Barquisimeto

Barquisimeto is a city in Northwest Venezuela and the state capital of Lara State (named after General Jacinto Lara, a hero of the Venezuelan War of Independence). Founded in 1552, it is a center of commerce and agriculture for western Venezuela and the country's fourth biggest municipality. Being somewhat inland, it has a bit of a warm average yearly temperature of around 26 degrees Celsius.

Interior of the Catedral Metropolitana, which was completed in the 1960s

• 🌍 The Obelisk (Obelisco De Barquisimeto), Aves Las Industrias & Ave Libertador. Most representative icon of Lara State honoring Barquisimeto's 400 year existence in 1952. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Plaza Bolivar. What would a Venezuelan city be without one of these? This is next to the Lara State government building. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Barquisimeto Museum, Carrera 15, Calle 25 y 26, ☏ +58 251-2336243. 09ː00ː17ː00 T-Sa, 10ː00-17ː00 Su, closed M. This very Spanish colonial looking building dates to at least the 19th century. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Juares Theatre, Carrera 19 y Calle 25, ☏ +58 251-2329549. Another city landmark, established in 1905. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Museo de Ciencias Naturales "La Salle", ☏ +58 251 2324743. 08ː00-12ː00 M-F. Archaeology, paleontology, natural science exhibits like ammonites from secondary period, mastodon tusks, and megamaterials. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Cathedral of Barquisimeto, Avenida Valenzuela, ☏ +58 414-5608732. This very modern looking cathedral was built in 1968 with a roof that takes on the shape of an upside down open flower, with parabolic geometric design. It has impressive acoustics and lighting with all the acrylic windows in its ceiling. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Monumento Manto de María Divina Pastora, Autopista Circunvalación Nte. A very abstract Mary shrine that some people take pretty seriously, plus good views over the city. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Flor de Venezuela, southeast corner of Av. Argimiro Bracamonte y Av. Argimiro Bracamontes. Yet another city landmark in the shape of a bromeliad or sago palm or something to that effect, with a fountain and coffee shop. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 El Cardenalito Park. A roadside park with a lot of kitschy sculptures. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Basilica de Santa Rosa (Sanctuary of the Divina Pastora). Church dating to 18th century that houses the Divine Shepherdess, patron saint of Santa Rosa and Barquisimeto. Every January she is taken to the Cathedral of Barquisimeto in what is considered to be the second most important procession in Latin America. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Monumento al Sol Naciente (Monument to the Rising Sun) (across from CC Trinitarias Mall/Hotel). Sun dial type of monument in roundabout. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Parque Temático "Ah Mundo Barquisimeto", Km.13 Via Rio Claro, ☏ +58 251-4166389. 10ː00-18ː00 F-Su, closed M-Th. It's a bit of an outdoor living museum about the Guaro people and Larense culture. (updated Sep 2020)

Procesionpastora

• 🌍 Temático Bosque Macuto Park (Forest Theme Park) (Take Via a Rio Claro from Ave. Riberena, then look for turnoff on east to park), ☏ +58 251 2322926. 08ː00-18ː00 Tu-Su, closed M. Sort of a hodge-podge of urban park, menagerie with peacock and ostrich pecking ambivalently at their cage, and lagoon with dirty water upon which people paddle around. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 El Mundo de los Niños. A water park next to the forest theme park. Slides and artificial mountains, pirate ships, etc. (updated Sep 2020)

• 🌍 C.C SAMBIL, Avenida Venezuela con Avenida Argimiro Bracamonte, y Av. Críspulo Benitez. 10ː00-20ː00 M-Sa, 12ː00-20ː00 Su. A large shopping mall with plexiglass like ceiling plates to make for interesting lighting. Has food court, boutique hotel, and small theme park. (updated Sep 2020)

• 🌍 Lidotel Hotel Boutique, attached to CC Sambil, Ave. Valenzuela, ☏ +58 251 7138333. A pretty cosmopolitan place with an outdoor pool, gym, bar, food court in adjacent mall. $60. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Hotel Trinitarias Suites, Av. Los Leones y Av. Libertador (attached to C.C. Las Trinitarias mall), ☏ +58 424 4726861. Another plush hotel attached to a mall (this time the CC Las Trinitarias, which has a movie theater). Swimming pool and dining. (updated Sep 2020)
• 🌍 Hotel Jirahara, ☏ +58 251 7106111. This one has a very nice atrium, outdoor pool, and restaurant. And a spa. (updated Sep 2020)

• Maracay
• Caracas