Maracay is the capital of the state of Aragua. It is located west of Caracas. The city was founded in 1701 but did not really expand until the early 1900's.

Maracay, however small, is one of the most important cities in Venezuela due to the fact of it harboring many core national industrial facilities and its its proximity to Caracas and Valencia.

Today you will find the largest Plaza Bolivar in the whole of Venezuela and the town. Maracay is the entrance to the Henry Pittier National Park , which was founded in 1953 and cover 107800 ha, stretching from the beaches in the north and south towards Maracay.

For decent meals, you can try places such as Churchill Steak House, Restaurant La Ganadera, El Bodegón de Sevilla, among others. Also, you can get a taste of local cuisine going downtown. Get some good icecream across the street from Hotel Italo; it's called 4D and their Nocciola icecream (hazelnut) is simply great.

Maracay, when it comes to geographic considerations, is a valley enclosed by part of what is called Los Andes Mountain Range (stretching from Argentina all the way up the west of the South American continent to Venezuela); for this reason some of its forestal landscape is preserved and the city is known as the"City Garden of Venezuela"

Famous beaches among locals and foreigners northwards Maracay are Cuyagua, Choroní, Ocumare.