Henri Pittier National Park - Where Rainforest Meets the Caribbean

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Just a few hours west of the Venezuelan capital of Caracas lies another gem of the country's 43 national parks: Henri Pittier National Park. Thanks to the pioneering efforts of Swiss biologist Henri Pittier, who worked to preserve the area from deforestation and burning, the mountainous region along the northern coast became Venezuela's first national park in 1937.

Originally called Rancho Grande, the park has been known as la Parque Nacional Henri Pittier since 1953. The park covers 107,800 hectares (416 sq mi) and extends south from the Caribbean coast into the mountains almost as far as Maracay, the capital of Aragua State. Two separate routes from Maracay wind their way through the national park's clouded rainforest to the less developed Caribbean side. To the left - the crescent bays and beautiful beaches of Cata, Catica, Cuayagua. To the right - Choroní - one of the most popular weekend destinations for Venezuelans, from there one can reach other picturesque beaches, such as Cepe by boat. Along this coastline are many excellent spots for swimming, snorkeling, diving, relaxing on deserted beaches or simply enjoying hikes into the surrounding rainforest.

One such spot is the unique coral lagoon of "La Cienaga." This is a protected and hidden bay, where it is said that Captain Morgan used to lay in wait for passing Spanish galleons. This bay is even unknown to most Venezuelans, boasting calm turquoise blue waters teeming with coral and swathes of mangrove trees along its edges, making it a perfect place to enjoy a quiet break at any time of the year.

Small beaches on either side of the lagoon provide access to a mere handful of properties built before the national park's creation. Two of these properties are the venues chosen by pioneers of eco-travel in Venezuela - Angel-Eco Tours and De La Costa Ecolodge - for a joint venture. Coral Lagoon Lodge is only accessible by boat from one of the local fishing villages and far away from the big cities.

The park's dramatic topography is characterized by steep slopes covered with deciduous and tropical forest and cloud forest at higher elevations.

Abundant flora flourishes in the park - arboreal ferns, bromeliads and ornamental plants, including the rare, endemic Gunnera pittierana. Animal life is equally diverse and the park is home to puma, jaguar, ocelot, howler monkeys, otter, brocket deer, tapir, kinkajou, coati, tree porcupine, snakes, lizards and the marsupial frog. But the park's wildlife truly shines in its bird diversity.

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