Overview

Venezuela is bordered by the Caribbean in the north, Atlantic Ocean and Guyana in the east, Colombia in the west and southwest, and Brazil in the south. The country is constituted by four regions, each of which is unique in its own respect.

In the year 1498, Venezuela was claimed as a Spanish territory by the explorer Christopher Columbus. The Spanish rule was administered from a distance up to the eighteenth century. Therefore, the regions grew and developed on their own. But, Simón Bolívar led a widespread resistance and in the year 1830, Venezuela finally gained its sovereignty under the brave leadership of José Paéz.

Attractions & Activities

Venezuela has tropical beaches, jungles, waterfalls, forests, and mountains. The lowlands serve as a base to huge diversity of lush plants, trees and wildlife. The high peaks of the Andes provide exciting challenges that hikers and mountaineers will love. The clear blue waters of the Caribbean are ideal for diving and snorkeling, while the neighboring islands present themselves for exploration. Venezuela boasts of the highest waterfall in the world, the Angel Falls, which is more than 16 times the height of Niagara Falls. The world's highest and longest cable car is also located in Venezuela and the cable car ferries tourists from Mérida to Pico Espejo. Caracas, the capital city, has numerous historical sites including a number of museums and art galleries. Within the city, you can spot a delightful blend of ancient and contemporary architecture. So, take a cultural city tour or plunge into thrilling adventure activities the country has to offer.

Lodging

Visitors to Venezuela have the choice of a pampered resort experience. But as with many areas of Latin America, you will need to weigh your preference for cleanliness against your budget constraints. The most inexpensive option is camping in an idyllist location, and a few areas actually charge for the campsite. Many of the beaches on the Caribbean coast allow you to pitch your tent for the night with no restrictions or fees. In the more popular tourist locales, you can spot posadas, which are basically guest houses. Some of them will offer breakfast and room service for no more than $20 per person per night's stay. If it's a deluxe accommodation that you desire, then you may look for traditional hotels, but they turn out to be fairly expensive at about $100 or more per night.

Transportation

Caracas has a 35 station metro system, which is fairly convenient and inexpensive. While conventional bus services have grown out of fashion in recent years, the use of por puestos (share-taxis) is predominant in Venezuela. You will find the fares comparable to those of the busses, but they may be higher during the evenings and on the weekends. Meters are generally turned off after midnight, so you will need to agree and arrive at a fare before you embark on the journey. Please take note that taxi fares double late at night and hence if you are on a budget, it is best that you avoid late night travel. The taxi rates are listed on signs at the airport. For your safety, you should only use the white taxis with yellow number plates.