Maracay is the capital of Aragua state and about 100 kilometres west of Caracas. It is known as the ‘garden city’ because of the parks and beautiful scenery that it possesses. A unique characteristic are the numerous gardens that frame the roads. Around 53 kilometres away from Maracay are beautiful Caribbean beaches located within the mountains such as Cata, Ocumare, Choroni and Cuyagua. To get to these beaches it is necessary to pass through a protected beautiful rainforest, home to many animal species. This rainforest has become a national park called Henri Pittier.