"Surely not," as bus slowed along the highway's main Tucacas stop. I was expecting coastal fishing village like home in Bayahibe. What I found was a mini-metropolis at peak frenzy on a late Saturday morning funneling travelers toward the waterfront.
Tucacas is perhaps the most popular, easiest accessed destination for Caribbean along the mainland. Avenida Libertador is the main street through this town of 20,000 that screams tourist trap in an almost appealing way. You'll find wall-to-wall shops selling everything beach related from upscale bikinis/surf gear to inflatable water toys.
What makes this whole commerce strip interesting is mingling of mercados, eateries, and sidewalk vendors hustling about anything like you'd expect to find happening decades ago. It was also fitting Asians were present filling global stereotype roles; Orientals manning cash registers in official grocery stores while Indo-Paks owned department stores.
Again, whether it was season or current state of turmoil within the country, actual foreign travelers masquerading as tourists were nonexistant, but absence certainly hadn't impeded traffic flow. Tucacas yielded concrete evidence that Venezuelans are overhwelming percentage of travelers within their country; especially when taking to beaches. These weekend warriors were out in full force arriving by public/private transportation regardless of income levels.
Stores begin thinning out closer to the waterfront. A newer small cathedral is a couple of blocks away; nothing warrants going to see it, but the small bell tower rings at top and half of every hour with a European appeal. If concept of time matters, this is likely your most reliable source. There's a pair of small plaza/park areas with shaded benches; great for picking up a beer across the street while absorbing life passing by.
At times, it was like watching an endless parade with traffic backed up - every mode of transportation imaginable crammed to the hilt with anxious beach frolickers. Some pulling wooden boats you'd question floatability to full-scale boats, yachts and catamarans already loaded with people. Between jovial smiles, music and incessant drinking, it was a party waiting to happen; just add water!
You can't ignore the upscale hotels or new condo towers creating an actual skyline looming over the peasant-like barrios. Construction has came to a stand still thanks to government-spurred economic crisis and wealthy's uncertainties about maintaining lifestyle. But Tucacas confirms they're far from the majority.
Venture off Avendia Libertador a block in either direction and you'll find the real town beyond the tourist trap. Children playing scatters chickens in the broken-down streets. Homes are simple; further confirmed when passing of an evening and front doors are left open to maximize breezes while extending ever-present Latin hospitality.
Tucacas offers best of both worlds balancing a community capitalizing off beachfront location while still maintaining lifestyle of traditional leisure without succumbing to the spoils. Between town and National Park, three days here was not enough.