Caracasbaai Is Lost

Caracasbaai Is Lost

16 January 2026

As everyone knows, I used to swim daily in Caracasbaai and regularly shared photos of the beach. In October 2025, I went on vacation, and afterwards, I never really picked it up again because of the flu, rain, and so on. But the real reason is that Caracas Bay is no longer itself. Not only is it too crowded, but I no longer trust the quality of the water. The area has become increasingly built up, and no one can clearly explain to me how sewage pits are being handled.

Earlier this week, I received a message from a friend whom I used to meet every day while swimming. He assumed I was waiting until after the rainy season, which is partly true. He pointed out the BBQ pits that the government—so I assume—has had built on the beach every ten meters or so, and then left unfinished. As a result, piles of charcoal have formed next to each pit, turning the sand black. After swimming, your feet are black, and soot gets under your nails. No one does anything about it. No one asked for these BBQs, and they certainly do not contribute to making the beach more “fancy.”

This is just one story of how one of the last authentic beaches has been lost. But politicians who do not understand authenticity are unaware that they are doing anything wrong.

Miguel Goede