January 2013
Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the United States
venezuela: a perfect place to relax and explore
With its vast Caribbean beaches, tropical forests and snowcapped mountains, Venezuela has long been a source of
fascination for visitors from around the world. It is located at
the top of South America, and the capital city of Caracas is just
a three-hour flight from Miami. Venezuela is home to natural
wonders like the rainforests of Henry Pittier National Park,
the mighty Orinoco River and the world’s highest waterfall,
Kerepacupai Merú (or Angel Falls). Its rich historical and cultural
traditions, varied landscapes, immense biodiversity and solid
infrastructure make it an ideal place to relax and explore.
Over half a million foreign tourists visit Venezuela each year,
and the number is rising. According to Tourism Minister
Alejandro Flemming, a total of 782,663 tourists traveled to
Venezuela in 2012, a 25.2% increase over the previous year.
Many of those tourists hailed from neighboring countries in
South America like Colombia and Brazil, but large numbers
also came from the United States and European countries
such as Spain, Germany and Italy. Venezuelans are also
taking advantage of opportunities for tourism at home;
domestic tourism rose 6% as a share of GDP in early 2012.
According to Lonely Planet, “Venezuela is a country of staggering
variety and remains a land that is greatly undervisited by
international travelers.” Many do not realize how easy it is
to go to Venezuela for vacation. Tourists from 70 countries
around the world including the US, Canada and the UK do not
need a visa for visits shorter than three months. Residents of
these countries need only a valid passport and a plane ticket.
Many travel articles have been written about Venezuela’s
notable tourist attractions, including its many fine
beaches and national parks, and information about hotels,
transportation and events can be found online. Another
good resource is the Ministry of Tourism, which holds
an international tourism fair each year called FITVEN.
BASIC FACTS ABOUT VENEZUELA:
Capital city: Population: Languages: Currency: Climate: Size: Caracas
28.9 million
Spanish, native languages
Bolívar Fuerte
tropical (70-80°F)
912,000 km2
Caracas is a cosmopolitan city with excellent restaurants,
theaters, parks and shopping malls. Its Contemporary Art
Museum contains works by masters like Miró and Picasso and
famous Venezuelan artists like Jesús Soto. It is located in valley
and has a mild climate with springlike temperatures year round.
Los Roques is an archipelago with pristine beaches not
far from Caracas. This remote and unspoiled location,
a true tropical paradise, can be reached by airplane.
Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, is located
in Canaima National Park, a forested area the size of
Belgium with unique geological formations called tepuis.
The Andes in western Venezuela are a great place for hiking,
cycling, rafting, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities.
Visitors to the city of Mérida can sample typical foods and
cultural events and take a ride on the world’s longest cable car.
Los Llanos, the central plains, are home to about 1,400 species
of birds, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.
Coro is a city founded by Spanish colonists in 1527 that has
been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The nearby
Médanos de Coro National Park has beautiful sand dunes.
To learn more about Venezuela, visit venezuela-us.org or write to us at prensa@venezuela-us.org
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Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela - 1099 30th Street, NW - Washington, D.C. 20007 - (202) 342-2214 - venezuela-us.org