Flights from Miami to Maracaibo (MIA to MAR)

Maracaibo is the Venezuelan oil industry’s center and the second largest city in the country. The city is known for its traditional music, modern shopping malls, huge parks, and has a buzzing nightlife. The main attractions here are found in the downtown area around Plaza Bolivar. Santa Lucia and Carabobo are the two main streets where you will come across many colonial buildings and architectural gems. The Aquamarine water park in the lakefront Vereda del Lago Park is a popular tourist attraction. Other highlights in Maracaibo include - the Botanical Gardens, Zulia Metropolitan Zoo, La Marina Park and its lookout tower and Centro Sambil.

Things to do in Maracaibo

Lake Maracaibo

Considered to be among the world’s oldest lakes, Lake Maracaibo is South America’s largest lake. Many rivers flow into the lake, the largest among them being Catatumbo. The lakeside environment is completely tranquil, and it is the perfect picnic spot on a pleasant day. It is a birdwatcher’s delight as rare birds like the buffy hummingbird, vermillion cardinal and pygmy swift can be spotted here. The lake is also used as a shipping route to the port of Maracaibo. The Village of Lake Maracaibo has evolved into a huge park nearby where visitors engage in activities like paintball, mountain climbing, cycling and exercising among other activities. Visitors will also see next to the lake, the biggest concrete bridge in the world, the General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge.

Baralt Theater

Baralt Theater opened its doors in 1883 and was the venue for the very first movie screening in Venezuela in 1896. The current building is a reconstruction of the original, which was demolished in 1928. The theatre is a National Monument and is popular as one of the country’s most significant cultural venues. Currently, the theatre is managed by the Baralt Theater Foundation and plays host to several musical, dance, theatrical, and film performances.

Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquira

Located in the middle of shopping malls in the Santa Rosalia sector, the Basilica of Chiquinquira or La Chinita was built in 1836. Symbolic of the Zulia region, the elegant yellow structure has elements of Greco-Roman as well as Neoclassical architecture. It houses art from the 19^th and 20^th centuries, an image of the virgin and an 18-carat gold crown. The feast day of the Basilica is on 18^th November and is among the busiest days of the Catholic Church.

Best Time to Visit Maracaibo

The weather is warm all year round with low chances of rain. The best time to book Maracaibo flights is from December to May during the dry season when you can enjoy the beaches and go for sightseeing. It is advised to book flights from Miami to Maracaibo in advance to avoid paying more at the last minute.