Things to Do in Venezuela in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Venezuela
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Rainy season means Angel Falls at peak flow - August is actually when Salto Ángel shows its full power, with water volumes 3-4 times higher than dry season. The mist creates that iconic cloud effect you see in photos, and you can hear the falls from your camp at night.
- Los Llanos wildlife viewing hits its stride - the plains are flooded but not completely underwater yet, concentrating capybaras, caimans, and anacondas around remaining water channels. Bird counts regularly exceed 200 species per day, and you'll see more wildlife action in 3 days than most people see in weeks during other months.
- Fewer international tourists means better pricing and availability - August sits in that sweet spot where Venezuelan domestic tourism drops off after school holidays end mid-month, but before September crowds. You can negotiate 15-20% off published rates at posadas, and guides are more available for custom trips.
- Coastal temperatures stay moderate - while it's hot inland, Caribbean beaches like Morrocoy and Los Roques average 28-29°C (82-84°F) with consistent trade winds. The humidity is there, sure, but ocean breezes make it genuinely pleasant, especially compared to the scorching dry season heat of March-April.
Considerations
- Flight schedules remain unpredictable - Venezuela's domestic airline situation continues to evolve through 2026, with routes frequently adjusted on short notice. What shows available today might change by next week, and you'll need backup plans for internal connections. International flights are more stable but still require flexibility.
- Rain affects Canaima access unpredictably - while Angel Falls looks spectacular, getting there depends on river levels that can shift daily. Some years August is perfect, other years certain routes close for days at a time. You might spend 2-3 days in Canaima village waiting for conditions to improve, which is fine if you've budgeted the time but frustrating if you haven't.
- Currency and payment logistics take real effort - the bolivar situation means you'll be dealing with US dollars in cash for most transactions, calculating parallel rates, and planning ATM strategy carefully. Credit cards work in maybe 20% of situations outside Caracas. It's manageable but requires more financial planning than typical international travel.
Best Activities in August
Angel Falls expeditions from Canaima
August puts Angel Falls at maybe 80% of peak flow - not the absolute maximum you'd see in June or July, but dramatically more impressive than the trickle of dry season. The 4-5 hour boat journey up the Churún River is actually possible now, whereas it's often too shallow in February or March. You'll get wet from spray even 100 m (328 ft) away from the base. Most tours include overnight camping at indigenous-run sites, and the night sky in Canaima is legitimately incredible when clouds clear. The trade-off is that flights into Canaima can be delayed or cancelled if morning fog sits too long, so build in buffer days.
Los Llanos wildlife safaris
The plains are in that perfect transitional state where water levels create natural bottlenecks for wildlife. Caiman counts are absurd - you'll easily spot 30-40 in a single evening boat ride, along with capybaras, howler monkeys, and if you're lucky, anacondas hunting along the channels. Bird diversity peaks in August with both resident species and early migrants. Temperature-wise, you're looking at 32-34°C (90-93°F) during midday, so safaris run early morning (6-9am) and late afternoon (4-7pm). The humidity makes it feel hotter than it is, but that's when wildlife is most active anyway. Three-day trips from Barinas or San Fernando give you enough time to really see the ecosystem working.
Los Roques archipelago beach time
Los Roques sits far enough offshore that August rain tends to come in quick afternoon bursts rather than all-day affairs. You'll get 6-7 hours of solid beach weather most days, with that characteristic turquoise water that looks photoshopped but isn't. Water temperature holds steady around 28°C (82°F), and visibility for snorkeling stays good at 15-20 m (49-66 ft) between squalls. The real advantage in August is fewer crowds - you can actually get a decent spot on Cayo de Agua without arriving at dawn. Kitesurfing conditions are excellent with consistent 15-20 knot trade winds. The main village, Gran Roque, has enough posadas that you can usually find availability even booking just a week out.
Mérida páramo hiking and cable car
The Andes in August mean afternoon clouds and occasional rain, but mornings from 7-11am are typically clear with spectacular views across the páramo. The Teleférico (cable car) to Pico Espejo at 4,765 m (15,633 ft) runs most days, though wind can close the upper stations - go early for best odds and clearest visibility. Temperature at the top sits around 2-5°C (36-41°F) even in August, so you'll need layers. Lower-altitude hikes around 2,500-3,500 m (8,202-11,483 ft) through cloud forest and páramo offer that otherworldly frailejón plant landscape. The town of Mérida itself stays pleasant at 18-22°C (64-72°F) and makes a good base for 4-5 days of mountain activities.
Morrocoy National Park island hopping
Morrocoy's cays sit protected enough that August weather rarely shuts down boat access completely. You'll island-hop between spots like Cayo Sombrero, Cayo Muerto, and Playuela, spending 6-8 hours on white sand beaches with water so calm it's basically a bathtub. Water temperature hits 29°C (84°F), and snorkeling around the cays shows decent coral and tropical fish populations, though not as pristine as Los Roques. The advantage here is accessibility - you're only 3 hours from Valencia or 4 from Caracas, so it works well as a 2-3 day beach break without the flight logistics of Los Roques. Weekdays in August are noticeably quieter than weekends when Venezuelans from nearby cities arrive.
Caracas cultural and culinary exploration
August in Caracas means warm days around 26-28°C (79-82°F) with afternoon thunderstorms that clear by evening. This is actually ideal for the city's rhythm - spend mornings in museums like Museo de Bellas Artes or exploring street art in neighborhoods like San Agustín, then retreat to cafes during afternoon rain, and hit restaurants or rooftop bars once it clears around 6-7pm. The food scene has genuinely evolved, with creative areperas and contemporary Venezuelan restaurants working with local ingredients. El Hatillo colonial town on the city's edge makes a good half-day trip. Security requires awareness but isn't the absolute barrier some outdated sources suggest - stick to recognized neighborhoods, use recommended drivers, and you'll be fine.
August Events & Festivals
Feria del Sol (Mérida)
If you're in Mérida during early August, you might catch tail-end celebrations of this Andean festival featuring bullfighting, folk music, and agricultural exhibitions. It officially runs late January through early February, but some communities extend festivities or hold smaller August events. Worth asking locally but don't plan your entire trip around it.