Mérida Favorite Tips by ukmagicman Top 5 Page for this destination

Bring Lots of US Dollars to Pay for Excursions

Favorite thing: If you are planning to take lots of trips in Merida with tour companies to places like Los Llanos and Catatumbo or to participate in things like Canyoning, Paragliding, Mountain Biking, Rafting, etc, you should bring U.S. dollars to pay for these as they will be much cheaper. Most of the tourist companies in Merida seem to use the unofficial exchange rate or a rate around US$1 to BS4,000 (BsF4) for the price in dollars.

For example, for canyoning, the price in November 2007 was US$45 but BS.180,000. A huge difference in the cost if you are taking money out of the ATM to pay for things as you would be paying US$90 for the trip (official exchange rate is US$1 to BS.2,150/BsF.2.15.

Therefore, I advice you call ahead to find out prices of things you would like to do and take the dollars with you to pay. A lot of tour companies only accept cash or a bank transfer to pay for the trips.

Taxi's Are Cheap

Favorite thing: Taxi's are very cheap in Merida, considerably cheaper than in Caracas, so it is often better as a tourist to take taxi's between locations rather than trying to get on the right bus. Make sure you still ask the price in advance "Cuanto cubra hasta (location)." Most journeys around the city will only cost between Bs4,000 and Bs7,000 (BsF 4 and BsF 7).