Table of contents PART ONE: GENERAL INFORMATION Introduction Chapter 1: Background Information Geography and climate, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language and religion, Culture Chapter 2: Practical Information When to visit, Top sights and itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Consulates, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Money, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays, Feasts and Fiestas, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Photography, Media and communications, Maps and information, Business, Cultural dos and don'ts, Giving something back Chapter 3: National Parks and Special Interests National parks, Environmental NGOs, Birding and special interest sports Chapter 4: Jungle and Llanos wildlife guide Mammals, acquatic mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, insects and spiders PART TWO: THE GUIDE Chapter 5: Caracas Maiquetía airport, Getting around, Exploring Caracas by metro, Where to stay, Where to eat, What to do, Shopping, Money, Security, Communications, Walks in the Avila Mountain, Beyond the city Chapter 6: Central Coast and Colonia Tovar The central coast, La Guaira and Macuto, East to Chuspa, Chirimena to Carenero, Colonia Tovar Chapter 7: Los Roques, Morrocoy,Mochima The Robinson Crusoe experience, Los Roques Archipelago, Morrocoy, Mochima Chapter 8: Margarita Island Caribbean island, Getting there and away, Getting around, Information, What to do, Porlamar, Pampatar, El Valle del Espíritu Santo, Asunción, Cerro El Copey National Park, East coast beaches, Santa Ana and craft villages, Juangriego and Northwest coast, La Restinga and Macanao Peninsula, Windsurfing in El Yaque, Coche and Cubagua islands Chapter 9: The Oriente Coast Anzoátegui State, Sucre State, Araya Peninsula, East Sucre State, Paria National Park Chapter 10: Monagas and the Orinoco Delta Caripe and the Guacharo Cave, Around Caripe, Orinoco Delta Chapter 11: Los Llanos, Wildlife Paradise Flora and fauna, Wildlife lodges and camps, San Fernando de Apure, Cinaruco-Capanaparo Park, Barinas state Chapter 12: Bolivar State Ciudad Bolivar, Gran Sabana and Lost World of the tepuis, Canaima and Angel Falls, Santa Elena, Roraima trek, Caura River and Para Falls Chapter 13: Amazonas Puerto Ayacucho, Visiting indigenous groups, Up the Orinoco, Casiquiare and Rio Negro, To and from Brazil, To and from Colombia Chapter 14: Aragua and Carabobo Maracay, Choroni and Chuao, Valencia, Carabobo hot Springs and beaches Chapter 15: Yaracuy and Lara Yaracuy state and the Cult of Maria Lionza, Barquisimeto, The Quibor handicrafts route Chapter 16: Merida and the Andes Páramos and peaks, Merida City, High sierras and mountain walks, Mucuposadas, Mystery of Catatumbo Lightning, Travel to/from Colombia Chapter 17: Falcón and Zulia Colonial Coro and the Medanos, Paraguaná Peninsula, Sierra de San Luis, Maracaibo, Western Zulia, The east lake coast 526 Appendix 1: Language Appendix 2: Further Reading Index.