Spanning almost one million square kilometers, Venezuelan territory boasts an impressive variety of natural attractions that have become icons of both national and international tourism. Snow-capped peaks, rainforests, tepuis, deserts, savannas, and around 3,700 kilometers of coastline are a testament to how generous Mother Nature has been to this country. Join us as we visit the 7 natural wonders of Venezuela.
Salto Ángel
It is located in Bolívar state, in the southern part of the country, within Canaima National Park. Although many historians claim it was discovered before 1937, it was that year when American aviator Jimmy Angel landed on the highest part of the falls, bringing it to global attention.
Recognized as the tallest waterfall in the world, with a total height of 979 meters and an uninterrupted drop of 807 meters, Angel Falls was designated a National Park on June 12, 1962, and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Flying over it leaves you breathless, and experiencing it from below fills you with its power, peace, and energy. Trying to convey through words what it feels like to stand before such a majestic wonder as Angel Falls is challenging because words fall short in capturing the magnificence of nature’s bounty.
You can reach it by air from Caracas to the city of Puerto Ordaz in Bolívar state. From there, tour operators will take you on small planes to Canaima Lagoon or the Kavac community, where the journey continues by “curiaras” (canoes crafted by indigenous people from hollowed-out tree trunks) along the Churún River to the campsites. From this point, the trip continues on foot. You can choose between a 2- or 3-day excursion or a full-day tour.
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In the capital of Amazonas state, Puerto Ayacucho, located in the southern region of the country, lies this unique attraction, which is part of the Jivi indigenous community settled in the town of La Coromoto.
It is a natural slide about 20 meters long, formed by the flow of the Orinoco River over the surface of a rock slab. At its top, natural jacuzzis are created by a strong stream of water, and at the bottom, there is a large pool of icy water where visitors end their journey with a refreshing plunge to ease the adrenaline rush.
In addition to the Jungle Slide, the state of Amazonas boasts 4 national parks and 19 natural monuments, along with countless rivers, tepuis, rainforests, streams, river beaches, and lakes, making it an ideal destination for adventure tourism enthusiasts.
You can reach it by air from Caracas to Puerto Ayacucho, followed by a 30-minute drive to La Coromoto.
Los Roques
Located to the north of Venezuela’s central coast, approximately 150 km from the port of La Guaira, this archipelago consists of 45 main islands, 300 cays, and coral banks, all surrounded by the waters of the Caribbean Sea.
In addition to its pristine white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, Los Roques is a haven for ornithologists, with over 92 bird species inhabiting the area. However, the most remarkable feature of this unique natural site is its coral reefs, which form the archipelago’s primary ecosystem. In fact, it is estimated that 98% of the world’s coral species can be found here.
Los Roques is not only one of Venezuela’s natural wonders but also recognized as one of the top ten destinations in the world for sport fishing, especially for species such as bonefish, barracuda, and tuna.
Due to the delicate nature of its biological wealth, Los Roques has been a protected area and a National Park since 1972. Consequently, there are no large hotel chains, only small inns that accommodate visitors. Access is via small commercial or private aircraft.
The Sand Dunes of Coro
North of the city of Coro in Falcón state lie the dunes of the Isthmus of the Paraguaná Peninsula, formed by sea sand deposited through the action of the wind. These dunes cover an area of over 91,000 hectares, protected under the designation of a National Park.
The sand dunes of Médanos de Coro reach heights of up to 40 meters, making them the only desert formation of this magnitude in Venezuela.
A visit to the dunes almost requires indulging in the fun of tumbling down the sand, rolling all the way to the base of the dune.
Due to the area’s hot climate, it is best to visit the park early in the morning or after 3 p.m. when the sun is less intense.
To get there, you can drive westward across the country or take a commercial flight to Las Piedras.
The Catatumbo Lightning
This site is listed in the Guinness World Records as the place on Earth where the highest number of lightning strikes per square kilometer occurs annually (250). The Catatumbo Lightning is a unique meteorological phenomenon that occurs south of Lake Maracaibo, in Zulia state, caused by the heating and cooling of air, which leads to cloud collisions and subsequent electrical discharges.
According to scientists, the Catatumbo Lightning generates significant amounts of ozone, making this natural phenomenon highly important due to its regenerative effect on the ozone layer.
It is part of the Juan Manuel Wetlands National Park and originates in a village called Congo Mirador, known for its homes built on stilts over the water. Currently, inns are being built for visitors who come to witness this extraordinary phenomenon.
To get there by road, you can take the Maracaibo-Encontrados-Catatumbo River route, the Maracaibo-Santa Bárbara-Escalante River route, or the Maracaibo-Machiques-La Fría-Santa Ana River route. Alternatively, navigating Lake Maracaibo and the Catatumbo and Escalante rivers offers another exciting option for this natural adventure.
The Guácharo Cave
Visitar la Cueva del Guácharo es una experiencia sorprendente y, para algunos, hasta aterradora. Una entrada de 22 metros de alto por 15 metros de ancho recibe al turista que poco a poco se pierde entre la oscuridad y el sonido de las aves que allí habitan.
Esta caverna, ubicada en el estado Monagas, en la zona oriental de Venezuela, tiene una longitud de unos 10 km, con una superficie total de 63.200 hectáreas. Es la segunda más grande del país y una de las primeras en América Latina.
Sus formaciones rocosas así como las aves (Guácharos) que allí habitan son sus especiales atractivos, aunque desde el punto de vista científico, la riqueza es basta. La salida en bandadas de los guácharos en horas de la tarde, en busca de alimento, es un espectáculo imperdible.
Para visitar esta Cueva, una de las maravillas naturales de Venezuela, Se recomienda ir en zapatos deportivos y ropa cómoda. Para llegar se puede viajar desde Caracas hasta Maturín en vuelo comercial y de allí en vehículo hasta el pueblo de Caripe.
Mérida Peaks
The Sierra Nevada National Park in the Andean state of Mérida is home to Venezuela’s main mountain formations, including Pico Bolívar (5,007 meters), Pico Humboldt (4,942 meters), Pico La Concha (4,922 meters), Pico Bonpland (4,883 meters), Pico Espejo (4,880 meters), Pico León (4,740 meters), Pico El Toro (4,729 meters), and Pico Mucuñuque (4,609 meters).
Its snow-capped peaks, primarily between July and August, adorn the city of Mérida. The city’s cable car (currently under repair), the highest in the world, brings visitors closer to these frozen summits. For the more adventurous, there are numerous hiking and climbing options ranging from 3 to 8 days.
Ohoto of the portrait: Depositphotos
