Things to see and do in Aragua?

Aragua is a state located in the centre of Venezuela, and is famous for its rich geographical and cultural diversity which is reflected in its cities, such as Maracay and its natural landscapes such as the Henri Pittier National Park and its beaches. In addition, the region has a rich history and a rich cultural heritage made up of festivities and traditions that reflect the Venezuelan essence, making it the perfect destination for your next holiday. Are you ready to discover all there is to see in Aragua?

In this post, as well as telling you about the essential things to see in the area and its surroundings, such as Colonia Tovar or Maracay, we have prepared several sections in which we help you with the preparations and the small details of your trip. Discover how to get to Aragua, the best places to stay, or the typical dishes that you can’t miss during your stay. But enough of introductions, join us in the post and let the journey begin.

What are the best places to see in Aragua?

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. Henri Pittier National Park

This is Venezuela’s first national park, a natural paradise covering more than 107,800 hectares between the states of Aragua and Carabobo. It is famous for its great biodiversity, home to more than 500 species of birds and a rich tropical flora.

There you can hike beautiful hiking trails, go bird watching and visit stunning unspoiled beaches such as Cata and Choroní. The park also has rivers, waterfalls and mountains, offering breathtaking scenery and opportunities for adventure.

Buses run from Maracay to Choroní, where hiking trails to the park depart. We recommend checking the frequency of buses in advance.

1. Maracay, the main city to see in Aragua

Maracay, besides being the capital of Aragua and the gateway to the region, is a very attractive tourist destination for its combination of nature, culture and history. Although the city’s main tourist attraction is the Henri Pittier National Park, the city also invites you to spend at least a day. During this time you can visit the Maracay Aeronautical Museum, the Sindoni Tower, Plaza Bolivar and the Zoo.

All attractions are generally very reasonably priced, and some museums are free. We recommend booking your tickets online to avoid queues during your stay.

3. Choroní

Choroní is a charming coastal town with beautiful beaches of golden sand and crystal-clear waters, such as Playa Grande and Puerto Colombia. As well as being the gateway to the Henri Pitttier National Park, this destination invites you to do many other activities such as swimming, snorkelling and fishing. One of the most famous routes is the one to the Choroní waterfall.

And if you want to enjoy the atmosphere in its purest form, we encourage you to time your trip to coincide with local festivals, such as the San Juan Bautista celebrations.

4. Colonia Tovar

Less than 2 hours drive from Maracay and bordering La Guaira is Colonia Tovar, a small town known for its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and beautiful churches. This must-see destination in Aragua is also known for its beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

There you can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and horseback riding, try the local cuisine and delight in the smells and colours of its markets. Not to be missed.

What to see around Aragua?

1. Valencia

If you decide to start your trip from Valencia, we recommend spending a day exploring the city, which is known for its rich colonial history, which you can learn about at the Museo de la Cultura. Another of the city’s attractions is the Fernando Peñalver Park, perfect for walks and outdoor activities.

Valencia is also known for its lively nightlife, modern shopping centres and varied gastronomic offerings. Its strategic location also makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the beaches of the Caribbean coast.

2. San Esteban National Park

From Valencia you can also visit San Esteban National Park, a natural sanctuary that encompasses mountains, rivers and a coastal strip. The park is noted for its rich biodiversity, with endemic species of flora and fauna, and for its historical heritage, including remnants of colonial roads and the famous Fortín Solano.

In the area covered by the park you’ll also find caves, the Las Trincheras hot springs and the picturesque Patanemo Bay. If you’re a nature and ecotourism lover, you can’t miss San Esteban National Park.

Travel itinerary to Aragua for 3 days

Aragua is a destination that can be covered in 3 or 4 days, but if you wish, you can spend more days exploring the trails of Henri Pittier National Park, doing water activities or simply relaxing on the beach.

Here’s an itinerary for your reference, but our recommendation is to take inspiration from other travellers’ experiences on the Passporter App and organise your own adventure according to your own preferences.

First day: Maracay

• Arrival in Maracay and check-in at the hotel.
• Visit to Plaza Bolivar and the Aeronautical Museum for a historical introduction to the city.
• Walk through Santos Michelena Park.

Second day: Henri Pittier National Park

• Excursion to Henri Pittier National Park
• Hiking and bird watching
• Picnic lunch in the park
• Visit to the beaches of Choroní or Cata

Third day: Colonia Tovar

• Walk through the town, enjoying its architecture and craft shops.
• Visit the local markets and hiking in the surrounding area.

Do you want us to help you with the management of your trip to Aragua?

At Passporter, in addition to helping you create your travel itineraries with our free app, we also take care of the reservations and all the paperwork so you don’t have to worry about anything. As you have seen throughout the post, Aragua is one of our favourite destinations, that’s why we have designed a trip that will exceed all your expectations and will allow you to enjoy the incredible landscapes and exciting activities without wasting time with preparations.

Where and what to eat in Aragua?

The gastronomy of Aragua is rich and diverse, reflecting the fusion of indigenous, African and European flavours, using ingredients such as corn, plantains, cassava, beans and various meats. Dishes such as arepas, cachapas, pabellón criollo, empanadas and hallacas stand out, and a characteristic drink is papelón con limón, a mixture of sugar cane juice and lemon.

Here’s a list of the restaurants we liked the most during our stay:

• Ático: fuses Latin cuisine with Mediterranean and European influences. Its seafood and rice dishes stand out. The price is high, but it is worth it if you are a food lover.
• ODAS: is a restaurant specialising in Cajun and Creole cuisine with vegetarian options. Their carpaccios and shrimp fajitas are outstanding. The average price is 20-30 USD.

Where to stay in Aragua?

Aragua offers a variety of accommodation options, and although most are in the city of Maracay, you’ll also find alternatives in the countryside overlooking the Henri Pittier National Park.

We stayed in Maracay Centro, but there are other highly recommended areas for accommodation such as Las Delicias, known for its tranquillity and moderate prices; El Limón, cheap and close to Henri Pittier National Park; and Choroní, popular for its beaches with a predominance of budget inns.

Here are some of our favourite places to stay in Maracay:

• Eurobuilding Express Maracay: offers accommodation with impeccable facilities, excellent service and a varied buffet breakfast. Located in the Paseo Las Delicias shopping centre, the average price is 120 USD per night, including taxes and breakfast.
• Marriott Maracay Golf Resort: This hotel offers rooms with views of the golf course, an outdoor pool and gym. Excellent service and varied breakfast. Average price: 100-130 USD per night, including taxes and breakfast.
• Hotel Pipo Internacional: all air-conditioned rooms, swimming pool and restaurant. Ideally located close to local attractions, the average price per night is 82 EUR, including breakfast and free cancellation.

How to get to Aragua?

Aragua is a region with good communications with the rest of the country through Maracay, its capital. Here are all the options for getting there:

• Car: From Caracas, you can take the Autopista Regional del Centro (ARC) to the west, which connects directly to Maracay, the capital of Aragua. The journey takes about 1.5 hours. If you are travelling from abroad, you can hire a car on arrival, but remember to check beforehand whether your driving licence is valid in the country.
• Bus: Several bus companies such as Aeroexpresos Ejecutivos and Expresos Occidente offer regular services from Caracas and other major cities to Maracay. The trip from Caracas takes about 2 hours. Ticket prices depend on the time of year, but are usually less than $20.
• Airplane: The nearest airport is Valencia International Airport (Arturo Michelena). From there, you can take a taxi (US$30-50, depending on traffic and time of day) or rent a car (US$40/day) to get to Maracay, which is about 60km away. However, many tourists make a stopover in Caracas, whose airport receives more frequent international flights.

Public transport in Aragua includes buses and minibuses that connect Maracay with other cities and towns in the state. Fares are quite affordable, with a typical trip within the city costing between US$0.5 and US$1. Taxis and motorbike taxis are also common and relatively inexpensive. To get around more comfortably and quickly, it is recommended to use private transport services or rent a car, especially for exploring nearby natural areas and beaches.

What should I consider before travelling to Aragua?

• The currency of Venezuela is the Venezuelan bolivar
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.
• We recommend that you exchange your money before your trip to Aragua, 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 Aragua.

How to prepare what things to do on your trip to Aragua?

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 we present 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 Aragua.

If you have doubts on how to do it, you can refer to our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Aragua