Things to Do in Venezuela in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Venezuela
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season means minimal rain - you'll get maybe 2 rainy days the entire month, and even those are usually brief evening showers in the highlands. Perfect for Angel Falls flights, beach time, and Los Llanos wildlife tours where muddy roads would otherwise be impassable.
- Los Llanos wildlife viewing is absolutely exceptional in January. Water levels drop to concentrate caimans, capybaras, anacondas, and hundreds of bird species around shrinking waterholes. You'll see more wildlife in a single morning safari than you would in six months during the wet season.
- Comfortable temperatures in the Andes highlands - Mérida sits around 18-22°C (64-72°F) during the day, ideal for hiking, paragliding, and exploring colonial towns without the oppressive heat you'd face at the coast. The teleferico cable car to Pico Espejo operates reliably in these conditions.
- January coincides with school holidays ending around mid-month, so after the 15th you'll find Venezuelan tourist sites noticeably quieter while still having perfect weather. International tourist numbers remain relatively low compared to other Caribbean destinations.
Considerations
- Currency and payment challenges remain significant - the bolívar continues to fluctuate dramatically, and credit card acceptance outside major hotels is limited. You'll need US dollars in cash, and ATM withdrawal limits are restrictively low. Budget extra time for money logistics.
- Extremely high UV index of 11 near the equator means you can burn in under 15 minutes without protection, even on overcast days. The sun intensity catches most visitors off guard, particularly at higher elevations where the thinner atmosphere offers less natural filtering.
- Tourism infrastructure hasn't fully recovered to pre-2015 levels. Some lodges in Canaima and remote areas operate with limited services, and domestic flight schedules to places like Canaima can change with minimal notice. You need flexibility and patience that you wouldn't need in more developed destinations.
Best Activities in January
Angel Falls Flight Tours from Canaima
January sits squarely in the optimal window for Angel Falls. Water flow is still substantial from the wet season that ended in November, but visibility is dramatically better with clear skies 85-90% of days. The flight over the tepuis in small aircraft gives you those iconic views without the cloud cover that obscures the falls in other months. Water levels in the lagoons around Canaima village are perfect for swimming - not too high, not too low. The indigenous Pemon communities run most tours, and January weather means overnight camping trips to the base of the falls are actually comfortable rather than muddy ordeals.
Los Llanos Wildlife Safaris
The vast plains of Los Llanos transform into Venezuela's premier wildlife theater in January. As water sources dry up, animals concentrate around remaining lagoons and rivers, making wildlife spotting almost guaranteed rather than hopeful. You'll see caiman by the dozens, capybaras in huge family groups, howler monkeys, giant anteaters, and if you're lucky, anacondas hunting in shallow pools. Bird diversity is staggering - scarlet ibis, jabiru storks, hoatzins. The heat is manageable for early morning and late afternoon safaris, and crucially, the dirt roads are actually passable. Tours operate from Hato working ranches where you stay in rustic but comfortable lodges.
Mérida Andes Hiking and Paragliding
January weather in the Mérida highlands is genuinely perfect - clear mornings, temperatures around 18-22°C (64-72°F), and the occasional afternoon cloud buildup that clears by evening. The teleferico cable car to Pico Espejo at 4,765 m (15,633 ft) runs reliably in these conditions, though you'll want to go early before afternoon winds pick up. Paragliding from the mountains offers crystal-clear visibility over the valley. Multi-day treks to Pico Humboldt or through the Sierra Nevada are manageable without the mud and afternoon storms that plague other months. The colonial town itself is pleasant for wandering, with university students back after holidays creating good energy.
Los Roques Archipelago Beach and Snorkeling
This Caribbean national park offers some of Venezuela's most stunning beaches, and January delivers ideal conditions - calm seas, visibility exceeding 20 m (66 ft) for snorkeling, and comfortable temperatures around 28-30°C (82-86°F). The 350+ islands and cays are protected, so development is minimal and crowds are manageable even in high season. You'll base yourself in Gran Roque village and take day trips to deserted cays with powdery white sand. Snorkeling around the coral reefs shows healthy fish populations, sea turtles, and rays. Kitesurfing conditions are excellent with consistent trade winds. The lack of rain means you can plan beach days without weather backup plans.
Morrocoy National Park Coastal Exploration
More accessible than Los Roques but still spectacular, Morrocoy offers mangrove channels, coral cays, and calm Caribbean waters perfect for January's dry season. The park sits just 3 hours from Caracas, making it doable as a long weekend. Water clarity peaks in January with minimal runoff, ideal for snorkeling around Cayo Sombrero and Cayo Peraza. Pelicans, frigatebirds, and flamingos populate the mangroves. The small beach towns of Chichiriviche and Tucacas serve as bases with seafood restaurants serving fresh catches. Unlike remote destinations, you can visit independently with rented boats from the mainland, giving you flexibility.
Caracas Cultural and Culinary Exploration
January weather makes exploring the capital more bearable - temperatures hover around 26-28°C (79-82°F) with low humidity and virtually no rain. The city's museums, including the excellent Museo de Bellas Artes and Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, offer air-conditioned culture. The teleferico up El Ávila mountain provides stunning valley views and cooler temperatures at the top. Food culture remains vibrant despite economic challenges - arepas, cachapas, and pabellón criollo are available at everything from street stalls to upscale restaurants. The eastern neighborhoods of Las Mercedes and Altamira have the most reliable restaurants and nightlife. Security requires awareness but isn't the crisis some outdated reports suggest if you follow local advice.
January Events & Festivals
Feria del Sol in Mérida
This traditional festival celebrating the founding of Mérida typically runs in early January, though exact dates vary year to year. You'll find bullfights at Plaza de Toros, traditional music and dance performances, street parades, and local food vendors throughout the city center. It's one of the Andes region's biggest cultural events and gives you genuine insight into Venezuelan highland traditions. Hotels fill up quickly during the festival, so if you're planning to attend, book accommodation well ahead.
Día de los Reyes Magos
January 6th marks Three Kings Day, celebrated throughout Venezuela with more enthusiasm than Christmas in many communities. Children receive gifts, families gather for special meals, and you'll find traditional hallacas and pan de jamón still available from the holiday season. In some towns, particularly in the Andes and along the coast, you'll see parades and religious processions. It's a family-focused holiday rather than a tourist spectacle, but it offers cultural insight if you're traveling on that date.