Before you go

Your trip to Canaima.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Canaima – Bolívar

How to get there

Aeropuerto de Canaima (CAJ) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. To reach Canaima you can only fly by small plane, with flights departing from Caracas, Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolívar and landing on the airstrip next to the village. Flights are usually sold together with accommodation and tour packages; confirm departure dates in advance.

How many days

Three days and two nights in the high-water season: one day for the lagoon and Salto El Sapo, another to travel up the river to Salto Ángel, with an overnight in a hammock at the camp, and the morning return. In the dry season, two days for the lagoon, Salto El Sapo and the Auyantepui overflight.

When to go

From June to November the rivers are usually full, with voluminous waterfalls and boats reaching Salto Ángel. From December to April, in the dry season, the sky is often clearer and the lagoon calmer, but the river drops and visits to the fall are by plane. It's hot year-round, with strong, quick rains during the high-water months.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. There is no road to the village, and the few vehicles operate only between the airstrip and the lodgings. Tours are by boat and on foot, always with a guide.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Canaima

Morning
Arrival and lagoon beach
Arrive on the morning flight and walk from the airstrip to the beach of Laguna de Canaima, with pinkish sand and views of the Hacha, Golondrina, Ucaima and Wadaima falls and the tepuis in the background.
Afternoon
Boat and Salto El Sapo
Cross the lagoon by boat with the guide, pass near the waterfalls and walk across the island to Salto El Sapo to go along the trail behind the water curtain. Bring swimwear and a dry bag for your phone.
Late afternoon
Sunset over the tepuis
Return to the village beach to see the low light on the tepui cliffs and on the lagoon’s waterfalls.
Evening
Night in the village
Have dinner at the lodging, where meals are usually included, and arrange with the guide the departure for the next day.

3 days in Canaima

Day 1

Morning
Arrival and lagoon
Morning flight, settling in and first walk along the lagoon beach, with views of the waterfalls.
Afternoon
Salto El Sapo
Boat across the lagoon and trail across the island to Salto El Sapo, including the passage behind the waterfall.

Day 2

Morning
Ascent along the Carrao River
Leave early by motor canoe along the Carrao River and then via the Churún, in the Auyantepui canyon. It's about four to five hours on the river, depending on the water level.
Afternoon
Hike to Mirador Laime
From the camp opposite the waterfall, walk about an hour through the forest to Mirador Laime, with the entire Salto Ángel ahead. On the way back, bathe in the river pool.
Evening
Night in a hammock
Sleep in a hammock at the camp, with the sound of the river and, if the sky clears, the waterfall lit by the moon.

Day 3

Morning
Descent and return
See the waterfall at dawn, when it is usually cloudless; descend the river back to the village and catch the afternoon flight.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Where are the lodgings in Canaima?

In the village itself, on the lagoon shore or a few minutes from it. They are simple camps and guesthouses, with rooms or hammocks and meals included, almost always sold together with the tours.

What to bring to Canaima?

Swimwear, lightweight quick-dry clothing, a rain jacket, shoes that can get wet, insect repellent, sunscreen, a flashlight, and a dry bag for your phone and documents. At the Salto Ángel camp, a light jacket for the night.

Why is the lagoon water dark?

Because of the tannins from savanna and forest plants, which dye the Carrao River a tea color. Near the waterfalls the water becomes clearer and, at the beach, takes on a reddish tone.

Who are the Pemón?

The indigenous people of the Gran Sabana and Canaima region. The village is a Pemón community, and the guides and boat pilots on the tours are usually from the community.

Can you swim in the lagoon?

At the village beach, yes, in the areas indicated by the guides and away from the falls. Near the waterfalls the current is strong; follow the guide's instructions.

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