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Things to see and do in Venezuela

Angel Falls

Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the world, and, for many, it is also the most stunning: its glistening waters spill into a freefall of nearly one kilometre (0.6 miles) before crashing into a pool. Double rainbows can often be seen in the spray-drenched air above. Located in Canaima National Park, 600km (373 miles) south of Ciudad Bolívar and 50km (30 miles) southeast of Canaima village, the waterfall was made public in 1937 by American pilot Jimmie Angel, who was searching for gold in the area. Angel Falls used to be a holy site for the Incas, and is still sacred to the local Venezuelan tribes today. Tours to the falls can be arranged from the nearest town, Ciudad Bolívar, by boat or plane.

Cable car

Ride the world's longest and highest cable car (teleférico), which runs 12.6km (7.9 miles) from Mérida to the top of Pico Espejo (4,765m/15,629ft), providing easy access to starting points for mountain treks.

Caracas

Explore the capital, Caracas, a modern metropolis in a stunning setting along the base of the Ávila range. Besides a fabulously varied culinary landscape, a vibrant cultural life and throbbing nightlife scene, the city also boasts an array of world-class museums.

Colonia Tovar

Check out Colonia Tovar, a slice of Deutschland in the forested mountains west of Caracas. Settled by German immigrants from the Black Forest in the mid-19th century, the town retains its Old World traditions, food and architecture, making for a surreal excursion from the capital (www.coloniatovar.net).

Cordillera de Mérida

Enjoy the novelty of skiing in the tropics: the peaks of the Cordillera de Mérida have a permanent snowline and can be skied between November and June, though at an altitude of 4,270m (14,000ft) this is recommended only for the hardiest.

Coro

Linger in the beautifully preserved center of Coro, an early colonial settlement near the Caribbean coast that's on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. Aside from its historical legacy, it's also the gateway to the Paraguaná Peninusula, a prime windsurfing destination.

Cueva del Guácharo

Burrow down into the Cueva del Guácharo, the most spectacular of Venezuela's many cave systems, and thrill to the eerie screeching of thousands of guácharos (oilbirds), a type of nocturnal bird that inhabits the subterranean dwelling.

Deep-sea fishing

Go deep-sea fishing off La Guaira, where the plankton-rich El Placer bank is renowned for its extraordinarily abundant blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish. Anglers can also hook bonefish in the Archipelago Los Roques and even piranhas in the rivers of Los Llanos.

Isla de Margarita

Swim, sun yourself, savour superb seafood and generally unwind at the coastal resorts of Isla de Margarita, Venezuela's largest Caribbean isle with 168km (104 miles) of beaches. There are daily air-shuttles from Maiquetía airport to Porlamar, Margarita's principal town, and ferries from several mainland ports.

Maracaibo

Take a tour from Maracaibo north to the Guajira peninsula, where the indigenous Wayúu (or Guajiro) people live much as they did when the first Spanish settlers arrived, dwelling in houses that are raised above the lake on stilts (www.wayuutaya.org).

Mérida

Get to know Mérida, a delightful university town perched amidst snow-capped Andean peaks. More than just an excellent base for hiking, wildlife watching and whitewater rafting, Mérida boasts several fine art and archaeology museums and a vibrant nightlife.

Mount Roraima

Behold the eerie majesty of Mount Roraima, the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World. Tallest of the southeastern Gran Sabana region's tepuis - flat-topped sandstone mountains - it is a habitat for various endemic flora and fauna.

Mountain trekking

Try mountain trekking or rock climbing in the Sierra Nevada de Mérida, where several of the country's highest peaks are located. Experienced guides and equipment can be hired in Mérida, the regional tourist hub.

Parque Nacional Ciénagas del Catatumbo

Marvel at the magical natural phenomenon of lightning minus the accompanying thunderclap at the Parque Nacional Ciénagas del Catatumbo, along a river delta southwest of Lake Maracaibo. The highly unusual displays can be witnessed throughout the year.

Parque Nacional Henri Pittier

Train your binoculars on hummingbirds, herons, tanagers, toucanets, curassows and hundreds of other exotic bird species at the Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, a birdwatchers' haven on the central northern coast. See www.birdvenezuela.com for more information on twitching in Venezuela.

Parque Nacional Mochima

Snorkel or dive at Parque Nacional Mochima (www.inparques.gob.ve) on the northeast coast, with dozens of offshore islands and islets, some - like the popular Isla de Plata - surrounded by coral reefs. The archipelago Los Roques is another underwater wonderland.

Parque Nacional Morrocoy

Admire large colonies of pink flamingos and scarlet ibis at Parque Nacional Morrocoy (www.inparques.gob.ve), a coastal refuge about four hours north of Caracas. Best glimpsed in September, the flamboyant fowl congregate in the lagoons near Chichiriviche and along the mangrove canals.

Watch joropo

Catch a display of joropo, Venezuela's national dance, in Los Llanos, the vast plains region where it originated. The flamenco-influenced step is accompanied by ensembles playing harp, guitar and maracas and singing in a high-pitched nasal style.

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