Caracas is located in northern Venezuela, near the Caribbean. It is Venezuela's
capital, largest city, and the location of its major international airport.
Caracas, often described as a concrete jungle, is rarely the top choice for tourists to
Venezuela. It is congested, noisy and polluted, and, in parts, dirty and dangerous.
Wandering through unknown streets is risky even in daylight. However, as the capital
of Venezuela it is the key to understanding the country: the city displays staggering
inequalities of wealth but is bound together by the warmth and happiness of its
inhabitants, their love of the beach and partying, and the soothing presence of Mount
Avila. It also has many surprises for the visitor, not least the verdant avenues and
excellent subway.
Caracas has a tropical climate with very little variation between summer and winter
temperatures. Set in a valley some 900 meters above sea level, its climate is often
described as its best feature: never cold, seldom too hot. Average daily temperature
in summer range from a minimum of 18°C (64F) to a maximum of 28°C (82F).
Winter temperatures are only two to three degrees cooler. Most rainfall occurs during
the period from May to November and may be accompanied by electrical storms.
The city of Caracas had an estimated population of 3,140,076 as of 2005. The
population of Greater Caracas, including neighboring cities outside the Capital
District proper, is approximately 4.7 million
More than five hundred years ago, the area was populated by indigenous peoples
and Caracas did not exist. Francisco Fajardo, a Spanish colonial, attempted to
establish a plantation there in the year of 1562. Fajardo's stay in the valley did not
last long, and he was expelled by the locals. This was the last rebellion on the part of
the aborigines, for on July 25th, 1567, the Spanish captain Diego de Losada laid the
foundations of the city of Santiago de León de Caracas. The cultivation of cocoa
stimulated the development of the city which became the capital of the province of
Venezuela.
As the economy of oil-rich Venezuela grew steadily (during the first part of the 20th
Century), Caracas became one of Latin America's economic centers, and was also
known as the preferred hub between Europe and South America. During the 1950s,
Caracas began an intensive modernization program which continued throughout the
1960s and early 1970s. The Universidad Central de Venezuela, designed by
modernist architect Carlos Raúl Villanueva and now a UNESCO monument, was
built. Joining El Silencio, also by Villanueva, several workers' (23 de Enero, Simon
Rodriguez) and new middle class residential districts (Bello Monte, Los Palos
Grandes, Chuao, Cafetal, etc.) sprouted in the valley, extending its limits towards the
East and South East. On October 17, 2004, one of the Parque Central towers caught
fire. The change in the economic structure of the country, now oil dependent, and the
fast development of Caracas made it a magnet for the rural communities who
migrated to the capital city in an unplanned fashion, creating the ranchos (slum) belt
in the valley of Caracas.
PLACE TO VISIT
Ciudad Universitaria - The main campus of the Central University of
Venezuela, designed by the renowned architect Carlos Raúl Villanueva and declared
World Heritage by UNESCO in 2000, is considered to be a masterwork of Modern
Architecture and Art. Over 28 artists from the Modern Avant-garde participated in the
project. Among them Hans Arp, Alexander Calder, Fernand Léger, Victor Vasarely
with the Venezuelans Francisco Narváez, Alejandro Otero and Oswaldo Vigas.
Capitolio Federal - The Capitolio Federal occupies an entire city block, and,
with its golden domes and neoclassical pediments, can seem even bigger. The
building was commissioned by Antonio Guzmán Blanco in the 1870s, and is most
famous for its Salón Elíptico, an oval hall with a mural-covered dome and walls lined
with portraits of the country's great and good. Visit on Independence Day and you'll
catch a glimpse of the original Act of Independence of 1811, installed inside a
pedestal topped by a bust of Bolívar and displayed only on this most auspicious of
public days. The halls surrounding the salon are daubed with battle scenes
commemorating Venezuela's fight for independence.
Parque del Este - The Parque del Este was designed by Brazilian architect
Roberto Burle Marx. It is a green paradise in the middle of the city, and contains a
small zoo. A replica of the ship led by Francisco de Miranda, the Leander, may be will
build in the southern part of the park. There used to exist a replica of the Santa Maria
ship, used by Christopher Colombus in his voyages to discover America. This
replica was destroyed by the government of Hugo Chavez.
Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex - or more commonly the Teresa
Carreño Theater (Teatro Teresa Carreño), is one of the most important Theaters of
Caracas and Venezuela, where symphonic and popular concerts imagine frequently,
operas, ballet and theater. It is located near the Seat of the museums, the Caobos
Park and the Athenian of Caracas, in the cultural zone of the city. It is divided in two
rooms: Jose Felix Ribas and Ríos Reyna. It is constructed on a site of 22 thousand
square meters. The theater was thus named in honor of the Venezuelan pianist
Teresa Carreño.
Casa Natal de Bolívar - Skyscrapers may loom overhead, but there's more
than a hint of original colonial flavor in this neatly proportioned reconstruction of the
house where Simón Bolívar was born on July 24, 1783. The museum's exhibits
include period weapons, banners and uniforms. Much of the original colonial interior
has been replaced by monumental paintings of battle scenes, but more personal
relics can be seen in the nearby Museo Bolivariano. Pride of place goes to the coffin
in which Bolívar's remains were brought from Colombia; his ashes now rest in the
National Pantheon.
Museo de Arte Colonial - The gardens that surround this museum are
almost as enticing as its interior. The museum is housed in a gorgeous colonial
country mansion known as Quinta Anauco, which is surrounded by beautiful
greenery. Inside the house you'll find meticulously restored rooms, filled with
carefully selected works of art, furniture and period household and many other
historical artifacts.
Panteón Nacional - Venezuela's most venerated building is five blocks north
of Plaza Bolívar, on the northern edge of the old town. Formerly a church, the building
was given its new purpose as the final resting place for eminent Venezuelans by
Antonio Guzmán Blanco in 1874. The entire central nave is dedicated to Bolívar, with
the altar's place taken by the hero's bronze sarcophagus, while lesser luminaries
are relegated to the aisles. The national pantheon's vault is covered with 1930s
paintings depicting scenes from Bolívar's life, and the huge crystal chandelier
glittering overhead was installed in 1883 on the centennial of his birth. It's worth
hanging around to catch the ceremonial changing of the guard, held several times a
day.
Parque Central - At a short saunter east of Plaza Bolívar is Parque Central, a
concrete complex of five high-rise residential slabs of somewhat
apocalyptic-appearing architecture, crowned by two 53-storey octagonal towers, one
of them is under repair due to the fire which burned the building on October 17, 2004.
Plaza Bolívar - Leafy Plaza Bolívar is the focus of the old town with the
inevitable monument to El Libertador, Simon Bolívar, at its heart. Modern high-rise
buildings have overpowered much of the colonial flavor of Caracas' founding
neighborhood. But the lively area still boasts some important sites.
El Hatillo - is a colonial town located at the south-east suburbs of Caracas in the
municipal area of the same name. This small town, which is one of Venezuela's few
well-preserved typical colonial areas, gives an idea of what Caracas was like in
centuries past. Just like every town in Venezuela, El Hatillo has its own Plaza Bolívar
with El Libertador's statue in the middle. It also has a well preserved Roman
Catholic Church, and many colonial houses. Even the municipal government, banks,
and bookshops in this neighborhood keep the colonial look, with tall windows,
floor-to-top wood doors, and red tile roofs.
Cerro El Ávila - is a mountain in the mid-North of Venezuela. It rises next to
Caracas and separates the city from the Caribbean Sea, it is considered the lung of
Caracas due to the fact that there is no construction on it, only vegetation, this makes
it a sites of reference of the city. In 1958 the mountain was declared National Park,
with the name of El Ávila National Park. The mountain is rounded in outline with
smooth contours and its rich colour has inspired many Venezuelan painters.
Las Mercedes - For those who wish to know the most commercial and
cosmopolitan district of Caracas, you must visit Las Mercedes, this zone reunited
some of the best restaurants of the city, that include the diverse gastronomical
specialities, along with pleasant pubs, bars and pools. It is the favorite meeting
place of the Caracas youth, it has some of the most exclusive stores of the city.
Caracas Cathedral - The Cathedral is situated in one corner of the Plaza
Bolívar, it was founded in 1594. The parents of Simón Bolívar are buried there,
besides its hand carved altars, it possesses some magnificent works of art, a
Resurrection by Rubens, the Presentation of the Virgin by Murillo, and the Last
Supper, an unfinished work by the Venezuelan painter Arturo Michelena.
San Francisco Church - Along with the Cathedral, the church of San
Francisco is one of the most important religious buildings in Caracas. It houses
some XVII century masterpieces of art, carvings, sculptures and oil paintings. The
Central University of Venezuela, created in the time of Philip V, was lodged in the
church cloisters, today is the seat of the Language Academy, and the Academies of
History, Physics, and Mathematics. This church is of much historical and
sentimental value to the people of Caracas, for it was in its precincts where the
people congregated in 1813, to concede the title of El Libertador (The Liberator) to
Simón Bolívar.
WHAT TO DO
The Avila mountain to the north of Caracas is highly recommended for hiking, views
of Caracas, and its fresh air. The Sabas Nieves entrance, accessible by bus from
Altamira, is the most popular.
The Teleférico is a cable-car that takes visitors up the Avila. The ascent provides a
beautiful view of the city. At the top (altitude approximately 2600 m), one can obtain a
view of Caracas to the south, and of the ocean (Caribbean Sea) to the north on a
clear day. It will cost Bs. 30,000 (US$ 15) to take the teleférico up (and back down).
Reduced fares are available for students, children, and senior citizens
(approximately Bs. 20,000). Take the ride up to Avila as early as possible, before an
afternoon haze obstructs your view from the top of the mountain. There are a few
restaurants, many food kiosks, and numerous attractions suitable for children.
These include a small skating rink, some small rides, and jungle-gyms. There is a
well known fondue restaurant also located at the top. Some hiking trails branch off
from the teleférico station, but without a map it is not easy to find them or know
where they go, as they are not marked.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Maiquetía's Simón Bolívar Airport is 25 km away from central Caracas
via a highway through the coastal mountains. A new road bridge, replacing one that
collapsed in 2006, came into service in July 2007, ending months of tortuous
journeys to and from the airport. The trip to Caracas should now take around 40
minutes or up to 60-70 minutes during rush hour.
Taxi fares are usually at least Bs. 100,000 (US$45 at official rate, 20 US$ at
unnoficial rate) to Caracas but there are many unlicensed taxis offering their
services, so travelers should be very careful. In particular, it is advised to agree on a
price before getting into the taxi, not sharing with anyone other than the driver, and
preferably using only the airport's official black Ford Explorer cabs, although these
can be pricey. Check with your hotel to see if they arrange airport pickup - it may need
to be booked in advance. There is also a new taxi service that you can book online at
www.taxitocaracas.com
By car - Fairly decent highways connect Caracas with La Guaira and the airport to
the north; Maracay, Valencia and Maracaibo in the west; Barcelona and Puerto La
Cruz in the east.
By bus - A taxi from the bus terminal to the center will cost you around Bs.15,000.
Buses from the airport to Caracas cost around $5. Passengers have the option of
alighting either at Gato Negro metro station (less than safe at street level) or under a
bridge at the Parque Central bus terminal, from where you'll need to get a taxi to your
final destination or walk about 1 km along a busy road to the Bellas Artes metro
station.
There is also a new government-run bus service to the Alba Hotel in Bellas Artes,
costing Bs.8,000 (BsF.8). Passengers do not need to be guests at Alba. Further
information is available from the two tourist board offices in the Maiquetia
international terminal. The La Bandera bus terminal connects Caracas with towns
and cities to the west of the capital such as La Victoria (1 hour), Maracay (1.5 hours)
and Valencia (2.5 hours). The 800m walk from La Bandera metro station to the bus
terminal is not safe after dark and travelers should exercise caution at all times.
