Before you go

Your trip to Colonia Tovar.

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

Colonia Tovar – Aragua Destination Caracas and El Ávila

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional Simón Bolívar (CCS) Maiquetía · 75 km

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

Check before purchasing. The nearest airport is Maiquetía, which serves Caracas. From Caracas it is about 60 km via the El Junquito road, which climbs the mountain in curves, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours. There are buses and vans that depart from west Caracas and day tours; confirm schedules in advance.

How many days

One day, as a day trip from Caracas, for the church, the town center streets, the museum and lunch. With one night you have the following morning to walk the trails and mountain plantations around, with the village quieter.

When to go

The climate is cool year-round, with mild days and cold nights that can reach 10 °C. From December to April it rains less and fog is usually less frequent. On weekends and holidays the village fills with visitors from Caracas; during the week it is much calmer.

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

Do you need a car?

To get there, a car or an organized tour makes it easier, because the road is mountainous and buses have few departures. Within the village everything is done on foot, on streets with uphill and downhill stretches.

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 Colonia Tovar

Morning
Ascent up the mountain
Leave Caracas early via the El Junquito road, which passes viewpoints over the valley and stalls selling strawberries and corn bread. Arrive in the village before mid-morning, when there is still parking available.
Afternoon
Church and town center
Visit the Iglesia San Martín de Tours, with its two L-shaped naves, and the history museum next to it. Have lunch of sausage with sauerkraut or trout and try the local beer.
Late afternoon
Half-timbered houses (enxaimel)
Walk the lower streets with the white houses and dark beams, and buy jams, sweets and handicrafts at the shops on Codazzi street.
Evening
Return or night in the mountains
Descend to Caracas before nightfall or stay overnight in a guesthouse in the village and dine by the fireplace; it gets cold at night.

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

Why does Colonia Tovar look like a German village?

Because it was founded in 1843 by about 390 immigrants from the Kaiserstuhl region in Baden, in southwestern Germany. The village remained isolated for more than a century and preserved the architecture, the food and a distinct German dialect.

Is it cold in Colonia Tovar?

Yes, by Venezuelan standards. The village is at about 1,800 meters and the nights are usually cold. Bring warm clothing, even for a day trip.

What to eat in Colonia Tovar?

Sausages and smoked cold cuts, sauerkraut, German bread, fruit pies, strawberries with cream and the beer brewed in the village.

How long does it take from Caracas to the village?

From one and a half to two hours, over the roughly 60 km of the El Junquito road. On weekends, the return traffic in the late afternoon is often slow.

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