Choroni

Choroní is a village of painted colonial houses in a valley on the Caribbean side of the coastal range, reached by a road of continuous hairpins over the mountains from Maracay. Its port, Puerto Colombia, sits a kilometre away with the beach at Playa Grande beyond it. The area's Afro-Venezuelan communities keep a strong drumming tradition, and the San Juan festival in June fills the streets with tambores played through the night.

Background

Choroní belongs to the municipality of Girardot in Aragua state and occupies its far northern end, on the edge of the coastal mountain range that forms the core of Henri Pittier National Park. The name comes from the native people who lived in the valley when the Spanish settled it. Fewer than 5,000 people are estimated to live here, and the economy rests on fishing, cacao growing and tourism, the last of which has become much more important over the past decade.

Source: Wikipedia, "Choroní"

What to look for

• The colonial village - painted houses and a church in the valley behind the coast.
• Playa Grande - the palm-backed beach beyond the port.
• The San Juan drums - the June festival with tambores played through the streets.
• The mountain road - the hairpin route over Henri Pittier from Maracay.

When to go

December to April is driest and calmest for the sea. The San Juan festival falls in late June. Holiday periods fill the village completely.

Practical notes

The mountain road is narrow, winding and takes about two hours; travel sickness is common. Playa Grande has strong surf and undertow at times. Accommodation fills at holidays and during San Juan.

Nearby

Chuao is east along the coast, and Cata Bay is west.

Key facts