The waterfall is 979 meters high and it is an impressive sight. With these, almost 1000 meters, 807 meters makes free fall of water (it is 19 times more than Niagara waterfalls). Due to the high altitude of falling under the influence of the wind the water before reaches the earth turns into mist. The waterfall is so high that during cloudy days visitors cannot see the top, so it looks as if the water comes right out of the sky, which makes the name completely justified.

However, Angel Falls did not get its name for that reason. Waterfall became known less than a hundred years ago, when it was officially discovered by American aviator named James Crawford Angel, after which it was named - Angel Falls.

Crawford first saw the waterfall in 1933. He came back again to look for it and prove its existence in 1937, when he actually manages to find it, but he landed on a muddy hill, after which the plane sunk slightly and it was impossible to take off. James was with his wife and Venezuelan Gustavo. Fortunately for James, Gustavo knew well surroundings and managed to, after 11 days, take them to Camara. In 1970 James's plane was found, it was pulled out with helicopters and is now in the Museum of Aviation in Maracay. At the top of the waterfall is a replica of the aircraft for tourists.

If they want, tourists start a tour from one of the villages in the vicinity of the falls. Most often these are Canaima, Kavak and Kamarata. So, even though these villages are closest to waterfall it takes few days of walking to reach it.

It is best to visit it during the rainy season in Venezuela, from May to November, because the higher rainfalls result with abundant amount of water falling down a waterfall while in the summer season it can virtually dry up. If you're vacationing on the islands of Margarita, take the opportunity - there are organized safari trips by plane over the jungle literally, next to the waterfall.