Bolívar · Venezuela
The tea-colored lagoon surrounded by waterfalls and tepuis in Parque Nacional Canaima, and Salto Ángel, the world's tallest waterfall, with 979 meters, on the cliff of Auyantepui.
In the photo: Salto Ángel
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
The park, created in 1962 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, covers about 30,000 km² of savanna, forest and tepuis — the flat-topped, vertical-walled mountains that are among the oldest rock formations on the planet. There is no road to the village: it is reached by small plane.
The village stands on the shore of Laguna de Canaima, where the Carrao River plunges in a sequence of wide waterfalls, such as the Hacha, Golondrina, Ucaima and Wadaima falls. The water is tea-colored because of plant tannins, the beach has pinkish sand and, in the background, the tepuis Kurún, Kusari and Kuravaina appear. Boats take you to the island on the other side of the river, from where a trail goes behind the water curtain of Salto El Sapo.
Salto Ángel drops from the top of Auyantepui, a tepui of more than 700 km², about 50 km from the village. At 979 meters total height and an 807-meter free fall, it is the highest waterfall in the world. The pemón call it Kerepakupai Merú. The name Ángel comes from American aviator Jimmie Angel, who flew over the fall in 1933.
For some areas, the yellow fever vaccine is commonly recommended or required; check before traveling.
This destination brings together 1 city: Canaima.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Contornos: INE da Venezuela e OCHA, via geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.
✈ Aeropuerto de Canaima (CAJ) · 1 km to Canaima
Check before buying. There is no road to Canaima: it is reached by small plane from Caracas, Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolívar. Flights are often sold together with accommodation and tour packages.
The local experience
The tea-colored lagoon in front of the village, where the Carrao River falls in a sequence of wide waterfalls, such as the saltos Hacha, Golondrina, Ucaima and Wadaima, with a pink-sanded beach, palm trees and the tepuis in the background.
The waterfall of the Carrao River, on the island opposite the village of Canaima, behind which a trail carved into the rock passes: the visitor goes through the curtain of water from one side to the other.
The highest waterfall in the world, with 979 meters total height and 807 meters of free fall, on the cliff of Auyantepui. It is reached by motor canoe along the Carrao and Churún rivers during the high-water season, or by plane overflight.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From June to November, during the rainy season, the rivers are usually full: that’s when boats can reach Salto Ángel and the lagoon’s waterfalls are more voluminous. From January to April, in the dry season, the river drops, boat access is often unfeasible and the fall can be thin; visits are then by plane, flying over Auyantepui.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Three days and two nights is the most common package in the high-water season: one day for the lagoon and Salto El Sapo, another for the boat trip up to Salto Ángel, with an overnight in hammocks at the camp opposite the fall, and the return. In the dry season, two days are enough for the lagoon and the overflight.
Accommodations are in the village itself, on or near the lagoon: camps and guesthouses run by pemón and tour operators, with simple rooms, hammocks and meals included. On the Salto Ángel excursion, the night is spent in hammocks at a camp on the island facing the fall, on the shore of the Churún River.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Only by small plane, from Caracas, Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolívar. There is no road to the village. Flights are usually sold together with accommodation and tour packages.
In the high-water season, usually from June to November, when the Carrao and Churún rivers have enough water for motor canoes. In the dry season, from January to April, the most common option is to see the fall by overflight.
Three days and two nights in the high-water season, for the lagoon, Salto El Sapo and the boat trip to Salto Ángel with an overnight in hammocks. In the dry season, two days for the lagoon and the overflight.
In some areas, the yellow fever vaccine is usually recommended or required; check before traveling.
Most visitors go with a package, because the flight, lodging and boat tours with pemón guides are usually sold together. Tours to Salto Ángel and Salto El Sapo are always guided.
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