Mérida travel guide

Getting around

Mérida may seem a safe place, but theft and robbery does occur. Avoid the Pueblo Nuevo area by the river at the stairs leading down from Avenida 2, as well as Avenida 2 itself. The airport is on the main highway, 5 km from the centre. Por puesto into town US$0.35, taxi US$3.75. The bus terminal is 3 km from the centre of town on the west side of the valley, linked by a frequent minibus service to Calle 25 entre Avenidas 2 y 3, US$0.35. City bus fares rise by 50 cents at weekends. A trolley bus system from the southern suburb of Ejido to La Hechicera in the north has been opened for much of its length.

Air

You can save a lot of time by checking in the day before flight. Mérida is served only by SBA (T263 2723) turbo props and flights cost relatively more than to other major destinations. Daily flights to Caracas (1½ hrs direct). In the rainy season, especially on afternoon flights, planes may be diverted to San Antonio (3-5 hrs by road), or El Vigía (2½ hrs away); both these airports are served by more airlines. Airport tax US$7. Casa de cambio, various ATMs, shops, phones and a smart restaurant.

Bus

The terminal has 2 levels, the upper one for small buses, minivans and cars to nearby places, the lower for interstate buses. Taxis line up outside the main entrance. A small exit tax of US$0.35 is charged for journeys in the the state, US$0.50 for long-distance, payable at one of 2 kiosks leading to buses. Make sure you pay, officials check buses before departure. On interstate buses, it is essential to book in advance; for buses within the state you pay on board. The terminal has a tourist office, phones, toilets, luggage store and places to eat. Fares: Caracas, US$21 (normal) to US$34 (bus-cama); Maracay, US$19-30; Valencia, US$17.75-30; Coro, US$15-30; Maracaibo, US$15-22.50; Barquisimeto, US$22.50; Puerto La Cruz, US$47, Cumaná, US$52.

Bus companies

: Expresos Occidente, T263 5844, daily direct to Caracas, 12 hrs, or via Valencia and Maracay; to Coro/ Punto Fijo, 12-14 hrs. Expresos San Cristóbal (T263 1881), daily direct to Caracas, 14 hrs, or via Valencia and Maracay; to Maracaibo, 8 hrs. Expresos Mérida (T263 3430), to Caracas hourly from 1800, some direct others via Valencia and Maracay; also to Barquisimeto, 8 hrs, Maracaibo, Coro and Punto Fijo. Transportes Barinas (T263 4651), to Barinas (US$8) via Apartaderos (US$3.60), to Guanare (US$10) and Valera (US$10). Expresos Los Llanos (T265 5927), to Caracas at 1900. Expresos Coromoto, T417 1722, to Maracaibo 0845, 1345. From upper level of terminal: Táchira Mérida, to San Cristóbal (US$12.50, 6 hrs) and San Antonio. Also to Jaji, Chiguará, Apartaderos, Barinas (US$10.50, 4 hrs), El Vigía, Valera (US$14). Líneas Unidas, T263 8472, por puesto microbus with TV, and car, to Maracaibo, 1000, 2130; also Fraternidad del Transporte, T263 1187, 1000, 1400, 2145.

Taxi

In town US$3.50-5.

Banks

Banco Mercantil, Av 5 y C 18. ATM takes Cirrus (commission lower than Visa). Banco Provincial, Av 4 y C 25, and Banco de Venezuela, Av 4 entre C 23 y 24, both ATM and cash advance on Visa and Mastercard at official rate. Italcambio at airport; this is often the easiest place to change cash and TCs.

Car hire

Several companies at the airport, including Alquil Auto, T263 1440, or Dávila Tours, Av Los Próceres opposite Urb la Trinidad, T266 0711, or airport T263 4510.

Consulates

Colombia, Av Andrés Bello, CC San Antonio, T266 2646, consulbia merida@yahoo.com, open 0800-1400. Visas take 10 min. UK, Professor Robert Kirby, honorary vice-Consul, Finca La Trinitaria, Santa Rosa, 10 mins from the town centre towards La Hechicera, T416 8496.

Internet

Places all over town, most with broadband, US$0.40-0.80 per hr. CANTV Centro de Comunicaciones, Av 7 entre C 25 y 26. Also at Av 6 y C 21, open Sun, has internet next to Ipostel.

Language schools

Iowa Institute, Av 4 y C 18, T252 6404, cathy@iowainstitute.com. Run by Cathy Jensen de Sánchez, competitive prices, fully qualified teachers, homestays arranged. Recommended. Latinoamericano de Idiomas, CC Mamayeya, p 4, of C-5-38, T/F244 7808. Contact Marinés Asprino, Conjunto Residencial Andrés Bello, Torre C, p 5, Apt 6-1, T271 1209 for private lessons and cheap accommodation. Recommended. Carolina Tenías, 17 years’ experience in private lessons for travellers, grammar and conversation, T252 4875, or T0416-971 1445 (mob).

Medical services

Doctors: Dr Aldo Olivieri, Av Principal La Llanita, La Otra Banda, Centro Profesional El Buho, 09, T244 0805, T0414-374 0356, aldrolia250@ cantv.net, very good, gastroenterologist, speaks English and Italian. Dr Giotto Guillén Echeverria, Centro Médico La Trinidad, C 42 entre Avs Urdaneta y Gonzalo Picón, T263 9685, T0416-674 0707. Specialist in infections, speaks French.

Post office

Ipostel, C 21 entre Avs 4 y 5, 0800-1900 daily. Post office also in bus terminal, 0800-1200, 1400-1700, weekdays only.

Telephone

CANTV, C 21 y Av 5, Mon-Sat 0800-1930.

Useful addresses

Immigration office: ONIDEX, Av 4 y C 16, Mon-Thu 0800-1200, 1300-1630, Fri 0800-1500. Tourist police: The CICPC will provide a constancia reporting the crime and listing the losses. Their office is on Av Las Américas, at Viaducto Miranda, T262 0343. Open daily but they won’t issue a constancia on Sun. To get there, take any bus marked ‘Terminal Sur’ or ‘Mercado’ leaving from C 25. You can also get a constancia from the Prefectura Civil del Municipio Libertador, but it can take all day and is only valid for a limited period; at Av 4 No 21-69, just off Plaza Bolívar; opening hours variable. Tourist offices may be better than police if you need to register a theft for insurance purposes.