Jutting 80 miles north of Venezuela's northeast coast is a lushly covered peninsula 10 miles from Trinidad's coast. There is no public transportation, but local fishermen double up as water taxis. A typical Paria Peninsula experience includes beach camping, snorkeling, spear fishing and hiking in the forest just beyond the shore. The indigenous people, the Cumanogotos, are famous pearl divers. The beach at the Playa Medina is crescent shaped and was originally a coconut tree plantation. The vegetation abounds with palm and coconut trees. To maintain the beaches' sanctity, water sports are prohibited. Playa Medina is very colorful, the gold-tinged sand against the emerald vegetation and aqua blue water make it must see outside of Caracas.
Caracenos (natives of Caracas) flock to this city beach on weekends. The beach is located in the El Litoral Central area and six miles from the airport. Located on the Caribbean coast, the beach is well served by public buses and private jitneys, so it is very accessible to visitors. Macuto has a long history as an escape from the bustle of Caracas. In 1888, the president, Joaquin Crespo built a mansion there which has been converted into a college. The area has more to offer than white sand beaches; there is also a full-scale marina for sailing enthusiasts, dining, museums and a promenade.
The waves at Playa Colorado are a surfer's dream. Sunbathers adore laying on the orange-tinted sand. There are some small uninhabited islands that beach goers can kayak to and watch the dolphins put on a show and the boobies dive for fish. Soak in the mountains that seem to connect with the beaches and waterfalls that empty out into the ocean. See rare bird species like the yellow faced redstart and the scissor-tailed hummingbird.
