****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Venezuela is a long-overlooked paradise for backpackers, adventure travellers and special interest visitors like hikers, climbers, rafters and birders. The same size as neighbouring Colombia, but with half the population, Venezuela's natural environment is in good shape. The north of the country harbours 90% of the population, leaving the huge southern states of Amazonas and Bolivar with one of the lowest population densities in America. Indeed, without roads or railways, this area forms part of the world's largest tropical wilderness. Add to that the largest area under protection of any country in the Western Hemisphere, 43 national parks (two of them over 30,000 sq. km) and one of the top ten largest protected areas in the world (the 84,000 sq. km Alto Orinoco-Casiquiare Biosphere Reserve) and you can see why Venezuela is an exciting place to visit.It is fifteen years since the first edition of the "No Frills Guide to Venezuela", written by Hilary Branch and published by Hilary Bradt. Since then, this book has been at the forefront of travel guides to Venezuela. The key to its success is simple: the author lives in Venezuela and regularly travels to the places she describes. The book is therefore much more accurate - and more exciting! - than say the rival Lonely Planet or the Footprint Guide. This 2003 edition stretches to 538 pages, yet it is still compact enough to be portable. The text is succinct and readable. Hilary distils her experience into the every section of the book from an expanded treatment of Caracas to detailed information on hiking in Roraima and travelling up the River Caura. There are plenty of maps to help the visitor too. A strong conservation focus is welcome, with information about wildlife and habitats, environmental issues, conservation projects and NGOs. Definitely the book the discerning visitor should acquire for a successful trip to Venezuela.
