Caribbean Coast Discovery — Choroní, Henri Pittier & Mochima — 5 Days

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Caracas to Choroní — Colonial Town & Playa Grande

Depart Caracas early morning for the 4-hour drive to Choroní, a journey that takes you through the spectacular Henri Pittier National Park — Venezuela’s oldest national park, established in 1937. The final 55 kilometers wind through lush cloud forest along a narrow mountain road with a 30km/h speed limit, but the views of mist-shrouded canopy and glimpses of scarlet macaws make it an unforgettable approach. Arrive in Choroní by midday, a perfectly preserved colonial town founded in 1622 with cobblestone streets, colorful houses with wooden balconies, and a beautiful yellow-and-white baroque church on Plaza Bolívar. After checking into your colonial posada and lunch at a local eatery, head to Playa Grande, Choroní’s famous 700-meter beach with golden sand backed by coconut palms. Spend the afternoon swimming in the Caribbean Sea and watching the waves — Playa Grande is a favorite among Venezuelan surfers. Dinner at a beachfront restaurant featuring fresh-caught red snapper.

Day 2: Henri Pittier Cloud Forest & Hidden Beaches Trek

Rise early for bird watching — Henri Pittier National Park is home to over 580 bird species, more than 40% of all bird species found in Venezuela, including the iconic turpial (national bird), scarlet macaws, toucans, and numerous hummingbird species. After breakfast, begin a guided trek through the cloud forest, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. The trail leads to Cepe Beach, a secluded cove accessible only by foot or boat, where you’ll have the beach almost entirely to yourself. Continue along the coastal trail to Valle Seco (Dry Valley), a dramatic landscape where cactus forests meet the Caribbean — a unique ecological transition zone. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach with fresh tropical fruits. For the adventurous, continue to Chuao, an Afro-Venezuelan village famous for producing some of the world’s finest cacao used in premium European chocolates. Return to Choroní by boat along the dramatic coastline. Evening at leisure with sunset cocktails at a beach bar.

Day 3: Choroní Artisan Morning & Transfer to Mochima National Park

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Choroní. Visit the local artisan market where you can purchase handmade cacao products from Chuao — the perfect souvenir for chocolate lovers. Explore the town’s colorful murals depicting Afro-Venezuelan heritage and local legends. Check out of your posada and begin the scenic 5-hour drive east along Venezuela’s Caribbean coast to Mochima National Park. The route passes through coastal towns and offers stunning ocean views. Arrive in Mochima by late afternoon — this national park, established in 1973, protects a marine and coastal ecosystem spanning the states of Anzoategui and Sucre. Check into your beachfront lodge with views over the bay dotted with islands. As the sun sets, watch fishing boats return with the day’s catch and pelicans diving for their evening meal. Dinner at the lodge featuring fresh seafood caught that same day.

Day 4: Mochima Islands — Snorkeling, Dolphins & Caribbean Paradise

After breakfast, board a small motorboat for a full-day island-hopping adventure through Mochima National Park’s dozens of islands. First stop is Isla Caracas, one of the largest islands, with a beautiful crescent beach and excellent snorkeling along coral formations. Continue to Isla Chimana Grande, where wild dolphins are frequently observed — Mochima is one of the best places in Venezuela to see dolphins in their natural habitat. Next is Isla Las Borrachas (The Drunken Ones), named by sailors who believed its shape resembled a man lying down after too much rum. Its protected bay offers calm, crystal-clear water perfect for swimming. Visit a natural pool — a shallow area with clear water teeming with sea stars and small tropical fish. Enjoy a beachside barbecue lunch prepared by your boat crew on a pristine island. Snorkel in the afternoon among coral reefs, sea fans, and schools of rainbow-colored fish before returning to your lodge at sunset.

Day 5: Mangrove Kayaking & Return to Caracas

Start your final day with an early morning kayaking excursion through Mochima’s mangrove forests — these coastal wetlands serve as nurseries for countless marine species and are teeming with birdlife including pink flamingos, herons, and frigatebirds. The calm waters make for easy paddling as your guide shares knowledge about the mangrove ecosystem’s crucial role in coastal protection and marine biodiversity. After the kayaking, enjoy a final swim at the beach in front of your lodge. Shower, pack, and check out. Begin the drive back to Caracas in the early afternoon, arriving by evening. As you travel, reflect on the incredible diversity of Venezuela’s Caribbean coast — from misty cloud forests of Henri Pittier to the coral islands of Mochima, from colonial cobblestone streets to pristine beaches. Your tour concludes upon arrival at Caracas. For those with extra time, consider combining this coastal tour with the Los Roques archipelago for the ultimate Venezuelan Caribbean experience.

Included

• 2 nights colonial posada accommodation in Choroní (private rooms, en-suite bathrooms)
• 2 nights beachfront lodge in Mochima National Park (private rooms, en-suite bathrooms)
• Daily breakfast (Days 2-5)
• Henri Pittier cloud forest guided trek with bird watching (Day 2)
• Beach boat transfer from Cepe/Chuao to Choroní (Day 2)
• Full-day Mochima island-hopping boat excursion with snorkeling gear (Day 4)
• Beach barbecue lunch on Mochima island (Day 4)
• Morning mangrove kayaking excursion (Day 5)
• English-speaking naturalist guide throughout
• All land transfers: Caracas → Choroní → Mochima → Caracas

Excluded

• International flights to/from Venezuela
• Lunches (except Day 4 beach barbecue) and dinners
• Henri Pittier National Park entrance fee (~$10 USD)
• Mochima National Park entrance fee (~$5 USD)
• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Tips for guides, boat crew, and drivers
• Personal expenses, souvenirs, cacao purchases
• Surfboard rental at Playa Grande (available locally)

Why Choose This Tour

• Explore Venezuela’s oldest national park — Henri Pittier, home to 580+ bird species
• Visit Playa Grande, a 700-meter golden beach and Venezuela’s best surf spot
• Discover Chuao, one of the world’s premier cacao-growing regions supplying premium chocolate makers
• Hike through cloud forest to beaches accessible only by foot — true off-the-beaten-path adventure
• Island-hop through Mochima National Park with high probability of dolphin sightings
• Osprey Expeditions’ founder Ben Rodriguez’s personal favorite Venezuelan beach destination
• Mangrove kayaking through pristine coastal wetlands
• Colonial architecture centuries old, beautifully preserved in Choroní
• Combine cloud forest, coastal trekking, and island snorkeling in one trip
• Perfect combination of active exploration and beach relaxation