Maracay

Get around

One or two hours from Maracay you can find several beautiful tropical beaches, including Cata, Choroni, Cuyagua, El Playon, etc. The roads to these beaches wind through the dense mountainous cloudforest of the Henri Pittier National Park. The roads, especially to Choroni, are very narrow and windy and extreme caution should be taken if driving your own vehicle. Public transportation is easily available although can be nerve-racking: buses leave from Maracay's bus terminal and taxis can also be hired. The beaches are generally very busy on weekends.

See

Plaza Bolivar shady trees in the middle of town Plaza Girardot, honouring the U.S. volunteers who were killed by the Spaniards in 1806 Museo Aeronautico, near Plaza Bolivar, one of the best aeronautic museums in South America. Particular interesting is its collection of vintage helicopters.

Do

Usually the tourists don't spend much time in Maracay, using it as point to buy supplies before traveling north to the attractive beaches of Cata, Choroní, Cuyagua, etc. (collectively called the Aragua beaches). You can travel to these beaches taking a bus in the terminal located at Ave. Constitucion with Ave. Fuerza Aereas. Try to avoid traveling during the Venezuelan high seasons: Carnival, the Holy Week and the Christmas season (from December 23rd to January 2nd), as you may find hard to find a bus or a hotel. During workdays these beaches tend to be empty.

Buy

thumb|upright=1.4|Statue of Venezuelan bullfighter César Girón

There are some great shopping centers if you love shopping: Parque Aragua at Avenida Fuerzas Aéreas with Avenida Bolivar (There is also a Calle Bolivar near C.C Hiper Jumbo) in Urbanizacion Parque Aragua C.C Hiper Jumbo at Avenida Fuerzas Aéreas with Avenida Jose Casanova Godoy. This is my personal favorite. C.C Global at Avenida Bolivar with Calle 12 in Barrio Independencia Las Americas at Avenida Las Delicias with Calle Soublette/Avenida Andres Bello Centro Comercial Maracay on Avenida Miranda 200 m from Calle Mariño. Avenida Miranda is one way.

Eat

Many good restaurants can be found along the Las Delicias avenue. Some cheap eats are found in the area of the market near Plaza Bicentenario.