Today, Caracas is a dynamic and modern city, the economic center of the country (alas, it comes “complete” with all the problems of modern megacities, especially high crime). There are more restaurants per capita here than in any other Latin American city. See health-beauty-guides for types of travel in South America.

Caracas Transport

In Caracas, there is a modern and inexpensive metro, which is sometimes more popular than cars: clean air-conditioned cars have saved more than one tourist from the sweltering heat. As for taxis, they are usually equipped with meters here, although drivers are extremely reluctant to use them, preferring to negotiate the fare in advance. From 20:00, taxi fares double.

Foreign tourists are sometimes frankly cheated by turning on the meter and driving to their destination along the longest path. Therefore, it is always worthwhile to check with the hotel staff in advance the distance of the trip and approximate prices.

Shopping

Sabana Grande Street, closed to traffic, is famous for its many shops, souvenir shops and restaurants. Tables for games are also placed all over the street – Venezuelans, young and old, love chess and dominoes.

Entertainment and attractions of Caracas

Most of the attractions of Caracas are concentrated in the old part of the city – El Centro. A huge statue of the liberator of Venezuela rises in the central square, named after him.

According to computergees, Plaza Bolivar is rich in historical monuments: there is the Caracas Museum, the Catedral de Caracas, the Sacro de Caracas Museum with an extensive collection of religious art and Casa Amarilla. Just a block from the square is Casa Natal de Simon Bolívar, a large colonial-style house, also known as the El Libertador House Museum.

Other attractions: Pantheon Nacional, El Capitolio Nacional complex, Church of Iglesia de San Francisco, Museum of Modern Art (which displays both the best Venetian artists and paintings by Miró, Chagall, Léger and Picasso), Museum of Colonial Art and the Transport Museum.

Los Caobos park

There are three museums and two cultural centers in Los Caobos Park – the National Gallery, the Museum of Natural History, the Terreso Carrena Theater (the third largest in Latin America), the Museo del Arte Contemporoneo and the Museo de Los Niños (Children’s Museum).

Avila National Park

Very close to the city is the Avila National Park, which can be reached by climbing to the top of the mountain along hiking trails or in a comfortable red teleferico trailer, a cable car.