Places / South America / Venezuela
Maracaibo
Not been yet
The UK Foreign Office currently advises against travel to all or parts of Venezuela. This guide is for a safer time. Check the latest travel advice.
At a glance
- Country
- Venezuela
- Region
- Zulia
- Population
- 1.5 million
- Best time to go
- December to April
- Main airport
- La Chinita International (MAR)
- Coordinates
- 10.64°N, 71.61°W
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Venezuela's second city sits on the western shore of the strait that joins Lake Maracaibo to the Caribbean. It grew rich on oil, and is famously hot, with a strong regional identity, its own accent and its own music, the gaita.
The colourful old centre, a revered basilica and the long bridge across the lake are the main sights. Travel here is not advised at present; this guide is for a future visit.
Things to see
-
Photo: Wilfredor, CC0 Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá
The city's spiritual heart, home to the image of La Chinita, Zulia's patron saint.
-
Photo: Wilfredor, CC0 General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge
A cable-stayed bridge of over eight kilometres spanning the lake, a landmark of the 1960s.
-
Photo: Rjcastillo, CC BY 4.0 Calle Carabobo
A street of brightly painted colonial houses in the historic centre.
-
Photo: Béria Lima de Rodríguez, CC BY-SA 3.0 Teatro Baralt
An elegant early-20th-century theatre on Plaza Bolívar.
Things to do
-
Photo: Rjcastillo, CC BY-SA 3.0 Hear gaita
Zulia's festive folk music fills the city in the run-up to the Feria de La Chinita in November.
-
Photo: Wilfredor, CC0 Vereda del Lago
A lakeside park popular for walks, cycling and watching the sunset over the water.
-
Photo: Fernando Flores, CC BY-SA 3.0 Catatumbo lightning
Far to the south-west, near-nightly lightning storms over the lake's marshes are a natural wonder.
Where to stay
Historic centre
Close to the basilica and colourful streets, best for daytime sightseeing.
Hotels in Historic centreNorth of the city
Residential districts with most of the hotels, restaurants and shopping centres.
Hotels in North of the city
Getting around
Taxis are the usual way to get around; when visiting becomes possible, take local advice on arranging trusted transport.
La Chinita airport lies south-west of the city, around 20 to 30 minutes from the centre by road.
When to go
Maracaibo is hot all year. The drier months from December to April are the most comfortable, and November brings the city's biggest festival.
Plan your trip to Maracaibo
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.