Venezuela holidays : introduction
Embracing the Andes, the Amazon and over a thousand miles of Caribbean coast, Venezuela offers a wonderfully varied introduction to the sights and sounds of Latin America.
From Angel Falls, which cascades nearly a kilometre from one of the table-top mountains that may have inspired Conan Doyle’s Lost World, to the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, via plains and cloud forest, Venezuela is above all a display of exuberant nature.
High in the Andes, villagers eke out a living growing produce and crafts to sell in the markets of delightful colonial towns like Mérida. Musical talent is everywhere, from cowboy harpists to salsa and merengue bands and the life-enhancing Simón Bolívar and El Sistema youth orchestras.
Venezuela’s rich biodiversity guarantees superb wildlife watching. Mangrove, jungle, savanna and cloud forest sustain countless endemic and migratory species. Manatees and river dolphins inhabit the sprawling Orinoco delta, while the Llanos flood plains are prime territory for birds, caimans, capybaras and giant anteaters.
On the coast, endless sandy beaches are perfect for quiet getaways, either on the mainland or on islands like the Los Roques archipelago. Snorkelling and diving are exceptional too - corals, caves and wrecks creating dazzling playgrounds for exotic marine life.
Climate and when to go
As it is only just north of the Equator Venezuela has a hot climate all year. Increasing altitude in the Andes can mean cool nights and the coastal regions are hotter with very little rainfall at any time. There is a rainy season from May/June to October when short tropical downpours can be expected, and this is consequently a good time to see the waterfalls.
“We have watched birds in every continent and we have never had such a magical experience anywhere to compare with El Cedral. The profusion, proximity and variety of birds defies description and we greatly enjoyed every aspect of our visit there, although the food does not rate high marks. Villa Mangrovia is a jewel.” - PR
“Glad to see you've got a site at last! My wife and I did a package with you in Venezuela last November. We were delighted with the service we got from you: everything went to plan, and exceeded all our expectations. The hotel in Caracas was out of this world, and really cheap! Merida was wonderful and exciting. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to anyone. You can use this letter in promotional material if you like - you deserve it.” - RA
“Wonderful! Personal service, attention to detail and experience of location resulted in a fantastic holiday, one of the best so far! Thank you!” - R & PC
“Hosterķa La Sevillana was a lovely hotel, and there was good walking in the lower Andes. Thank you again for organising a great trip.” - MB
