Five Reasons to Visit Venezuela
Called "Land of Grace," the South American country of Venezuela doesn't fit into just one category of travel destinations. Because of the wide array of options available to travelers to this region, you're sure to find something to satisfy your all travel needs. Whether you're looking for a backpacking adventure or a relaxing beach sojourn, you're likely to find more than one reason to visit Venezuela.
Angel Falls
Venezuela's gorgeous Canaima National Park inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write "The Lost World," and it's also home to Angel Falls, the world's largest waterfall. This spectacular 3,212-foot waterfall is one and a half times higher than New York's Empire State Building and a whopping 15 times higher than Niagara Falls. Angel Falls is accessible by plane or boat, with local agencies offering tour packages to the falls that often include an overnight stay in a nearby location.
Beaches
The beaches on Venezuela's Caribbean coast enjoy a hot, dry and tropical climate, and there are plenty of spots in the sand to choose from. Venezuela has approximately 1,860 miles of coastline as well as hundreds of small coastal islands. Isla de Margarita is the top destination for beach lovers, with 151 miles of coastline featuring everything from pristine secluded beaches to bustling water sport destinations. The archipelagos that make up Los Roques, another top beach spot, is the Caribbean's biggest nature reserve and boasts coral reefs, lagoons and mangrove islands.
Mountains
The Andes mountain range runs through Venezuela, giving hikers and other adventurers a chance to see the spectacular spines of the Sierra Nevada, Sierra de Santo Domingo and the Sierra de La Culata, which rise over 16,400 feet. When traveling to the Andes, stay a spell in the nearby town of Merida, a progressive and picturesque college town cradled in a valley in the shadow of the mountains. Further off the beaten track you'll also find indigenous villages that may give you a glimpse into a wholly different way of life.
Food and Drink
Traveling to Venezuela means getting a chance to sample the local cuisine, which may be a bit different than the food you serve at home. Make sure to sample pabellon criolla, Venezuela's national dish, which consists of shredded beef, white rice, black beans and plantains. Arepas and empanadas are also a must in Venezuela; these fried cornmeal turnovers are stuffed with items like cheese, chicken, black beans and shredded beef, and are widely available from street vendors. Also, grab a cup of Venezuela's famous Arabica coffee and the country's prized chocolate.
Biodiversity
Venezuela is among the top 10 most biodiverse countries in the world, which means you'll see quite a lot for your travel dollar. The 26 states that make up Venezuela offer a wide array of habitats to explore, such as towering mountains, cloud forests, scrublands, plains, river deltas, lush rainforests and beaches. Venezuela also hosts approximately 116,790 animal species and 16,575 plant species.