Top Things to do in Merida
10 Things to Do in Merida That You Shouldn't Miss
In this university town in western Venezuela, it's possible to relax in a park honoring Beethoven, sample more than 800 flavors of ice cream in a Guinness-record-holding shop and ascend into the surrounding snow-capped Andes mountains via the world's longest and highest cable car. The historic downtown, centered on Plaza Bolivar, contains an impressive church inspired by Spain's Toledo Cathedral. Adventure tour companies run paragliding, mountain biking and trekking excursions outside the city.
Restaurants in Merida
1. Laguna de Mucubaji
Overall Ratings
5 based on 390 reviews
Reviewed By Inga_Brauneis - Maracaibo, Venezuela
We had the chance to visit the lagoon with a tour group and it is a beautiful landmark everyone must visit. You can enjoy horseback rides, see the local flora named "frailejon" and take beautiful pictures.
We were very lucky because shortly after we arrived the fog started to come down and other groups that arrived later were not able to enjoy it as much as we did. We recommend going on sunny days because when the fog takes over you can't see anything and it's not worth it.
2. Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada
Overall Ratings
5 based on 297 reviews
3. Catedral Metropolitana de Merida
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Though construction of the Cathedral began in the early nineteenth century, it was delayed by two earthquakes, the War of Independence, and internal political conflicts. Work was finally completed in 1958, and the Cathedral stands today as a symbol of Merida and its history.
4. Paramo la Culata
5. Pico el Aguila Venezuela
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 475 reviews
Reviewed By Eli L - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
It's the highest driving point in Venezuela (4.118 meters above sea level). Here is erected an unmistakable monument of a Cóndor where everyone stop to take pictures! Beware that on weekends it's very crowed -so try to arrange your visit on a weekday-. Tourists come here to enjoy the landscape, the cold temperatures (all year around), the foggy weather and if you're lucky enough to see the snow! Walking distance, there is a restaurant where you can indulge yourself with a tasty hot chocolate. Bathrooms are clean and well-maintained. If you are looking for a souvenir, here you can find wool items (coats, gloves, scarfs, etc) and typical brilliant sweets. In front of the restaurant, there is a small cute church in honor to Our Lady of Coromoto -Patroness of Venezuela-.
6. Los Aleros
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
The only historical village in the Andes, Los Aleros exhibits traditional housing, agricultural implements and methods and customs of European colonies in Venezuela.
Reviewed By Eli L - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
It's always wonderful to come to this thematic park that depicts a typical Andean town in the 1930's. Here you can find people wearing traditional andean clothes :-) Exploring and walking through the park might be a little complicated for elderly/handicap or people with disabilities since there are many steeps to climb. However you can take a slide all the way down!!!! There is a haunted cemetery, a petrol station, an exchange house, a radio station, a cinema surrounded by ghosts, a church and a monument of Simón Bolívar just to name a few. Ticket price 2.800 BSF per adult.
7. Jardin Botanico de Merida
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 211 reviews
Reviewed By Vivi_55_C - Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Gardens themselves are lacking in a few place, such as their rose garden was a little pathetic, but other parts were great. The best part, and the reason why the Gardens got 5 stars was the tree climbing and zip-line. For not much money you get harnessed up, climb up a tree and then walk on ropes from tree canopy to tree canopy. And at the end you go on a short zip-line to get down from the trees. It was incredibly fun!
8. Mercado Principal
Overall Ratings
4 based on 503 reviews
Reviewed By AssahiraShiro
Amazing, i could stay there a endless time and still finding new treasures. In the third floor there a village with tends in a totally differente atmosphere, where you can find artists hand made pieces. Moreover, the restaurants are amazing.
9. Plaza Bolivar (Merida)
Overall Ratings
4 based on 258 reviews
Located at the very center of Merida, Plaza Bolívar shows visitors the roots of the city's history: it was here that modern-day Merida was founded.
Reviewed By Moraira - UK
Like every other town in Venezuela, the main square is the Plaza Bolivar. Merida is no different, ans this is Merida's version,
In a city with few tourist attractions, I can see why this is on the list.
But in truth it is a average sort of square with an average sort of statue
10. Chorros de Milla Zoo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 441 reviews
One of Merida's most-visited attractions, the Chorros de Milla Zoo is a home to nearly 150 species of animals.
Reviewed By FeroxCH - San Diego, California
I rated our experience as "terrible" because I really really felt awful about most of the animals in this zoo. The landscaping is great, the place is clean, but most of the enclosures are RIDICULOUSLY SMALL. Several of the large cats had cages no more than 2 or 3 body lengths across, with barren concrete floors and steel mesh walls. The same with many of the bird enclosures. Ironically, the turtles had more room than the lions!! The zoo grounds are very large--there is plenty of available land and space around most cages. They could easily be made larger and more species-friendly.
Do not support this zoo by visiting, or at least tell them about these problems as you're leaving. (We visited in April 2007.)
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