When the plane’s wheels touched down in Caracas, I knew that my long South American journey had officially begun. I would be on the road for quite some time, traveling through several countries on this distant continent. It was a trip whose beginning I knew—but whose end I couldn’t clearly foresee. That uncertainty brought a mix of excitement and a slight sense of unease. And perhaps that was exactly where the magic lay.
My First Shock in Caracas
With nearly three million inhabitants, Caracas is Venezuela’s largest city. As the capital, home to almost 10% of the country’s population, it is naturally a very lively place.
Before my trip, everything I had read, and everything my friends had told me, pointed to Venezuela being a dangerous country. I tried to mentally prepare myself, but a short moment on the highway from the airport made me realize that I hadn’t fully understood what “dangerous” really meant here.
We were driving at about 70–80 km/h. I opened my window slightly and took out my phone to record some videos. Just as I started filming, the driver suddenly shouted at me. Even on the highway, he said, I should never hold my phone like that. Motorbike thieves could appear at any moment, drive up next to the car, and “ask” for the phone. Of course, not politely, but at gunpoint. That was the moment I truly understood the level of risk in Venezuela.
Live Surrounded by Wire and Dark Windows
During my time in Caracas, two things stood out to me—things that seemed extreme at first, but made perfect sense considering the security concerns.
The first was the widespread use of electric fences and tall walls. Many houses and apartment buildings were surrounded by electrified wires or high barriers designed to prevent break-ins or attacks.
The second was that nearly all cars had heavily tinted windows. The purpose was simple: to keep the interior invisible from the outside and reduce the risk of robbery.
Places to Visit Caracas
Plaza Bolívar de Caracas, the city’s founding square, is one of the best places to feel the historic spirit of the capital. Surrounded by important colonial buildings and centered around a statue of Simón Bolívar. It is a lively meeting point filled with street musicians, locals, and the everyday pulse of Caracas.
Casa Natal del Libertador Simón Bolívar, the birth house of Simón Bolívar—the hero of the independence struggle against Spain—offers a fascinating journey into Venezuela’s history and the life of its greatest national figure.
La Plaza Francia (Altamira) is one of the city’s most modern and iconic squares, featuring a tall obelisk designed by a student of the architect behind the Eiffel Tower. With its fountains, cafés, and vibrant social life, it is a popular gathering place for both locals and visitors.
Parque del Este (Parque Generalísimo Francisco de Miranda) is one of Caracas’s most beloved green areas. With lakes, tropical plants, walking paths, and recreation zones, it is the perfect place to escape the intensity of the city. Nearby, you can also visit PDVSA Centro de Arte La Estancia, another peaceful green space.
If you want to see the highest waterfall in the world, you should definitely read my article titled “Miracles of Venezuela: Canaima and Angel Falls.”