If I didn’t scare you off with my Crime in Venezuela post, and you do get the opportunity to visit Caracas, you should add El Hatillo to your list of places to visit (as well as La Colonia Tovar, and any beach town).
El Hatillo is a village that prides itself in preserving a typical colonial façade with a colorful twist. The houses are all painted different colors, and you feel like you just landed in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Just one look around and you’ll feel delighted by the restaurant options: fondue at La Ballesta, churros at Don Churro, original milkshakes at Baty’s (based on national and international snacks and candy bars!), and even Chinese food! Whatever you decide todo, make sure to have a chicha in the little stand on the corner (yummy sweet milk-like mixture with ice and cinnamon on top).
What’s nice about this town is that, even though it’s a tourist-oriented place, it is also in a real area of town inside a heavily populated residential area. Caraqueños go there to hang out and have churros all the time, so you are essentially crashing the residents’ hang-out spot. In fact, I used to live nearby, and it’s my favorite place in the city.
Besides the little shops in the town, and the iconic and humongous Hannsi store (THE Venezuelan souvenir mecca), you’ll also find a full blown mall just down the street called Paseo El Hatillo. It has many national and international brands, as well as places to grab a snack, and a food court if you’re in a rush.
I have some video of our visit — hope to put it together and post soon. Stay tuned!
ina