|
Politics takes center stage in Venezuela these days. But its history as an oil center has given Caracas much of the infrastructure – hotels, restaurants, nightlife and eye candy – to satisfy the most demanding corporate traveler. Don’t be put off by the arduous journey to and from the airport – it can take up to 4 hours – the permanent replacement of the airport road should be complete by 2007
Sleeping
| JW Marriott. One of the newest hotels in the city, with a prime location in El Rosal. It boasts a pool, spa, health club, spectacular views of Mount Ávila, tastefully decorated rooms and marble bathrooms. This hotel has once again been voted our readers’ favorite. Average room rate $239. www.marriott.com |
InterContinental Tamanaco. A solid business hotel conveniently-located in the lively and fashionable Las Mercedes neighborhood. With more than 500 rooms, four restaurants, three bars, a pool, tennis courts, barbers, and 24-hour business center, the Tamanaco seems more like a small town than a hotel. Average room rate is $180. www.ichotelsgroup.com
Gran Meliá Caracas. This top-notch hotel provides superior amenities, including large rooms, jacuzzis, complementary buffet, butler service, indoor and outdoor pools and a splendid spa. The only downside to this impressive hotel is its less desirable neighborhood. Average room rate for a deluxe room is $235. www.solmelia.com
Embassy Suites. In the central commercial district and across the street from the Lido Shopping Center, this hotel has all the business essentials and spacious two-room suites. Average room rate is $205. www.embassysuites.com
Hotel Centro Lido. In the Centro Lido Mall, in the upscale El Rosal neighborhood, this 102-room boutique-style hotel is an intimate alternative to the large luxury hotels. Average room rate is $200. www.worldhotels.com
Eating
Café Atlantique. Serves up creative dishes combining Caribbean and Mediterranean flavors in the lobby of a 1950s building. (Avenida Andrés Bello, Edificio Atlantic, Los Palos Grandes, Tel: 58 212 287 0630).
Restaurante Urrutia A popular wood-beamed and low-ceilinged Spanish oldie – try the bacalao in a rich vizcaina sauce. (Av. Francisco Solano and Los Manguitos, Sabana Grande, Tel: 58 212 763 0448).
Bar Si. This small, intimate restaurant offers top-notch pan-Asian food focusing on Vietnam and Thailand. Try the grouper cooked in coconut milk served in a banana leaf with fresh mango. (Calle Madrid between Veraruz and Caroni, Las Mercedes, Tel: 58 212 993 9124).
Catar. This hip little restaurant blends in with the local art galleries and craft shops that surround it. With softly playing chill-out music and a mix of Asian and local dishes, this is a great little place for a relaxing bite. (Miranda 6a Transversal, Los Palos Grandes, Tel: 58 212 285 0649).
Drinking
Get ready to rumba! The Centro Comercial San Ignacio, in the La Castellana neighborhood, is a one-stop shop for some serious nightlife. Music at the Suka Bar And Café changes every night, from hip-hop, jazz and bossa nova to mellow electronica. In the same shopping center, merengue lovers can dance under the stars at Loft, which has a retractable roof. Elsewhere, in the upscale Las Mercedes neighborhood, minimalist Malabar – which bills itself as “a temple to the spirit of good living” – brims with designer-clad beauties lounging on vibrant sofas amid lush tropical plants (Avenida Orinoco). For hot salsa dancing well into the wee hours, try El Maní es Asi (Calle El Cristo, Sabana Grande), Planet Bar (Avenida Principal and Calle New York, Las Mercedes) or, Masai (Centro Commercial San Ignacio).
| Downtime |
| A couple of hours to spare? Hop on down to Parque Central and take in the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Sofía Imber, Jesús Soto, Picasso, Moore, Miró, and Bacon are a few names that feature in this contemporary art museum. (Parque Central, Tel: 58 212 573 7289)
A day at the races. The Hipódromo La Rinconada is one of South Americas most modern and biggest racetracks. Spectators travel for miles to watch the 12 thoroughbred races that take place here every weekend. (Avenida Intercomunal de El Valle, Te: 58 212 681 7895).
Posada Casa Sol. An hour by plane from Caracas is the Andes town of Mérida. With its snow-capped Pico Bolívar, trout-filled streams and little villages turning out homemade bread and cheese, Mérida is a mini-Switzerland in a country with a Caribbean attitude. Visit the Heladeria Coromoto – an ice-cream parlor that is a Guinness World record holder for the 200+ flavors it has to offer, though sausage or trout might not be to everyone’s liking. Casa Sol, a newly restored colonial house, is one of the most charming posadas in Mérida. Suites from $50 (Tel: 58 274 252 4164 www.andes.net/posadacasasol
|
Useful Information
Time Difference (from EST and GMT): +1/-4
Exchange Rate: $1=2,145 Bolivares (March 2007)
Voltage: 120
Public Holidays:
April 5 – Holy Thursday
April 6 – Good Friday
April 19 – Declaration of Independence
May 1 – Labour Day
June 24 – Battle of Carabobo
July 5 – Independence Day
July 24 – Birthday of Simon Bolivar
August 3 – Flag Day
October 12 – Day of Indigenous Resistance
November 1 – All Saints Day
November 17-19 – Feria of La Chinta (only in the Zulian region)
December 8 – Immaculate Conception
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 31 – New Year’s Eve
|
