Venezuela, 5th The Bradt Travel Guide

by Maddicks, Russell

• ISBN13: 9781841622996
• ISBN10: 1841622990
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-02-01
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

Venezuela occasionally features in world news in connection with its rich oil resources, its obsession with beauty pageants, its outspoken and colourful president, Hugo Chfvez, or the world's highest waterfall - and little else. However, beyond the headlines, this beautiful and diverse country has so much more to offer to all types of visitors - hiking the 'Lost World' landscape of Conan Doyle, piranha-fishing from dugout canoes, paragliding from Andean peaks and windsurfing on Margarita Island. Taking travellers to the wildest of fiestas, inside the steamiest salsa bars and introducing visitors to the quirkiest of local customs, Bradt's Venezuela leads tourists from the Caribbean coast to the southern tropical wilderness, delving into the culture and eccentricities of the country more deeply than any other guide.Having lived and worked in Venezuela for 12 years, author Russell Maddicks has covered the length and breadth of the country as a travel reporter for Venezuela's English-language newspaper.

Author Biography

Russell Maddicks has lived and worked in Venezuela for more than 12 years.  Now working as journalist for the UK media he maintains his ties with Venezuela through regular visits.

Table of Contents

General Information

Introduction

Background Information

Geography and climate, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language and religion, Culture

Practical Information

When to visit, Top sights and itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Consulates, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Money, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays, Feasts and Fiestas, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Photography, Media and communications, Maps and information, Business, Cultural dos and don'ts, Giving something back

National Parks and Special Interests

National parks, Environmental NGOs, Birding and special interest sports

Jungle and Llanos wildlife guide

Mammals, acquatic mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, insects and spiders

The Guide

Caracas

Maiquetía airport, Getting around, Exploring Caracas by metro, Where to stay, Where to eat, What to do, Shopping, Money, Security, Communications, Walks in the Avila Mountain, Beyond the city

Central Coast and Colonia Tovar

The central coast, La Guaira and Macuto, East to Chuspa, Chirimena to Carenero, Colonia Tovar

Los Roques, Morrocoy,Mochima

The Robinson Crusoe experience, Los Roques Archipelago, Morrocoy, Mochima

Margarita Island

Caribbean island, Getting there and away, Getting around, Information, What to do, Porlamar, Pampatar,

El Valle del Espíritu Santo, Asunción, Cerro El Copey National Park, East coast beaches, Santa Ana and craft villages, Juangriego and Northwest coast, La Restinga and Macanao Peninsula, Windsurfing in El Yaque, Coche and Cubagua islands

The Oriente Coast

Anzoátegui State, Sucre State, Araya Peninsula, East Sucre State, Paria National Park

Monagas and the Orinoco Delta

Caripe and the Guacharo Cave, Around Caripe, Orinoco Delta

Los Llanos, Wildlife Paradise

Flora and fauna, Wildlife lodges and camps, San Fernando de Apure, Cinaruco-Capanaparo Park, Barinas state

Bolivar State

Ciudad Bolivar, Gran Sabana and Lost World of the tepuis, Canaima and Angel Falls, Santa Elena, Roraima trek, Caura River and Para Falls

Amazonas

Puerto Ayacucho, Visiting indigenous groups, Up the Orinoco, Casiquiare and Rio Negro, To and from Brazil, To and from Colombia

Aragua and Carabobo

Maracay, Choroni and Chuao, Valencia, Carabobo hot Springs and beaches

Yaracuy and Lara

Yaracuy state and the Cult of Maria Lionza, Barquisimeto, The Quibor handicrafts route

Merida and the Andes

Páramos and peaks, Merida City, High sierras and mountain walks, Mucuposadas, Mystery of Catatumbo Lightning, Travel to/from Colombia

Falcón and Zulia

Colonial Coro and the Medanos, Paraguaná Peninsula, Sierra de San Luis, Maracaibo, Western Zulia, The east lake coast 526

Language

Further Reading

Index

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