Casanay

Casanay is an inland town and the administrative seat of the Andrés Eloy Blanco Municipality in Sucre State, Venezuela. Situated in an agricultural basin surrounded by forested hills, the town sits roughly 35 km south of the Caribbean coastline at Carúpano and 100 km east of the state capital, Cumaná. Agriculture—specifically cocoa, sugarcane, and cattle farming—drives the local economy.

Travelers visit Casanay primarily as an entry point for eastern Sucre's geothermal water resorts located along the Troncal 9 highway just outside the main settlement. The surrounding valley features natural warm sulfur springs, mineral mud pools, and fish-breeding ponds fed by underground springs.

The local climate is tropical, with average daily temperatures ranging from 22°C (72°F) to 33°C (91°F) throughout the year. High humidity remains constant. The dry season runs from December through April with clear weather, while the wet season from May through November brings frequent afternoon thunderstorms that turn rural dirt roads into mud.

By Air

No air service exists in Casanay. The nearest commercial airports are:

• General José Francisco Bermúdez Airport (CUP) in Carúpano, 35 km north (45-minute drive). Conviasa operates limited regional flights from Caracas (flight time: 1 hour).
• José Tadeo Monagas International Airport (MUN) in Maturín, 110 km south (2.5-hour drive via Troncal 10). Conviasa, Rutaca Airlines, and Laser Airlines run daily domestic flights from Caracas (flight time: 50 minutes).
• Antonio José de Sucre Airport (CUM) in Cumaná, 100 km west (1.5 to 2-hour drive via Troncal 9).

By Bus

Intercity buses and microbuses (busetas) arrive at the Casanay bus terminal located at the town entrance along Troncal 9.

• From Caracas: SITSSA and Expresos Los Llanos operate 2 to 3 daily buses from Caracas Terminal de Oriente. Journey time: 8 to 10 hours. Cost: 540–900 VES ($15–$25 USD).
• From Cumaná: Regional minibuses and shared cars (por puestos) run every 30–45 minutes along Troncal 9. Journey time: 1.5 to 2 hours. Cost: 110–180 VES ($3–$5 USD).
• From Carúpano: Minibuses depart every 20–30 minutes along Local 2/Troncal 9. Journey time: 45 minutes. Cost: 70–110 VES ($2–$3 USD).
• From Maturín: Minibuses run hourly via Troncal 10. Journey time: 2 to 2.5 hours. Cost: 140–220 VES ($4–$6 USD).

By Train

No train service exists in Casanay or Sucre State.

By Car

Casanay is located along Troncal 9 (T-09), the primary highway connecting Cumaná with eastern Sucre State.

• From Carúpano (35 km north): Take Local 2 south to Troncal 9. Drive time: 45 minutes.
• From Cumaná (100 km west): Take Troncal 9 east past Cariaco. Drive time: 1.5 to 2 hours.
• From Maturín (110 km south): Take Troncal 10 north to the Troncal 9 junction. Drive time: 2 to 2.5 hours.

Road conditions on Troncal 9 vary, with occasional potholes and unlit stretches. Fuel availability can be inconsistent; purchase gasoline in Cumaná or Carúpano before driving into rural sectors. Night driving is discouraged due to unlit livestock and road hazards.

• Por Puestos & Busetas: Shared cars and minibuses travel fixed routes along Avenida Bermúdez to nearby rural communities and thermal resorts for 35–70 VES ($1–$2 USD).
• Taxis & Moto-Taxis: Unmetered taxis and motorcycle taxis gather near Plaza Bolívar and the bus terminal. Fares within town cost 20–50 VES ($0.50–$1.50 USD). Confirm the total price before starting your trip.
• Apps: No ride-hailing applications (such as Ridery or Yummy) operate in Casanay.

• Las Aguas de Moisés: A thermal spring complex featuring natural pools filled with sulfurous mineral water, waterfalls, white clay mud pits, and thatched kiosks (churuatas). Located 10 km west of town along Troncal 9 in Sector Río Azul. Entry fee: 110–180 VES ($3–$5 USD).

• Kokoland: A recreation resort built around natural spring pools, featuring water slides, a mini-zoo, barbecue churuatas, and a signature giant crab sculpture in the main pool. Located in Sector Río Azul. Entry fee: 110–180 VES ($3–$5 USD).

• Poza Azul & Poza Cristal: Freshwater spring pools situated in rural forest surrounding Sector Río Azul, known for clear turquoise water and natural mineral deposits. Entry fee: 70–110 VES ($2–$3 USD).

• Plaza Bolívar: The central public square featuring shade trees, paved walkways, seating, and a statue of Simón Bolívar. Entry fee: Free.

• Iglesia San Agustín: The primary Catholic church on Plaza Bolívar, dedicated to the town patron saint and serving as the focal point for religious festivals. Entry fee: Free.

• Local Cacao Farms: Small agricultural holdings (haciendas) surrounding the town that grow cocoa trees and demonstrate traditional drying methods. Entry fee: Free to 140 VES ($0–$4 USD) depending on farm visits.

• Take a Sulfur Mud Bath: Apply mineral-rich white clay at Las Aguas de Moisés or Poza Azul, dry in the sun, and soak in the warm thermal spring pools.

• Sample Local Cacao: Visit cocoa smallholders in Andrés Eloy Blanco Municipality to taste fresh cacao pod pulp and crude cocoa blocks (bolas de cacao).

• Attend August Street Festivals: Participate in the annual Feria de San Agustín (August 20–28) for traditional Joropo music concerts, street parades, and regional food stalls.

• Explore Gulf of Cariaco: Drive 30 km west to the shore of the Gulf of Cariaco for coastal views and local boat trips.

• Restaurante Las Aguas de Moisés (Sector Río Azul): On-site resort restaurant serving fried local fish (red snapper, croaker), beef sancocho, and pork chops with fried green plantains (tostones) and yuca. Mains: 180–360 VES ($5–$10 USD). Mid-range.
• Restaurante Kokoland (Sector Río Azul): Casual resort restaurant offering pabellón criollo (shredded beef, black beans, rice, plantains), grilled chicken, and fried fish platters. Mains: 140–290 VES ($4–$8 USD). Mid-range.
• Arepera Y Carnes El Arenal (Avenida Bermúdez): Town eatery serving corn flour arepas packed with shredded beef (carne mechada), shredded baby shark (cazón), or white cheese, alongside grilled meats. Mains: 70–140 VES ($2–$4 USD). Budget.
• Panadería y Pastelería Casanay (Calle Bolívar): Central bakery offering fresh breads, savory empanadas, coffee (café con leche), and malt beverages. Items: 35–110 VES ($1–$3 USD). Budget.

Regional food specialties include sancocho de pescado (fish soup with root vegetables), empanadas de cazón (baby shark fried corn pies), cachapas (sweet corn pancakes with fresh cheese), and chorizos de Carúpano (spicy garlic pork sausages).

• Jugos Naturales: Fresh tropical fruit juices made from passion fruit (parchita), soursop (guanábana), and mango.
• Papelón con Limón: Chilled beverage prepared from unrefined sugarcane juice and lime.
• Beer & Malta: Non-alcoholic malt sodas (Malta Polar) and Venezuelan lagers (Polar Pilsen, Solera).
• Water Safety: Tap water is not safe to drink. Purchase sealed bottled mineral water (agua mineral).

• Budget: Posada El Sol / Hospedaje San Agustín (Central Casanay): Basic town guesthouses providing simple rooms with ceiling fans or air conditioning and private or shared bathrooms. 360–720 VES ($10–$20 USD) per night.
• Mid-range: Posada Campestre Las Aguas de Moisés (Sector Río Azul, Troncal 9): Cabin-style rooms next to the thermal pool complex with air conditioning, private bathroom, and pool entry. 900–1,800 VES ($25–$50 USD) per night.
• Mid-range: Hotel Resort Kokoland (Sector Río Azul): Rooms and family cabins inside the resort complex with air conditioning, private bathroom, TV, and parking. 1,000–2,100 VES ($30–$60 USD) per night.
• Upscale: No luxury hotels operate in Casanay. Standard high-end hotels are located 35 km north in Carúpano (such as Hotel Posada El Faro, 2,500–4,500 VES / $70–$120 USD per night) or 100 km west in Cumaná.

• Mercado Municipal: The central municipal market on Calle Comercio sells fresh vegetables, tropical fruits, local hard cheese (queso llanero), fresh cheese (queso de mano), and flat cassava bread (casabe).
• Handmade Cacao & Sweets: Roadside stands along Troncal 9 sell artisanal cocoa balls (bolas de cacao), sugarcane blocks (papelón), and guava candy (bocadillo de guayaba).

• Carúpano (35 km north, 45 minutes via Troncal 9/Local 2): Coastal city known for cocoa heritage, beach access at Playa Copey, and annual Carnival celebrations.
• Cariaco (30 km west, 35 minutes via Troncal 9): Agricultural town on the Gulf of Cariaco known for hot springs, sugarcane fields, and boat access.
• El Pilar (30 km east, 40 minutes via Troncal 10): Town known for thermal pools (Los Pozos de El Pilar) and access to Paria Peninsula mangrove habitats.
• Cumaná (100 km west, 1.5 to 2 hours via Troncal 9): State capital of Sucre and South America's oldest continuously inhabited Spanish mainland city, featuring the 17th-century Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia.