Los Teques
Venezuela · Americas
About Los Teques
Los Teques is the capital of the state of Miranda, and the municipality of Guaicaipuro in north-central Venezuela. The city is about 25 km southwest of Caracas, and 1,169 metres (3,835 ft) above mean sea level. It lies in the Cordillera de la Costa, on the banks of the Río San Pedro. According to the European Commission, Los Teques had a population of 159,532 in 2015. The city is part of the agglomeration known as Greater Caracas.
At the time of the Spanish conquest the region of Los Teques was known for its gold mines, and was the home of Guaicaipuro. Guaicaipuro led the indigenous resistance against the conquistadores until 1568, when he was killed in battle. By 1600, Los Teques was part of the conquered lands (encomienda) belonging first to Francisco Tostado de la Peña and Andrés González, and later by Diego de Miquilena. In 1684 Miquilena sold the "lands of Los Altos" to Doña Melchora Ana Tovar y Bañez, widow of Captain Juan de Ascanio y Guerra.
During the 18th century, the region became more populated, with settlers from the Canary Islands. In 1772, the Spanish inhabitants of San Pedro de Los Altos began to relocate to a new...
Los Teques travel guide
Getting there
By car Los Teques is 31 km southwest of Caracas via the Carrera Panamericana.
By train Alternatively, the Caracas Metro also has a few stops in Los Teques if wanting to take the intercity train, though don't hold your breath on this as the mass-transit system seems to go in and out of operation with the political situation of the country. Los Teques has a mass transit system of its own for travel within the municipality.
Metro stations 1 Guaicaipuro. 2 Independencia. 3 Las Adjuntas. 4 Ayacucho. 5 Alí Primera.
See
1 Parque Cultural - Social Villa Teola, Calle Roscio, ☏ +58 426 4203482. 09:00-17:00 daily. A historic house that was named Villa Amelia by Dr. Arnoldo Morales Sumoza who had it built in 1912 with balustrades and all the finery. It then sold and became Villa Teolinda, and, after a period of disrepair and renovation, now serves as a museum and cultural center. (updated Nov 2020) 2 Casa Museo Arturo Michelena, Calle Sucre and Calle Ayacucho, ☏ +58 212 3216784. M-F 08:00-16:00, closed Sa-Su. House museum where this author Arturo Michelena grew up. (updated Nov 2020) 3 La Casa de las Carretas, Calle Sucre, ☏ +58 212 3220610. M-F 11:45-15:00. Colonial period museum and restaurant combined. (updated Nov 2020) 4 St. Philip Neri Cathedral, ☏ +58 412 0128235. It is a notable church going back to the late 18th century in the historic part of the city next to Bolivar Square and well maintained. (updated Nov 2020)
Buy
1 Centro Comercial La Cascada, Carretera Panamericana, Km 21 Sector Corralito, Municipio Carrizal (a little east of Los Teques), ☏ +58 212 3830923. 10:00-20:00 daily. This is really quite a marvel of a shopping mall with an inner atrium marked by rounded vaulted ceilings, elaborate tiles, and a waterfall motif at one end. (updated Nov 2020) 2 Centro comercial La Casona 1, Carretera Panamericana Km. 16, San Antonio de Los Altos (also east of Los Teques), ☏ +58 426 2219516. 07:00-20:00 daily. Another mall, more old-school, with some curios and food vendors. (updated Nov 2020)
Sleep
1 Hotel Gran Casino, Calle Carabobo and Calle Boyaca (just look for the big hotel sign on top of the building), ☏ +58 212 3229116. Sadly it is pretty much the only accommodation in Los Teques, but the upside is you can order a pizza at least in the restaurant down below. (updated Nov 2020)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.