Central (Venezuela)

The Central region is in north central Venezuela. It encompasses the states of Distrito Capital, Aragua, Carabobo, Miranda and Vargas.

Regions
The Central region encompasses Venezuela Capital District and four states:

Cities

 * — the capital city is a busy metropolis famous for its food, cultural diversity, and perfect climate

Aragua

 * — it is called the "Garden City", for its vegetation; visitors also come for its monuments, museums, and parks like the Henri Pittier National Park
 * — a fascinating town hidden in the mountains outside Caracas, still populated by descendents of a colony of German settlers who built the town from scratch in the 19th century. Today, the town is a popular weekend escape for Caraqueños who enjoy its cool climate, restaurants serving traditional German food and locally brewed beer. Locally grown produce such as strawberries and raspberries are also sold.
 * — probably Venezuela's most popular beach destination for foreign travellers with a great after dark atmosphere, plenty of restaurants and posadas.
 * — together with neighbouring Catica, this is another good Aragua beach resort in a beautiful bay, albeit somewhat spoiled by the construction of two tall apartment buildings just behind the beach.

Carabobo

 * — the economic center of the region, and one of the main cultural, sports and commercial centers of the country, with a lot of museums, theaters, parks and sports centers of national importance

Miranda

 * — one of the premier bedroom communities of Caracas

La Guaira
These beach cities are not well known with visitors but are popular with Caraqueños on weekends.
 * — historic port district
 * — long history as the favored among the urbanite Caraqueños and most crowded on weekends
 * — upscale district with yacht marina
 * — surf and cultural festival zone
 * — west of the airport with cheaper hotels that do airport pickup. Marginal neighborhood and beaches

Other destinations



 * — the beach in Aragua state.
 * — a beautiful and unique Alpine-style village retreat tucked into the mountains.
 * — Venezuela's first national park, covering the mountains that separate Maracay from the coast. Cloudforest and plenty of wildlife.

Understand
Venezuela's Central region is centered around the capital, Caracas, and makes up the economic heart of the country. It is also the most populated part of the country and has the best transport links.

Get around
Buses from the Caracas La Bandera bus terminal go to Maracay (1.5 hours) and La Victoria (1 hour). Change at Maracay for buses to Choroni (2 hours).

See

 * The Coastal Cordillera — the chain of mountains that is an extension of the Andes and runs across the top of Venezuela parallel to the sea.
 * Lush tropical beaches
 * Thriving industrial cities of Maracay and Valencia
 * The chaotic capital, Caracas

Do

 * Beaches of Higuerote — some of the nicer beaches in Venezuela can be found in this state. For example, Playa Caracolito and Playa Caiman.
 * Hang gliding is offered close to La Colonia Tovar, on the road down towards La Victoria.