Caracas

People can find Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, in the picturesque valley between the mountain ranges. The city is surrounded by parks from different sides. The architecture of the city preserves the features of different eras, as the buildings of the colonial period coexist with modern high-rise buildings. Such a mixture of architectural styles combined with the noise of a modern metropolis creates an amazing sense of unreality. The atmosphere of an unusual city is enveloped in mystery, whereas further acquaintance with the city gives incredible impressions.

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Attractions of Caracas

The capital of Venezuela has many wonderful places for visitors — beautiful cathedrals, exciting museums, luxurious gardens, and parks. In order not to miss any of the attractions of the city, it is better to plan your itinerary in advance.

Bolívar Square

El Ávila National Park

National Pantheon of Venezuela

Parque del Este

La Estancia Public Park

Galipán

Population

Caracas is home to 3.3 million people. That is one-sixth of the total population of the country. Most of the city's inhabitants are mestizo. About 20% of city dwellers are descendants of Europeans: Spaniards, Portuguese, Italians. Members of the Negro race occupy up to 10% of the capital's population, and Indians occupy up to 2%. There are also many immigrants from Colombia. The vast majority of the city's citizens are Catholics. There is freedom of religion in Venezuela, so representatives of other religions are also comfortable here.

History of Caracas

A local tribe of Caracas Indians inhabited the city before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. The conquerors burned down the settlement and founded a city in its place in 1567, calling it Santiago de León de Caracas. It grew rapidly and soon became the center of the Province of Venezuela. In the middle of the XVII century, a major earthquake hit Caracas.

The beginning of the XIX century was marked by the first rebellions of the local population against the Spaniards. Soon the war for the colony's independence began. In 1813, Simon Bolivar, general of the revolutionary army, established his rule in Caracas. But he did not last long in the city. A year later, Bolivar's army was forced out by Spanish troops.

In 1818, Venezuela was declared a republic, which first became part of Colombia. But in 1830, it was already separated from it, and Caracas became the capital of the independent state of Venezuela.

In the second half of the XIX century, after the Federal war between the conservatives and liberals, the liberal A. G. Blanco was elected president. His reign was a period of prosperity for the city. New neighborhoods, railroads, and educational institutions were built here.

In 1999, Hugo Chavez became president. He gave the country a new name, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Its capital, Caracas, is now considered the economic, commercial, and cultural center of South America.

The best time to visit Caracas

The climate in the city is subequatorial and humid. Thanks to this, Caracas has warm weather all year round. The average annual temperature is +25ºC during the day and +21ºC ... +22ºC at night. The summer months are the rainy season. There are tropical downpours almost every day. But they disappear quickly, and then the sun comes out.

Every February, Caracas hosts the famous Venezuelan Carnival. For two days, lavish processions of people in colorful costumes parade through the streets, accompanied by noise, merriment, and the sound of drums and trumpets. They are joined by passersby, enchanted by the incredible atmosphere of the festival. The carnival ends with a magnificent fireworks display.

Tourists from many countries rush to Caracas in early June for the celebration of Corpus Christi. Although this is a religious festival, it is similar to a carnival. Costume parades parade through the streets. Performers in frightening costumes and masks dance to the sound of drums and guitars. The macabre merriment continues throughout the night.

You can explore Caracas at any time of the year. Holidays in a city with a mild climate, an abundance of fruits and vegetables, amazing sights will be remembered for a long time.

Useful notes

Public transport in the city consists of metro, buses, and cabs. The subway is clean, and the cars are air-conditioned. Official cabs are white cars with yellow plates. All of them are equipped with meters, but drivers try not to turn them on when they are not profitable. It is better to negotiate the fare in advance. Be sure to ask the hotel employees beforehand about the distance and the approximate cost. Cab drivers often try to cheat foreign tourists by turning on the meter and twisting extra kilometers.

Caracas is one of the five most dangerous cities in the world. The crime rate here is constantly increasing. Tourists should be cautious in crowded places, where theft and fraud are common. It is also not recommended to walk around the city at night. It is better not to visit the center of the capital even in the evening. The most dangerous areas of the city are the slums (barrios).

The cost of accommodation and food in Caracas is not high. For example, a 3-star hotel costs about $53 per night, and a 4-star hotel costs $126. The price of an inexpensive lunch for one starts at $4.7; a MacDonald's Big Mac Menu is about $9. Dinner at a respectable restaurant for two with alcohol will cost about $40.

Things to do in Caracas

Take a walk through the historic center of the city. Bolivar Square is central to Caracas and a favorite place for citizens and visitors to stroll. There is an equestrian statue of the national hero of Venezuela, Simon Bolivar. The main decoration of the square is the cathedral. This splendid white Gothic building was erected in the middle of the XVII century. There are burial places of Simon Bolivar's wife and parents.
See the colorful Iglesia de San Francisco. It was constructed in the XVI century. And at the end of the XIX century, the front part of the building was reconstructed. Today, the church charms tourists with its facade of white and yellow color, which perfectly harmonizes with the carved doors. Take note of the ceiba tree growing near the temple. It is a local landmark that is over 150 years old.
Visit the Museum of Modern Art, located in the new Central Park, which opened in 1973. It consists of five permanent rooms and eight temporary rooms. Here you can see works by both Venezuelan and foreign artists and sculptors. Its exhibitions feature paintings by P. Picasso, M. Pistoletto, V. Adami, M. Escobar, and other great masters of painting.
Admire the exhibits of the Museum of Fine Arts. Its beautiful snow-white building is located in the historical part of the city. Enjoy unique paintings, ceramics, and works of art. Visit the Egyptian Collection with bas-reliefs and funerary figurines of ancient Egyptians. The museum's main attraction is the sculpture garden of local and European artists.
Spend a day in the botanical garden of Caracas. Stroll through the garden's wide squares and boulevards and breathe in the overwhelming aroma of tropical plants. It stretches over 70 hectares. Here you can see orchids, ferns, cacti, and ornamental palms. There are over 2.5 thousand species of flora growing on its territory.
Give in to shopping. You should go shopping on Sabana Grande Street. It is a pedestrian boulevard, famous for its many stores, souvenir shops, and restaurants.
Taste the local cuisine. Order pabellón criollo (rice and bean-based dish with meat and fried bananas), empanada (fried corn dough cakes with a variety of fillings). Thrill-seekers can try the fried piranha. You can also order quesillo fruit pie as a dessert.