Cumana, Venezuela

Cumaná, Venezuela is the first city founded on South American soil. Founded in 1521 by Gonzalo de Ocampo on the site of a Franciscan mission on the banks of the Río Manzanares where it meets the Caribbean sea, Cumaná unfortunately has very little of its colonial origins still existing.

Earthquakes in 1684, 1765 and 1929 destroyed much of the city, but it was rebuilt each time for its location, its excellent natural harbor and sardine fishing and canning industry. The port exports coffee, cotton goods, cacao and fish, and is also the gateway to Isla de Margarita.
Cumana's main tourist attraction is its historic zone which charms visitors primarily because of its impressive Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia fort. And don't miss the modern-art museum next to it. Calle Sucre is lined with colonial buildings as well as another smaller, less-appealing fort (Castillo de Santa Maria de la Cabeza) and the Convent of San Francisco (the first school in South America; currently being restored). The inviting, tree-filled Parque Guaiqueri parallels the Manzanares River.

Things to See & Do

* Cathedral on Plaza Blanco
* Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia Fort
* Museo del Mar display marine and maritime artifacts
* Playa San Luis
* Calle Sucre

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Bolivar (VEB)
Language – Spanish, English, French & German
Land Area – 916,445 sq kms Venezuela
Population – 27,000,000 Venezuela
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time – GMT minus four hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 1 - 58

Port Location – Puerto Cabello is a prinicipal port of Venezuela and is located in downtown Puerto Cabello.

Transport Links –The local airport services flights to and from Caracas and Porlamar. Regular bus services are available to and from Caracas, Puerto La Cruz, Ciudad Bolívar and Ciudad Guayana and Cueva del Guácharo. Ferries sail to and from Isla de Margarita and Araya on the Peninsula de Araya. Marina Cumanagoto has facilities for motor and sail boats.

Cumana's main tourist attraction is its historic zone. Despite the fact that major earthquakes in 1684, 1853 and 1929 destroyed much of the original town, the historic zone still charms visitors primarily because of its impressive Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia fort. And don't miss the modern-art museum next to it. Calle Sucre is lined with colonial buildings as well as another smaller, less-appealing fort (Castillo de Santa Maria de la Cabeza) and the Convent of San Francisco (the first school in South America; currently being restored). The inviting, tree-filled Parque Guaiqueri parallels the Manzanares River.