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Caracas, Venezuela

Caracas, Venezuela is a city of charm and grace, to which the visitor will be welcomed by people with a zest for life that is contagious. There is a diverse, young, and lively population that colors the streets of the capital with laughter, music, and unrestrained enthusiasm. The sophisticated tastes of the 4 million inhabitants demand an endless parade of boutiques and fine restaurants that crowd upscale commercial areas. Caracas has an enormous cultural center known as Bellas Artes, and it has museums and concert halls. This capital city is hip, fast paced, and altogether cosmopolitan. At the same time, the people exhibit a special warmth and hospitality.

Although Caracas is a sprawling metropolis, its places of interest can be explored comfortably in a day or two. Caracas can be divided into four principal areas of interest: the downtown El Centro district and its monument packed Plaza Bolívar; Parque Central and the surrounding Bellas Artes cultural district; Las Mercedes and the Bulevar Sabana Grande, with its many boutiques and restaurants; and the residential, wealthy suburbs of Altamira and La Castellana. Few of the museums charge admission fees, and there is much to see and learn in this South American capital.

Museums and cultural centers, lively bars, shopping and refined dining establishments are all interconnected by the city's clean, efficient subway system. The weather, too, facilitates exploring. At 3,000 feet above sea level, Caracas has one of the world's most comfortable climates, with an average daily temperature of 75°F.

Casa Natal
02-541-2563
Casa Natal is the house where the great leader Simón Bolívar was born. Held as a national leader and liberator, Simon Bolivar’s home is a pilgrimage site for many Venezuelans. The house features paintings from the world-renowned artist Tito Salas. The themes of the paintings focus on Bolívar's early life.

Catedral Metropolitana de Caracas
(Metropolitan Cathedral of Caracas)
Plaza Bolívar
02-862-1518
the Metropolitan Cathedral of Caracas was built in 1674. Amidst reconstruction and renovations, this impressive cathedral is the only church in Caracas to retain unaltered its original colonial façade. Inside the cathedral, the main altar is magnificent Baroque creation gilded with more than 300 pounds of gold leaf. A sight worth visiting!

Galería de Arte Nacional (National Art Gallery)
Plaza Morelos
02-571-3697
This museum features art from varied periods in Venezuela's history. The building in which the gallery resides is also shared by the Museo de Bellas Artes. The Museo de Bellas Artes exhibits a great variation of works from Egyptian pieces to modern international art.

Iglesia de San Francisco (St. Francis Church)
Av. Bolsa at Av. San Francisco
02-415-707
Designed in 1593, Iglesia de San Francisco is known as one of the most beautiful colonial churches in Caracas. The church is finely adorned with richly gilded altars.

Museo Bolívar
Av. San Jacinto at Av. Norte
02-459-828
Museo Bolivar is a tribute museum to the great Simon Bolivar. The museum features documents and historical paraphernalia related to Simón Bolívar. It documents his role in the Venezuela's War of Independence against Spain.

Museo Sacro de Caracas (Museum of Religious Art of Caracas)
Plaza Bolívar
02-861-6562
This former sacristy was built in 1844. It now showcases some of the most beautiful religious statues and costumes from the colonial era.

Palácio Municipal (City Hall)
Plaza Bolívar
02-545-6706
The palace is considered the cradle of Venezuelan Independence. The City Hall features the Museo de Caracas, which exhibits many aspects of Venezuela's early culture.

Panteón Nacional
The national mausoleum is the city's most recognized sight. It features a marble interior honoring the remains of 138 Venezuelan political and historical figures. The walls feature murals and artwork depicting the liberation of Venezuela.

Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Sofía Imber
(Sofía Imber Contemporary Art Museum)
Parque Central
02-573-7289
If while visiting Caracas you want to view regional art, then this is the place for you. The museum contains one of the most complete collections of modern art in South America.

Jardin Botanico
The Jardin Botánico occupies sixty hectares of a former sugar-cane hacienda. Over two thousand native plant species reside in this botanical garden.

Parque del Este
Av. Francisco de Miranda
Parque del Este is the largest public park in Caracas. It is the perfect place to enjoy baseball games, picnics and family excursions. It features an aviary and an incredibly interesting serpentarium. The park also includes a replica of the Santa María and a fabulous planetarium.

The Quinta Anauco
Av. Panteón, San Bernadino
551-86-50
The Quinta Anauco is officially called Museo de Arte Colonial. It is a restored colonial country house. It was originally built in 1797 and became a museum in 1961. The grounds of the house are well worth a visit for they house an impressive assortment of trees and other plant species. The house features a guided tours.