The country sitting at the top of South America contains some of the most stunning natural scenery you could ask for, and while some of it you might know, some of it you probably don’t. So without further adieu, what are the best places to see in Venezuela?

1. Angel Falls. This UNESCO World Heritage site was discovered in the 1930s by an American pilot that crash landed in the region. Now the Angel Falls can only be accessed by boat or plane, but it’s worth it to see the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world, at 979 meters.
2. Los Roques Archipelago National Park. 350 islands with pristine with sandy beaches and clear blue waters. There’s coral reef, scuba diving, and a wide variety of seabirds and aquatic life, the perfect place to relax and take in the sun.
3. Margarita Island. With a name like that you’d expect there to be a lot of clubs and bars…You’d be right. The island is famous for it’s clubs, duty free shopping, big hotels, colonial towns, and of course beaches.
4. El Ávila National Park. By taking a cable car to the top, you get a picturesque view of Caracas and the Caribbean, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, ice skate and go shopping.
5. Cueva del Guácharo National Park. You might notice by now that there are a few national parks in Venezuela, for good reason too, Cueva del Guácharo contains a limestone cavern over 10 km long, and features the Oilbird — Also known as the guácharo.
6. Médanos de Coro National Park. This park rests on the Isthmus of Médanos, and covers both desert and coastal habitats. You might have noticed I said desert, yes, Venezuela is a tropical country with beautiful greenery and beaches, but it also features this dune filled sandy park, perfect for sand-boarding!
7. Miraflores Palace. The official workplace of the president, located in Caracas, the capital city. The building features some stunning architecture and is well worth a look during your inevitable time in Caracas.

You can help make your trip here all the more enjoyable by learning some Spanish, English is not as widely spoken as you might like, so skimping in this area could get you into trouble. Don’t fret though, if you need a little help getting your Spanish up to standard, consider taking some classes, or inquire about anything you’re not sure of.