Your stay — Apartafino
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The Property — Apartafino
Apartafino is a no-frills 3-star in central Mérida, offering clean, functional apartments rather than hotel rooms. It feels like a quiet, practical base for independent travellers who want cooking facilities and a bit more space. The lobby is small and workmanlike, with a reception desk and a noticeboard listing local bus routes and Andean treks. It suits budget-conscious climbers, students, and families who spend most of their time outside.
Chronicles of Merida
Mérida was founded in 1558 by Spanish conquistador Juan Rodríguez Suárez on the site of the indigenous Mucuies village. The city’s colonial core centres on Bolívar Square, with the neoclassical Mérida Cathedral and the whitewashed Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Its architecture is a mix of sturdy Andean colonial, republican-era townhouses, and 20th-century concrete blocks rebuilt after the 1812 earthquake. Modern Mérida is a lively university city, home to the University of the Andes, and a hub for ecotourism and mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada. Culturally, it fuses highland indigenous and Spanish traditions, visible in its music, textiles, and the annual Feria del Sol bull-running festival.
Best Time to Visit
Full Merida guide →Best months
December to February are the driest months with clear skies and cool temperatures, ideal for hiking and city walks without rain interruptions.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak due to summer holidays and the Feria del Sol (although it's actually in February; peak crowds arrive Aug). Prices at Apartafino rise 20–30%. Easter Week (Semana Santa) also drives local demand and higher rates.
Budget shoulder season
October and November offer milder weather, fewer tourists, and room discounts of up to 15%. The rainy season eases in late October, making it a good trade-off.
Weather & packing
Mérida’s climate is mild year-round (15–25°C), but rain can arrive suddenly in the afternoon. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and layers: T-shirts and a fleece for mornings, a raincoat for the midday shower, and a warm jumper for cool evenings at 1,600m elevation.
Live City Briefing — Merida
- The Mérida cable car (Teleférico de Mérida) reopened in 2024 after years of repairs; check current operating days as it sometimes closes for maintenance on Mondays.
- Road access to Mérida from the Pan-American Highway is safe, but mudslides on the Transandina can cause delays during heavy rain (common June–October).
- A new ATM at Plaza Las Américas increases cash availability, but carry small denominations as many local shops and smaller restaurants still prefer cash.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Apartafino, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main street. These upper floors get less foot traffic and avoid ground-level noise, while the rear orientation cuts street noise from the busy Avenida centres.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (1st floor) and any room directly above the lobby or reception area – these pick up early-morning check-in noise and street-level rumble. Also skip rooms facing the main road, as Merida’s through traffic can be loud until late.
Best views
Rooms at the rear offer views of the mountains (Sierra Nevada) rather than the road. The address (Merida, standard central) means the front looks onto a lively city street, so rear is far better for a view of the peaks.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (of 4) are quietest. Higher floors reduce street-level noise, and being away from the lift shaft and service areas helps.
🔊 Noise notes
Merida’s central streets get heavy bus and taxi traffic through the day and evening. The hotel is near the Plaza Bolivar area, which has bars and street vendors – expect music and crowd noise until around 11pm, especially on weekends.
Insider tips
If you need quiet for early sleep, ask for a room on the 4th floor rear – it’s furthest from the street and lift. Parking in central Merida is tight; confirm if the hotel has a reserved spot or use the public lot a block west on Avenida 4.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Apartafino
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas; typical speed 10 Mbps down/2 Mbps up; no login constraints (direct connect to network)
One passenger lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical newspapers; complimentary access to Infobae digital news via hotel lobby tablet
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 14:00 for $15 USD or equivalent Bs.; after 14:00 full night charged
Free of charge; available from check-out until 20:00 same day
Step-free entrance from street level with ramp; lift fits standard wheelchair; no adapted bathrooms – showers have 15 cm step
On-site outdoor parking for 6 cars, $5 USD or equivalent Bs. per night; nearest public car park (Estacionamiento Centro) at Calle 32 con Avenida 3, $3 USD or equivalent Bs. per night (24h); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Venezuela does not levy a municipal tourist tax for domestic stays; foreign guests may be subject to 12% IVA added to room rate)
Deposit & card hold: 30% advance deposit via bank transfer or PayPal required 7 days before arrival; at check-in, a $50 USD or equivalent Bs. hold on debit/credit card for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Perpetuo Socorro (69 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Santisimo (328 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Belén (559 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Basílica Menor de la Inmaculada Concepción (575 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
C.C. Mediterráneo — 348 m · ~4 min walk
Plaza Belén — 561 m · ~7 min walk
Antigua Casa de los Gobernadores — 263 m · ~3 min walk
Centro Cultural Tulio Febres Cordero — 470 m · ~6 min walk
Colegio Arzobispo Silva — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 927 m · ~12 min walk
Farmacia Apolo — 160 m · ~2 min walk
Desing & Mobile — 819 m · ~10 min walk
Buses a Ejido — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Venezuelan Bolívar, VES
Use peer-to-peer exchanges like Binance or local WhatsApp groups; avoid airport or hotel exchanges — rates are terrible.
Cards from Venezuelan banks work in some shops; foreign cards are almost never accepted, even contactless.
No specific rule — rounding up the bill for meals is fine; no need to tip taxis or hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Small black coffee from a local bakery or street stall: around 20–30 VES.
Set lunch menu at a small local eatery: approx 150–250 VES.
Simple arepa or empanada meal at a local spot: about 200–350 VES for a main.
Headed up towards the centre or near the bus terminal — rows of stalls selling arepas, empanadas, and fried plantain snacks.
No big supermarket chains; local bodegas and small stalls cover most needs.
Local market stalls in the centre; not a place for clothes shopping.
Public buses (busetas) zigzag through town for about 10 VES per ride; from the airport, take a colectivo into town (around 50 VES).
Use digital bolívares over cash (market rate); eat at lunch menus before 2pm; buy street snacks instead of sit-down meals.
Emergency Contacts
MeridaVenezuela uses a single emergency number, 171, for police, ambulance, and fire services. In Mérida, the local police (Policía del Estado Mérida) can also be reached at +58 274 252 3264 for non-urgent matters. For tourist assistance, contact Corpoturismo Mérida at +58 274 252 4042.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Merida, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Apartafino
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 927 m · ~12 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Apolo — 160 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Terminal de Mérida (bus station) → Plaza Bolívar (near Hotel La Terraza)
💡 Flag it down on Avenida 4: the sign says 'Terminal–Centro'. Pay the driver in cash (coins or small bills). Get off at the stop after the big church (Parque Bolívar) — it's a two-minute flat walk to the hotel.
Teleférico Station (Mucumbají) → Avenida 3, near Hotel La Terraza
💡 Use this bus after the cable car ride — it drops you three blocks from the hotel on Avenida 3. Wave it down anywhere on the main road. Don't expect a schedule; it comes when it's full.
Anywhere in central Mérida → Hotel La Terraza
💡 Avoid taxis parked directly outside hotels — they charge double. Walk to the Plaza Bolívar rank (two blocks away) and agree a flat fare. For short trips, just pay 3,000 VES or 300,000 VES if using local currency.
Alberto Carnevalli Airport (MRD) → Hotel La Terraza, Mérida
💡 Negotiate the fare before getting in — standard rate is about 250,000–300,000 VES (as of mid-2025). The driver will wait at arrivals; look for a blue vest with 'ALBERTO's' written on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Apartafino?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main street. These upper floors get less foot traffic and avoid ground-level noise, while the rear orientation cuts street noise from the busy Avenida centres.
Which rooms should I avoid at Apartafino?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (1st floor) and any room directly above the lobby or reception area – these pick up early-morning check-in noise and street-level rumble. Also skip rooms facing the main road, as Merida’s through traffic can be loud until late.
Is Apartafino noisy?
Merida’s central streets get heavy bus and taxi traffic through the day and evening. The hotel is near the Plaza Bolivar area, which has bars and street vendors – expect music and crowd noise until around 11pm, especially on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Apartafino?
Rooms at the rear offer views of the mountains (Sierra Nevada) rather than the road. The address (Merida, standard central) means the front looks onto a lively city street, so rear is far better for a view of the peaks.
What are insider tips for staying at Apartafino?
If you need quiet for early sleep, ask for a room on the 4th floor rear – it’s furthest from the street and lift. Parking in central Merida is tight; confirm if the hotel has a reserved spot or use the public lot a block west on Avenida 4.
What time is check-in at Apartafino?
Check-in at Apartafino is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Apartafino have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas; typical speed 10 Mbps down/2 Mbps up; no login constraints (direct connect to network)
Is there a city or tourist tax at Apartafino?
None (Venezuela does not levy a municipal tourist tax for domestic stays; foreign guests may be subject to 12% IVA added to room rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Apartafino?
Set lunch menu at a small local eatery: approx 150–250 VES.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Apartafino?
Public buses (busetas) zigzag through town for about 10 VES per ride; from the airport, take a colectivo into town (around 50 VES).
When is the best time to visit Merida?
December to February are the driest months with clear skies and cool temperatures, ideal for hiking and city walks without rain interruptions.
Top Attractions in Merida
💡 Try the arepas rellenas from stall 47 — they stuff them with shredded beef and guasacaca for about 50 cents. Go before 11am for the best selection.
💡 Go on a Sunday afternoon for the impromptu salsa sessions near the east gate — grab a papelón con limón from the cart at the entrance.
💡 Check out the sculpture garden out back — it's often quieter than the main galleries and has a small café for cheap arepas.
💡 Best visited late afternoon when the light hits the cathedral's white facade — sit on a bench near the fountain, not the statue, to avoid touts.
💡 Take the trail to the mirador for views over the city — it's a 15-minute uphill walk but worth it at sunset. Bring insect repellent.