Appreciate the many interesting architectural details and unique geographically influenced construction, check out
the shops, visit museums and historic structures -all within easy walking distance of the Mirador

The river front boulevard, Paseo Orinoco, is a popular place for a stroll, with old buildings lining one side of the street and the river running along the other. There is also a beautifully restored colonial quarter, with charming colonial buildings around the "Plaza Bolivar", including a cathedral. In the Plaza Bolívar, declared a national monument and focal point of historical events in this city, along with the customary statue of Simón Bolívar are five allegorical figures representing each of the countries he liberated from Spanish rule: Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolívar, Colombia, and Peru. Some 10 blocks south of the plaza is Fortín Zamuro. Nearby, facing Plaza Miranda is the Centro de las Artes. Erected in 1870, in its "former life" it served variously as a hospital, military barracks, jail, prefecture, and even the capitol building. It now holds changing expositions as well as offices of the state's cultural Department.

The town lies at a narrowing of the Orinoco River and the original name was a contraction of the town's full descriptive name, 'Santo Tomé de Guayana de Angostura del Orinoco', "Saint Thomas of Guayana of the narrows of the Orinoco." The city lies at a spot where the Orinoco narrows to about 1 mile (1.6 km) in width, and today is the site of the only bridge across the river. Two more bridges are under construction.
 

The City was founded with the name Angostura in 1764, renamed in 1846, and, as of 2000, had an estimated population of 312,691.

It today serves as an important port of eastern Venezuela on the Orinoco River. One of the Orinoco Basin's chief commercial centers, its main products include gold, iron ore, cattle, hides and rare woods. To the south of the Orinoco are Venezuela’s Guayana and Amazon regions, which together comprise nearly half of the country’s territory.

Some visitors returning to Venezuela travel up the mighty Orinoco river to Bolivar and make their plans to explore the Guayana Highlands where you can find the vertical cliffs of the many tepuys dating back millions of years. Roraima was one that inspired Arthur Conan Doyle to write The Lost World. And atop another tepuy, Jimmie Angel, the discoverer of Angels Falls, the world’s highest waterfall, landed his airplane

The Spanish conquistadors lived their dreams of gold god & glory and few dreams were as powerful as the search for El Dorado, the "great and golden city"  Each failure to find El Dorado, over the course of centuries, caused its purported location to shift. Among its most famous and earliest explorers was Sir Walter Raleigh who sought El Dorado in the heart of Guiana, a region that today accounts for nearly half of Venezuela's territory. He confidently placed the golden city of Manoa at the center of a map he created, on the shores of the mythical lake Parima.

A port city: The town of Angostura, in the early years of its foundation, had no direct communication with the mother-country. The inhabitants were contented with carrying on a trifling contraband trade in dried meat and tobacco with the West India Islands, and with the Dutch colony of Essequibo, by the Rio Carony. Neither wine, oil, nor flour, three articles of importation, most sought after, was received directly from Spain. This led some merchants, in 1771, to send the first schooner to Cadiz; and a regular direct exchange of commodities with the ports of Andalusia and Catalonia followed.
The population of Angostura, having  languished for decades then saw much growth ( Santo Thome de la Nueva Guayana reported  in 1768, only 500 Angostura inhabitants which by 1780 had grown to 1513 (455 Whites, 449 Blacks, 363 Mulattoes and Zamboes, and 246 Indians). The population in the year 1789 rose to 4590; and in 1800 to 6600 souls.
The mouths of the Orinoco afforded  advantages over other parts of the country, allowing prompt communications with the Peninsula and a routine passage to Spain. The voyage from Cadiz to Punta Barima is performed sometimes in eighteen or twenty days. The return to Europe takes from thirty to thirty-five days.
The vessels of Angostura maintained a more advantageous commerce with the West Indies than La Guayra and Porto Cabello. earning the jealousy of the merchants of Caracas for Spanish Guiana. Since Caracas was long the seat of the supreme government, the port of Angostura has been treated with still less favour than the ports of Cumana and Nueva Barcelona.  [more]

HQ of the Revolution:
The city served as the headquarters of the national revolutionary government fighting its War of Independence against imperial Spain.
The Congress of Angostura declared South American military leader and revolutionary Simón Bolívar the President of Venezuela, and on December 17, 1819, declared the creation of the Republic of Gran Colombia, with Bolívar still as president. Bolivar's famous prophetic and inspiring address to the congress, distinguishing the Venezuelan character from the North American one, with its "weak and complicated system" of government, and emphasizing the Venezuelan revolutionaries' extraordinary and complicated position ("We are not Europeans; we are not Indians"), advocated a parliamentary system based on the British model, with a hereditary senate.

Bolivar State office of Turismo is at 59 Av Bolivar between Av Tachira and Av Germania tel. 632-613/2362 weekdays 8-12 & 14-17:30

Getting There

Daily flights from Canaima to Ciudad Bolívar. - Daily flights from Santa Elena to Ciudad Bolívar. BUS: From Caracas, take the Rodovias night bus to Ciudad Bolivar. Save by booking your tour to the Guyana highlands.

Getting Around the City 

At night call for a taxi as it can be hard to find one on the streets.

Getting to Caimana National Park

From these two towns (Ciudad Bolivar is more geared to tourism and so probably easier to arrange transportation) one can also fly into the Gran Sabana and Canaima National Park: in large planes to Canaima and Santa Elena de Uairen, and in six-seater small planes to the towns and missionary settlements: Canaima, Kamarata, Kavanayen, Wonken, El Pauji, Ikabaru and Santa Elena. One can also rent cars (preferably high clearance) in Puerto Ordaz (Ciudad Guayana) or Ciudad Bolivar on the Orinoco and drive south along the highway. Two roads split from the main north-south highway, allowing one to penetrate other parts of the region. One heads to the mission of Kavanayen, via the lovely waterfalls of Chinak Meru. Another heads west from Santa Elena to the small and interesting village of El Pauji and on to the mining town of Icabaru.

Booking a Tour to Angel Falls

It is cheapest to book a tour from Ciudad Bolivar. Nearly all the angel falls tours operate out of this city, and their prices include the cost of a plane that flies from Ciudad Bolivar to Canaima. Expect to pay between Bs. 500,000 and 600,000 (approximately US$ 250) for a three-day tour that brings you to the falls. More expensive tours may include a flight that takes you right over the falls. A typical tour will include the flight to Canaima, and then three days of meals and (very simple and rustic) accommodation at the various campsites along the river towards the falls. Boat rides along with sections of hiking are required to get to the campsites. Tour guides typically speak spanish and english.

Places To Stay

Laja Real: Rooms: 74 Average price*: $44 Ave Andres Bello | Con Calle Jesus Soto, Ciudad Bolivar 8001, Venezuela "Excellent medium-sized and old-fashioned hotel" This TripAdvisor Member:  Liked: Nicest people in the country Disliked: a bit old.. they should change the furniture... Tips/Secrets: Just in front of the airport, just cross the street

Posada Angostura [22 rooms]  Calle Boyaca entre Venezuela y Bolivar, Ciudad Boliviar, Venezuela Phone:  +58-285-632463 Fax:  +58-285-6324639 a beautiful colonial style inn. Rooms with air-conditioned, fan and private bathroom. On the second floor, there is a cozy balcony with an excellent view of the Orinoco river and of the Angostura bridge. hihostels.com/dba/hostel076001.en.htm

Posada "La Casita" [3 rooms + hammocks]  Telephone:    +58 (0) 285-63 23 223  run by Germans Maria und Peter Rothfuss. toll-free shuttle service to the airport or busstation. Tours arranged gekkotours-venezuela.de

Posada Amor Patrio located behind the cathedral provide five tastefully decorated rooms with fan, shared bathroom and shared kitchen. If the rooms are full you can grab a hammock upstairs with view on the Orinoco River. Price is Bs. 35,000 (11 US$) for a three person room.

Posada Don Carlos, Calle Boyacá (con Amor Patrio), 0058-285-6326017 (cel. 0058-414-8546616 or 0058-414-8569788), soanaatravel@gmx.de. [1] Located in an old mansion. Shared kitchen. Price for a double room is Bs. 25,000 (12 US$) and a hammock Bs. 10,000 (5 US$).

Caicara de Orinoco

Hotel Miami  Tel. (035)67.587).

Cauru River

Las Trincheras

Caura Lodge [rooms 17]   Las Trincheras, Caura River, Rio Caura, Venezuela Phone:  +58-285-6324639 Fax:  +58-285-6324639 The camp is at the edge of the village, on the banks of the Rio Caura. The terrace has an excellent view. hihostels.com/dba/hostel076005.en.htm A huge colonial house with a spacious kitchen with delicious home cooked meals. Sleep in one of the Churuatas in Hammock equipped with mosquito net or indoors in a double room with private bath

Caurama [18 double rooms with private bath and ceiling fans] North-east of the State, reserva forestal Caura (Caura Forest Reservation They have their own landing strip. Daily rides to the Raudales de la Leona, where you can enjoy a natural pool of Laja Roja (red flagstone); excursions to the Sipao river and visits to the La Faltriquera farm, which raises Asian buffaloes.

Camp: Yokore Yokore island, Puerto Jabillal, Caura River. Churuatas provides roof and stucture for sleeping in hammocks or in tents. There is no electricity or other facilities. Primitive and authentic. GETTING THERE: By land from Ciudad Bolívar to Puerto Jabillal on Caura River.Then by river in dug-out canoe from the port to Yokore island  Recommendations Canoe equipment should fit in a lightweight, waterproof bag which does not exceed 5 kilos.

Lake Guri

Lake Guri Peacock Bass Fishing Lodge at peacocktrips.com  telephone, high speed internet Pool & Hot Tub

chapisportfishing.com/guri.htm The "Paovon Lodge" is located at the southwest of Lake Guri in the southeast of Venezuela. Guests will be staying in our fine Lodge, which name comes from the combination of the town "El Pao" and the fish"Pavon"(Peacock Bass in Spanish).

Campament: Diamante Inn 4 churuatas (indigenous-style structure) with full size or double beds, some with air conditioning, private bathroom, hot water, refrigerator, mini-bar, Swimming pool, South of Lake Guri, in the banks of the river Paragua, 500 m. from La Paragua. GETTING THERE: By land from Ciudad Bolívar following the way to La Paragua. By air in light planes to small landing strip of 1,200 m. The main attraction is navigating the Paragua river toward its original sources  passing through La Gran Sabana as well as areas of Amazon jungle. Those who wish to tempt fortune may also look for their own diamonds in the mines of the region. Sports fishermen can land huge peacock bass and payara.

Kavac

Camp: Kavac North of Kamarata in Canaima national park. GETTING THERE: By air from Porlamar (Margarita Island) and Ciudad Bolívar to Kavac. The only way is by light plane passing over the impressive Angels Falls prior to landing in this

Attractions: Ciudad Bolivar

Ciudad Boivar was one of only five cities selected as world heritage sites to recognize the 500th anniversary of America's discovery. There are many charming restored colonial buildings throughout the city.

Plaza Bolívar, declared a national monument , along with the customary statue of Simón Bolívar are five allegorical figures representing each of the countries he liberated from Spanish rule: Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolívar, Colombia, and Peru.

Centro de las Artes. Erected in 1870, in its "former life" it served variously as a hospital, military barracks, jail, prefecture, and even the capitol building. It now holds changing expositions as well as offices of the sta-te's cultural Department

Museo de Arte Moderno Jesús Soto/ Jesús Soto Museum Jesús-Rafael_Soto famous for his op art works. In 1973, the "Jesús Soto Museum of Modern Art" opened in Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela with a collection of his work - a large number of the exhibits are wired to the electricity supply so that they can move . The first stage was designed by the legendary Venezuelan ar-chitect, Carlos Raúl Villanueva, and Edgar Parra responsible for the second part. The focus of the complex's galleries is works of Jesús Soto, world-famous for his kinetic art. He was born in this city.

Caicara de Orinoco (Bolívar) Near Caicara de Orinoco, there are six archeological sites with petroglyphs, some of which also have had ceramic pieces found nearby. These sites have been named Cedeño, Punta Cedeño, El Guamo, La Francesa, La Lajota, and Caja de Agua.The dates for the petroglyphs and objects date from a period between 600 B.C. to 400 A.D.

Trips can be arranged to the diamond mines at Los Caribes. In Icaban, after a heavy rainfall, it is common to see children searching the slopes for gold nuggets washed down from the slopes.

Orinoco River

The great Orinoco River is a crucial part of the Venezuelan environment. It originates 1,047 meters above sea level in the Venezuelan State of Amazonas, in the southern part of the country at the Brazilian border. The majority of its length is navigable, one spectacular exception being the thundering rapids of the Atures and Maipures streams. Two hundred major and 600 minor tributaries flow into its waters. The river is navigable for most of its length, and dredging enables ocean ships to go as far as Ciudad Bolívar, the confluence of the Caroní River, 435 km upstream. River steamers carry cargo as far as Puerto Ayacucho and the Atures Rapids. The Orinoco river deposits also contains extensive tar sands in the orinoco oil belt, which may be a source of future oil production. Robinson Crusoe (a fictional character created by Daniel Defoe) was stranded on an island near the mouth of the Orinoco river on September 30, 1659 which is believed to be Tobago.

 This is the region with the greatest rainfall in the country (3,280 mm per year) which accounts for the great flow of the rivers and exuberant, captivating flora. Here, the main attraction is the jungle and landscape which can be enjoyed navigating on the river or on walks.

Most of the basin is a forest preserve with several national parks and natural monuments, including the Sarisariñama sink hole, a geologic formation dating to the Precambrian period, and "tepuyes", flat-topped, vegetation covered mountains.

The Caura River flows 700 km from its headwaters near the Brazilian border, 2,000 meters above sea level, to where it joins the Orinoco.

Payara, sardinata and peacock bass make up the "most wanted" list of highly rated gamefish.

The Caura River Basin sits atop the Guayana Shield, a single massive geological formation that runs beneath northeastern South America.

The Caura River Basin is home to 30 percent of all Venezuela's recorded species and 28 percent of the country's freshwater fish species. Comprised of inland and flooded forests, the vegetation around the basin is 85 percent intact and pristine, largely due to the indigenous Ye'kwana people, who carefully manage the area.

Because the Caura River Basin is so rich in animal and plant species and it is facing increasing threats from expanding agriculture frontiers, plans for a hydroelectric dam and commercial logging, conservationists are urging the Venezuelan government to create a new protected area in this region.

While the Venezuelan government appears to be in no hurry to take advantage of the hydroelectric potential of the southeastern Caura River environmentalists  are not going to let down their guard. The watershed of the Caura, which flows into the Orinoco River, could also be diverted to the Caroni River, where sits the Guri dam -- the third largest hydroelectric dam in the world.

Daily excursions can be made to an island of granite-rock in the Rio Caura, Peña Negra as well as the "La Leona Falls" in the Sierra de Maigualida, and animal-observations in the "Caño Mato".
Peña Negra, is a huge granite rock in the middle of the Caura River known for its spectacular views in the midst of the rainforest jungle. It is an not far from Las Trincheras.

Sarapia, a sort of nut-fruit, was valuable to medicine and perfume industries because for its special oil and was the impetus for the first settlements on the Caura River.

Visit the Yekwana indians, who still rely on hunting and primitive cultivation of manioc, en route to the Para Falls. They are renowned for particularly fine basketry.