Fact file
When To Go
The drier, sunny season extends from Dec-Mar. Because of the altitude (Mérida is at 1,625m) it is cooler than the rest of the country, with average temperatures of around 19°C all year round. The area is busy with visitors at Christmas, Carnival, Easter and from Jul-Sep.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
Language
Spanish
Getting Local Currency
Bolívar Fuerte. Banks will offer advances on a credit card. Money exchange offices and larger hotels will happily buy US dollars cash (very few accept euros or sterling and the rate will be poor).
Time Difference
GMT -5.5 hours (yes, really).
Combines With
A visit to the llanos wildlife prairies and wetlands, Barinas is 4hrs by road from Mérida; warming up on a Caribbean beach wind-down, accessible from Caracas (1hr away by air).
Getting There
There are regular short domestic flights between Caracas and Mérida.
If you still have questions, please contact us and one of our Travel Experts will be happy to help.
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