A short tour along the coast of the eastern region
The eastern region of Venezuela boasts beautiful destinations for nature lovers, beachgoers, water sports enthusiasts, mountain lovers, and those seeking extreme adventures. This time, I'm sharing a short tour of the states of Anzoátegui, Nueva Esparta, and Sucre, which are renowned for their beautiful and lush beaches. We begin our journey in Mochima National Park, one of the largest natural parks in the country. It's located between the states of Anzoátegui and Sucre on the Cumaná-Puerto la Cruz highway. After traveling several kilometers, a turnoff leads to the town of Mochima, and you'll soon arrive at the National Park. The park is expansive and can be viewed from the highway, which sits atop a high point on the opposite side. It meets the coastal mountain range, formed by large masses of rocks and trees. These formations are prone to landslides during the rainy season, which can impede passage and communication between the two states.
The highway offers stunning coastal scenery, with several beaches located along the way, in addition to those within the park itself. Among them are Arapo, Arapito, Vallecito, Santa Cruz, Playa Colorada, Los Hicacos, and others, which are easily accessible due to their proximity to the main road. Mochima Park offers lodging, restaurant service, and boat tours, which are the most popular with visitors, as well as diving areas. It's a wonderful experience to take the boat tour and visit the beaches. My favorites are Las Maritas, La Gabarra, and Playa Blanca, with their soft, relaxing sand that lives up to their names. During the tour, you can also spot coral, dolphins, and a very curious area with many rocks of various shapes, including the pirate rock. Seeing the rock gives the impression of being in the presence of a real pirate; it has the shape of a head, an eye patch, and other facial features similar to the pirate figures that appear in storybooks.
Visiting this park is a lovely and pleasant experience for nature lovers, diving enthusiasts, and those who enjoy tranquil beaches. The locals are warm and friendly, providing excellent service. During our visit, we managed to take a short tour in the area near the town. We set out in the morning because we wanted to see dolphins, and these friendly creatures decided to come out early as well, treating us to several acrobatic displays from several kilometers away. Since we were on a boat, it was difficult to take photos, and the best advice was to remain calm so as not to interrupt the display of these playful creatures of the sea. After the tour, we stayed at Playa Blanca, located a few kilometers from Las Maritas. I loved the sand on this beach; it's truly white, and the water is crystal clear. It was past midday, so we ate, rested, and returned to the beach to swim and relax on the sand. In the afternoon, we headed back home. Although it was a short trip and we stayed in one place, I enjoyed visiting Mochima again, enjoying its warm and refreshing waters and seeing the beautiful landscapes.
