San Juan Bautista

The town's name comes from its patron saint, John the Baptist (San Juan Bautista), whose feast day on 24 June is the main local celebration. The town centre is built around the Plaza Antonio Díaz, on which stands the parish church of San Juan Bautista, one of the oldest parishes in Venezuela.

San Juan Bautista was historically a centre of livestock breeding for the Caribbean and the Spanish Main, and is the only town in Venezuela where the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is widely cultivated. The valley remains noted for its traditional crafts, including handwoven hats made from date-palm fibre (sombrero de cogollo), gold and silver work combined with Margarita pearls, and the local sweet piñonate.