World Guide

Venezuela

Country · Americas, South America

Venezuela
Photo: Davevzla, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Venezuela is a country in South America with an area of 912050 square kilometers and a population of about 29 million. Its capital is Caracas. The country offers a variety of natural and cultural sights for travellers.

Highlights

The site covers 12 top sights. In the capital city of Caracas, travellers can visit the University City of Caracas which is a UNESCO site, Miraflores Palace, Bolívar Square, the Birthplace of Simón Bolívar, and Parque del Este. Natural and regional sights across the country include Mount Roraima, Leeward Antilles, Canaima National Park which is a UNESCO site, Morrocoy National Park, General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge, Médanos de Coro National Park, and Mochima National Park.

Food and drink

Local dishes and drinks include arepa, Angostura bitters, hallaca, cachapa, pabellón criollo, ropa vieja, tequeño, cabrito, cocuy, and mandoca.

When to go

The climate at the capital features daily highs and lows across the year. January and December see highs of 24 °C and lows of 18 °C or 17 °C, with rain on about 12 to 14 days. From February to May, high temperatures range from 25 °C to 26 °C and lows from 17 °C to 19 °C, with lower rain totals and fewer rainy days, particularly in March and April. From June to November, high temperatures remain around 25 °C to 26 °C with lows of 19 °C, while monthly rain amounts rise to between 128 mm and 146 mm.

Practical notes

The currency is the sovereign bolivar. Languages spoken are Spanish and Venezuelan Sign Language. Plugs used are type A and type B with a voltage of 120.0 V. Driving is on the right side of the road. The time zone is UTC−04:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Venezuela

  • Arepa
  • Angostura bitters
  • Hallaca
  • Cachapa
  • Pabellón criollo
  • Ropa vieja
  • Tequeño
  • Cabrito
  • Cocuy
  • Mandoca

Top sights in Venezuela

  1. Mount RoraimaMount Roraima
  2. Miraflores PalaceMiraflores PalaceCaracas
  3. Leeward Antilles
  4. Canaima National ParkUNESCOCanaima National Park
  5. Morrocoy National ParkMorrocoy National Park
  6. General Rafael Urdaneta BridgeGeneral Rafael Urdaneta BridgeMaracaibo
  7. University City of CaracasUNESCOUniversity City of CaracasCaracas
  8. Bolívar SquareBolívar SquareCaracas
  9. Médanos de Coro National ParkMédanos de Coro National ParkCoro
  10. Mochima National ParkMochima National Park
  11. Birthplace of Simón BolívarBirthplace of Simón BolívarCaracas
  12. Parque del EsteParque del EsteCaracas

Weather by month

Temperatures stay much the same all year, around 22 °C on average. The wettest is August, with about 146 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C242526262626252626262524
Average low, °C171718191919191919191918
Rainfall, mm3537196610612814114613113613569
Rainy days12963591089121114

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Caracas (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories