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1999 Mudslides: |
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On 15th and 16th December
1999 as Christmas approached, the
greatest recorded rain in history of Venezuela, a full
year's worth in 2 days, brought a flood of mud down the
steep hillsides of the
El Avila mountain range
onto the narrow urbanized band of
dwellings between the cliffs and the sea. Thousands of
people died and 150,000 were forced to abandon their homes
after an avalanche of water, mud and boulders swept down and
devastated the beach towns of Vargas State. [more]
6 months later Hugo Chavez won a new
6-year term
Red Cross waits for next disaster April
2001
Strip adds
1,074 hectares and plans for new development by
tierramerica.net /2004 |
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Surf |
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surfing by escape.ve
[translate
this page] |
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Los Caracas |
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Real Estate |
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In the wake of the 1999 mudslides
following the the heaviest rainfall ever
recorded in Venezuela, the profile of the beaches
has changed and land surface has increased by 1,074
hectares of sea. There are plans to build a new
avenue along this new space. While much has been
done, the far eastern towns have not fully
recovered. [more
at .tierramerica.net]
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| Macuto was founded in August 1740 at
Guaicamacuto (which translates roughly to "basket of
thorns"), once an indigenous village. |
| Unused
beaches may be a sign of dangerous undercurrents.
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World Class Deep Sea Fishing |
| Marina Caraballeda
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The El Placer Bank
home to a year-round population of sailfish
and blue marlin, as well as dolphin, Wahoo, and yellow fin tuna.
World-class anglers have discovered that "seasons" mean
little in these fertile waters - both bait and game fish abound all
year long. In Carabelleda you can connect with experienced crews, well equipped boats,
and
top-of-the-line
tackle. Venezuelan captains have been winning awards with impressive
results at competitions for many years.
In March, September and October competitions are
held including the PRESIDENTIAL CARIBBEAN CUP fishing tournament. The
500 lb fish are on the prowl off La Guaira throughout the year, but
it's the winter and spring (Jan - May) that bring their larger
concentrations to La Guaira waters, when boats average 4 to 8 shots
per day |
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Museum Armando Reverón |
Museum Armando Reverón:
Located in Macuto.
In 1918 he met his muse and wife at the Carnival. In 1921
the the artist began construction on this museum tower,
which symbolized a transformation of his artistic concepts
in which he rejected being judged in relation to European
art and sought a deeper perception of nature under the direct
light of the sun. His chromatic values stirred the critic
Alfredo Boulton to call this “White Time” His work is very
valuable and is found in many major museums, with a large collection
in Museo de Arte Contemporáneo. His last days were in
a sanitarium. This museum was seriously affected by the
mudslides and may not yet be open.
Armando Reveron: a lust for light
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Caribbean Caracas -Beaches, Boats &
Bodies |
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The coastal zone is called El Litoral central. It's 30 minutes away from
Caracas and coming along nicely in recovering from the infamous 1999
mudslides, with new beaches and
long-time favorite restaurants beginning to bustle. Those worried about traffic delays
and nighttime crime choose this zone for their overnight stay when making
connecting
flights through the coast side International Airport in Maiquetia.
The best known towns include, from west to
east, Catia La Mar, Maiquetía, La Guaira, Macuto, Caraballeda and
Naiguatá. Most head east
on
La Playa and aim for the beaches and vendors waiting for them
between Macuto and Carabealleda.
With a car, you can discover the spectacular undeveloped
North Central Coast of Vargas State. Beaches stretch as far as the
eye can see, neighbored by clear lagoons surrounded by dense vegetation.
The crashing surf on stunning rock formations and virtually no signs of
development is the escape many long for on their vacations. The area
also supports an impressive schedule of afro-caribbean cultural events.
The Afro-Venezuelan music and penchant
for joy in the present is well-represented in the El
Littoral. The compelling rhythm of the drums and colorful
costumes make it possible for visitors to share in the
folkloric traditions.
The verdant mountain chain of El Avila National Park acts
as a spectacular backdrop, and the always inviting Caribbean sea make
this a sure bet as the zone, the newest state in Venezuela, rethinks the
opportunities of the extra real estate and new beaches the mudslides
created --the beaches east of Los Caracas were substantially enlarged
by the mudslides. Recovery has been slow.
The state of Vargas was only created in 1997, when it
was separated from "Great Caracas". The state is divided in eleven
different municipalities; Caraballeda, Carayaca, Carlos Soublette,
Caruao, Catia La Mar, El Junco, La Guaira (the main parish), Macuto,
Maiquetía, Naiguatá and Raul Leoni. |
La Guaira
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La Guaira is the capital of the Venezuelan state of Vargas, and the
500 year old country's historic port of entry. It is located next to
Maiquetia, location of the airport which sees 90% of the international
air traffic in Venezuela and is notorious for mishaps.
A
walk around the central coast should begin at La Guaira, which
was founded in 1577 as an outlet for Caracas, 30 km to the southeast. The
intact historic town rises up steep hill to colonial forts. Castillo
San Carlos - built in 1979 - is not visible from the town, but offers a
popular panoramic view of the town and bay.
 Casa
Guipuzcoana is the largest civil structure of the
colonial era on the coastal Av Soublette road, named for
local native Carlos Soublette who was Venezuela's 3rd president. It was
originally built by the royal trading monopoly run by Basques before
becoming a customs house. Restored in the 1970's, it can only be seen
during office hours. The Basque region of Spain still enjoys close
ties with Venezuela. In their day, they were also in charge of enforcing
the monopoly against the robust trade of the Orinoco river to Ciudad
Bolivar, then known as Angostura.
Also worth seeing are the noteworthy monuments from the colonial period:
, Bolívar street, the
Guamacho and Muchinga gangways, the Pasaje Urrutia,
and the Puente Jesús
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Macuto
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| Macuto is widely regarded as the best of
the Caribbean coastal towns near the Caracas airport. It's
long history as the favored among the urbanite
Caracenos has given it a pleasing resort layout, a
broad assortment of accommodations and strong
infrastructure. Macuto
is some 10km from the airport and the adjoining state
capital of La Guaira.
Since Macuto is served by public buses and the "por
Puesto" private jitneys from Caracas, the quiet weekday
beaches will become crowed with many Caracenos on weekends.
Sidewalk restaurants, ice-cream shops and horses for
hire are popular. The seaside
promenade is a nice place for a walk or jog. A few
museums are also nearby for the rainy days.
Today the Olé Caribe takes the place of the 1928
Hotel Miramar which was
the first luxury 5-star hotel built on the coast in
Venezuela. Macuto was founded
in 1740, so it has a long tradition as a getaway. In 1888,
Venezuelan President Joaquin Crespo built a mansion here; it
is called La Guzmania, and it can still be visited, although
it is now a college.
Marcuto has the coast's best dining and there is a full
service marina available for yachts and sailboats.
By 2004 Macuto had recovered from the
mudslides and its two beaches below the waterside walkway of
malecón La Paloma can quite packed on weekends. The two 100
ms X 15 ms beaches have breakwaters which eliminate most
wave action.
PARQUE COSTERO PASEO DEL MAR
Heading east are several beaches restored in 2004 that are
very popular since they are just off the highway, with full
services (and little privacy).
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Caraballeda [Caribe]
4km East from Macuto 20km from La Guaria
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| Traditionally the most upscale of the
Littoral towns, but among those most hurt by the '99
mudslides. Founded in 1567 under the name of Our Lady of
Caraballeda by the Spanish conqueror Diego de Lozada, who
also founded Caracas. The beaches of Playa Lido and
Caribito and Playa Los Coccos by the Gran
Caribe Hotel are beaches with some services.
In 2001, the Macuto Sheraton and all
its 543 rooms closed because the Sheraton management group
chose to pull out. Unlike other hotels in the area it was
undamaged during the December 1999 floods and mudslides that
devastated much of the region and forever changed the beach
story. The adjacent 290 room Gran
Caribe (formerly the Melia) also remains closed, leaving
the 5-star hotel market to the all new Hotel Ole Caribe.
The Sheraton Beach
is very popular, as its location creates easy waves ideal
for children. The many coconut palms and numerous
churuatas offer pleasant shade. There is no end to
beach vendors offering meals, drinks and bathing suits. In
spite of the lack of maintenance and security, it is a
popular place on weekends and holidays.
The yachts and deep sea fishing crowd have continued to
favor the Marina.
The coast has some of the world's best deep-sea fishing; just a half hour from shore are the underwater mountains
[16km long and 6km wide] that are known as the The El Placer
Bank and they provide ideal baitfish habitat just a
brief 30 to 40-minute run from where the boats are docked..
The Carabella Marina is a boat charter center for exploring
these waters as well as taking trips to
Los Roques. |
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Naiguatá
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In Naiguatá, many come to Los Angeles
Beach and arguably Venezuela's #1 surf beach, the Naiguatá bath.
This is also the festival and
Carnaval capital of Vargas State
There are three beaches in
form of average moon of 300 ms X 25 ms. The sand is gray, and
the waves smooth to moderate thanks to the protection of a
series of breakwaters. Some boats of anchored fishermen are
left on the beaches. Plenty of vendors rent awnings and
chairs. Naiquatá has a great variety of restaurants and
bakeries. On weekends these beaches are extremely crowded
despite the minimal maintenance.
Los Angeles Beach Following the
coastal highway east the city of Naiguatá and before
the club Camurí Grande, is an immense beach of 800 ms
X 150ms. Playa Los Angeles is straight, with dark sand
and very smooth surge. It lacks cleaning and the shade is
little, a good reason for a sombrilla. There are several
restaurants, and secure parking that costs Bs. 2.500 per
day.
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Further
East of Naiguatá
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The
many people who arrive in public transport prefer beaches
between Macuto and Naiguatá because of the shorter distance
and frequency of service. They are also just day users. Those with their own vehicle can take advantage of these
most paradisiacal isolated beaches on the Eastern end
of the Central Coast between Caracas and Chuspa. There are small posadas to take advantage of here.
There are two
routes of access to this zone: crossing mountains from
Caracas to Maiquetía and soon towards the east; or from
Higuerote, towards the west via Chuspa-Maiquetía. |
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Pantaleta beach
Passing Camurí Grande is
Pantaleta beach, at 500 ms X 30 ms. This beach is a good
example of the change to the coast after
the 1999 floods; before the beach was on the brink of
the highway and today it is about a 100 meters further out.
The authorities completely renewed
the beach in 2004, adding restaurants
spaces, showers, toilets, a children's play area and life-guards in high season. Before,
it was well-known as a famous point of contact for surfers
and body boarder; now the atmosphere is more family oriented.
Although cleaning is weak, this beach
has been highly recommend for its fabulous waves and
pleasant atmosphere.
PLAYA CARE
Located 15 minutes northeast of Naiguatá, this small and
calm beach (150 ms X 15 ms) has moderate waves and a gradual
increase in depth. Posada Care,
located on the beach border, offers drinks and meals. There
are showers and new toilets. The beach lacks vegetation but
offers calm privacy. |
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Anare
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PLAYA ANARE [30 ms by 350 ms] On the highway 4km further from
Playa Care is the town of Anare. The beach is not seen from
the town, but leaving form the direction of Caracas it is
possible to enjoy the vista: this beautiful white sand
expanse bathed by blue waters, a hidden treasure of the
coast of Vargas. The waves are moderate,
but the wind blows with force and regularity.
The operators of the Villa Anare posada [Malecón
de Anare- Vía Los Caracas, Anare] also have a restaurant and
lodging. Small coconut palms soon will offer shade, which is
currently lacking. It is a pretty, calm and little known
place.
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Los
Caracas [45km from La Guaria]
|
A great tourist complex was constructed at the end of the asphalted part of
the coastal
highway in 1955 with the aim of offering Venezuelan workers
a place to vacation with their families. Beach Caracas is
located on the left-hand side of the town's entrance. This
small beach (50 ms X 5 ms), with white sands and great waves, has an extensive green meadow
on its right side with many trees that
give shade and allow folks to hang their hammocks. There are
spectacular views and untiring surfers that have found a
their paradise here. Since the surge and the current are
specially strong, in it is necessary to be a good swimmer in
order to bathe here. There is secure parking but
little commerce.
East of Los Caracas, the road travels
alongside a spectacular coastline studded with overhanging
cliffs, breakwaters, small villages and public beaches. You
need a 4 x4 in the rainy season. |
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CARUAO 37 km from Caracas
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| Huge camping
facility for Venezuelan youth |
The colorful and traditional town of
Caruao is known for its goat cheese and vistas.
The Beach of Caruao is located on the
border of the main highway that crosses the town, where
there is a pleasant levee. The white sands extend on a
300M x 30Ms beach which is very popular with the locals, and
which has baths and showers maintained by the state. |
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CHUSPA 7 km east of Caruao and 43 from Caracas
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The last
town on the Eastern coastal highway of the State of Vargas,
Chuspa is probably the most developed tourist spot in this
largely undeveloped zone. The town enjoys a spectacular
river mouth and many fishermen. During the high season, there
is usually a party to be found along the levee that borders
the beach. In center of this levee is a the bust of
Francisco Fajardo who founded the town in 1555. The marina
has skippers who can take visitors to isolated Caribbean
beaches and diving site. Chuspa offers many lodging and
dining options. |
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| Heading
West from the International Airport |
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Catia La Mar
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The beaches west of the airport, beginning
with Catia Las Mar, have never been as popular or well
maintained as those to the east. While they were relatively
unharmed by the mudslides, the area is plagued by pollution
and insecurity. Still this is the beach area closest to the
international airport and it is not without its attractions,
including airport pickup and cheap hotel rates.
The Marina Grande club opens a sector of its beach to
the public, with fine sand and crystal clear waters. Some of
the other beaches are Playa Grande, Balneario Municipal de Catia
and Puerto Viejo.
PLAYA CATAMARE Catamare beach, small
semiround bay (100 ms X 20 ms), of dark sand and low surge,
since it is protected by two artificial giant stone
breakwaters. It has several kiosks, loncherías, venders
awnings and chairs, and some parking. This pleasant urban
beach appears better kept and calmer than other beaches in
the seaside town. Despite the absence of baths and greenery,
its proximity to Catia La Mar makes the beach a good option.
REEF BEACH Located the foot of
the electrical plant Ricardo Zuloaga, the small beach
reef (20 ms X 10 ms) is seen from the highway. Its more
frequent visitors are the children of the town who come to
bathe and to play, along with the fishermen who anchor their
peñeros there. Sand is dark and water hot due to the
proximity of the plant, and there is a moderate surge. Fishermen
sell fresh fish at kiosks
GETTING THERE: Follows the coastal highway West,
passing the Military Club on the right. Near
kilometer 4, the road turn back to the coast for 1 km in the
direction of the electrical plant Ricardo Zuloaga.
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Chichiriviche de la Costa
35 Kms from the international Airport,
55 Kms from Caracas
|
Before arriving, from the high mountain
highway, it is possible to enjoy the view of one of the
most extraordinary bays of the country. This Caribbean beach unfolds on 150 ms x 30 ms. The white sand
beach has great palms that offer abundant shade, and its
dark sea goes deep quickly. The fishermen use the left side
of Chichiriviche river, which makes the waters dark with mud in the
rainy season. It is an urban beach located along the town with
many services including lodging. One of the best place for
visitors in the state Vargas. This is a popular place for
scuba diving because of the excellent underwater banks.
GETTING THERE: Chichiriviche de la Costa, about an hour's
drive further West from Catia La Mar. There's a better known
beach town of the same name in the State of Falcon, so its
best to ad the "de la Costa" to avoid confusion. Public
transport is available from Plaza Venezuela and Parque
Central.
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| |
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Macuto
Hotels
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| 20 min.
from
Caracas and 5 min. from Aeropuerto Internacional Simón Bolívar. A
taxi from the airport to Macuto runs about US $25. |
hotelolecaribe.com
Hotel Ole Caribe in
Macuto
(58-212) 620.2000 / Fax: (58-212) 620.2060
5 star - English spoken- airport
pickup. Close to the marina. A bit far from the beach but
spectacular grounds and ocean views more than make up.
"By far the
most comfortable option on the coast near the
airport. A comfortable and well-maintained luxury
hotel, the Olé Caribe is filling the void left by
the closings of the nearby Sheraton and Meliá
properties. The rooms are all clean, bright, and
well maintained, and feature a handful of amenities
to be expected in this class. Most of the rooms have
ocean views.
....Located 15-minutes from
the airport, this is becoming the prime choice of
local and international tour
 operators
who are increasingly having their guests bypass
Caracas." |
|
hotelmacuto.com
Hotel
Macuto
Av. La Playa cruce con Calle 3, Urbanización Álamo, Macuto.
Edo. Vargas - Venezuela
Telfs.: 0058 (212) 415.5262 / 414.9859 / 312.6544 / 334.1837
Fax: 0058 (212) 731.6217 from
from US$ 33 to US$
74
A traditional landmark in the Central Coast of
Venezuela. Room Service, swimming pool, 24 hours service
Cafeteria, Conference Center, Free Parking rooms include
air conditioned, color TV, hot water Near Caracas (30 min.) and Maiquetia's International Airport (10 min.). Totally remodeled.
|
Posada de Hidalgo
[34 rooms] Av La Playa at Calle 3 tel: 414 8460/7991
Good Spanish restaurant with seaside tables |
hotelsantiago.com.ve/ Santiago
[84 rooms]
 Av
La Play at Calle 2 Avenida La Playa
Urbanización Álamo
tel: 334-1837, (0414) 922-3168
Taxi Service Airport-Hotel
busy waterfront seaside restaurant, pool AC 15 minutes from
airport, 10 minutes from shopping mall and discotheques.
Terrace with sea and mountain view. Hotel Santiago has always
stood out for its colonial style, as well as its famous
restaurant which serves Cuban specialties. It has an excellent
atmosphere, and is located in the best area of the Litoral
Central.
"relatively
inexpensive $60 US for a family room for 4 and had a
good inexpensive restaurant and a swimming pool on
the roof. Room pretty basic but clean and ok for a
night.
It was 25 min taxi ride (lots of traffic) from the
airport at 4pm but only 5 - 10 mins at 6 am next
day. Cost $25 US each way.
Couldn't find anything near to airport except Hotel
Eurobuilding Express |
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| Hotel Diana [34
rooms] tel: 0414) 288-2857 Callejon 9 at the boulevard beside
the Aniguo Miramar outdoor cafe |
| Plazamar [22 rooms on 2 floors] tel:
344-1271 on the plaza at Calle del Medio w/ fan, TV but no hot
water |
In
the wake of the slow clean up following the 1999 mudslides in 2001 the Macuto Sheraton
and all its 543 rooms closed as did the adjacent 290 room Gran
Caribe. Five years later there are still no announced
plans regarding reopening. |
|
Caruao
|
aloespa.com/
 +58
(212) 952-3741
Cell Phone:
+58 (416) 818-1102
Rejuvenation in harmony with nature |
lallanada.com/lomas.htm Lomas de
Caruao
 [7
Cabañas] (0212) 993.1315 ó
991.0676, Fax (0212) 993.7436 |
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Chuspa
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La
Guaria- just East of
Maiquetia, has no hotels
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Maiquetia- See airport
Hotels
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Catia La
Mar Hotels- 10km
west of Maiquetia
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HOTEL CATIMAR
hotelcatimar.com
Urbanización Puerto Viejo Av. Ppal., Catia La Mar
Estado Vargas, Venezuela Tlfs: (58)212-351.90.97 - 351.79.06
FAX:(58)212- 352.46.03 Price: (Approx. US$30-60)
Airport transfers - Bs.10.000 each way 5 minutes from
Caracas airport.
"The management picked us up
from the airport and drove us the 5 minute trip to
the hotel - it was very smooth and well organised in
spite of the fact that we speak virtually no
Spanish. They drove us back again the next morning.
On the website there is a list of prices, which is
accurate. There is also an on-line booking form,
which works. The hotel is a clean, safe place for an
overnight stop-over. It isn't in the same league as
a Holiday Inn or Best western, but we consider it a
bargain at its' price (BV90,000 including transfers
on March 6th 2005)....
"They weren't waiting for us at the airport as
agreed. I had to call the hotel and they arrived 30
min after. When we arrived at the hotel, four guys
with guns were robbing the hotel ... Sept
2006. "best place in town to eat. We asked for
a total of 3 airport transfers, and each time it
worked perfectly, they were very reliable. "
FeedbackCaracasHotels at
casatrudel.com |
"I would highly
recommend this hotel if someone is looking for a
overnight stay.
 "
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|
Puerto Viejo Airport Inn
[Rooms: 107]
$185
Av. Ppal. Urb. Puerto Viejo, Catia La Mar
City: Caracas , State:
Districto Federal (Caracas)
Phone: (58-212) 352-4044
Fax: (58-212) 352-1311
Modern mid-rise - Overlooking the Caribbean
 "Food
is outrageously expensive and the quality poor.
Rooms are big but not cheap." |
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"It
could be a beautiful hotel if it was kept up, |
|
|
Hotel IL Prezzano
Av. Principal de
Playa Grande, Catia la Mar. Phone: 58-212-351-2626
FAX: 58-212-351-3144 Rooms (US$23.00) Airport transfer if
arranged by hotel: Bs.20.000 (2 ways)
we stayed at the IL Prezzano
Hotel and had two wonderful dinners at the Posada
Restaurant. Sabatino Gismondi, proprietor, had a
driver pick us up from the domestic airport and a
return trip to the International upon our departure.
Our room was, very clean, and we were very safe. We
spent the following day at a local beach, walking to
and from our hotel.
FeedbackCaracasHotels at
casatrudel.com |
|
Hotel La Parada Atlantida Avenue, 15 minutes from
airport. Catla-La Mar
011-02-352-74-86 fax 011-02-351-21-48 Average cost - $35 to $50 per night Pick-up
& Return from Airport - Bs.10.000 each way
They had someone with a sign
for us at the airport to take us to the hotel...They
just have the phone and fax. I had to phone to make
reservations. It was helpful that I speak Spanish,
since they didn't speak English at the hotel.
....The proprietor is from Spain. The food is very
good in the restaurant. ...Hotel is spotless and
clean with great hot water, showers and air
conditioning...Upon arrival we had to wait two hours
until they collected all the people that were going
to stay at this "hotel". At check in we realized
that this place is located in the
slums of La Guaira and that it is not a safe place
to walk around or to spend the night for that
matter....La Parada, clean, safe, cheap, friendly
people.....I stay there all the time..Frank , NYC,
NY.July, 2006
FeedbackCaracasHotels at
casatrudel.com |
|
|
Chichiriviche de la Costa
|
elmontero.com [ 14 rooms]
rooms include bathroom, hot water, porch area and ceiling fans.
It also has two Suites with an area of 100 mts each one, with 5
people capacity... |
|
moon rises in the
east in the evening twilight as the sun sets in the west |
 |
|
Directory of Water Sports |
|
Marina
|
Marina Portofino
Av. Sur del Yacht Club, Caraballeda 1165
Tel:58 16 824 3874, VHF Channel 68
marinaportofino.com
Located just east of La Guaira , this recently refurbished
marina has friendly staff and 24 hour security. Clearance
must first be completed at the commercial port of La Guaira.
18 full size slips are available for vessels up to 85 ft.
Our rates include dockage, electricity (one 50 Amp/220V
service & one 20 Amp/110V service), water, one storage
locker, trash removal, and 24 hour security service.
Broadband internet access is available for our clients as
well, so bring your laptops
Accommodations |
|
southfishing.com
Mango Marina a nice lodge on the water with multiple day
fishing packages, and have been fishing Venezuelan waters for
a long time, with similar operations in Panama and Guatemala
- operates out of Miami. They can be reached at (800)
882-4665 |
|
Fish
|
venezuela-fishing.info/fishing/
explorepartners.com/fishing/
The fish of your life is just a hook-set away off
Venezuela's north coast. The plankton-rich Southern
Caribbean waters off the north coast of Venezuela drift
west and flow over the natural ridge named El Placer (meaning
"the pleasure"). It is a unique natural phenomena not to be
found many places in the world today. The El Placer bank in
La Guaira holds one of the world's most impressive billfish
concentrations. This underwater fishing paradise rises
nearly 50 fathoms from a 140-plus fathoms depth of the
surrounding bottom. About 4 miles wide and 14 miles long, La
Guaira Bank is just a brief 30 to 40-minute run from where
the boats are docked at the marina. |
|
venezuela-fishing.info/fishing/Venezuela-fishing-reports.htm
The
SeaFighter is a great boat and the captain and crew were
just outstanding. This was the trip of a lifetime. We
raised 6 marlin and boated a nice white marlin. We brought
back to shore 8 Dorado, between 25 and 45 pounds. The Hotel
Santiago, although not five stars, was very accommodating
and the food was some of the best. Tyler, the driver, was
always there to meet us in the morning and when we retuned
from the boat. |
|
explore-yachts.com/charter/deepsea-fishingen.htm
The abundance of species such as Blue Marlin, White Marlin,
Sail Fish, Wahoo, Tuna, Barracuda, make of this area a true
paradise. Fishing zones are only a 30 minutes off shore
cruising at normal speed. |
|
Dive
|
epsilondive.com/
Av. Principal de Las Mercedes, en el cruce de la calle
Londres con Mucuchies, Edificio SUMMUN, piso 1, Local
Comercial Nro. 7
Teléfonos
Telefax: 58 – 212 - 993.23.46. / 60.81
Teléfono: 58 - 212 - 993.23.46
Celular: 0412-EPSILON (377.45.66)
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Weather |
|
 |
| It is classified as Tropical-Warm. The
annual average temperature oscillates between 25º and 27º
Celsius. According to the climatic classification of
Koeppen, the climate is steppe characterized by the dryness,
because the evaporation surpasses precipitations. The annual
precipitation ranges from 900 to 1530 mm |
| Running
further east along the coast is one of Venezuela's best
known fishing villages |
|
Naiguata |
|
Festival Capital
of the Caracas Coast |
| It has
a rich cultural and folkloric tradition, beginning with
the New Year in January when most of the population
of 15,000 greets the boat carrying the Sardine of Naiguata.
El Día de los Reyes, or the day of 3 kings, is celebrated on
the 7th of January. The coming of the magical kings happens as
everyone prepares for the Carnaval coming soon thereafter in
February. Particularly renowned for the Naiguata
Carnival is Ash Wednesday, when the town performs the
“Burial of the Sardine” in grand fashion,
combining dance, theatrical disguises, music,
representations and poetry, marking the conclusion
of the Carnaval season. This Carnaval Celebration peaks on
the two weekends on either side of Ash Wednesay.
|
|
June
is the month when Naiguta's street celebrations of Corpus
Christi are distinguished for their colorful lively devil
dancers made up in
red and
gold.
The observance, set in relation to Easter Sunday, usually
occurs in June. Unlike celebrations in Chuao and
San Francisco de Yare, women are allowed to portray
devel dancers in Naiguata. Symbolically, the drama plays out
the preference of the higher power for good over evil,
because the devil never sleeps.
On the Wednesday before
Corpus Christi the devils are called by the ringing of bells
and three beats on a metal drum called a Caja. They descend
upon the town and run amok before falling upon their knees
to pray in front of the church.
On the day of Corpus Christi, the devils dance in the
streets while mass is being heard and worshippers renew
their faith in this moment of heightened spirituality. After
mass the devils visit houses and shops, purging them of evil
and receiving gifts in return |
 |
 |
| Dancing devils celebrate Corpus Christi, a Catholic holiday
marking the transformation of Christ's body. [more] |
 |
|
Terrace at Hotel Santiago
|
| Seaside terraces view, spectacular ocean
sunsets and fresh seafood combine with airport convenience to
make Caribbean Caracas your best option when in the
neighborhood |
|
|
| go up
Cerro El Avila |
| From the heights of El Ávila we can contemplate the winding
coastline of the Caribbean fringed by royal palm trees.
Caracas has two cable car
routes to offer you: Maripérez-El Avila and Maripérez-Macuto
to the top of Cerro El Avila. Try taking the coast side to the
top of the mountain. |
|
Trip Reports |
| "There is a lively crowd of people in
Macuto, of all ages and states, fit for the boulavardier or
rocker alike. You can see an inshore fishermen, barefoot,
bronzed, traipse his catch in the night direct from his boat
drawn up on the sandy beach in among the well-dressed diners
sitting at the outside tables, and hardly help but watch
overwrought Latin lovers beating up their lady loves with an
intensity hardly dreamed of in cooler climes." |
| 1985 From Tristan Jones' Outward Leg |
|
Catimar is
not Carabelleda |
| The town of Catia La Mar is not Caraballeda. It’s totally different.
It’s not as close to the marina as in Caraballeda. You can
still get just about every thing you need. There are several
grocery stores with all the basic amenities. There are a
great variety of restaurants for those of you that enjoy
going out to eat. The food and atmosphere is comparable to
the Bodegon in Caraballeda. There is also a very popular
nightclub were people from Caracas come down to party on the
weekends. This club has everything you need including music,
booze and some of the most beautiful women that Venezuela
has to offer....
Catimar a.k.a.
“Pinkie” because of the bright hot pink color of the
building. |
 By
Robert “The Fly” Navarro |
| venezuela-airport-hotel.com
Near Caracas (20 min.) and
Maiquetia's International Airport (5 min.). is the
2005 refurbished
Macuto Hotel |
|
Beaches |
| The beaches west of the
airport were largely unaffected by the mudslides but they
have never been popular. The beaches east of Las Caracas
have been substantially enlarged and are slowly coming back
into their glory. These easterm Vargas State beaches of
Osma, Oritapo, Todasana, La Sabana, Caruao and Chuspa
could become prime recreational destinations with some
infrastructure help from the governmental authorities.
|
Sheraton Beach:
Very
easy to find by the landmark hotel. The Caracas Sheraton
closed in 2001, but the internet is not so good at correcting
changed information, and in 2006 you could still find some
glowing tributes to this much missed Macuto 5-star
hotel
geographia.com/
sheraton/caraca |
|
|
|
