Carora

Carora was founded in 1569 in the dry country northwest of Barquisimeto, and its old quarter around the Plaza Bolívar has been restored: whitewashed single-storey houses with heavy wooden doors and barred windows, the church of San Juan Bautista, and streets that are among the best preserved colonial fabric in the country. The surrounding semi-desert supports an unlikely wine industry, with vineyards producing two harvests a year in the constant heat.

What you actually see

• The whitewashed quarter - restored colonial streets around the Plaza Bolivar.
• The San Juan Bautista church - the colonial church at the heart of the old town.
• The vineyards - vines cropping twice a year in the semi-desert heat.
• The Carora cattle - the local breed developed for these dry conditions.

When to go

December to April is driest, though it is hot and dry year round. Mornings are best for walking the old town. Winery visits need arranging in advance.

Honest expectations

The town is hot and there is little shade in the old quarter. Winery visits must be booked and are not always running. Outside the restored streets the town is unremarkable.

Nearby

Barquisimeto is southeast, and Coro is north.