LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: Beach Bum Route
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THREE TO FOUR WEEKS
It’s possible to cover this 1450km route in three weeks at a squeeze, but if you’re after rest and relaxation don’t try to fit in too much. Pick and choose your destinations carefully so you can spend more time chilling out on the beach rather than sitting on a bus.
Venezuela’s Caribbean coastline will wow you with its wealth of beautiful beaches, islands and other natural attractions. The exquisite coral archipelago of Los Roques is many people’s first or last destination, easily accessible from Caracas. West of Caracas, nestled in the eastern mountains, is the pretty German town of Colonia Tovar. From here, it’s a spectacular ride down to the lowlands. A little further west you can take one of two scenic roads up and over the coastal mountains, through the wildlife-rich cloud forests of Parque Nacional Henri Pittier. One road emerges at the coastal village of Puerto Colombia, surrounded by secluded beaches reached only by boat. The other road goes to Ocumare de la Costa and the picturesque bay of Playa Cata.
Taking the long haul back past Caracas, Puerto La Cruz is the jumping-off point to explore the stunning beaches and islands of Parque Nacional Mochima. You can hop on a ferry to Isla de Margarita here, or continue first to the historic city of Cumaná. You may also want to take a detour southeast to the impressive cave, Cueva del Guácharo, or east to Río Caribe and the remote, undeveloped beaches nearby, including idyllic Playa Medina. You can then take a boat from Chacopata or Cumaná to the soft, white shores of tourist mecca Isla de Margarita.
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