wilderness of the area will remind you that you are far from civilization and in nature’s lap.

Another nature lover’s delight is Mount Roraima – located at the eastern border with Brazil. Unique rock formations, stunning waterfalls and the rugged terrain makes this area a hiker’s playground. In north-east Venezuela, Delta del Orinoco National Park (also known as Mariusa National Park) consists of a river delta, dotted with a maze of islands and mangrove swamps and offers some great wildlife watching opportunities from water.

The adventure-sports capital of Venezuela and a charming university town – Merida, located in the Venezuelan Andes, is the preferred choice for travelers to base themselves and explore the region. While paragliding is the major adventure activity, you can also enjoy hiking, canyoning, rafting and mountain biking in nearby Sierra Nevada and Sierra La Culata national parks. The town is safe and affordable, and has a young and cultured university population, which makes it a good place to indulge in some nightlife. The town also makes a great base to explore the everlasting lightning storm at Catatumbo (Beacon of Maracaibo) and the grassland plain of Los Llanos – a major wildlife-watching destination in Venezuela, and home to caimans, capybaras, anacondas, anteaters and a wide variety of birds.

Birthplace of Simon Bolivar, Venezuela’s capital Caracas is a sprawling metropolis and can feel somewhat dull – it is currently one of the most dangerous places in the country and should be avoided altogether if you’re travelling to Venezuela. However, nearly 150 km away from the capital, in the Caribbean Sea lies the Los Roques archipelago – home to around 300 islands. Most of these islands are uninhabited and known for their rich marine life and underwater activities. This is an area where you can go island hopping and discover great beaches.