The Mochima National Park is an impressive natural area located on the coast of Venezuela, between the states of Sucre and Anzoategui. Covering more than 94,000 hectares, the park encompasses both a mountain range on the Mochima peninsula and numerous islands and cays that stand out for their rich biodiversity, with colourful coral reefs, mangroves, white-sand beaches and a wealth of marine fauna, such as dolphins and turtles. We’re sure you’ll be fascinated by every corner of the park, which is why we’ve prepared this post where we’ll tell you all about the things to do in Mochima.
Below we’ve put together a selection of the must-sees and top things to do in the park, including diving, snorkelling, hiking and birdwatching. To help you organise your trip, we also have several sections with tips to help you find accommodation, organise your itinerary and enjoy the local gastronomy in the best restaurants. Are you ready to start your trip? Let’s get started!
What are the best places to visit in Mochima?
1. The best beaches in Mochima
Mochima National Park is famous for its impressive white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, including the following beaches:
- Playa Blanca: one of the favourite beaches, known for its calm waters and paradisiacal setting, ideal for swimming and relaxing.
- Arapito Beach: near the town of Arapo, it is frequented by locals and tourists for its golden sand and perfect climate for tanning. It offers services such as parking and food stalls, making it an excellent choice for a family day out.
- Manare Beach: accessible by boat from the village of Mochima, with a large rock wall and spectacular marine fauna, ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving.
- Playa Pescador: close to the village of Mochima, this is a small coastline with calm waters and gentle waves, perfect for a day of relaxation.
- Playa Cochaima: located in Santa Fe, it offers crystal clear waters and golden sands, being one of the most visited beaches for its natural beauty and the availability of inns in front of the coast.
2. Swim with dolphins in Mochima
Swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat in Mochima National Park is an unforgettable experience. In addition, swimming with dolphins tours usually include transport, snorkelling equipment and an experienced guide to ensure a safe and memorable experience.
Prices for this activity range from $60 to $100 per person, depending on the operator and the duration of the tour. You can book it at your hotel or check with travel agencies in the area.
3. Dive the coral reefs of Mochima
At this paradise for snorkellers and scuba divers, you can dive into crystal-clear waters and discover its rich marine biodiversity. Playa Manare and Playa Blanca are two of the best snorkelling spots, where you can explore colourful coral reefs and observe a wide variety of tropical fish.
For divers, the area around the Caracas and Cachicamo Islands is especially recommended for its rock formations and abundant marine life, including turtles and rays.
Snorkelling excursions typically cost between $30 and $50 per person. While diving sessions, which include equipment, transport and professional guidance, can range from $70 to $120 per dive.
4. Kayaking in the Mochima National Park
Some of the best areas of the park for this sport are Mochima Bay, Venado Island and Playa Colorada. There you can explore mangroves, hidden beaches and observe the rich marine biodiversity from your boat.
Kayak rentals are available in several locations, such as the town of Mochima and Puerto La Cruz. And prices typically range from $15 to $30 per hour, depending on the equipment and length of the rental and whether it’s a guided excursion.
All the information you need to organise your trip to Venezuela here
5. Hiking routes in Mochima
Although Mochima is mainly famous for its beaches, we remind you that it also has mountainous areas that allow you to go hiking among spectacular scenery. Among the best routes is the Playa Blanca – Cerro El Morro trail, with a duration of 2-3 hours and a distance of 5 km. This trail offers panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and the surrounding islands, starting at Playa Blanca and ascending to Cerro El Morro.
Another option is the Playa Manare – Ensenada El Tigrillo trail, which takes between 3 and 4 hours and has a distance of 7 km. This trail passes through wooded and coastal areas, allowing you to enjoy the local flora and fauna.
6. Rock tours of the Islands
The tours by boat around the islands of Mochima are one of the most popular activities for visitors. These small boats offer a comfortable and scenic way to explore the many islands and beaches of Mochima National Park.
Tours usually last between 3 and 6 hours, depending on the stops and activities included, such as snorkelling and dolphin watching. Prices vary between $10 and $20 per person, which includes transportation and sometimes snorkelling equipment. The jetties at Puerto La Cruz, Guanta and Mochima are the most common starting points for these tours.
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.
What to see around Mochima
1. Cumana
Cumana, Venezuela’s oldest city, is a destination rich in history and culture that offers a unique combination of colonial architecture and beautiful coastal scenery. Among the top places to visit are the Castle of San Antonio de la Eminencia, which offers panoramic views of the city and the coast, and the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Museum, dedicated to the life of Antonio José de Sucre.
In Cumana we also encourage you to visit the beaches of San Luis, perfect for relaxing, and Ayacucho Park and the Cumana Cathedral provide an immersion into the history and spirituality of the region. From Mochima you can reach Cumana by road in 45 minutes, or by boat.
2. Puerto la Cruz
Puerto La Cruz, a one-hour drive and two-hour boat ride from Mochima, is a coastal town famous for its beautiful beaches and lively nightlife. Among its main attractions are the Colombus Promenade, ideal for strolling and enjoying restaurants and shops, and the El Morro Tourist Complex, with navigable canals and exclusive resorts.
The beaches of Playa Conoma and Playa Arapito are perfect for relaxing and water sports. And Andres Eloy Blanco Park offers green spaces to enjoy the outdoors.
Travel itinerary to Mochima for 3 days
Mochima is a destination you can see in three days, although it invites you to stay much longer to enjoy its beaches and hiking trails. As you’ve probably gathered by now, there’s plenty to see in Mochima. So, we’ve put together this itinerary to help you plan ahead.
First day:
- Arrival in Mochima: Travel from your home city to Puerto La Cruz or Cumana. From there, take a taxi or rental car to the village of Mochima and check-in at your accommodation.
- Explore Playa Blanca: Have lunch at one of the local restaurants. Visit Blanca Beach, known for its crystal clear waters and white sands. Enjoy swimming and relaxing on the beach.
Second day:
- Snorkel and Dive Tour: Hire a snorkel or dive tour and explore the coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity of Mochima National Park.
- Hike the Playa Blanca – Cerro El Morro Trail: After lunch, embark on a 5km hike on this trail, which takes 2-3 hours, and enjoy panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea.
Third day:
- Penguin Boat Island Tour: Take a peñero (small boat) to visit some of the nearby islands. Prices range from $10 to $20 per person. Visit Playa Manare and Ensenada El Tigrillo. Go snorkelling and enjoy the marine life.
Do you want us to help you manage your trip to Mochima?
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 to organise your visit. And if, on the other hand, you understand that holidays are for relaxing and you don’t want to worry about anything, we also have the solution.
At Passporter we also help you with bookings and all the travel arrangements so that all you have to worry about is packing your suitcase and not forgetting your camera. As you’ve seen throughout this post, Mochima is one of our favourite destinations, so we’ve 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!
Where and what to eat in Mochima?
The gastronomy of Mochima reflects the richness of the Caribbean Sea and stands out for the use of fish, seafood, banana and coconut. The combination of indigenous techniques with European and African influences results in delicious and fresh tropical dishes.
These are some of Mochima’s most typical dishes:
- Seafood casserole: is a stew of assorted seafood in a tomato, garlic and spice sauce.
- Fried fish: fresh fish, usually snapper, fried to a crisp, accompanied by tostones.
- Panadas de cazón: empanadas stuffed with cazón (small shark) seasoned with chilli and spices.
- Arepas de chucho: arepas stuffed with stewed chucho (striped fish).
- Sancocho de pescado: fish soup with tubers, plantain and cassava.
And here are some of the restaurants that we liked the most during our stay:
- Restaurante El Faro: located in the heart of Mochima, this restaurant is known for its excellent Venezuelan cuisine. It offers traditional dishes such as arepa and pabellón criollo, with fresh fish from the area. Average price: $15-20 per person.
- Taberna La Sirena: This cosy establishment offers a wide variety of tapas and typical Venezuelan dishes, such as tequeños, empanadas and patacones. Its extensive cocktail menu is ideal to accompany your meal. Average price: $10-15 per person.
- Restaurante La Playita: located on the beach, it’s famous for its fresh seafood and relaxed atmosphere. Popular dishes include ceviche and lobster, with a variety of tropical cocktails. Average price: $20-25 per person.
- Taberna El Pescador: popular with locals and tourists alike, it offers a variety of fish and seafood dishes, as well as a selection of local beers and wines. It is known for its friendly atmosphere and reasonable prices. Average price: $15-20 per person.
Where to stay in Mochima
Accommodation in Mochima offers options to suit all tastes, from rustic inns to beachfront hotels. In addition, an interesting feature is that many posadas are run by local families, ensuring an authentic and welcoming experience that will immerse you in local customs.
The best areas to stay in the park are the village of Mochima and nearby the beaches Playa Colorada and Playa Arapito, as they are close to the main points of interest. However, many tourists also prefer to stay in Puerto la Cruz and Cumana, from where they can also organise many excursions around the park.
Here are some of the best places to stay in the area:
- Grand Hotel Victoria: located in El Morro de Barcelona, offers 4-star accommodation in an excellent location. The hotel features a fitness centre, terrace, bar, restaurant, 24-hour reception, and room service. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TV, private bathroom, safe and free Wi-Fi. Family rooms and rooms adapted for people with reduced mobility are also available. The price per night starts at 100€ and breakfast is included.
- Hotel Cristina Suites: Located in Puerto La Cruz, it offers a great location and quality accommodation with an outdoor pool, poolside bar, gym, sauna and restaurant. Rooms include balconies with sea views, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, private bathroom and free Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast included in the room rate (from €130) and access to a private beach area.
- Mi Lido Chalet: This 74 m² flat features 1 bedroom, living room with sofa bed, equipped kitchen and two bathrooms. It includes a balcony with sea views and a private pool. The flat is 2.1 km from Lido Beach and 2.3 km from Cangrejo Beach.
How to get to Mochima
Mochima does not have its own airport, but it is accessible from several cities in Venezuela, from where you can get there in the following ways:
- By car: from Caracas you can reach Mochima by taking the highway to Puerto La Cruz, a journey of approximately 4 hours. Then, you continue to the town of Mochima, which is about 2 hours further.
- By bus: several bus companies operate routes from Caracas and other major cities to Puerto La Cruz and Cumana. Companies such as Expresos Los Llanos and Aeroexpresos Ejecutivos are recommended options. It is a fairly inexpensive option.
- By plane: if you’re travelling from abroad, the gateway to the country will be Caracas airport, from where you can travel to General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport and get to Mochima by bus, hire a car or taxi.
- By boat: from Puerto La Cruz there are boats (peñeros) that can take visitors to the various islands and beaches of Mochima. The main piers are El Espigón and Paseo Colón. This is usually the favourite choice for travellers staying in Puerto La Cruz.
Public transport in and around Mochima is limited, so it is advisable to use taxis, whose fares range from $10 to $20 per short ride. In addition, small boats are a popular way to travel between the islands and beaches, with prices ranging from $5 to $15 per person, depending on the distance and specific destination.
What should I consider before travelling to Mochima?
- The currency of Venezuela is the Venezuelan bolivar
- Hedge against medical emergencies: travel insured. Choose good travel insurance such as Mondo.
- We recommend that you change money before your trip to Mochima, as it will be cheaper than at the airport
- The best months to see Venezuela are December to April, in the dry season.
- Always drink bottled water.
- Use sunscreen, especially in the summer months, as well as light but sun-protective clothing and stay hydrated.
- Get yourself an eSIM card for internet connection on your trip to Mochima.
- 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 Mochima
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 to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, 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 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’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers things to do in Mochima.
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 a trip to Mochima
The best time to travel to Mochima is between November and April, when the weather is drier and conditions are ideal for enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities.
To get to Mochima you can take a car from Caracas (4 hours to Puerto La Cruz and 2 more hours to Mochima), buses from Expresos Los Llanos and Aeroexpresos Ejecutivos, flights to General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport with transfers by bus, rental car or taxi, or boats from Puerto La Cruz and Cumana.
Public transport in Mochima is limited, so taxis are recommended, with fares ranging from $10 to $20 for a short ride, or peñeros (small boats) for getting between islands and beaches, with prices ranging from $5 to $15 per person depending on the distance.
The must-do’s in Mochima are the beaches Playa Blanca, Playa Manare, Bay of El Tigrillo, dolphin watching, diving and snorkelling on the reefs and boat trips around the islands.
Bottled water is recommended in Mochima and ice should be avoided.
Some of the most typical dishes of Mochima are Cazuela de mariscos,
Pescado frito, Empanadas de cazón, Arepas de chucho, Sancocho de pescado.
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