Caracas

[Prosal]

Gringocaraca

Very good post, as usual.

Funny you mention the Sao Paulo's Litoral Norte (Ubatuba, Mariesas, ect). The beach scene there is really good, nightlife is fabulous during high season, yet curiously Litoral Norte remains quasi-unknown by gringos.

Cheers

Pro

[Que Ladilla]

Some friends of an expat acquaintance (now gone) started putting on parties at the little house on the way to Playa Grande, which has immensely improved the nightlife. There's a Bs. 5,000 cover but the drinks are cheap. I'm 2/4 on bedding girls I've met up with there (after chatting on the beach) the night I've met them, which beats the living daylights out of my Caracas %. One was barrio from Maracay, a 7 or 8, the other middle class from Caracas and spoke excellent English, about a 6. It's not the Litoral de Sao Paolo, but worth the effort for anyone in North-Central Venezuela.

Catire, I actually think that the drive there is pretty cool!

If neither of us knows about it, I expect that I'll have as much luck finding a middle class public beach near La Guaira as I did being elected Pope. But I'll put some feelers out. Something probably existed before '99, but is now washed away.

[Catire]

Thanks for the compliments the beach report is coming up. Catire and Ricker, I hope that you have something better to report than I do!

I love Choroni, the only problem is that the ride there from Maracay gives me a huge fucking headache, with all those constants twists and turns along a tiny road, especially is sitting in back seat. etc.

when I stayed there, I found the action a bit wanting at night. In fact it was dead, aside from the drinking and tambores along the Malecon.

the time to go is on weekends and during the seasons when most young Venezuelans go there (which would be the summer when they're out of school).

since Choroni is a lot closer to Maracay than it is to Caracas, you can also meet up with a lot of girls from Maracay (and Valencia, even)

the scene at Maiquetia beach is one reason I never really went there (plus the fact that I found the transport a pain in the ass, so I would just tan outside on the cement).

there IS however, another beach in the La Guaira area that the middle classes hit, I was told the name but it now escapes me. THAT would be the place one should go.

(the "sifrino" scene you describe at the likes of Le Club and other places also annoys the living fuck out of me)

[Que Ladilla]

If you’re only interested in worthwhile spots (and who can blame you), read the next four paragraphs and skip the rest.

The closest beach to Caracas worth the trip is Choroni, 4 hours to the west, north of Maracay. During the week, it is a sleepy fishing village, but on weekends it fills up with all sorts, from barrio to middle class, from Maracay, Valencia, and Caracas. It is also the only Venezuelan beach that I’m aware of that attracts significant numbers of foreign tourists outside of Margarita and Los Roques, but they are very much in the minority. While it’s far from world class, it has the best combination of natural beauty and tail-chasing near Caracas that I’m aware of. You can get by without Spanish, but that narrows the field significantly. Non-pro prospects are very good among all classes and with foreign tourists.

I’ve never come across pros in Choroni, though I haven’t really looked. BUT, if you’re willing to buy yourself an expensive dinner, try Casabe, a little bit out of town. The waitresses and hostesses are VERY hot, and the eye contact and body language strongly suggest semi-pro possibilities. I haven’t been in the right company to pursue.

Most of the daytime action centers on Playa Grande, which lives up to its name. You’ll want to spend most of your trolling time there, and if hooking up is your priority, I don't recommend going elswhere until you get something going on the big beach. A trio of small beaches, collectively known as El Diario, are a 20-30 min. hike from the town. Turn left at the water and climb along the rocks to reach a small patch of sand where nude bathing is tolerated (not worth the hike solely for gawking). From Puerto Colombia (the name of the town that’s actually on the water and the focus of action, Choroni itself is a little inland), you can jump on a fishing boat to try several beaches inaccessible by land. Chuao and Cepe are popular enough for trolling, the others are either too small or unknown to me. If you have a car and can get directions, there are a couple of waterfalls worth a stop on the main road.

Choroni has a few nighttime options. Early on, there’s not much to do except eat, drink, and chat up whomever comes your way. As midnight approaches, head to the Malecon for the Tambores, Afro-Caribbean drums and dancing. There’s a small disco behind the Malecon, but skip that if something is going on at the casa on the way to Playa Grande (on the left, you can’t miss it at night).

Closer to the city, I wish that I could report that the Caracas beach scene kicks ass. It should. But it sucks ass. If you’ve read my prior posts, you’ve noticed that I prefer places where classes mix. Nowhere in Venezuela is the gulf between rich and poor as starkly evident as it is between Maiquetia and Los Caracas, the most heavily visited and populated stretch of coast near the city. The wealthy and middle class sequester themselves behind walled and gated private clubs. While these are pleasant, the members have known each other since early childhood and abide by a code of conduct that makes it hard to break in. Like Le Club, go if you’re invited for the contacts, but don’t expect anything to happen then and there.

The public beaches are narrow, jammed on the weekends, and strewn with trash. The vast majority are barrio (not sure where the lower-middle class go). The women are ugly (there are many beautiful barrio girls, I just haven’t seen many at the Caracas beaches). The men get shit-faced and annoying. Some guys might find it to their liking, or may have found better spots, but not me. If you’ve found anything good, please post!

Higuerote lies 2½ hours to the east. While the class dynamic isn’t as stark, it’s there, and the beach itself is crummy for all. There are plenty of hotels and mini resorts. Maybe I haven’t given the place enough of a chance, but I’m not impressed.

If you have 4wdr (not necessary but recommended), there are many beautiful beaches between Los Caracas and Higuerote. Not great for chicas, but you might luck into some. Go with two or more vehicles, because the main local industry seems to have become armed robbery.

[Que Ladilla]

Thanks for the compliments the beach report is coming up. Catire and Ricker, I hope that you have something better to report than I do!

[Aldohokong]

Atlantas finest,

The price you were quoted for the flight between Caracas and Trinidad actually isnt that bad, 15 miles away is Venezuela, but not where you want to go. By plane its going to be about a 3 hour flight!!

I head over there on business every month or so for the weekend I used to think the same way, how the hell can they charge so much for such a short flight, until I did it . Then I looked at the map carefully. Caracas is WAY! up the coast from Trinidad, and the only plane they use is a little turbo prop. So that portion of the flight sucks.

Whatever you do , do not use BWIA airlines,(This was the carrier I was using) No end of delays, cancellations, you name it. They have now wrecked three vacations for me . When its all said and done and you write them a letter , they send you back a voucher for $100 bucks, if you are lucky. Mind you this is after they have delayed you , not a couple of hours, but sometimes a whole day , or two !!!!.

Also , if you are going to Trindad , make sure and book your flight so that basically all of your time is before Canival Mon & Tues. You want to be leaving on Wed or thurs the latest. Its almost like someone turns off a switch . The whole island goes dead after Tues night. Like I mean DEAD!! You want to be there for all the pre carnival parties.

I wouldnt try too hard to stay in the city, basically you are in the band partying all day, no one leaves to head home?? why? All the pre Carnival parties you will have to drive too anyways.

Hope I was of some help .

[Perry Mason #1]

Excellent report!

Well presented overview on the non-pro scene in Caracas. It is great to know where to buy it but equally as important to know where to go to test one's ability to close in the native language.

Keep it up...

[Catire]

dude, once again you're so correct with your social/cultural assessments it's not even funny. San Ignacio was already getting hot just before I left, and considering the factors, it's no suprise that the hottest nightlife has gravitated there from Las Mercedes.


re Malabar, I dont know how it is these days, but it was kind of entertainingly pretentious when I was there about 2 years ago. (and preposterously expensive)

[Prosal]

Gringocaraca

Thanks for those highly useful posts. A great contribution !!

Will you have time to write about the beach scene ?

Thanks once more.

Pro

[Que Ladilla]

The ferry runs only once a week, on Wenesdays, that means a one week commitment. It costs $121 according to the Guia Valentina Quintera, which must be with car? You can email grupoacosta@cantv.net for more info.

Never been to Guiria myself, but I don't imagine that there's much there. Only three posadas listed. I have been to a lot of other places in Estado Sucre. It has some fantastic beaches - Playa Medina, Playa Piu Piu, San Juan de las Goldones, and its two peninsulas are fascinating. Don't know about mongering, probably ok in Cumana, maybe in Carupano too. But, women are easy to talk with if you have some Spanish, though the accent is harder to follow than most in Vz.

I doubt that you can rent a car in Guiria. If you're willing to bus it, it could be a great adventure.

[Oceans Latobay]

A close as they are, it's easier to get to Venezuela from Miami than from Trinidad. Flights are spotty and expensive. A ferry runs from Port of Spain to Guiria on Wednesdays and is only for the most adventurous because Guiria doesn't offer much. Try BWIA for flights.

Yeah I checked Aeropostal and it costs $367 Round Trip!!! From Caracas to Port of Spain which is too much for a country 15 miles away!!! Do you know when the return ferry from Guiria returns to Port of Spain? Would'nt mind checking it out there for a few days then returning...any action there? Let me know. Thanks!

[Que Ladilla]

Upscale club and bar owners gravitated to CC SAN IGNACIO as soon as it opened. Only a smattering of options remain elswhere. Viewed in the light of safety, it makes sense. You can crawl San Ignacios numerous options without concern.

San Ignacio contains two tower blocks, a four story concourse, and has many bars and cafes on its north and south faces. Many additional bars, cafes, and discos are spread around the interior of the concourse. It is in and of itself an architectural marvel, maybe the most imaginative multi-functional building that I have ever seen. I could go on and on about it, but this is not Architectural Digest. Suffice it to say that San Ignacio lends a bit of credence to muc cultural aspirations.

Two good places to start are SUKA and Whiskey Bar. Suka was created in the Buddha Bar image and transitions from lounge to house as the evening progresses. Lots of very hot women aged 21-35 most evenings, including local fashion models and actresses. The ratio can be ridiculously favorable until about 11 when guys start pouring in. Still, the place is a lot of fun until 3 or so. Getting numbers is easy in Suka and can lead to false optimism. Actually getting somewhere with an 8+ is a different matter.

WHISKEY BAR is ridiculously pretentious, but finding a piece of ass is a lot easier there. No beer served, so take it slow or prepare to get hammered. The music is mostly 80’s rock, blaring louder than it should in a meat market. The women have hungry eyes, so even the most obtuse guys can read them. They’re generally hungry for boyfriends, but I’ve gotten laid and gotten a BJ on different occasions without having to leave the parking garage. Friends have had good luck there too.

When it’s time to move on, check out a new place on Nivel Chaguaramos (the second level) called LI BAR. It is unique in San Ignacio in that I’ve seen pro’s subtly plying their trade there. Most were 6-8, but two were 9+ and looked expensive. The crowd is youngish and the music is the standard salsa/rock/electronic mix. I was alone and shit-faced the first time I went in. After just watching for a while, I discretely puked up two semi-digested arepas on the side of the dance floor, walked to the bathroom to tidy myself, returned to find a cute little non-pro in my spot, chatted her up for a while (pointing out the chunks that some oaf had left under her pretty feet), almost got her to leave with me, happened onto her as I was driving out, and took her home for some pretty good sex. How’s that for a comeback play?

Two levels above Li Bar is VINTAGE, mostly early 20’s to early 30’s. A lot of very hot, very approachable women, with better odds than Suka. Standard mix of music. I have witnessed the bouncers, themselves people of color, exclude people trying to get in on the basis of race.

An interesting little spot, tucked away in the back, one level below Vintage, is BACKSTAGE, a gay bar. The reason it is interesting is that it attracts top Venezuelan models and actresses, who go because they don’t get hassled by guys (much). Hats off to anyone who can get anything going there, I only know one guy who has. Still, stop in for ½ hour between 2 and 3 to see some truly amazing talent. Inside, the music is house and trance. You can get a breath of fresh air in the outer lounge.

There must be another 20 places in San Ignacio that I haven’t mentioned. Many cater to the very young, but have a look around, maybe you’ll find something interesting that I haven’t noticed.

Las Mercedes lost its upscale crown to San Ignacio some years ago. Recently though, SAWU opened. Muc pretentiousness is at its most garish here. Prints of fox chases, classical dark wood furniture and shit like that. Standard music mix. Still, the place is crawling with gorgeous, approachable 20-40 y/o mucs. Fills up after 11. I have also witnesses racial discrimination at Sawu.

[Que Ladilla]

This report is pretty long, so I've split it in two and CAPPED place names to make it more user friendly. The second part follows.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the middle- and upper-class (muc) Caraquenas are the hottest women in the world. There are genetic reasons. Perhaps no other culture values feminine beauty (distinct from sensuality) more. For many generations, marrying a beautiful poor woman has brought just as much prestige to a Venezuelan man as marrying an average girl from a wealthy family. The result is an extraordinary breed of woman, many of whom speak English.

This is not to say that Caracas is the best place in the world for sex with non-pro 9’s & 10’s. (IMHO, Sao Paolo is.) Whether they believe it or not, most mucs live at least superficially by the adage that a woman has nothing but her reputation. They live with their parents until they are married, and have to account for their whereabouts well into their 20’s. Despite abundant evidence that men are pigs, most believe that their “principe azul” (knight in shining armor) is just having a little trouble finding them. So, courtships of varying lengths are required, too long for someone on a short visit, a gamble for a longer stay. A good looking guy with good game can manage it. Otherwise, you need either great game or lots of time. On a positive note, since they have a shot at moving up the social ladder, a lot of smoking lower middle class girls (who aren’t as troublesome but require Spanish), frequent the places I’ll describe. If you can postpone the mongering until later in the evening, here are some suggestions for rubbing elbows, if nothing else, with world class beauty.

In an earlier post, I recommended wandering around CC Sambil and CC El Recreo. CC SANTA FE is smaller, but is at the center of several muc neighborhoods. It has a gym on the top floor that is unreal.

The cafes at CC SAN IGNACIO and El TOLON are great for happy hour. El Tolon also has a half dozen posh bars and restaurants hidden away on the 5th floor, which get busy after work until 1 or 2, but the mall has nothing open late.

ATLANTIQUE and NEWS CAFE, two blocks east of Plaza Francia in Altamira, are stylish places to get the evening started. Great for muc dates too, either dinner or drinks.

MALABAR in Las Mercedes is another great date spot. Although the lounge isn’t intended to be a pick up spot, I’ve stumbled onto some winners there.

The bars in the steak houses of Las Mercedes are literally meat markets for women in their 30’s and 40’s. TERRAZZA attracts the best. Go early in the evening.

LE CLUB is private, and its name accurately reflects the parochialism of upper class Caraquenos. Still, getting introductions never hurts, so go if you're invited.

Continued.

[Que Ladilla]

I agree with you about the Box, you have to bring a little game. Also, it's dark enough inside that it can be hard to tell what a girl looks like. A friend and I negotiated Bs. 60,000 each for two ladies, but when we got outside their faces were so ugly that we made quick excuses and took off.

[Que Ladilla]

A close as they are, it's easier to get to Venezuela from Miami than from Trinidad. Flights are spotty and expensive. A ferry runs from Port of Spain to Guiria on Wednesdays and is only for the most adventurous because Guiria doesn't offer much. Try BWIA for flights.