# 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:
* Caracas
* Aragua It is famous for its fertile valleys and beautiful beaches, and is within easy reach of Caracas.
* Carabobo
* Miranda One of the smaller states, it is highly populated as the urban sprawl of Caracas has spilled into it.
* La Guaira La Guaira, formerly Vargas, is home to El Litoral, the narrow band of coast between El Avila and the Caribbean Sea. It is the location of the best airport hotels.

## Cities

* 10.5-66.9333331 Caracas — the capital city is a busy metropolis famous for its food, cultural diversity, and perfect climate

### Aragua

* 10.246944-67.5958332 Maracay — it is called the "Garden City", for its vegetation; visitors also come for its monuments, museums, and parks like the Henri Pittier National Park
* 10.416667-67.2833333 La Colonia Tovar — 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.
* 10.49085-67.6130394 Choroní — probably Venezuela's most popular beach destination for foreign travellers with a great after dark atmosphere, plenty of restaurants and posadas.
* 10.4925-67.7391675 Cata — 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

* 10.166667-686 Valencia — 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
* Puerto Cabello
* Morón

### Miranda

* 10.341111-67.0405567 Los Teques — one of the premier bedroom communities of Caracas
* 10.166667-66.8833338 Cúa
* 10.473889-66.5383339 Guarenas

### La Guaira

These beach cities are not well known with visitors but are popular with Caraqueños on weekends.
* 10.6-66.93305610 La Guaira — historic port district
* 10.606667-66.892511 Macuto — long history as the favored among the urbanite Caraqueños and most crowded on weekends
* 10.6167-66.8512 Caraballeda — upscale district with yacht marina
* 10.616667-66.73333313 Naiguatá — surf and cultural festival zone
* 10.6-67.03333314 Catia La Mar — west of the airport with cheaper hotels that do airport pickup. Marginal neighborhood and beaches

## Other destinations

* 10.49085-67.6130391 Choroni — the beach in Aragua state.
* 10.416667-67.2833332 La Colonia Tovar — a beautiful and unique Alpine-style village retreat tucked into the mountains.
* 10.38-67.6193 Henri Pittier National Park — 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
* 10.07509-66.927111 Sanctuario Finca Betania. Church where people they see apparitions of Mary taking place here. (updated Nov 2020)
* Santa Teresa Rum (in the village of El Consejo, close to La Victoria). This excellent family owned rum plantation is open to the public at weekends, with tours and a tasting session. It is the home of arguably Venezuela's best rum, the "1796" brand, which is carefully aged in oak barrels. (updated Mar 2017)
* Rancho Grande Biological Station (from Maracay, take the road to Ocumare-Limon and the station is about 45 minutes outside the city, on the right hand side just after the Rancho Grande Restaurant (which only usually opens at weekends); buses to Ocumare leave from Maracay's bus terminal, and ask the driver to drop you off at Rancho Grande), ☏ +58 243 5507085. This ecological research post is run by Venezuela's prestigious Central University, hidden in the Henri Pittier National Park. Visitors are welcome for day entrance or an overnight stop (no food is provided, though kitchens are available). (updated Mar 2017)

## 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.