DestinationOrinoco

Ciudad Bolívar & Puerto Ordaz

The colonial narrows of the Orinoco, and the gateway to Canaima.

Ciudad Bolívar, the state capital, is a tranquil city with a rich colonial history. It was founded in 1764 as “Santo Tomás de la Guayana de la Angostura del Orinoco” — angostura meaning narrow, for its position at the river’s tightest point. Despite its hundred thousand inhabitants it keeps a small-town feel, and afternoons are spent in the shade along the river.

Why it works for your clients

Puerto Ordaz, by contrast, is modern and well planned, named after the Spanish explorer who sailed up the Orinoco in search of gold in 1531. Together with San Félix it forms Ciudad Guayana. For most itineraries these two are the hinge before Canaima — and half a day in either turns a connection into content: the colonial centre in one, the Caroní waterfalls of Cachamay and La Llovizna in the other.

How we operate it

Scheduled flights from Caracas, our vehicles and bilingual guide-drivers for the half-day excursions, and the onward flight to Canaima handled as part of the same file.

Highlights

  • Ciudad Bolívar's historic centre — Plaza Bolívar, the baroque cathedral, Casa del Congreso de Angostura
  • The Paseo Orinoco at the narrowest point of the river
  • Parque Cachamay and La Llovizna, where the Caroní falls through 52 hectares of park
  • The natural staging point for flights into Canaima
  • Museo Etnográfico del Orinoco and Venezuela's first newspaper house

At a glance

Region
Orinoco
Distance
1 h flight from Caracas
Best time
Year round
Where guests stay
City hotels in Puerto Ordaz; colonial posadas in Ciudad Bolívar

Journeys that include this destination