Caripe, The garden of the Venezuelan east; is the capital of the province of the same name. It’s located in a valley in the eastern massif, 900 meters high; the temperature of this beautiful city is 20 degrees Celsius, making it a place with pleasant and cold climate. It was founded as a Catholic mission by Chaymas Indians, the October 12 of 1734; its name means river of squirrels in the indigenous language, and its main attraction is The Guácharo Cave National Park. An abundant flora and fauna, adorn the region in an impressive manner.
Its inhabitants have learned to live in modernity, but the descendants of the primitive people are struggling to rescue their ancient language and culture. From the twentieth century, its economy is based on tourism and coffee activity, but different kinds of vegetables and citrus fruits are also grown.
The historical route of this population, is called coconut shell; commercial path of citrus fruits and coffee, but has great avenues like Enrique Chaumer, Libertador, Antonio Guzman Blanco; where many tourists, lovers of history and climate come into the town for the unique natural beauty of this splendid place.
It’s botanical, zoological and anthropological geography; opens paths to the falls, peaks and caves: El Corso, Clara, Quijano, Maria Balza, Cueva Sucia; are some of these splendid places, where God poured all the beauty that could exist.
Black hill in this place we can find The Guácharo Cave National Park, was the first national monument of the country, July 15, 1949 after the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt; who visited and explored the cave for the first time. The cave was declared a national park, on May 27, 1975 and is named after a bird named guácharo, frugivorous bird that comes out at night to feed and rest during the day in the cave, where have it nests on the very top of the cavern. It consists of limestone rocks of the Mesozoic era 130 million years ago, when the deep waters of the Sea engulfed the North of the West and East of Venezuela.
It is divided into three large galleries: the gallery of the Guácharo, the silence and the Precious Hall. Inside they have developed many forms similar to humans, animals and religious figures, like a stalagmite similar to the face of Christ.
This cave is made up of the most important reservoirs of the northeastern states. 3,000 years ago, before this period, the cave was used by the Chaymas as a mine of fat, which served them against the cold and dark for the torches that they made.
Undoubtedly, Caripe is a highly tourist area; where visitors come every year from all over the world interested in admiring the most exquisite places in this small town. Imagine enjoying a stay under the weather and the mystery of a privileged and unique place. Make up your mind, embark in this adventure!
ALFA