This is the Venezuela chapter from Lonely Planet's South America on a Shoestring guidebook.

Venezuela is a land of stunning variety. Andean peaks, Caribbean coastline, idyllic offshore islands, the steamy Amazon and rolling savanna. Add to this the world's highest waterfall and President Hugo Chávez, and you've got one of South America's most intriguing destinations!

• Los Roques: stretch out on white-sand beaches or snorkel and scuba dive the day away on these tiny, undeveloped Caribbean islands
• maps
• Angel Falls (recently renamed Kerepakupai-Merú): marvel at the world's highest waterfall, dropping over 300 stories in Parque Nacional Canaima
• transport
• Mérida: experience nonstop outdoor activities in the country's adventure-sports capital
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Caracas, Nacional El Ávila, Archipiélago Los Roques, The Northwest, Maracay, Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, Parque Nacional Morrocoy, Coro, Adícora, Maracaibo, The Andes, Mérida, Los Llanos, San Cristóbal, The Northeast, Barcelona, Puerto La Cruz, Parque Nacional Mochima, Cumaná, Cueva del Guácharo, Río Caribe, Isla de Margarita, Porlamar, Pampatar, Juangriego, El Yaque, Guayana, Ciudad Bolívar, Ciudad Guayana, Tucupita, Salto Ángel (Angel Falls), Canaima, Gran Sabana, Roraima, Santa Elena de Uairén, Amazonas, Puerto Ayacucho.