Your stay — Cabañas Fabro
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The Property — Cabañas Fabro
Cabañas Fabro is a modest, family-run 3-star set back from Mérida's busy Avenida 4, with a courtyard of potted plants and a small pool that feels more like a guesthouse than a hotel. The rooms are simple, clean, and tiled — no frills, but the staff genuinely remember your name. It suits budget-conscious travellers, hikers heading into the Sierra Nevada, or anyone who wants a quiet base within walking distance of the Plaza Bolívar. Standing in the lobby, you smell coffee from the breakfast nook and hear the distant clatter of the cable car.
Chronicles of Merida
Mérida was founded in 1558 by Spanish captain Juan Rodríguez Suárez and named after the Extremaduran city of the same name. Its colonial core grew around the Plaza Bolívar, with whitewashed churches and red-tile roofs, but a devastating earthquake in 1812 levelled most of the early buildings. The city rebuilt in a neoclassical style, and the 1950s brought the Universidad de Los Andes, which turned Mérida into a lively student hub. Today, its identity is split between colonial heritage and outdoor adventure: it's the gateway to Venezuela's highest peaks, Pico Bolívar and Pico Espejo, reached by the world's longest and highest cable car.
Best Time to Visit
Full Merida guide →Best months
December to February — the dry season brings clear skies and cooler nights, ideal for cable car trips and Andean hiking without monsoon mud. Crowds are moderate, and city festivals like the Feria del Sol in February add colour without overwhelming.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is mid-January to February, especially during the Feria del Sol (bullfighting, parades, concerts) and Carnaval. Hotel prices can double; Cabañas Fabro often sells out by November. Expect full cable car queues and heavy traffic on Avenida 4.
Budget shoulder season
March and April are the best budget months: still dry, fewer visitors, and hotel rates drop 30-40%. Weather stays warm (20-25°C) but the risk of afternoon showers increases slightly.
Weather & packing
Mérida sits at 1,600m, so days are warm but nights drop to 10-12°C even in July — a thermal base layer is essential. Pack a waterproof jacket and walking shoes: sudden downpours roll in from the mountains within minutes, especially after midday.
Live City Briefing — Merida
- The Mérida cable car (Teleférico Mukumbarí) completed its final phase of restorations in late 2025; all four stations are now open, but tickets must be booked at least 48 hours ahead via the official website — no walk-ups.
- Avenida 3, the main pedestrian street downtown, is under partial construction until September 2026 for drainage upgrades; some shops and cafes have restricted access, so use Avenida 4 as your through route.
- Fuel shortages have eased in the city, but petrol stations still have sporadic outages; if driving, fill up at major stations on the Panamericana before entering Mérida.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Cabañas Fabro, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a cabin away from the main road, preferably on the upper side of the property. If available, choose a unit with a balcony facing the Andes foothills for better light and airflow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid cabins near the entrance or fronting directly onto the street. The address 'Merida' puts the property on or near the main thoroughfare, so street-facing cabins will pick up traffic noise from buses and motos.
Best views
The best view is likely towards the Sierra Nevada de Mérida mountains. Ask for a cabin oriented to the south or east if you want morning sun and a mountain backdrop, rather than the urban street scene.
Quietest floors
As a single-storey cabaña property, there are no floors. Request a cabin set back from the road and away from any common areas or the reception block.
🔊 Noise notes
Mérida's main road can be busy with traffic from early morning until late evening, especially motorbikes and colectivos. Weekend nights may also bring music noise from nearby bars if the hotel is in the uptown barrio.
Insider tips
1. Check if they offer parking inside the walled compound — street parking in Mérida is tight and not always secure. 2. Bring a torch or use phone light at night; some older cabins have poor outdoor lighting and the paths can be uneven in the wet season.
- 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 Fabro
Free Wi-Fi in common areas and rooms; speed is around 5 Mbps download, sufficient for messaging and light browsing; no login required, just select the network.
No lift; the property is a single-storey bungalow complex with steps at some entrances.
No complimentary newspapers; no digital newsstand. The hotel has a small library of travel books in Spanish.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early arrival bag drop available at reception; late check-out until 12:00 costs 30 Bs.S.
Free storage at reception during your stay; no cost.
No step-free access at main entrance (single step); two ground-floor rooms have level doorways, but bathrooms have raised thresholds. Not fully wheelchair accessible.
On-site parking free for guests (uncovered, first-come first-served). Nearest public parking is Estacionamiento La Loma, Calle 24, about 10 Bs.S per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of 50% of total stay required to confirm booking; at check-in, a credit card hold of 100 Bs.S for incidentals is taken.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Capilla Santo Niño (892 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque Domingo Peña — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Venezuelan Bolívar, VES
Use peer-to-peer exchange platforms like Zinli or Reserve (commonly arranged via WhatsApp groups) for the best rate; avoid official bank or airport exchange — rates are far worse.
Cards are rarely accepted; most transactions are cash (bolivares) or via mobile payment apps (e.g., Bancamiga, Mercantil). Tourists should carry physical USD or euros to exchange informally.
Not expected, but rounding up the bill or leaving a few bolivares (50–100) is appreciated in restaurants; taxis no tip; hotel staff get small change (10–20 VES) for luggage.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Tinto (small black coffee) from a street stall or bakery — approx 15–20 VES.
Daily set menu (almuerzo ejecutivo) at a local comedor — soup, main, drink — approx 80–120 VES.
Pabellón criollo (rice, beans, meat, plantain) at a casual eatery — main about 100–150 VES.
The area around Plaza de la Constitución and the Mercado Principal has arepas, empanadas, and cachapas sold from stalls; cheap and filling.
Abasto Bicentenario and Central Madeirense are common budget supermarket chains.
Mercado Principal and the stalls along Calle 24 offer budget clothing; also weekend flea markets near the La Llantera strip.
Busetas (shared minibuses) cost 10–15 VES per ride; from airport (Alberto Carnevalli), take a buseta to Mérida city centre for about 30 VES (taxi would be 200+ VES).
Always exchange USD on the informal market (you'll be approached naturally) — the official rate is terrible. Eat at arepa stands and comedores rather than sit-down restaurants. Use busetas instead of taxis.
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 Fabro
🕒 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.
About Merida
Wikipedia ↗
Mérida, officially known as Santiago de los Caballeros de Mérida, is the capital of the municipality of Libertador and the state of Mérida, and is one of the main cities of the Venezuelan Andes. It was founded in 1558 by Captain Juan Rodríguez Suárez, forming part of Nueva Granada, but later became ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Cabañas Fabro?
Request a cabin away from the main road, preferably on the upper side of the property. If available, choose a unit with a balcony facing the Andes foothills for better light and airflow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cabañas Fabro?
Avoid cabins near the entrance or fronting directly onto the street. The address 'Merida' puts the property on or near the main thoroughfare, so street-facing cabins will pick up traffic noise from buses and motos.
Is Cabañas Fabro noisy?
Mérida's main road can be busy with traffic from early morning until late evening, especially motorbikes and colectivos. Weekend nights may also bring music noise from nearby bars if the hotel is in the uptown barrio.
Which rooms have the best views at Cabañas Fabro?
The best view is likely towards the Sierra Nevada de Mérida mountains. Ask for a cabin oriented to the south or east if you want morning sun and a mountain backdrop, rather than the urban street scene.
What are insider tips for staying at Cabañas Fabro?
1. Check if they offer parking inside the walled compound — street parking in Mérida is tight and not always secure. 2. Bring a torch or use phone light at night; some older cabins have poor outdoor lighting and the paths can be uneven in the wet season.
What time is check-in at Cabañas Fabro?
Check-in at Cabañas Fabro is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Cabañas Fabro have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in common areas and rooms; speed is around 5 Mbps download, sufficient for messaging and light browsing; no login required, just select the network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Cabañas Fabro?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Cabañas Fabro?
Daily set menu (almuerzo ejecutivo) at a local comedor — soup, main, drink — approx 80–120 VES.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cabañas Fabro?
Busetas (shared minibuses) cost 10–15 VES per ride; from airport (Alberto Carnevalli), take a buseta to Mérida city centre for about 30 VES (taxi would be 200+ VES).
When is the best time to visit Merida?
December to February — the dry season brings clear skies and cooler nights, ideal for cable car trips and Andean hiking without monsoon mud. Crowds are moderate, and city festivals like the Feria del Sol in February add colour without overwhelming.
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.