Clarines is a small colonial town by the Caracas-Barcelona highway, and boasts of the best-restored and most intriguing churches (colonial) in the entire region. Clarines, founded in 1694, is just about a kilometre from the highway.

Sightseeing
The old colonial church called Iglesia de San Antonio is open for public from 9:30-11:30am and 3-6pm and is situated at the upper end of this quaint town with a rich history! Constructed in 1750, the church's architecture is squat and huge with a typical Latin-cross shaped plan and is one of the few structures of its kind in Venezuela. Twin square towers keep a vigil of the ascetic and muck-encrusted frontage. But perhaps the most unique features of this religious structure are the two external arcades that run between these square towers as well as the transepts on either side of the structure. A wooden cupola sits pretty over the single interior nave giving the impression of being in perfect balance. Above the altar is a three-tiered main retable, dating to the year 1760, supported by the wall, on which is displayed an original work of art depicting a curtain.

Getting there
Clarines is a day trip from Barcelona or Puerto La Cruz making the access easy and quick. Long distance as well as hourly buses are available from Barcelona to Clarines as well.