Table of contentsPART ONE: GENERAL INFORMATIONIntroductionChapter 1: Background InformationGeography and climate, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language and religion, CultureChapter 2: Practical InformationWhen to visit, Top sights and itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Consulates, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Money, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays, Feasts and Fiestas, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Photography, Media and communications, Maps and information, Business, Cultural dos and don'ts, Giving something backChapter 3: National Parks and Special InterestsNational parks, Environmental NGOs, Birding and special interest sportsChapter 4: Jungle and Llanos wildlife guideMammals, acquatic mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, insects and spiders PART TWO: THE GUIDEChapter 5: CaracasMaiquetía airport, Getting around, Exploring Caracas by metro, Where to stay, Where to eat, What to do, Shopping, Money, Security, Communications, Walks in the Avila Mountain, Beyond the cityChapter 6: Central Coast and Colonia TovarThe central coast, La Guaira and Macuto, East to Chuspa, Chirimena to Carenero, Colonia Tovar Chapter 7: Los Roques, Morrocoy,MochimaThe Robinson Crusoe experience, Los Roques Archipelago, Morrocoy, MochimaChapter 8: Margarita IslandCaribbean island, Getting there and away, Getting around, Information, What to do, Porlamar, Pampatar, El Valle del Espíritu Santo, Asunción, Cerro El Copey National Park, East coast beaches, Santa Ana and craft villages, Juangriego and Northwest coast, La Restinga and Macanao Peninsula, Windsurfing in El Yaque, Coche and Cubagua islandsChapter 9: The Oriente CoastAnzoátegui State, Sucre State, Araya Peninsula, East Sucre State, Paria National ParkChapter 10: Monagas and the Orinoco DeltaCaripe and the Guacharo Cave, Around Caripe, Orinoco DeltaChapter 11: Los Llanos, Wildlife ParadiseFlora and fauna, Wildlife lodges and camps, San Fernando de Apure, Cinaruco-Capanaparo Park, Barinas stateChapter 12: Bolivar StateCiudad Bolivar, Gran Sabana and Lost World of the tepuis, Canaima and Angel Falls, Santa Elena, Roraima trek, Caura River and Para Falls Chapter 13: AmazonasPuerto Ayacucho, Visiting indigenous groups, Up the Orinoco, Casiquiare and Rio Negro, To and from Brazil, To and from ColombiaChapter 14: Aragua and CaraboboMaracay, Choroni and Chuao, Valencia, Carabobo hot Springs and beaches Chapter 15: Yaracuy and LaraYaracuy state and the Cult of Maria Lionza, Barquisimeto, The Quibor handicrafts routeChapter 16: Merida and the AndesPáramos and peaks, Merida City, High sierras and mountain walks, Mucuposadas, Mystery of Catatumbo Lightning, Travel to/from ColombiaChapter 17: Falcón and ZuliaColonial Coro and the Medanos, Paraguaná Peninsula, Sierra de San Luis, Maracaibo, Western Zulia, The east lake coast 526 Appendix 1: LanguageAppendix 2: Further ReadingIndex.