Apure, located in the plains region of Venezuela, is known for its vast savannas, rivers and rich biodiversity. This state is a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers, offering the opportunity to see jaguars, capybaras and exotic birds. These species are found in one of the main attractions to see in Apure, Santos Luzardo National Park, also known as Los Llanos.
Apure is also a cultural centre for the folklore of the plains, with music, dances and traditional cuisine such as carne en vara and pabellón criollo. And if that wasn’t enough, the hospitality of its people and its breathtaking landscapes make Apure a unique and memorable destination. If you are thinking of travelling to this region of Venezuela, read on to get started with your travel arrangements.
What are the best places to see in Apure?
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.
1. Santos Luzardo National Park
The Santos Luzardo National Park is a natural paradise that attracts tourists from all over the world for its impressive biodiversity and unique landscapes. This extensive park is home to a wealth of wildlife, including jaguars, capybaras, caimans and a variety of exotic birds, making it an ideal destination for wildlife viewing and photography.
At the park you can enjoy activities such as safaris, boat rides on the rivers and wildlife watching. But the most spectacular is the sunrise and sunset, when the horizon is tinged with a thousand colours.
2. Apure river
This navigable river, surrounded by lush vegetation, is noted for its natural beauty and biodiversity, as well as for being fundamental to the life of the plains and the transport of livestock. It’s also the perfect place for boat trips and sport fishing.
On boat tours, which typically cost between US$20 and US$50 per person, visitors can spot caiman, river dolphins and a variety of exotic birds.
3. Hato El Cedral
This vast nature reserve and cattle ranch is a destination famous for its rich biodiversity and offers a unique ecotourism and adventure experience. At Hato El Cedral you can enjoy guided safaris to observe an impressive variety of wildlife, including capybaras, caimans, anacondas, and a multitude of exotic birds. In addition, Hato El Cedral offers horseback riding, boat rides and fishing activities.
4. San Fernando de Apure
San Fernando de Apure, the capital of Apure state in Venezuela, is a lively town that combines the culture of the plains with the natural beauty of its surroundings. It is situated on the banks of the Apure River and is an ideal starting point for exploring the vast Venezuelan plains.
Even if the reason for your trip is to explore nature on the plains, we recommend you spend at least a day exploring this pleasant city. During your stay you will see the Plaza Bolivar and the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de La Paz, a reflection of the rich local history and heritage.
What to see around Apure?
1. Aguaro-Guariquito National Park
The Aguaro-Guariquito National Park, located in the state of Guárico about 2 hours from San Fernando de Apure, is a vast protected area covering more than 500,000 hectares of savannahs, gallery forests and wetlands.
This park is a haven for a wide variety of wildlife, including jaguars, capybaras, deer and an impressive diversity of birds. During your visit you can enjoy the unspoilt nature and the tranquillity of the surroundings. The park is fundamental to the conservation of the llanero ecosystems and offers unique opportunities for research and sustainable ecotourism.
2. Caracas
Although the city of Caracas isn’t exactly nearby, it can be a good day trip if you’re stopping off at its airport before flying to Los Llanos.
Caracas is a city known for its mix of modernity and tradition, and its unique setting as it sits in a valley surrounded by mountains. Points of interest include the Caracas Cable Car, which takes visitors to El Ávila National Park and offers panoramic views of the city and the Caribbean Sea, the Sabana Grande Boulevard, the historic centre is home to the Plaza Bolívar, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo and the Museo de Bellas Artes, which offer rich collections of local and international art.
In this post you can read more about this lively city: How to plan a trip to Caracas?
Travel itinerary to Apure for 3 days
During our stay in Apure we spent three days exploring the region, which gave us time to see the basics, but if you want to cover more and immerse yourself in the local culture, you’ll need to extend your trip, as it takes almost 9 hours by car from end to end.
Here’s the itinerary we took:
First day: San Fernando de Apure and Río Apure
- Arrival in San Fernando de Apure and check-in at the hotel.
- Visit to the Plaza Bolivar and the Cathedral of Our Lady of La Paz.
- Boat excursion on the Apure River for wildlife viewing (approximate cost: 20-50 USD per person).
Second day: Hato El Cedral
- Safari to observe capybaras, caimans and birds (approximate cost: 150-200 USD per night, including activities and meals)
Third day: Santos Luzardo National Park and return
- Excursion to Santos Luzardo National Park to explore its biodiversity and landscapes
Do you want us to help you with the management of your trip to Apure?
At Passporter we also help you with bookings and all the travel arrangements so you can enjoy your holiday without worrying about anything. We have designed a trip that will exceed all your expectations and allow you to enjoy the incredible landscapes and exciting activities without having to organise anything, we take care of everything!
And if you 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 to organise your visit.
Where and what to eat in Apure?
The gastronomy of Apure is a rich fusion of traditional llanero flavours that stand out for their use of fresh ingredients such as beef, river fish, plantains, cassava and corn. Dishes are usually prepared grilled or stewed, highlighting the freshness and simplicity of the local ingredients.
These are some of the more typical dishes:
- Carne en vara: Beef roasted over an open fire on stakes.
- Pisillo de chigüire: shredded and stewed capybara meat.
- Pabellon criollo: shredded meat, rice, beans and fried plantain.
- Hallacas: corn dough stuffed with stew, wrapped in banana leaves.
- Sancocho de pescado: thick soup with fish, yucca and plantain.
And if you want to try one of Apure’s signature drinks, don’t miss guarapo de caña, a juice made from sugar cane.
Where to stay in Apure?
To explore the Apure region, many tourists stay in San Fernando de Apure because of its strategic location and variety of services. However, if you prefer to live an experience in harmony with nature, you can also spend your stay in ecotourism lodges in natural spaces.
Here are some of the lodges that we have enjoyed the most during our travels:
- D & D Inn Tibana Apure: Offers comfortable air-conditioned rooms, gym, pool and restaurant. Average price per night: 50 USD.
- City Day Hotel in San Fernando de Apure: air-conditioned rooms with minibar and free Wi-Fi. The accommodation also offers free parking, airport transfer and activities for children. Average price per night: 40 USD.
How to get to Apure?
The gateway to the Apure region is the city of San Fernando de Apure, which you can reach by car, plane or bus. We’ll tell you all the details of the trip:
- By plane: Airlines such as Conviasa operate flights from Caracas to Las Flecheras National Airport in San Fernando de Apure. The flight takes approximately 1 hour.
- By car: From Caracas you will reach San Fernando de Apure via the Autopista Regional del Centro (ARC). The journey takes approximately 8 hours.
- By bus: Companies such as Expresos Los Llanos and Expresos Occidente offer regular services from Caracas and other major cities to San Fernando de Apure. The journey can take between 8 and 10 hours. Although the journey time is long, ticket prices are affordable, but it is advisable to check frequency and timetables in advance.
From Las Flecheras National Airport to the centre of San Fernando de Apure, you can take a taxi, which costs approximately US$5-10 and takes about 15 minutes. There are also private transport and car rental options available at the airport.
Public transport in Apure includes buses and minibuses that connect the main towns and rural areas. Fares are affordable, with a typical trip costing between 0.5 and 1 USD. For convenience and flexibility, we recommend taxis, which are relatively inexpensive, or car hiring. Especially for exploring more isolated natural areas and reserves.
What should I take into account before travelling to Apure?
- Venezuela’s currency is the Venezuelan bolivar
- Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.
- We recommend that you change money before your trip to Apure, as it will be cheaper than at the airport
- The best months to see Venezuela are December to April, during the dry season.
- Always drink bottled water.
- Take sunscreen with you, especially in the summer months, as well as light but sun-protective clothing and stay hydrated.
- Have an eSIM card so you can connect to the internet on your trip to Apure.
- Use the Passporter app to organise your travel itinerary, get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, manage your bookings and save all relevant documents.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Apure?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app.
- Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Make any modifications you need and you’re 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 travellers what to see in Apure.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Apure
The best time to travel to Apure is during the dry season, from December to April, when the weather is more stable and conditions are ideal for exploring the plains.
The gateway to the region is Las Flecheras National Airport in San Fernando de Apure, which receives frequent local flights. If you’re travelling from abroad, you’ll have to make a stopover in Caracas first.
Buses and minibuses connect Apure’s main towns and rural areas. Fares are affordable, with a typical trip costing between US$0.5 and US$1. For convenience and flexibility, we recommend using taxis, which are relatively inexpensive, or renting a car, especially for exploring natural areas and reserves.
The must-sees in Apure are the Santos Luzardo National Park and the Apure River.
No, tap water in Apure is generally not drinkable. It is recommended to consume bottled or boiled water to avoid health problems.
Some of the most typical dishes of Apure are Carne en vara, Pisillo de chigüire, Pabellón criollo, Hallacas, Sancocho de pescado.
No Comments