Venezuela's only desert is located in the state of Falcon close to the city of Coro. It is now a protected park, the Medanos de Coro National Park. The park is the largest national park in Venezuela, covering 352 square miles. The landscape is dotted with cactus and other xerophytes that can survive in the near moisture less conditions of the desert. Desert wildlife includes mostly lizards, iguanas and other reptiles. Although less frequent, the desert is home to some foxes, giant anteaters, and rabbits. There are some native bird populations as well, including the sparrow hawk, tropical mockingbird, scaled pigeon and the crested bobwhite.
The desert features enormous moving sand dunes, some reaching 98 feet high. They are constantly being moved around due to the coastal winds. The Medanos de Coro is a counterpart to the Sahara desert and its geography and climate is very similar to the Sahara.
Flights are available to Coro from Caracas, Barquisimeto, Las Piedras or Maracaibo. Visitors may also drive to Coro. There are a number of tour operators who organize tours of the Medanos from both Coro and other Venezuelan cities.
Visitors to the Medanos de Coro can enjoy desert hikes on the dunes. There are many hotels and restaurants available in Coro for travelers. Coro is a UNESCO world heritage site and visitors to the Medanos de Coro will find it full of interesting colonial architecture. Other attractions in the area include the Xerophilous Botanical Garden and the caves and waterfalls of "El Hueque."
