honestly skip the tourist spots in las mercedes and head to catia for lunch. there's a spot called el horno de catia that does these massive empanadas stuffed with cazon or chicken, they fry em fresh and they're like 3 bucks. also if you're around on a sunday, the hallacas at any puesto in petare are legit, just be ready for the chaos.

for something sweet, grab a golfeados from panaderia la pradera in el rosal, it's this sticky bun with papelon and anise, pairs perfect with coffee. and tbh the best tequenos i've had are from a little cart outside the metro in chacaito, they're crispy and the cheese pulls for days. just carry small bills, nobody wants to break a 50 for a 2 dollar snack.

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you gotta hit up arepera lo mejor in los palos grandes for arepas, the one with pulled beef and cheese is unreal. for cachapas, go to el cachapero in sabana grande, they do it with queso de mano and a side of nata. if you want something different, try a patacon from any street stall in el centro, it's fried plantain with shredded meat and sauce, messy but worth it. prices are decent, like 5-10 usd for most things, but bring cash since cards aren't always accepted

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ngl the best thing i ate last time was a pabellon criollo at el ancla in la candelaria, it's not fancy but the shredded beef and black beans are spot on. if you're near plaza bolivar at night, the guys selling empanadas from those metal carts around 10pm are fire, get the one with carne mechada and guasacaca.

for a proper lunch spot, cabeza de perro in altamira does a solid parrilla mixta, the chorizo there is leagues above the tourist spots. and if u want a drink that's actually local, hit up a papelon con limon from any street vendor in el silencio, it's basically sugarcane juice with lime and crushed ice, perfect after walking around all day.

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This is a solid itinerary, pretty much covers the main spots. I'd add that on Day 1, if you're at the Panteón and it's still before 3pm, walk two blocks over to the Basílica de Santa Teresa. The interior is all gold leaf and really impressive, and there's almost never a crowd like at the cathedral.

For Day 2, the Teleférico can have a line on weekends, so try to get there right at 8am. Also, instead of Cervecería La Constancia, I prefer the rooftop at the Hotel Tamanaco in Las Mercedes. The view of the Avila at night is unbeatable and they have a decent beer selection. It's a bit pricier but worth it for the atmosphere.

One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Jardín Botánico closes for lunch sometimes, so check before you go. And for the mochila bags at Sambil, haggle a little, they usually start high.

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solid itinerary, really captures the essentials. one thing i'd add about the mercado de chacao on day 2 - it gets packed with office workers around 6pm so if you want a quick seat go earlier. the cachapas at el coche are legit but honestly the best arepa i've had in caracas is at a tiny spot called arepera el papi on the corner of 4th av in los palos grandes, not on any tourist map. also for the teleferico, if it's cloudy up top you might not see anything so check the weather on the ivoox app or just look at the avila from the city in the morning - if the peak is clear go for it otherwise save your 10 bucks and do something else that day

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on day 1, if you do the metrobus from altamira to el hatillo instead of a taxi it's like 0.50 usd and runs every 15 mins, drops you right at the plaza. the colonial streets are nice but honestly the real charm is the little ice cream shop on the corner of calle real, they have weird flavors like cheese and guava

for day 3, skip the jardin botanico if it's a weekday morning because the university students fill it up and it's not as peaceful. instead go to the parque del este again but enter from the south gate near the miranda metro, there's a quieter section with a lake and turtles nobody mentions. the botanical garden is better on weekends when the campus is empty

the sambil mall tip is good but the craft market on the ground floor is overpriced, the real deals are at the mercado de las pulgas in la candelaria on sundays, just be careful with phones out there. also for rum, the duty free at the airport has diplomático for 15 usd, half the mall price

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