El Teleferico
Another, much less strenuous, way to reach Pico El Avila is via the teleférico. This cable-car system stretches from the Maripérez station on the northern edge of the city to the top of El Avila. The 3.4km (2-mile) ride to the top takes between 12 and 15 minutes, where you'll find a skating rink, rock-climbing wall, telescopes, simple restaurants, souvenir shops and snack stands, and the dormant 14-story Hotel Humbolt. Plans include the reopening of this landmark hotel, a modern casino, and further development of the peak's recreational facilities. However these plans, which also include the restoration and reopening of the tramway section down to the coastal city of La Guaira, have progressed little in recent years.
When the weather is clear, there are fabulous views over both Caracas and down the coastal mountains to the Caribbean sea. At the summit, you can also hire a taxi to take you to one of the dozen or so restaurants in and near the small mountain village of Galipán. These restaurants range from simple roadside shacks, to fine dining establishments serving everything from Mexican to French cuisine.
The teleférico (tel. 0212/901-5555; www.avilamagica.com) is open Tuesday from 10:30am to 8pm, Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30am to midnight, Sunday from 10am to 8pm, and Monday from noon to 8pm. The round-trip cost is 30,000Bs ($14) for adults, 20,000Bs ($9.30) for children weekdays, and 35,000Bs ($16) adults, 22,000Bs ($10) children on weekends and holidays. A light sweater or windbreaker is recommended, as it can get chilly up top. To get here, just ask a taxi to take you to el terminal Maripérez del teleférico.
Parque del Este
This large urban oasis is a favorite spot for Caraqueños. Joggers, yoga and tai chi enthusiasts, tennis players, and people looking for pickup soccer and basketball games fill this park on most mornings and throughout the weekend. You can take part in any of the aforementioned activities or just stroll the paths, sit on a bench, or visit the tiny zoo. On weekends you can catch one of the shows at the Humbolt Planetarium here. The park is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5am to 5pm, Monday from 5 to 9am. Admission is 300Bs (15¢). Metro: Parque del Este.
