Península de Paria
Venezuela · Sucre · 20 m
Description
The Paria peninsula is the far eastern tip of Venezuela, a ridge of cloud forest falling to a coast of coconut beaches that mostly no road reaches. Columbus came along it on his third voyage in 1498 and stepped ashore at Macuro, which makes it the first place on the South American mainland any European set foot. Cacao has been grown on the slopes since the colonial estates, and Río Caribe still calls itself the town of the cacao masters. Playa Medina and Playa Pui Puy are the two beaches everyone names. The national park was declared in 1978.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 3 to 6 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – April
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Playa Medina
- Cacao haciendas around Río Caribe
- Playa Pui Puy
- Cloud forest of the Paria ridge
- Macuro, where Columbus came ashore in 1498(Day trip)
- Boat along the roadless eastern coast
- Chocolate made on the estates
- Thermal springs on the southern flank
- Birdwatching in the ridge forest
- Río Caribe and its colonial front
- Fresh fish in the coastal villages
Getting there
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry