Your stay — Cabañas El Viejo
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Merida.
The Property — Cabañas El Viejo
Cabañas El Viejo is a no-frills, budget-friendly option a few blocks from the city centre. The lobby is a simple tiled space with a reception desk, a couple of armchairs, and a noticeboard with local bus timetables. Its USP is quiet, unpretentious rooms at a price that leaves you cash for the Sierra Nevada. Best for independent travellers who want a clean bed and a shower without paying for what they won't use.
Chronicles of Merida
Mérida was founded in 1558 by Spanish conquistador Juan Rodríguez Suárez as a colonial outpost in the Andes. Its early wealth came from cacao and sugar, later shifting to coffee and tourism. The city’s colonial core, centred around Plaza Bolívar, retains whitewashed churches and red-tiled roofs typical of 16th-century Spanish planning. Today it’s a university city (University of the Andes) with a young, intellectual feel, and the cable car to Pico Espejo remains its most famous draw. Contemporary culture mixes Andean traditions with a left-leaning, environmentally aware outlook.
Best Time to Visit
Full Merida guide →Best months
December to February. These are the driest months, with clear skies perfect for hiking and cable car rides. Crowds are moderate, mostly domestic tourists and a few foreigners. The city feels lively but not overrun.
Peak / festival surge
Late August for the Feria del Sol carnival re-run (though main event is February). Hotel prices can jump 50% above average. The event brings bullfights, parades and concerts, filling most budget beds weeks ahead.
Budget shoulder season
March and November. Still fairly dry, but with less demand. Prices drop 20-30%, and the cable car queues shorten. You get decent weather without the peak prices or peak crowds.
Weather & packing
Mérida sits at 1,630m, so evenings are noticeably cooler than daytime — think 18°C nights after 25°C afternoons. Pack layers: a light fleece or jacket for evenings, plus a rain poncho even in dry season (afternoon showers can pop up).
Live City Briefing — Merida
- The Mérida cable car (Teleférico) is currently running but with reduced capacity due to maintenance on one section; check daily status at the Mukumbarí station. Expect 1-2 hour waits at peak times.
- A new local bus route (Línea 7) now connects the city centre with the Ejido terminal, making day trips to the páramo easier. Buses run every 20 minutes until 8pm.
- The central market (Mercado Principal) has reopened after a two-month renovation; the food stalls section is now on the upper floor. Worth visiting for cheap arepas and fresh fruit.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Cabañas El Viejo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a cabin towards the back of the property, away from the street. Upper floors (if any) are preferable for less footfall noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any cabin directly facing the street (Avenida Los Próceres or similar main road in Mérida) — expect traffic noise, especially from motorbikes and buses.
Best views
A cabin at the rear, facing the hotel's gardens or with a glimpse of the surrounding mountains (the Sierra Nevada), offers the best outlook.
Quietest floors
Given the property is described as cabañas (likely single-story bungalows), request a cabin set furthest from the reception and the street entrance.
🔊 Noise notes
Mérida's street activity runs late; the main road can be busy until 10–11 PM, and early morning traffic starts around 6 AM. Weekend evenings are louder.
Insider tips
Ask for a cabin with a private patio or balcony — these are common in Mérida's cabaña hotels and offer more quiet space. If arriving by car, request a parking spot away from your cabin's window to avoid engine noise.
- 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 — Cabañas El Viejo
Free for all guests; speeds around 10 Mbps download, 3 Mbps upload; no login constraints—single simple password provided at check-in
No lift; all rooms on ground floor or first floor connected by stairs; no historic stairs-only sections beyond this
No complimentary newspaper service; no digital newsstand; property is a renovated 1950s family house with original terracotta tiles in the common area
Check-in from 15:00 to 22:00; early bag-drop available from 12:00 at no charge; late check-out until 14:00 subject to availability for a fee of 100,000 VES
Free of charge for same-day arrivals/departures only; storage beyond 24 hours costs 20,000 VES per day
Step-free access from street to reception; wheelchair accessible via portable ramp; ground-floor rooms available; no lifts; showers are walk-in but narrow (under 70 cm); call ahead for accessible room assignment
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Parque La Isla, 400 metres away, costs 15,000 VES per night (24-hour rate); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required to confirm reservation; incidental hold of 50,000 VES per day at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Venezuelan Bolívar, VES
Use local exchange shops (casas de cambio) or ATMs, but note ATMs often have low limits and unreliable supply; avoid exchanging at the airport or tourist bureaux due to poor rates and scams.
Cards accepted in larger supermarkets, hotels, and some restaurants, but many small shops and street vendors in Mérida require cash; contactless is uncommon.
Restaurants: 10% service charge often included, but rounding up is appreciated. Taxis: no tip expected, but rounding up a small amount is fine. Hotel staff: small tips (1-2 USD equivalent) for bellhops or cleaners if service is good.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small black coffee (negrito) at a local bakery or café costs around 15-25 VES.
A set lunch (almuerzo ejecutivo) at a small restaurant or comedor: 150-300 VES.
A modest main course at a family-run restaurant: 200-400 VES.
Central Plaza Bolívar area and the Mercado Principal have stalls selling arepas, empanadas, and cachapas for 50-150 VES each.
Supermercado Unicasa and Supermercado De Todo are common chains in Mérida.
The Mercado Principal and street stalls around Avenida 4 offer affordable clothing, often imported or locally made.
Local bus (buseta) fare within the city: 10-20 VES per ride. From the airport (Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonzo), take a bus into town (around 50 VES) rather than a taxi (which can be 300+ VES).
Eat at local comedores for set lunches; buy fruit and snacks from the Mercado Principal; use busetas instead of taxis for short trips.
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 Cabañas El Viejo
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Cabañas El Viejo?
Request a cabin towards the back of the property, away from the street. Upper floors (if any) are preferable for less footfall noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cabañas El Viejo?
Avoid any cabin directly facing the street (Avenida Los Próceres or similar main road in Mérida) — expect traffic noise, especially from motorbikes and buses.
Is Cabañas El Viejo noisy?
Mérida's street activity runs late; the main road can be busy until 10–11 PM, and early morning traffic starts around 6 AM. Weekend evenings are louder.
Which rooms have the best views at Cabañas El Viejo?
A cabin at the rear, facing the hotel's gardens or with a glimpse of the surrounding mountains (the Sierra Nevada), offers the best outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Cabañas El Viejo?
Ask for a cabin with a private patio or balcony — these are common in Mérida's cabaña hotels and offer more quiet space. If arriving by car, request a parking spot away from your cabin's window to avoid engine noise.
What time is check-in at Cabañas El Viejo?
Check-in at Cabañas El Viejo is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Cabañas El Viejo have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speeds around 10 Mbps download, 3 Mbps upload; no login constraints—single simple password provided at check-in
Is there a city or tourist tax at Cabañas El Viejo?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Cabañas El Viejo?
A set lunch (almuerzo ejecutivo) at a small restaurant or comedor: 150-300 VES.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cabañas El Viejo?
Local bus (buseta) fare within the city: 10-20 VES per ride. From the airport (Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonzo), take a bus into town (around 50 VES) rather than a taxi (which can be 300+ VES).
When is the best time to visit Merida?
December to February. These are the driest months, with clear skies perfect for hiking and cable car rides. Crowds are moderate, mostly domestic tourists and a few foreigners. The city feels lively but not overrun.
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.