Catia La Mar

Introduction

Catia La Mar is a city and port in the municipality of Vargas, in the Venezuelan state of La Guaira. It sits directly west of Maiquetía, which places it in the same coastal stretch as the area's main airport.

Because the source material covers little beyond its location and port status, treat this as a starting point rather than a full guide: what you can count on is a working port city on the La Guaira coast, next door to Maiquetía.

Getting there

Catia La Mar sits on Venezuela's central coast, close to the country's main international gateway, Maiquetía's Simón Bolívar International Airport. The airport is the principal point of arrival for travellers heading to this stretch of the coast, and the town is a short hop from it.

Getting around

Catia La Mar is a compact coastal city and most local movement happens by road. There is no rail, metro or tram network serving the city itself, so plan on getting around by bus, taxi or on foot. Buses and similar shared road transport are the main public option, both within Catia La Mar and for connections to Maiquetía, the airport and other points along the La Guaira coast; services are typically boarded along the main roads and run through neighbourhoods such as Atlantida, Playa Grande, Páez, Ezequiel Zamora, La Lucha and La Soublette. Because the network is locally operated, the most reliable approach is to ask at your accommodation which route serves your destination and where the nearest stop is, rather than relying on printed maps or schedules.

• Taxis are the simplest choice for short hops within the city and for airport runs, especially with luggage or outside daylight hours. Agree the fare before you set off and confirm your destination clearly, since several neighbourhoods and beaches have similar-sounding names.
• Walking works well within a single neighbourhood or along the seafront, and it is the natural way to reach beaches such as Costa Dorada, Playa La Zorra, Playa Candilejas and Puerto Viejo. For longer crossings between neighbourhoods, or between Catia La Mar and Maiquetía, a vehicle is more practical.
• From Simón Bolívar International Airport, about ten minutes away, a taxi is the most direct option into the city; road-based public transport also links the airport area with Catia La Mar, though you should ask locally which service and stop apply, as routes are not always clearly signposted for visitors.
• The city has been affected by major events, including the 1999 Vargas tragedy and more recent ones, so infrastructure and local conditions can change. Check the current situation locally before walking long distances or relying on a particular route.

Where to stay

Most places to stay in Catia La Mar serve travellers passing through Caracas airport, and several sit close to the water. The Hotel Catimar in Urbanización Puerto Viejo runs an airport shuttle about five minutes from the terminal, making it a practical base for an early flight. Near the sea, the Venezuela Marriott Hotel Playa Grande on Avenida El Hotel has a pool facing the water along with a spa and restaurant, and you pay accordingly for the setting and the brand.

• Hotel Restaurant Alto Mar on Avenida La Armada pairs an inviting restaurant with a location not far from the sea, though it sits right beside a noisy road.
• Hotel Playa y Brisa in Maiquetía, on Calle El Pedregal, has a distinctive building design, a restaurant and a position directly across from the beach.
• Residencia Nautilius on Av La Playa offers a pool by the beach.

Food & drink

Seafood is the main event in Catia La Mar, and you can eat it with the sea in view at El Caney del Chivo on Av La Marina. El Meson del Faro is another option for seafood, with good choices such as paella, and it has a bar as well.

What to see and do

Your sightseeing here is mostly outdoors and mostly about the water. The one built landmark worth seeking out is Castillo Las Salinas, a castle that stands out as an eye-catcher even in its abandoned state — and feels a little spooky for the same reason. You can't go inside; it can only be seen by driving past and photographing it from the road.

Beyond that, beaches are everywhere, and two give you a sense of the range. Playa Candilejas A y B sits along Calle Real de Playa Verde. Playa Marina Grande charges a fee to use it, but in exchange it is probably safer than just about anywhere else, and you'll find umbrellas and food vendors on hand.

Three days in Catia La Mar

Day one: Settle into Catia La Mar and get your bearings along the coast. Walking is a good way to explore the neighbourhoods, from La Lucha and La Soublette to Ezequiel Zamora and Páez, and to reach the beaches at Playa Grande, Playa La Zorra and Playa Candilejas. Buses and taxis connect the town with Maiquetía and La Guaira, and the Simón Bolívar International Airport is close by, so the area works well as a base in Vargas state.

• Walk the central neighbourhoods: La Lucha, La Soublette, Ezequiel Zamora, Páez
• Spend the afternoon at Playa Grande, Playa La Zorra or Playa Candilejas
• Eat at Hotel Restaurant Alto Mar on Avenida La Armada, or at a hotel restaurant along Avenida El Hotel

Day two: Head for the water and the quieter stretches of coast. Playa Grande is the main beach, while Playa La Zorra and Playa Candilejas offer alternatives nearby. Puerto Viejo and Urbanización Puerto Viejo are worth a wander, and Costa Dorada and Atlantida are other local points to keep in mind as you move around. Buses and taxis make it easy to link the beaches with the town centre.

• Beach time at Playa Grande, Playa La Zorra or Playa Candilejas
• Explore Puerto Viejo and Urbanización Puerto Viejo
• Use buses or taxis to get between the coast and town

Day three: Use your last day to sort out transport and see a little more of the surrounding area. From Simón Bolívar International Airport you can reach Caracas, and Maiquetía and La Guaira are close at hand. Check your onward plans, then take a final walk through Catia La Mar before you leave Vargas state.

• Check onward transport from Simón Bolívar International Airport
• Consider a trip to Maiquetía or La Guaira, or onward to Caracas
• Finish with a last walk through Catia La Mar