How to plan a trip to Canaima Park?

Canaima National Park, in southeastern Venezuela, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is a vast area of more than 30,000 km² with spectacular landscapes of tepuis, flat-topped plateaus and vertical sides that rise above the Amazon rainforest. However, in this post we are not here to tell you about the wonders of one of the largest national parks in Venezuela, but how to plan your trip to Canaima in the best possible way based on our experience.

Below you can find some important information for your trip, such as the documentation needed to enter the country, the best date to go, or all the activities you can do on your stay. In addition, we also give you many other tips that will be of great help during your visit and will make you make the most of the experience. Are you ready? Then take notes and don’t miss any details.

1. Prepare the necessary documentation to travel to Canaima

The documentation required to travel to Venezuela for tourism purposes may vary depending on the origin of the visitor. Schengen space citizens do not need to apply for a visa for stays of up to 90 days. They simply must have the following documents ready at the time of flying and upon arrival in the country:

• Passport: must be valid and have a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry to Venezuela.
• Return ticket: it is often required to show a return ticket to demonstrate the visitor’s intention to leave the country before the expiration of the allowed period of stay.
• Proof of accommodation: it may be necessary to submit hotel confirmations or a letter of invitation from someone who will be hosting you in Venezuela.
• Travel Insurance: currently travel insurance is mandatory and coverage cannot be less than $40,000 for Medical Assistance Services and $1,000 for loss or theft of luggage. In addition, the duration of the travel insurance must never be less than the duration of the trip.
• International vaccination certificate: depending on current health alerts, it may be necessary to present a vaccination certificate, particularly against yellow fever, especially if traveling to border areas with Brazil.
• Proof of financial solvency: upon arrival they may request proof of sufficient funds for your stay.

If you do not belong to the SCHENGEN space, you will have to consult the website of the Venezuelan embassy in your country to get information and apply for the visa. We recommend you to do it in advance. And remember that with the Passporter App you will be able to save the visa and the rest of the travel documentation in an organized way.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date for your trip to Canaima Park

Canaima has a tropical savanna climate, with warm temperatures year-round, around 29°C, regardless of whether it is the dry or rainy season. Any time is a good time to travel to the park. However, the season will determine the type of activities you can do.

Generally it is recommended to travel in the rainy season, between May and November. We traveled in November and it was a great decision. During these months the park’s rivers and waterfalls, including the famous Angel Falls, are at their peak due to the volume of water, which makes the views even more impressive. The landscape becomes lushly green and the wildlife is more active. The only downside is that some trails are less accessible and you may have trouble with some activities.

If you prefer to avoid the rains, the months of December to April offer a drier climate. It will be easier to do all kinds of activities and visits without having to carry your raincoat wherever you go.

We can organize your trip to the Canaima Park

3. Find out how to get to Canaima Park

To get to Canaima we took a domestic flight from Caracas. The Simón Bolívar International Airport of Maiquetía is located there. There are several flights a week, but it is recommended to buy the ticket in advance as seats are quite limited.

The flight lasts approximately 1h and 15 minutes and costs about 200€. But the price may vary according to availability and the season. Although there are several airlines offering flights from Caracas, the most recommended is Conviasa, the most reliable official commercial airline. You can also fly in small propeller planes, which offer a more exclusive experience, but also more expensive.

What we liked most about the trip is that from the plane we were able to enjoy the views of the park before landing at the Canaima National Park Airport. There we were met by locals in indigenous attire, and private transportation that took us to the hotel where we stayed.

4. Find the accommodation that fits your expectations to enjoy Canaima Park

Canaima is a protected national park where transportation and tourist activity is very limited to the hotels, which are responsible for travel. They facilitate the activities that you most want to do during your stay. In addition, hotels offer full board and a unique experience. So, it is very important to choose well where to stay.

Many travelers organize the trip with the help of an agency. But if you decide to go it alone, you will find that there is not much information available regarding prices or availability. You’ll have to contact the accommodation so they can answer your questions.

Here is a selection of the best-rated lodges in Canaima Park. The first is where we stayed, and our stay was a real treat.

• Campamento Canaima: This wonderful hotel has a privileged location on the shores of the Canaima Lagoon. It’s surrounded by vegetation and is just 5 minutes from the airport. This accommodation, in addition to offering full board (alcoholic beverages not included), organized the experiences we had during our vacation. The space offers a pleasant and cozy design space. From the lounge and cafeteria we could see the main waterfall of the lagoon. During breakfast, colorful parrots fly overhead and come to the hotel to feed on what travelers offer them. The hotel has double rooms and suites integrated between local vegetation and the lagoon beach itself. It also has two restaurants, one at the top and one on the beach itself. They offer a multitude of activities priced between 150€ and 200€ per person. For example, a visit to the Santo del Angel, El Sapo and El Hacha waterfalls, a kayak or paddle service in the lagoon, a visit to the local indigenous village, a music concert by the Sistema Canaima music group or a visit to the orchid garden. Read more about the lodging here.
• Waku Lodge: this luxury lodge offers a unique experience on the shores of the Canaima Lagoon. It has 19 modern rooms and one suite. All perfectly equipped with facilities such as air conditioning, hot water and Wi-Fi. It is ideal for adventure lovers and its packages include experiential activities, air transfers, lodging, excursions and full board buffet. The proximity to spectacular waterfalls and the possibility of exploring the rich biodiversity of the park make Waku Lodge the perfect destination for those seeking to combine luxury and contact with nature in an incomparable environment.
• Camp Churum: this accommodation, ranked as the number one hostel in the area, offers a unique experience in direct contact with the majestic nature of the region. The camp provides an unpretentious but authentic stay, and offers basic services such as free breakfast, bar/lounge, restaurant, and transportation to and from the airport. The rooms are air-conditioned and guarantee a pleasant rest after a day exploring the surrounding jungle. Charum accommodations are simple but very pleasant and more economical than the previous ones.

5. Choose the activities you want to do in Canaima Park

The main tourist attraction that any traveler arriving in Canaima intends to see is the highest waterfall in the world, El Salto del Angel. However, there are many other activities you can do in the area, such as visiting the Canaima Lagoon, the Kavac Caves or the tepuys of Roraima or Ayantepuy. You can read more about it in this post: Things to see and do in Canaima Park

We hired the excursions to visit these destinations in our hotel. But all the hotels in the area offer similar services.

Here we leave all the available options from which we were able to choose to visit the spectacular Santo del Angel waterfall:

– Contract the overflight with light aircraft or helicopter:

This option promises an unforgettable experience, not only for the sensation of flying over such a vast natural park, but because on the route on the way to Angel Falls you can see the magnitude of the park, rivers, waterfalls and nature in its purest form. From the air the waterfall will leave you speechless. You will see it so close that you will practically have the sensation of being able to touch it.

– Full Day Trip to Angel Falls:

is the perfect option for adventurers who prefer to go deep into the jungle to discover the waterfall. The activity starts at 4:30 in the morning from the camp, where we prepare warm clothes and raincoat. From the camp we board small local boats called Curiaras that will take us upriver.

The route starts at night and it is an indescribable experience to navigate the river, listen to the animals and see the stars. In the middle of the way we got off the Curiara to avoid some rapids, and walked for 20 minutes through a village until we reached a quieter area of the river where we got back on the boat and continued on our way for two more hours. The scenery is beautiful and changes as you go along the river and get closer to the Tepuys.

Near the base of the Angel Falls camp you will see how the terrain begins to change and see the peaks of the Tepuys to which, according to legend, you have to ask permission and thank you for your passage to Angel Falls. Arriving at the base camp we walked through the jungle for 1.5 hours to the base of the waterfall where we could see it in the foreground and take a dip. After enjoying the place, we walked back to the base camp where we had lunch in the middle of the jungle. After lunch we took the curiara back to the camp, an adventure until we returned after an unforgettable day.

6. Book the activities for Canaima Park

Experiences and activities can only be booked at the camp where you are staying. Although the weather, mainly the rains, can be a condition for having to postpone the activity, we recommend you book them in advance to ensure that you can do it during your stay.

You should know that you are not allowed to go into the jungle on your own, nor will you be able to do the main activities for your own safety and to keep nature in its purest form.

Here we leave you the approximate prices of the main activities that you can hire in your accommodation so you can get an idea of the cost:

• Overflight to see the Angel Falls: the price is 200€/person and has a duration of 2 hours.

• Full Day Trip to Angel Falls: 300€/person and has a duration of 14h. Check it out if you want to get information about the activity.

• Route to the Kusari waterfall:it has a cost of 200€ and a duration of 5h. Here you can read more about the activity.

7. Where and what to eat in Canaima Park

In Canaima there is not a wide range of restaurants since it is a protected natural park where the only urbanized areas are the campsites. Food is included in the accommodation where you stay. There you can choose from a wide variety of local or international dishes. However, if you want to try the options offered by other campsites, in the surroundings of Canaima Lagoon you will find several that you can reach on foot.

Our camp offered a very complete breakfast with pancakes, omelets with fresh vegetables or natural juices of exotic fruits such as passion fruit, which was the one we liked the most. And for lunch and dinner we enjoyed tasty meat dishes accompanied by soups and pasta. We are sure you will enjoy every meal as much as we did.

What is the average price to eat at El Parque Canaima?

The hotels are full board, which means that meals are included in the price and you will only have to pay for alcoholic beverages. Despite the fact that the camps are in the middle of the jungle, the menu is surprisingly varied. And you can choose from wine, cocktails, champagne and many other drinks with prices range from 5 to 25 euros.

8. Tips before embarking on a trip to Canaima Park

• Take a waterproof backpack, especially if you are traveling during the rainy season.
• Pack comfortable clothing and footwear for activities and excursions. Remember that you will spend most of the day in the middle of nature.
• Bring extra socks and shoes in case they get wet.
• We also recommend that you bring waterproof clothing for the night outings and river routes.
• The days are hot, so wear cool, breathable clothing.
• Protect yourself from the sun with hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Mosquitoes abound, don’t forget to bring anti-mosquito spray or cream. And if you are allergic to bites, carry the necessary medications.
• Always carry water and snacks for excursions, as well as toilet paper or tissues.
• If you have a camera, make sure it’s waterproof or buy a case.
• Respect nature and help maintain the ecosystem: don’t pluck flowers or take rocks.
• Bring extra towels for excursions that include bathing. Accommodations do not allow you to take yours out of the rooms.
• Sign up for Passporter and discover our Venezuela travel itinerary. Using passporter to plan trips is free and helps you get inspiration from other travelers 🙂

9. Do you want us to help you organize your trip to Canaima Park?

At Passporter we also help you with reservations and all the travel arrangements so you only have to worry about packing your suitcase and not forgetting your camera. As you have seen throughout the post, Canaima Park is one of our favorite destinations. So we have designed a trip that will exceed all your expectations and allow you to enjoy the incredible scenery and exciting activities without having to organize anything. We take care of everything!

Book your trip to Venezuela with Passporter Here

We leave you a summary of one of our trips organized by Passporter told by one of our travelers @guille_what:

9. Canaima Travel Itinerary in Passporter

Are you one of those who prefer to travel on your own? In that case you have at your disposal our free app where you can discover different travel itineraries that will help you organize your visit. And if on the other hand you understand that vacations are for resting and you don’t want to have to worry about anything, don’t forget to contact us 🙂

• Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map. You can be inspired by the routes presented in the post
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers what to see in Canaima Park.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

11. Frequently asked questions about a trip to Canaima Park