Things To Do in Caracas
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Caracas Attractions
Plaza Bolívar & El Capitolio
Pigeons, pedestrians, park benches, and a towering bronze statue of El Libertador on his sturdy steed are the hallmarks of this square city block, which was once the heart of colonial Caracas. Within a 4- or 5-block radius, you will find several important museums and cathedrals, as well as the birthplace of Simón Bolívar, the national Congress (El Capitolio), and the Panteón Nacional, the country's most important mausoleum. This area is relatively safe to explore during the day, but I would definitely avoid it after dark.
Safety Advice
Although outwardly inviting, you should avoid El Calvario Park, which lies on the western end of the Capitolio area. This is a dangerous area, especially for tourists.
- Religious Site
Catedral
Anchoring the eastern end of Plaza Bolívar, this is the national cathedral. The present-day church was built between 1665 and 1713, after the original building was destroyed in the 1641 earthquake. It's home to the personal Bolívar family chapel and features a painting by Rubens.… - Religious Site
Iglesia de San Francisco
Not as large or ornate as the Catedral, this is the church where Bolívar was proclaimed El Libertador in 1813, and the site of his massive funeral in 1842 -- the year his remains were brought back from Colombia, some 12 years after his actual death. Begun in 1575, the church bears… - Tour
Teleférico de Warairarepano
This cable-car system stretches from the Mariperez station on the northern edge of the city to the top of El Avila mountain. The 3.4km (2-mile) ride takes between 12 and 15 minutes. At the top you'll find a skating rink, rock-climbing wall, children's playground, souvenir shops, a…
Caracas Shopping
Venezuelans -- and most visitors -- tend to shop at one of the many modern malls that have been built around Caracas over the past 20 years. Of these, the Centro Comercial Sambil, Avenida Libertador (Metro: Chacao), is perhaps the most popular. Reputed to be the largest mall in South America, it features everything from a multiplex cinema to gourmet restaurants to a performing arts space to a mini-amusement park. Other prominent malls include the Centro Comercial Ciudad Tamanaco (CCCT), Autopista Francisco Fajardo and Calle La Estancia (no Metro); and the Centro Lido, Avenida Francisco de Miranda, El Rosal (Metro: Chacaito).
Las Mercedes is an upscale district of restaurants, shops, nightclubs, and art galleries, which makes it the choice spot for a leisurely afternoon of browsing and buying.
If you're looking for arts and crafts, you can head to the Mercado Guajiro, Paseo Las Flores near the western end of Plaza Chacaito, a collection of 30 shops featuring indigenous and other arts and crafts. However, perhaps the best shopping for Venezuelan arts and crafts is to be found in El Hatillo at the Hannsi Centro Artesanal, Calle Bolívar 12 (tel. 0212/963-7184; www.hannsi.com.ve). This huge indoor bazaar has everything from indigenous masks to ceramic wares to woven baskets. The selection is broad and covers everything from trinkets to major pieces of fine craftsmanship.
Caracas Nightlife
Caracas is a big, cosmopolitan city, and your nighttime options are many and varied. It's advisable to stick to the more upscale and relatively safe neighborhoods such as Altamira, El Rosal, and Las Mercedes, or one of the popular malls.
In terms of malls, the Centro Comercial San Ignacio has emerged as a popular one-stop shop for young Caraqueños looking to party. However, my favorite bar in Caracas is located atop the Altamira Suites hotel. As its name implies, 360°, 1st Avenida Los Palos Grandes and 1st Tranversal (tel. 0212/284-1874), offers up panoramic views from its rooftop perch. The bar actually starts out with a large indoor space on the 19th floor, with plush cushions, couches, and even hammocks for seating, and climbs two more stories outdoors with a handful of different open-air patios, bars, and seating areas.
The Juan Sebastián Bar, Avenida Venezuela, El Rosal (tel. 0212/951-3750), is a popular restaurant and bar -- and the most consistent place in the city to catch live jazz. Rockers head to Greenwich, Avenida San Juan Bosco, Altamira (tel. 0212/267-1760), a small place with live bands, or Little Rock Café, Avenida 6 between 3rd and 4th Transversal, Altamira (tel. 0212/267-8337), a knock-off of the Hard Rock chain that also has live bands on most nights. And there's even an official franchise of the Hard Rock Cafe (tel. 0212/267-7662) located in the huge Centro Comercial Sambil. El Maní Es Así, Avenida Francisco Solano and Calle El Cristo, Sabana Grande (tel. 0212/763-6671), is one of the more popular salsa and Latin dance spots. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 5pm until around 5am, they charge no cover and always have a live band.
Located just across from the Caracas Hilton, the Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex (tel. 0500/673-7200 or 0212/576-6411; www.teatroteresacarreno.gob.ve) and the Ateneo de Caracas (tel. 0212/573-4799) are the places to go for live performances. Top-notch popular and classical concerts take place in the Teresa Carreño, while film series and modern theater are often on tap at the Ateneo. The Trasnocho Cultural, Centro Comercial Paseo Las Mercedes (tel. 0212/993-1910; www.trasnochocultural.com), is a popular option with a beautiful theater and a couple of cinemas offering a steady diet of live music, theater, and avant-garde cinema. They also have a hip little bar and cafe. Check the local papers or ask at your hotel for a performance schedule. Ticket prices range from BsF5 to BsF50.
