This Sunday I wanted to venture out to the Alta Vista area of Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela. It's known by that name because it's the highest part of the entire city of Puerto Ordaz, and even of San Félix, Puerto Ordaz's sister city, which together form Ciudad Guayana. Alta Vista is a very important part of the city, serving as its financial, commercial, and tourist center. Along its streets, you'll find countless shopping malls, shops, restaurants, hotels, and also several plazas and parks where you can spend a pleasant afternoon with views of the Caroní River, the Cachamay Stadium, and other parts of the city.
On the other hand, I enjoy walking through Alta Vista because I always get to appreciate the city's architecture from different perspectives. Alta Vista is where you'll find some of the most modern architecture in the city, including some five-star hotels with unique designs that definitely catch your eye as you pass through the center of the area, between Plaza Monumental and one of the shopping malls known as Alta Vista II, which is also very close to the Orinokia shopping center. This area is quite busy, so I tend to take a lot of photos there.
Generally, when I go out on Sundays, it's quieter. There aren't as many cars, and since it's a small city, there isn't much traffic, which is perfect for those who drive. They can get around easily without having to worry about parking, and they'll almost always find empty parking spaces. This is definitely a big advantage of the city, but Sundays are even better because everything is practically deserted, and I can appreciate everything in greater detail and walk around peacefully.
Puerto Ordaz, as a planned city, was once one of the most important in Venezuela and even South America. Although its progress stalled a few years ago due to the country's poor economy, in recent years and months, new construction projects have been planned in the Alta Vista area. These include large theme parks and shopping centers, among other things, creating a somewhat more modern feel, though this does little to contribute to the growth of a city that is still alive.
On the other hand, I must mention that Puerto Ordaz, and specifically Alta Vista, has always been one of the most expensive areas in the entire country. This is a significant difference compared to other central cities where I've lived, and perhaps it's due to its location in the eastern part of the country. This makes transporting many things or goods more costly, but if you look carefully, you can find good prices on everything from a meal to clothing. Therefore, visiting this city might be a bit more expensive than visiting other cities in Venezuela, but it's undoubtedly a beautiful place to appreciate and where you can have wonderful experiences. Not to mention other important places to visit, such as the natural parks, and other things to consider.
All photographs are my own.
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