Things to do in Caracas, Venezuela

One of South America’s most underrated cities, Caracas is the true melting pot of all cultures here in Venezuela.

Here we can try some of the best street foods in the country, and also visit many important landmarks and museums that help us better understand the significant changes and history of Venezuela.

Caracas is also the gateway to many awesome natural areas which can be visited as day trips, including the El Ávila National Park along with its epic views from on top of the mountains.

Things to do in Caracas

In this guide we’ll explore Caracas, what to see and do, the best places to stay as well as our own top tips for a backpacking trip here.

Why Travel to Caracas?

There are many incredible reasons to visit the Venezuelan capital, however the most essential one to cover is that you can enjoy the city safely if you know where to base yourself.

The upscale districts of Chacao and Altamira are best for tourists, which have comfortable apartments and tons of great food options.

We’ll also find worthwhile sites nearby to explore, such as the Plaza Francia as well as the Mercado Municipal de Chacao.

Now whilst Caracas is usually used as a gateway from abroad to visit destinations like the breathtaking Angel Falls and the Los Roques Archipelago, the city itself is bursting with culture.

In the district of El Silencio we can try mouthwatering arepas and pastelitos in the street, and also visit essential historical sites such as El Panteón, Plaza Bolívar as well as the Simón Bolívar Birthplace House (the liberator of many Latin American nations from Spanish Rule, including that of Venezuela).

The people and culture of Caracas is also another big reason to spend time here in the capital. Very friendly and helpful, you’ll always hear tips and suggestions on where to go, what to eat and how to have a great time in the city. Venezuelans also love to dance and laugh a lot – and heading to a local salsa bar here is pretty much unrivaled!

How to Get to Caracas

The Venezuelan capital is the entry point into the country, and the majority of travelers will arrive via the international airport, which is located nearby.

You’ll find there are plenty of flights here daily, with the majority having a layover in either Colombia or Panama. We suggest looking for these particular routes given that they aren’t as expensive.

If you’re otherwise already in Venezuela, then buses from all over the country connect to the capital daily. For example, the bus from Mérida will take around 10 hours, whilst a bus from Puerto de la Cruz will take roughly 5 hours.

Where to Stay in Caracas

For first-timers, the districts of Chacao and Altamira are by far the best areas to stay in which are well built-up and are safe. Whilst there are apartments and hotels on Booking, many of these are more expensive and will be harder to swing on a backpacking budget.

Instead, you’ll find on AirBnb that there are many shared options to stay with locals whilst sticking to a lower budget, which is also similar throughout the rest of Venezuela at this time.

However, it is stil well worth checking out some of our favorite places such as Hotel Arroyo or even Pestana Caracas Hotel if you want some to see some variety.

Best Time to Visit Caracas

Caracas has a pretty distinct dry and wet season, and it’s good to know what to expect during different months of the year here.

The dry season begins in late December and lasts up until early April, and is the overall best time for a visit. Here we can expect anywhere from 0.3-1.5 inches of rainfall each month, with warm daily temperatures (which remain similar throughout the year). The contrasting wet season starts around late April, and runs all the way through to November.

Rainfall is much heavier during this time of year, with anything from 2.5-4.5 inches falling in any one month. If heading during this time, then you’ll definitely need a poncho or rain jacket handy! Be sure to learn more about the best time to visit Venezuela to help you plan your trip.

Venezuela Travel Insurance

Are you planning to visit Venezuela soon? It can be difficult to find a reputable provider who will cover you in this country. SafetyWing is a solid choice who provide a monthly renewable plan, which includes medical cover and multiple home visits during your trip.

Best Things to do and see in Caracas

Now that we’ve covered some basics about Caracas, let’s take a look at the very best things to see and do here.

The Chacao District

Whilst the best place to base yourself for safety reasons, this area of Caracas is also very lively with lots of things to see. During the day, you can head to the Municipal Market to try different local foods, and also hang out in the iconic Plaza Francia.

We’ll also find a variety of awesome bars and restaurants here too, with this area being quite safe to walk around both during the day and night.

Simón Bolívar Birthplace Museum

One of the most important figures in Venezuelan history, Simón Bolívar helped liberate the country from Spanish rule as well as many other neighboring countries such as Colombia, Peru and Panama.

In the district of El Silencio we can visit his birthplace home, which is a beautiful colonial house which has since been converted into a thorough museum that documents his entire life.

The Beaches Of La Guaira

Located around a 30-minute bus ride north of Caracas, we can find La Guaira, which is also the same region where the international airport is located.

Those who are heading to Margarita Island can catch the ferry here, and there are also a few beaches worth exploring from the capital in the area.

Playa Caleta and Playa Catamare are two of the best for some beach-chilling, and are also a nice escape from the bustle of the capital.

El Ávila National Park

These giant mountains loom over Caracas to the north, and are actually the reason the city has more comfortable temperatures (given it blocks the incoming Caribbean heat). An impressive spectacle to see from the city, even better is going up and hiking here.

You can take the gondola up for great views, and at the top you can explore the Humboldt Hotel and also head on a hiking route to Galipán. We suggest heading here earlier in the day, since it can get quite crowded by midday. By far one of the must-visits for anyone heading around Venezuela!

Caracas Backpacking Tips

Now we’ll share some of our best Caracas travel tips, based on our own experience:

Things to do in Caracas

And that’s all for our backpacking guide to Caracas. Bursting with authentic culture, the Venezuelan capital is a must-see when exploring this South American nation.

Here we’ll find impressive natural sights nearby that are worth visiting, and in the city we can try a plethora of really tasty dishes too!

In this guide, we’ve covered all you’ll need to know about Caracas. This includes the best things to see and do, the best time to visit, where to stay and much, much more.

If you’re currently working out your travel route here, we recommend reading our Backpacking Venezuela Itinerary next to help plan a longer trip through the country.

We hope you enjoyed reading this guide! If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.

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