You must have gotten never-ending warnings about visiting Venezuela from locals, visitors and even people who have never laid foot on the country. But in reality, not all is lost for this marvelous country. On the contrary, it has the potential to make your stay one of the most pleasurable and fascinating experiences of your life.
Venezuela boasts an impressive amount of 43 national parks and 20 natural monuments and stuns. The variety of its landscapes ranges from peak mountains and beaches, to tepuis or table mountains.
Here is a list of some of the main and most exciting nature-related things to do in Venezuela.
1. Watersports
Venezuela has the longest Caribbean coast in America. As a result, itās not a surprise that this South American country offers a variety of watersports. Here, you can practice kitesurfing, snorkeling, diving, fishing, sailing boat and, of course, windsurfing.
The main destinations for practicing these sports are Margarita Island, Los Roques, Choroni and Mochima National Park. Margarita Island is a mecca for windsurfers from all over the world. Even though these watersports activities are common all year round, take into account that winds are less strong from September to November.
2. Trekking, rafting, and paddling
You could enjoy these three activities if you head to the Andes regions, surrounded by high peaks and mountains. There are quite a few alternatives for trekking, but the one that stands out is The Sierra Nevada de MĆ©rida. For these type of activities, I recommend you to hire a local guide for any excursion you would like to embark on.
In addition, there is also the possibility of canoeing if you ask a local travel agency. And don’t worry about the equipment, you can rent them at local travel agencies or tourist spots. Besides, I highly recommend coming during the dry season to avoid the dangerous fog and mud.
3. Climbing, camping, and hiking
These activities are not only possible in the Andes region as I just mentioned, but you could also hike and climb to the Roraima in the Gran Sabana. However, let me warn you that the weather in here is unpredictable due to the area’s nature. Itās also possible to camp on beaches.
4. Birding and Wildlife
Venezuela is a must-visit destination for birdwatchers. If you are a lover of flora and fauna, do not forget to include Los Llanos region or the Orinoco Delta in your itinerary. Since Venezuela is also known as a āmegadiverse countryā, it will astonish you with the abundance and variety of animals. Keep your eyes opened for jaguars, pumas, capybaras, manatees, howler monkeys, sloths, and dolphins. Plants range from cactuses/cacti in the desert, to the epiphytes of the rainforest. On the sky, trees and grouds, you can find more than 1400 birds such as hummingbirds, antbirds, toucans, and macaws.
If you give this country a try, taking all the necessary security measures into account, it will definitely knock your sock off. Reading this article is the first step of the great adventure that this country will offer you.
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