Pan-American Highway (South America)
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Pan-American Highway route in South America. (Continued from Pan-American Highway (North America).)
Total length: 16,000 miles (25,750 km).
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Venezuela
The Pan-American Highway begins its path in South America in Venezuela. Most travelers on the highway coming from Panama will probably skip traveling the Venezuela section and take a boat from Balboa to Ecuador to avoid the Darién Gap and Colombia. Nonetheless, the Venezuela stretch of the highway is an important connector between Caracas and Bogotá, the capital of Colombia.
- Güiria
In Venezuela, the Pan-American Highway begins as Venezuela Highway 9 in Güiria, a small town in the state of Sucre just west of Trinidad along the Caribbean coastline. From Güiria, the highway winds its way west 76 kilometers to the town of Yaguaraparo.
- Yaguaraparo
The highway reaches Yaguaraparo, a town located on the southern portion of the Paria Peninsula along the Gulf of Paria. Venezuela Highway 9 continues west for approximately 83 kilometers to the towns of Casanay and Pantoño.
- Casanay
Upon reaching Casanay, Venezuela Highway 9 comes to a junction with Venezuela Highway 10, a major north-south highway. From Casanay and neighboring Pantoño, the Pan-American Highway continues west, with much of the highway running parallel to the Gulf of Cariacos. The highway reaches a junction with secondary highway 2 at Villa Frontado, which travels south into the neighboring state of Monagas. The total distance from Casanay to the city of Cumaná is about 90 kilometers.
- Cumaná
Cumaná, founded in 1521, is the oldest city on the entire South American continent. Cumaná is located on the banks of the Río Manzanares river and the Gulf of Cariacos. Things to see in Cumana include the Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia (Castle of Saint Anthony of the Eminence), the Museo del Mar (Maritime Museum), and the Cueva del Guácharo (Guácharo Cave). From Cumaná, Venezuela Highway 9 travels southwest approximately 65 km to the border with the state of Anzoátegui.
- Barcelona
After the Pan-American Highway crosses the state line into Anzoátegui, it almost immediately enters the city of Barcelona. Barcelona was founded in 1671 and tends to be a fairly traditional Venezuelan city. Local attractions include the Barcelona Cathedral and Casa Fuerte ("strong house"), a national historic monument that exists as a tribute to Venezuelan independence. Nearby Puerto La Cruz is one of the most popular tourist areas in Venezuela and has some of the nation's best Caribbean beaches. Tourists can also take a ferry from Puerto La Cruz to the well-known Margarita Island.
- Boca de Uchire
Traveling from Barcelona and Puerto La Cruz, the Pan-American Highway continues westward. For about 47 km, Venezuela Highway 9 becomes a limited-access expressway. The expressway returns to a regular two-lane highway at the town of Puerto Piritu. The highway travels another 62 km and then reaches the border with the state of Miranda at the town of Boca de Uchire. This portion of the highway includes a short stretch of travel through the llanos, or Venezuelan prairies.
- El Guapo
About 34 km west of Boca de Uchire, the highway starts climbing into the Cordillera Central mountains. This is also where Venezuela Highway 9 begins to move further away from the Caribbean Sea coastline. From Boca de Uchire to El Guapo is 65 km; from El Guapo to Caucagua is another 59 km.
- Caucagua
At Caucagua, the Pan-American Highway reaches a junction with Venezuela Highway 12. Continue northwest on Venezuela Highway 9 through the Cordillera Central. After about 21 km, the highway becomes a limited-access expressway; travel another 32 km west towards the Caracas metropolitan area and the Venezuela Federal District.
- Caracas
With a population of around 4 million people, Caracas is the largest city and capital of Venezuela. Although near the Caribbean Sea, Caracas is located on a plateau at an approximate elevation of 2400 feet (800 meters), so its weather can vary greatly due to the abrupt changes in altitude. The city is located under Avila, a mountain with an elevation of approximately 7800 feet (2600 meters). Caracas is a very cosmopolitan city with plenty of recreational opportunities. Attractions include the Teresa Carreño Theater, the National Art Gallery, and Avila National Park. The Pan-American Highway leaves Venezuela Highway 9 in Caracas and turns south on Venezuela Highway 1, where it reenters the state of Miranda; the highway remains an expressway as it heads toward the border with the state of Carabobo for its remaining 48 km in Miranda state.
- Maracay
- Valencia
Colombia
Ecuador
See Ecuador Highway 35.
Peru
Chile
Argentina
NATIONAL ROUTE 9
The National Route 9 is the first argentinian path of the Pan-American Highway, which has its start point in the Cristo Redentor Tunnel. The latter being one of the various road conexions between Argentina and Chile and in its highest point the Cristo Redentor Monument is established (and gives its name to the Tunnel). This monument was constructed by the scupultor Mateo Alonso, and placed in 1902 at 4.200m over the sea level. It was constructed by melting the bronze of the arms used by the Ejercito de los Andes and inaugurated oficially on March 13th, 1904. Its height is about 7 meters, weights 4 tons and it is placed over a granite-made pedestal of 6 meters high and just over the limit between Argentina and Chile. The path of the Natinal Route 9 which conducts to the city of Mendoza (capital city of the homonimous Province) is very