Things to See in Venezuela

Los Roques is a group of nearly 300 shimmering, sandy islands and islets that lie in aquamarine waters north of Caracas. Unlike other Caribbean islands, there are no high-rise hotels, no mass tourism and no cruise ships. For those who appreciate beaches, snorkeling and diving, a trip here is worth every bolívar.

Angel Falls is the world's highest waterfall and Venezuela's number-one tourist attraction. Its total height is 979m (3211ft), of which the uninterrupted drop is 807m (2646ft), about 16 times the height of Niagara Falls. The cascade spills off the heart-shaped Auyantepui, one of the largest of the tepuis (sandstone-capped mesa), into Devil's Canyon.

Venezuela's longest cave system, the Guácharo Cave is a spelunker's delight. The 10.2km (6.3mi) cave is inhabited by the guácharo (oilbird), which lives in total darkness and leaves the cave only at night in search of food. From August to December, there are some 10,000 of them in the cave, along with a maze of stalactites and stalagmites.