Introduction
Infamous for its oil politics and rumbustious politicians, Venezuela is in fact a largely unknown destination. Venezuela travel has untapped potential; visitors taking holidays to Venezuela are rewarded with idyllic discoveries and adventure activities.
The capital Caracas, set in a narrow valley by the emerald slopes of Avila National Park, is one of the best looking cities in South America. The town of Merida stands surrounded by five of the highest peaks in the Sierra Nevada; unsurprisingly this makes it a great base for walking, climbing, mountain biking and paragliding whilst others come to ride the world's highest cable car.
In the western area of Canaima National Park stands Angel Falls, the world's largest waterfall at 979m high. View the magnificent tepui from which it plunges by taking a flight over and around the table top mountain. Roraima is the best-known tepui and can be climbed by trekkers inspired by Conan Doyle's tale of a lost world on the summit.
Wildlife enthusiasts ought to head to the grassy flats of Los Llanos to spot caimans, capybara and birds such as scarlet ibis, or Parque Nacional Henri Pittier for superb bird watching. The Orinoco delta, a vast marshland, is also a splendid place to see rare birds.
The Caribbean Coast has bountiful white beaches. The Parque Nacional Mochima contains a beautiful range of islands and islets surrounded by coral reefs with great scuba diving and snorkelling available. Offshore, Isla Margarita has a number of world-class resorts and all-inclusive retreats.