See what the experts are saying about Merida. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Introduction
It is no coincidence that the state of Mérida and its capital have the same name. The thousands of native and foreign visitors who come to this Andean paradise in western Venezuela want to know both the historical and university-like city as... Continue reading »
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History
War and culture comprise Mérida's historical backbone. Inevitably, the city's foundation was not established by means of books but by means of the sword. Coming from New Granada's city of Pamplona to "search for gold and subdue native Indians... Continue reading »
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Where to stay
Mérida is mainly a students' town that is open to outdoor tourism and adventure. This explains why it does not have five-star hotels, though it does have four and three-star ones, and many family hostels and inns, as well as camping areas and... Continue reading »
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Eat drink
People from Mérida respect and keep their traditions, including the gastronomical ones. As a heritage from ancient natives, chicha (alcoholic drink made from fermented maize) is still the traditional drink, as well as the bread made of that s... Continue reading »
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Entertainment
Leisure options in Mérida are somewhat different from the ones you find in other cities. They are different because night activity is scarce. That has an explanation: citizens from Mérida seem to prefer work to fun; the university students do... Continue reading »
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Tours
WALKING TO PLAZA BOLÍVAR We recommend Parque Glorias Patrias as the starting point. This way you can walk through traditional Mérida up to the Plaza Bolívar area with its interesting architectural, religious, and cultural appeals. Parqu... Continue reading »
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Getting there
Getting there: By Air: Merida is serviced by the Merida-Licenciado Manuel Crecencio Rejon Int'l Airport(+55 55 3726 0433), located 13km south of the city. Airlines offering flights to Merida include: Avior Airlines (http://www.avior.com.ve)... Continue reading »
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Fun facts
Merida Country: Venezuela Merida by the Numbers: Population: 250,000 Elevation: 4913 ft Average Annual Rainfall: 67.9 in Average January Temperature: 67 degrees F Average July Temperature: 69 degrees F Quick Facts: Electricity: 110 vol... Continue reading »
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Introduction
680km (422 miles) SW of Caracas Mérida is a picturesque and bustling college town nestled in a narrow valley between two mountain rivers, the Albarregas and Chama, and is flanked by two high Andean ridges, the Sierra Nevada and Sierra La C... Continue reading »
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Planning a trip
Getting There By Plane -- There are more than a dozen commuter flights daily to Mérida from Caracas's Simón Bolívar International Airport. The principal airlines serving this route are Avior (tel. 0501/284-67737; www.aviorairlines.com), Co... Continue reading »
Merida Travel Experiences
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Cable Cars and Mules
Merida is situated at the feet of the most extreme northern tip of the Andean mountain range. While the city itself is nothing special, t... Continue reading »
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World Record Ice Cream
Left the campsite after breakfast and headed back to Barinas and out again, this time up through the Venezuelan Andes through virgin fore... Continue reading »
Popular Merida Things to Do
- Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada
- Plaza de Las Heroinas Meridenas
- Bodegon de Pancho (El)
- Pueblo de Los Nevados
- Palacio Arzobispal (El)
- Universidad de Los Andes (ULA)
- Catedral Metropolitana de Merida
- Corporación Merideña de Turismo, CORMETUR
- Cucaracha (La)
- Centro Cultural Tulio Febres Cordero
