Boutique hotels in Venezuela

Venezuela has some of the most dramatic landscapes in South America: the world's tallest waterfall in the Canaima tepui country, the snow peaks of the Andes, a Caribbean coast of palm-fringed beaches and the shallow turquoise archipelago of Los Roques. Its best accommodation is the posada, a small, owner-run inn, and many of the finest are in places where large hotels never arrived.

Good to know

The country has been through severe economic and political difficulty, and governments issue strong warnings against travel to parts of it. Check official travel advice before planning, and use well-established local operators for internal flights and remote trips. Hotel information in this guide comes from guides and listings of varying age; confirm that a property is open and how prices are quoted before you book.

Islands and coast

Los Roques, a coral archipelago 150 kilometers off the coast, is reached by a small plane and has a village of sand streets and colorful posadas. Margarita Island has beach towns and quiet villages inland, while Morrocoy National Park, to the west, has cays, mangroves and simple posadas. Choroní is a colonial fishing village with palm-lined beaches, backed by Henri Pittier National Park.

Mountains and interior

Mérida, in the Andes, is the base for cable cars and trekking, with colonial mansions turned posadas. Colonia Tovar is a Black Forest-style mountain village. Canaima is the gateway to Angel Falls.

When to go

December to April is the dry season and peak time for the coast. The falls are fullest from June to November.