THE CENTRAL NORTH of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador,Panama, Peru Andbolivia
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84 The Central North Though Venezuela’s Central North dangles no iconic traveler’s mecca (like Angel Falls) and no transcendent nomadic rites of passage (like Roraima), this dense area – all within an earshot of Caracas – is rife with both aquatic and earthly delights and boasts one of the continent’s most stunning and unforgettable landscapes: the magical Archipiélago Los Roques. Located about 175km off the coast, this otherworldly collection of islands and cays, a na- tional marine park, offers some of the most glorious beaches and underwater wildlife you’ll ever see anywhere, a dazzling don’t-miss for anyone in the country. Though honeymoon- ers, sport fishers, divers and sun-and-sand addicts flock to its shores year-round, it remains THE CENTRAL NORTH THE CENTRAL NORTH advantageously off the radar, helping to maintain its rustic appeal. Back on land, six national parks carpet the landscape in all directions from Caracas. Most notably is Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, where the endearing towns of Choroní and Puerto Colombia still retain their colonial feel, while the enticing beaches and coves along the park’s coast (some accessible only by boat) attract heaps of venezolanos and backpackers. Here too are some of the country’s best festivals, heavily influenced by Afro-Venezuelan culture – the occasional spontaneous party and drum session might pop up when you least expect it. Amid the mainland’s comely hills and valleys are several hidden gems, easily reached on day trips from Caracas. The pretty 19th-century German town of Colonia Tovar, which lies scattered along the upper reaches of a mountainside, is an Alpine oasis, seemingly straight out of the Black Forest. The world’s second-hottest thermal waters are toward the west at Las Trincheras, a rustic mini-resort that can make for a blistering good time. And don’t forget the important battlefield of Carabobo – Venezuelans certainly never will – where national hero Simón Bolívar clinched Venezuelan independence, helping birth the modern-day countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Bolivia. HIGHLIGHTS Archipiélago Immerse yourself in Venezuela’s aquatic Los Roques Eden, the stunningly beautiful Archi piélago Los Roques ( p86 ) Walk off the hearty sausages in the German-themed town of Colonia Tovar ( p100 ) Take in a fat dose of Venezuelan patriotism at Campo Carabobo ( p111 ) Las Trincheras Colonia Tovar Beach-hop the days away in idyllic Parque PN Nacional Henri Pittier ( p101 ) Henri Pittier Campo Scorch off a skin layer in the piping-hot Carabobo springs of Las Trincheras ( p112 ) lonelyplanet.com 0 100 km THE CENTRAL NORTH 0 60 miles 68ºW 67ºW 67ºW 12ºN See Archipiélago Gran Roque Aves de Aves de Los Roques Sotavento Barlovento Map (p86) To Coro (161km) PN Archipiélago Isla THE CENTRALNORTH ISLAS DE AVES Los Roques Orchilla Isla Larga San Juan C a r i b b e a n S e a de los Cayos To Maiquetía (166km) Cayo Sal Cayo Grande same scale as main map (see mainὈὈὈ map) Ὀ 66ºW 11ºN Chichiriviche Isla La Tortuga Sanare PN Morrocoy Tucacas To Archipiélago F a l c ó n Los Roques (166km) ὈὈὈ (see inset) See Parque Naiguatá Los Caracas Nacional Henri Maiquetía Macuto Chirimena Pittier Map (p103) Catia la Mar Carabelleda Cabo Codera La Puerto Ocumare de Puerto Colombia Puerto Cruz Guaira PN El Ávila Morón Cabello la Costa CARACAS Birongo Choroní Guatire Higuerote V a r g a s El Junquito Guarenas Curiepe Patanemo Turiamo To Barquisimeto PN Henri Pittier PN San Esteban Colonia PN Macarao 9 (158km) 12 Naguanagua Tovar M i r a n d a Río Chico Tacarigua LOS TEQUES de la Laguna Las Trincheras Vigirima Mariara ὈὈParque Arqueológico ὈὈMARACAYὈὈὈὈὈ Caucagua Ὀ Turmero La Victoria Santa Teresa Piedra Pintada del Tuy PN Laguna Machurucuto Montalbán 1 Guacara Lago de San Mateo 9 de Tacarigua Valencia Aragüita VALENCIA Cagua Cúa San Francisco de Yare 9 El Guapo A r a g u a Ocumare PN Guatopo del Tuy To Barquisimeto Güigüe (134km) Villa de Cura 10ºN Campo San Casimiro 11 Carabobo Belen San Sebastián 12 San Francisco de Macaira C a r a b o b o To Barcelona ὈὈὈ11 (85km) Tinaquillo SAN JUAN DE LOS MORROS Altagracia Paso Real Taguay de Orituco 5 Embalse del G u á r i c o Camatagua Camatagua 11 C o j e d e s 2 Tinaco Lezama San Antonio G u á r i c o de Tamanaco To San Río Macaira Dos Caminos Carlos To San Fernando 85 (17km) Galeras 13 Embalse Playa de Apure (214km) de Riedra THE CENTRAL NORTH NORTH CENTRAL THE .