I’ve wanted to visit La Estancia since I arrived here in 2009. I read about it in a Venezuela guide and it sounded like the type of low key, but beautiful cultural site that I enjoy. I finally made the trip last week and was not disappointed. The entrance is very green, especially walking in from the busy Avenida Francisco Miranda.

At the end of the entrance walkway, there’s a small museum with mini statues from the Bolivarian Revolution (I, think) and similar paintings.

While the museum is quaint, the main attraction at this site is the outdoors area. The flowers, the grass, the hidden walkways leading to seating areas are very pleasant.

Outdoor art is very common in Caracas, and La Estancia has its share.

We visited the park on a Friday and it was the perfect way to kick off the weekend. A definite must-see if you’re looking for some tranquil space or time in Caracas.

Over the weekend, I put aside my fear of heights and mild claustaphobia to visit El Teleferico here in Caracas. This is a cable car system that takes you into the Warairarepano National Park.

Once my mild panic attack subsided, I was able to take this picture here and the view really was magnificent. However, it also reminded me how high we were and much higher we needed to go. The ride takes about 15 minutes and you make steep climbs over 3 mountain peaks before you reach the park.

Even though when we set out there were a few scattered clouds, it was drizzling when we arrived. The park is made up of vendors selling a lot of the same things we saw in Colonia Tovar: strawberries, peaches in whipped cream, strawberry/peach preserves, and flowers galore. If not for the clouds, we would have been able to see a great view of Caracas from several viewing points (they also had telescopes).

We were there around lunch time and decided to have lunch at what looks like the fanciest joint there called Restaurante Fondue (right above the Arepa Socialista restaurant). True to its name, each table was fitted with two burners. My husband tried a fish dish and the rest of us had a sort of sampler dish that came with fresh vegetables, french bread, chicken and beef; all to be dipped in cheese fondue and five different sauces. The interesting part was that the chicken and beef were served raw and we got to cook them in one of the burners to our liking. Overall, it was very nice.

A couple hours later, we made the trek down and it was completely overcast by then. I was glad I swallowed my fear and took a few on the way up. Admission for adults is 35 BsF., children 5 and over are 15 BsF. and children 4 years and younger ride for free.

It was worth putting my anxiety aside to visit the park, but I will not be doing it again