Five days in Caracas
Yes, we have spent five days in Caracas, No, we’re not suiciders. It was the case, that jurists usually call “force majeure” and we call “semana santa”. The last week before Easter, when we came to Caracas, every citizen wanted to go out of the city, therefore all bus tickets to all directions were sold and all cars were full of rushing people. Result – more than enough time to explore capital of Venezuela.
We stayed in Sabana Grande, hotel Crystal. It was hotel in good place and with reasonable prices – 90 bolivares (exchange rate is 3.5 - 4 bolivares for 1 US dollar in black market) for double room. Compare to other Caracas hotels it was a real gift. This district isn’t very safe, but in the street, where the hotel is, generally was safe and very nice even in evenings.
Caracas gives one of the biggest prices for everything in this country. If you want to get a simple lunch (chicken with potatoes), usually you pay some 30 bolivares. For small bottle of light beer the cost is from 5 bolivares, “cuba libre” – 14 bolivares etc. In many other cities of Venezuela prices usually are twice much lower.
If you have to spend in Caracas some days, first we recommend you to go to Plaza Bolivar. It’s very active, charming place, where on the day time are many local people with children. In the trees you will see some squirrels, on the ground – crowds of pigeons. Everyone is living his own life here and it’s very nice to see it.
After that you can visit Bolivar’s house, few churches and official buildings. If you still have time, use very comfortable metro to go in university. It’s in UNESCO list and has some masterpieces outside, but generally there’s nothing more to see.
Want some curiosities? Here’s central park – full of skyscrapers instead of trees and tiles instead of grass. No one knows, why this place got the name like this, but if you already are here, don’t miss the chance to visit museum of contemporary arts and lift up to the highest floor of the towers.
If views here are not panoramic enough, you still can use “teleferrico” – cable car system, who can bring you to one of the hills near Caracas. The views here are nice, air is more chill, but the prices of food and in souvenir shops are really cosmic.
This is actually everything, what we can recommend to see in Caracas. Take your time and maybe you’ll find out something more. But be careful – this city has a reputation of the highest crime rate in all the country.
