A roughly hourlong flight (or 10½-hour drive) from Caracas, this atmospheric university city up in the Andes Mountains with around 200,000 inhabitants was founded in 1558, and Its allure lies cool mountain air, café culture, and access to ecotourism and adventure sports in the surrounding highlands as well as the Sierra Nevada National Park, to which you can get via the world´s highest and second longest cable car. The Casco Central is the historic core dating back to the city’s founding, where the main square Plaza Bolívar (pictured here) is a lively hub surrounded by important historical buildings including the 201-year-old neo-Renaissance cathedral and the Palacio de Gobierno. The nearby covered market Mercado Principal offers a glimpse into local life, with vendors selling produce, handicrafts, and traditional snacks. And as an bonus, the Los Aleros theme park recreating an Andean village. Finaly, Thanks in no small part to the presence of the University of the Andes, Mérida also boasts a vibrant arts scene and bustling nightlife. It´s also worth noting that the city is generally calmer and safer than the capital.
Read more in my post Can Venezuelan Tourism Bounce Back? If It Does, Here Are 9 of Its Top Destinations to Visit.
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