14 Days in Venezuela
Trip Overview
This route runs from Caracas' colonial streets to the alien landscape of Canaima National Park, where Angel Falls drops from the planet's tallest tabletop mountain. You'll bite into arepas straight off street grills in Mérida, taste salt spray from Caribbean waves at Los Roques, and watch scarlet ibis fly home at sunset. The rhythm pairs adventure with recovery days, weaving UNESCO sites through local markets and beach downtime. Expect dawn flights and marathon bus rides, balanced by slow afternoons in colonial plazas.
Pace
Active
Daily Budget
$80-120 per day
Best Seasons
December to April (dry season)
Ideal For
Adventure seekers, Nature photographers, Cultural explorers, Budget travelers, Water sports enthusiasts
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Caracas Arrival & Cable Car Views
Touch down in Caracas and ascend El Ávila for panoramic city views
Morning
Arrival and Teleférico de Caracas
Touch down at Simón Bolívar International Airport, flag the official airport taxi to El Rosal district. Ride the cable car up El Ávila mountain, watching the city shrink beneath you as mountain air replaces humid urban heat.
Lunch
La Casa de la Estrella
Afternoon
Explore El Hatillo
Grab a taxi to this colonial town south of Caracas. Walk cobblestone streets lined with pastel houses, duck into artisan shops selling hammocks and pottery, and smell fresh coffee roasting in the main plaza.
Evening
Dinner and night views
El Granjero del Ávila - try pabellón criollo while city lights twinkle below
Where to Stay Tonight
El Rosal (Hotel Altamira)
Safe area with easy airport access and good restaurants
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Change small amounts at the airport - better rates in town but you'll need cash for taxis
Day 1 Budget: $120
2
Caracas Colonial & Contemporary
Dive into history at Bolívar's birthplace and modern art
Morning
Historic Center Walking Tour
Begin at Plaza Bolívar where jacaranda trees drop purple petals on cobblestones. Enter Casa Natal del Libertador, smelling aged wood and seeing Bolívar's childhood bed preserved under glass.
Book morning tours - safer and cooler
Lunch
El Budare de la Castellana
Afternoon
Museum of Contemporary Art
Beat afternoon heat in Venezuela's finest modern art collection. Watch Jesús Soto's kinetic pieces shift as you walk past, and cooled galleries filled with pre-Columbian gold artifacts.
Evening
Sabana Grande nightlife
Bar Altamira for craft cocktails and live salsa
Where to Stay Tonight
El Rosal (Hotel Altamira)
Staying put minimizes luggage moves and taxi costs
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Ride the metro during daylight - it's safe, cheap, and drops you at most attractions
Day 2 Budget: $100
3
Flight to Canaima & First Jungle Views
Tiny plane flight to indigenous territory and tepui vistas
Morning
Flight to Canaima
Catch the 7am Transmandu flight from Caracas. Watch the Orinoco River snake below like brown ribbon, then gasp as tabletop mountains rise like stone islands from green carpet jungle.
Book flights early - only 2-3 per week
Lunch
Campamento Ucaima
Afternoon
Canaima Lagoon & Hacha Falls
Walk to the edge of pink-sand Canaima Lagoon where seven falls cascade. Feel the cool mist and see how the water has carved perfect circles in the granite. Take a dugout canoe across to the falls.
Evening
Sunset over tepuis
Have a beer at your camp while Kamarata Mountain turns gold, then purple
Where to Stay Tonight
Campamento Ucaima (Basic hammocks with mosquito nets)
Only accommodation in Canaima village, all trips to Angel Falls start here
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Bring cash - no ATMs for 300km, and camps only accept bolívars
Day 3 Budget: $280
4
Angel Falls Expedition
Journey to the world's tallest waterfall by river and foot
Morning
River journey to Angel Falls
Board motorized dugout at dawn, riding up the Carrao River through red canyon walls. Feel the engine's vibration and smell gasoline mixing with jungle damp. Stop at rapids for a boxed lunch of arepas.
Included in multi-day package
Lunch
River picnic
Afternoon
Hike to Salto Ángel viewpoint
Climb muddy path through bromeliads that snag your sleeves. Hear howler monkeys in the canopy as the falls come into view - 979 meters of white ribbon dropping into cloud forest.
Evening
Jungle camp night
Sleep in hammocks under mosquito nets, listening to the river and distant thunder
Where to Stay Tonight
Jungle camp near falls (Open-air hammocks)
Only way to spend night near Angel Falls
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Pack light - everything gets wet, and you'll carry your own bag for the hike
Day 4 Budget: $150
5
Return to Canaima & Tepui Flight
Canaima National Park to Mérida
Morning river return then evening flight to the Andes
Morning
River journey back
Early start downstream, watching mist rise off the river as the sun hits canyon walls. Stop for swimming at Sapo Falls, where you can walk behind the curtain of water.
Lunch
Campamento Ucaima
Afternoon
Flight to Mérida
Take the 3pm flight back to Caracas, then connect to Mérida. Watch the landscape change from jungle to Andean peaks as you land at the world's highest commercial airport.
Book both flights together
Evening
Mérida evening stroll
Walk Plaza Bolívar, try ice cream made from local mora berries
Where to Stay Tonight
Historic center (Posada Casa Sol)
Colonial charm with mountain views, walking distance to cable car
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Mérida is 1,600m up - bring a jacket for evening cool
Day 5 Budget: $330
6
Mérida Cable Car & Cloud Forest
Mérida
Ride the world's highest cable car into páramo ecosystems
Morning
Teleférico de Mérida
Ride the cable car up 4,765m through four ecosystems. Watch cloud forest turn to grassland, feel temperature drop 20 degrees. The final station offers views to Colombia's mountains.
Start early - clouds roll in by 11am
Lunch
Café at Loma Redonda station
Afternoon
Mérida market tour
Descend to Mercado Principal where vendors sell everything from coffee beans to woven bags. Taste fresh pineapple juice and smell the pungent mountain cheese called queso de mano.
Evening
Traditional music
Taberna de Piedra for live joropo music and dancing
Where to Stay Tonight
Historic center (Posada Casa Sol)
Already settled, good for next day's activities
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Buy coca tea at the top station - helps with altitude
Day 6 Budget: $80
7
Los Nevados Trek
Sierra Nevada de Mérida
Jeep ride and hike to remote Andean village
Morning
Jeep to Los Nevados
Bump along dirt roads in 4x4 trucks, climbing past potato fields to 2,700m elevation. Smell burning brakes on steep descents and see condors circling thermal currents.
Book through Casa Sol - they arrange reliable drivers
Lunch
Village guesthouse
Afternoon
Village exploration
Walk stone paths between adobe houses with red tile roofs. Visit the 16th century church and taste panela - raw sugar blocks dissolved in hot water.
Evening
Mountain sunset
Watch the sun set over Pico Bolívar from the village plaza
Where to Stay Tonight
Los Nevados village (Family guesthouse)
Authentic mountain experience, basic but clean
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Bring snacks - village shop sells only basics
Day 7 Budget: $60
8
Return to Mérida & Night Bus
Mérida to Coro
Morning village life then overnight bus to the coast
Morning
Village morning
Wake to roosters and church bells. Help villagers milk cows or just watch clouds drift through the valley. The air smells of woodsmoke and fresh bread from the communal oven.
Lunch
Roadside café on descent
Afternoon
Bus to Coro
Catch the 2pm Expresos Los Llanos bus. The 8-hour journey crosses the Llanos, where you might see scarlet ibis in roadside wetlands. Seats recline fully for sleeping.
Buy ticket at Terminal de Pasajeros
Evening
Overnight bus journey
Sleep on the bus - arrives Coro at 10pm
Where to Stay Tonight
Coro historic center (Posada Doña Carmen)
Colonial house converted to hotel, walk to everything
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Bring sweater - buses blast AC and it's freezing
Day 8 Budget: $50
9
Coro's Colonial Splendor
Coro
UNESCO World Heritage streets and Caribbean-influenced architecture
Morning
Historic center walking tour
Walk adobe streets where walls are painted ochre, turquoise, and coral. Enter Casa de las Ventanas de Hierro to see 18th century iron window bars that sing in the wind. The cathedral's bells ring at 10am sharp.
Guides wait at Plaza Bolívar - negotiate in Spanish
Lunch
La Cueva del Oso
Afternoon
Médanos de Coro
Grab mototaxi to golden sand dunes that stretch to the Caribbean. Feel the sand burn your feet as you climb, then cool Atlantic breeze at the top. The dunes sing when wind moves sand grains.
Evening
Coro sunset
Café Plaza Mayor for coffee while watching shadow play on colonial walls
Where to Stay Tonight
Historic center (Posada Doña Carmen)
Staying central for next day's beach trip
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Dunes are hottest 2-4pm - go after 4pm for better light and temperature
Day 9 Budget: $70
10
Morrocoy National Park
Morrocoy
White sand beaches and turquoise Caribbean waters
Morning
Bus to Morrocoy
Catch the 7am bus to Tucacas (2 hours), then shared boat to Cayo Sombrero. The water shifts from jade to turquoise as you approach the palm-fringed island.
Boats leave when full - be flexible
Lunch
Beach shack on Cayo Sombrero
Afternoon
Beach time
Swim in bathtub-warm water, snorkel among coral gardens where parrotfish nibble algae. The sand squeaks underfoot and palms provide perfect shade for afternoon siesta.
Bring snorkeling gear or rent from boat captain
Evening
Tucacas sunset
Hostal Casa Blanca rooftop for sunset over fishing boats
Where to Stay Tonight
Tucacas (Hostal Casa Blanca)
Only budget option, clean rooms with AC
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Bring cash for park entrance - cards not accepted anywhere
Day 10 Budget: $90
11
Los Roques Archipelago
Fly to the Caribbean's most pristine island chain
Morning
Flight to Los Roques
Take the 9am flight from Caracas (booked via Coro connection). Land on Gran Roque's airstrip where flamingos sometimes feed in the salt pond. The village has sandy streets and no cars.
Book through Chapi Air - most reliable
Lunch
Pirata Morgan
Afternoon
Island hopping
Hire a peñero boat to Cayo de Agua - a sand spit with water so clear you can see starfish 10 feet down. The boat captain will set up umbrella and cooler of cold beer while you snorkel.
Split cost with other travelers at posada
Evening
Posada dinner
Share family-style dinner at Posada Mediterránea with other travelers
Where to Stay Tonight
Gran Roque village (Posada Mediterránea)
Italian-Venezuelan owners, rooftop for sunset views
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Bring reef-safe sunscreen - the eco-system is fragile
Day 11 Budget: $250
12
Los Roques Water Sports
Kitesurfing, snorkeling, and beach hopping
Morning
Kitesurfing lesson
Take beginner lesson at Madrisqui beach where steady trade winds create perfect conditions. The water is waist-deep for 500m, making it good for learning. Watch pelicans dive for fish nearby.
Book through Vela Club - they're safety-focused
Lunch
Beach BBQ at Francisqui
Afternoon
Snorkeling at Cayo Crasqui
Swim with sea turtles and spotted eagle rays in water that's 85 degrees year-round. The coral here survived 2010 bleaching and remains lively purple and orange.
Evening
Sunset cocktails
Chamo Bar for margaritas and reggae while sun sets over the anchorage
Where to Stay Tonight
Gran Roque village (Posada Mediterránea)
Second night for rest and recovery
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Bring cash - ATMs don't exist and cards aren't accepted
Day 12 Budget: $200
13
Return to Caracas via Beach
Morning beach time then afternoon flight to capital
Morning
Final beach morning
Walk to the windward side of Gran Roque where waves crash against volcanic rocks. Collect small pieces of coral and watch frigate birds wheel overhead. The sand is pink from crushed shells.
Lunch
Airport café
Afternoon
Flight to Caracas
Take the 2pm flight back to Caracas. From the plane, see the island chain spread like a turquoise necklace against the deep blue Caribbean.
Evening
Caracas farewell dinner
Señorial for upscale Venezuelan cuisine - try the reina pepiada arepas
Where to Stay Tonight
Near airport (Hotel Eurobuilding)
Airport shuttle for early departure
See all Venezuela accommodation options →Check in online - Caracas airport can be chaotic
Day 13 Budget: $220
14
Departure Day
Last-minute shopping and airport departure
Morning
Souvenir shopping
Visit Mercado Municipal for coffee, chocolate, and hammocks. The coffee beans smell like caramel and chocolate, while vendors offer samples of 70% cacao from Chuao.
Lunch
Airport café
Afternoon
Departure
Take hotel shuttle to airport. Allow 3 hours - security is thorough but efficient. Duty-free has excellent rum if you need gifts.
Book shuttle night before
Evening
None
Buy rum at duty-free - it's cheaper than in town
Day 14 Budget: $80
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
Domestic flights stitch the country together, catch Chapi Air for Los Roques and Transmandu for Canaima. Long-haul buses ride smooth on the Caracas-Mérida-Coro corridor. Inside towns, flag only official taxis or ride the metro in Caracas. In Morrocoy and Los Roques, boat transfers are set up on the spot by local captains.
Book Ahead
Canaima flights and camp, Los Roques flights and posadas, Angel Falls tour package. Lock them in 2-3 months ahead for the dry season window.
Packing Essentials
Pack light layers for the Caribbean, fleece for cool Mérida nights, a rain jacket for the jungle, reef-safe sunscreen, cash (USD work everywhere), an unlocked phone for a local SIM, and a power bank for the back-of-beyond.
Total Budget
$2,100-2,800 for 14 days including flights
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Swap Los Roques for Morrocoy, ride buses to Canaima instead of flying (it tacks on 2 days), bunk in hostels and eat at corner arepa stands. You'll shave off $800-1000.
Luxury Upgrade
Trade camps for eco-lodges in Canaima, upgrade to boutique posadas in Los Roques, book private transfers door-to-door, and add a chopper sweep over Angel Falls. Budget an extra $1,500-2,000.
Family-Friendly
Tack on an extra day in each spot, pick hotels with pools, trade Los Roques for Margarita Island (simpler to reach), reserve private jeeps instead of shared shuttles, and toss motion-sickness tablets into your bag for the boat rides.
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