If you are thinking of heading to South America, Venezuela is a country that should be on your list. Despite what you read in the media, there is little unrest and you should be fine as long as you use common sense.

Things to See in Venezuela

Visitors to Venezuela have an option of a calming resort experience, a cultural metropolis break in the cities or a more rural experience of just cruising around the country. Venezuela is bounded to the north by the Caribbean, to the east by Guyana and the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by Brazil, and to the west and southwest by Colombia.

It is considered a bit of an oddity because it is both rich from oil revenues, yet has the distinct class separation one tends to see in South America. Simply put, there are those who are very wealthy and those who are very poor. The idle class as we know it is very small.

One of the most splendid destinations in the country is Caracas. Caracas is located in a striking valley on the north coast. It is Venezuela's capital and is a busy city of nearly 5 million people. Speedy, progressive and multi ethnic, the city is now extremely 'Yankeefied,' keeping slight of the nature of its regal roots. While it has some of the most extraordinary contemporary architecture in South America, Caracas is also abode to a huge span of ranchos, extensive slums of tin hut and cardboard boxes jacketing the nearby hills that home the poor. In this way, the city is a microcosm of the overall class struggle in the country.

Salto Angel Falls is another exotic tourist destination in Venezuela. Salto Angel Falls falls almost over kilometer. It is the leading magnetism of Canaima National Park. At 979 meters, it is the highest waterfalls in the world. The best time to view it is during the rainy season from May to November. During the dry season, the waterfall slows to a veritable dribble.

If you are a baseball fan, a visit to Venezuela will be like a trip to heaven. The country is fanatical about its baseball. Top players often end up in the major leagues in the US, particularly shortstops. Famous Venezuelan players include David Concepción, Andrés Galarraga, Omar Vizquel, Bobby Abreu, and Johan Santana. The season runs from October to December, but pickup games are going on all the time.

At the end of the day, Venezuela is definitely a country worth seeing. From the sophistication of Caracas to the surrounding slums to the rabid baseball fans, it is a country with a unique culture and character.