Venezuela

Types of trips: Adventure, Sport, Geographical, Culture, History, Nature

Best known for: Oil, Angel Falls, Ethnic Diversity

Why Go?: Venezuela is one of the less traditional South American destinations, but boasts a huge variety of things to see and do and has a greatly diverse culture and population. With hiking, scuba diving, all sorts of surfing and paragliding all available in Venezuela, it's a country of potential - adventure and exploration are key attractions here!

Fact File

Population: 30,000,000

Capital: Caracas

Language(s): Spanish

Ties to the UK?: Friendly relationship, increasingly popular travel destination

Landscape: Some northern coastal lowlands, with the end of the Andes mountain range extending into the country also in the north. Wide central plains with higher regions in the south with waterfalls and thick forest. 

Climate/Seasons: Temperature varies little throughout the year but drops as altitude increases. The dry season in Venezuela runs from around November - April with the rest of the year much wetter.

When to Go: Although the rain won't affect travelling around too much, the dry season is the most pleasant time to visit Venezuela. However, certain natural destinations such as Angel Falls are at their prime during the wet season - if there is a specific sight you wish to see, make sure to research when the best time of year to visit it is. 

Reasons to Visit: Natural wonders, Diverse cultural experiences, Sporting opportunities

How to Get There: Air travel is the best way to get to Venezuela from the UK - there are several good international airports including one near the capital.

Places to Go: Galeria de Arte Nacional, Aeronautics Museum of Maracay, Children's Museum of Caracas

Famous People: Nicolas Maduro, Tui Sutherland, Miguel Cabrera, Simon Bolivar

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada, Angel Falls, Mochima National Park, La Isla Margarite

History: Was the first Spanish colonised country to declare independence in early 1800's, with some politcal unrest in the 19th and 20th centuries. 

Architecture: Iglesia de San Francisco, Caracas Cathedral, Miraflores Palace

Culture: Mix of the native culture and African and Spanish influences.

Sport: Baseball, Basketball, Football

Events: Mardi Gras, Feria del Sol, The Burial of the Sardine, San Benito el Moro

Watch Out For: Political demonstrations/protests in cities can sometimes get rowdy or violent - avoid them if you can!

Medical Issues: Some vaccines and boosters are recommended - see here for a general overview, but always consult with a doctor prior to travel.