Things to Do in Venezuela in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
October Weather in Venezuela
Is October Right for You?
Advantages
- October marks the tail end of rainy season, meaning you'll catch Venezuela at its greenest - Angel Falls runs at about 80% of peak flow, which is actually the sweet spot where you get dramatic cascades without the torrential downpours of July-August. The jungle around Canaima looks absolutely lush without being completely waterlogged.
- Tourist numbers drop significantly after the northern hemisphere summer holidays end, so you'll find better availability at posadas and guesthouses, plus locals have more time to chat. Prices for internal flights and tours typically drop 20-30% compared to December-April peak season, which matters when you're booking those expensive Roraima treks or Los Roques flights.
- October sits right in the middle of turtle nesting season along the Caribbean coast - Paria Peninsula and Morrocoy see leatherback and hawksbill activity through mid-November. Early mornings around 5-6am give you decent odds of spotting nests, and the cooler overnight temperatures (around 23-24°C or 73-75°F) make beach camping actually comfortable.
- The Orinoco Delta becomes incredibly accessible in October - water levels are high enough for peñeros (motorized canoes) to navigate smaller channels, but the worst of the flooding has passed. You'll see more wildlife concentrated around remaining water sources, and the Warao communities are between harvest periods so guides tend to have better availability for multi-day trips.
Considerations
- October weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get three sunny days followed by two of steady drizzle, then back to sun. This makes planning outdoor activities frustrating, especially for shorter trips where you can't afford to lose a day. The afternoon thunderstorms that roll through Caracas and the northern coast around 2-4pm can be intense, with brief flooding in poorly-drained areas.
- Some tour operators in Los Roques and Morrocoy scale back operations in October or close entirely for maintenance before high season. You'll find fewer boat departures to outer cays, and some posadas take the opportunity to renovate. If you're set on visiting these areas, you'll need to email operators directly 3-4 weeks ahead rather than just showing up.
- Internal flight schedules get wonky in October - Conviasa and other domestic carriers sometimes reduce frequency on routes like Caracas-Canaima or Caracas-Los Roques due to lower demand. What might be a daily flight in January could be 3-4 times weekly in October, which limits your flexibility if weather causes delays or you need to adjust plans.
Best Activities in October
Angel Falls and Canaima Lagoon Tours
October hits that perfect window where Angel Falls still has impressive flow (the falls can reduce to a trickle by February-March) but the worst of the heavy rains have passed. The flight from Caracas or Ciudad Bolivar over the tepuis is spectacular when cloud cover breaks, which happens more frequently in October than earlier in rainy season. Water levels in the Carrao River are ideal for the curiara (dugout canoe) journey to the falls base - high enough to navigate easily but not dangerously swollen. The red jasper beaches around Canaima Lagoon are accessible, and you'll likely have them mostly to yourself. Temperatures in Canaima hover around 28-30°C (82-86°F) during the day, cooling to a comfortable 20°C (68°F) at night.
Los Roques Archipelago Beach-Hopping
The Caribbean waters around Los Roques stay warm year-round (27-28°C or 81-82°F), but October brings calmer seas compared to the windy January-March period when whitecaps make some cays inaccessible. You'll find excellent visibility for snorkeling (15-20 m or 50-65 ft typically) around Madrisqui, Francisqui, and Crasqui cays. The light in October has this particular quality - less harsh than dry season, which actually makes for better photography of the turquoise shallows. Crowds are minimal, so you might have entire beaches to yourself by mid-afternoon. The main village of Gran Roque empties out after day-trippers leave around 3pm.
Orinoco Delta Wilderness Expeditions
October water levels in the Delta make this the ideal time for multi-day explorations by peñero through the labyrinth of channels and islands. You'll spot more wildlife than in dry season - caimans, capybaras, river dolphins, and an absurd variety of birds including scarlet ibis roosting in the mangroves around sunset. The Warao indigenous communities are accessible, and October falls between major harvest periods so guides have better availability for overnight stays in traditional stilt houses. Temperatures stay consistent around 29-31°C (84-88°F) with high humidity, but the constant breeze on the water makes it bearable. Rain showers tend to be brief and actually provide welcome cooling.
Mérida Andes Hiking and Cable Car
October in the Andes means cooler temperatures (15-20°C or 59-68°F in Mérida town, dropping to 5-10°C or 41-50°F at higher elevations) and clearer morning skies before afternoon clouds roll in. The famous Teleférico de Mérida - the world's highest and longest cable car - operates more reliably in October than during peak tourist season when lines stretch for hours. You'll ascend to Pico Espejo at 4,765 m (15,633 ft) with spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada range. Trails around Los Nevados and the páramo ecosystem are accessible but muddy - you'll want proper hiking boots. The morning light on Pico Bolivar is exceptional when weather cooperates, which happens maybe 60-70% of October days.
Morrocoy National Park Snorkeling and Kayaking
The calm Caribbean waters of Morrocoy in October offer excellent conditions for exploring the mangrove channels and coral cays by kayak. Water temperatures stay around 27-28°C (81-82°F), and visibility for snorkeling around Cayo Sombrero and Cayo Peraza typically reaches 12-15 m (40-50 ft). October brings fewer boats than high season, so the coral gardens around the cays show less stress and you'll spot more fish activity. The mangrove channels teem with juvenile fish, small rays, and occasional manatees if you're quiet and lucky. Afternoon rain showers are possible but usually pass within 30-40 minutes.
Gran Sabana and Mount Roraima Trekking
October weather on the Gran Sabana plateau is unpredictable but spectacular - the grasslands glow green after months of rain, and waterfalls like Salto Angel (not to be confused with Angel Falls) and Quebrada de Jaspe run strong. The classic 6-day Roraima trek is challenging in October due to muddy trails and potential rain, but you'll encounter maybe 20-30% of the trekker numbers you'd see in January-February. The summit plateau at 2,810 m (9,220 ft) stays shrouded in mist much of the time, which creates an otherworldly atmosphere among the rock formations. Temperatures range from 20°C (68°F) at the base to near-freezing on the summit at night.
October Events & Festivals
Feria de San Rafael del Moján
This traditional fair in Zulia state near the Colombian border celebrates the region's agricultural heritage with livestock exhibitions, traditional music (gaita zuliana), and local food competitions. It's genuinely local rather than tourist-oriented, which means you'll experience Venezuelan rural culture without the performance aspect. The fair includes horse shows, craft markets, and evening concerts that run late into the night.
Fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Rosario
Various towns across Venezuela, particularly in the Andes and central regions, celebrate this religious festival with processions, traditional dances, and community meals. The celebrations in Barquisimeto and surrounding Lara state are particularly vibrant, with drumming groups and elaborately decorated altars. It's a good opportunity to see Venezuelan Catholic traditions mixed with African and indigenous influences.