Merida. Founded in 1558, Santiago de Los Caballeros (its original name) is presently a beautiful city surrounded by impressive mountains, with a colonial down town of singular beauty where you can see the Bishop's Palace, the City Hall, The University buildings, the Cathedral recognized for its handsome architecture, colorful parks, and most enjoyable of all: its charming well-bred population. The University ranked among the most prestigious ones in the country has been many prominent citizens' Alma Mater. One of the many squares the city owns, besides Bolivar's, is Beethoven's so named to honor the famous German composer. Merida has the highest and longest cable car in the world. The Merideños (Merida's citizens) are highly fond of "la fiesta brava" (bull-fight), whose highest season takes place during "La Feria del Sol" the regional festivities that bring in the best known bull fighters. At Los Chorros de Milla a beautiful local park, you will admire two splendorous high cascades (that give the park its name), luxuriant vegetation, pretty ponds and a small zoo. Altogether a fine place to spend a pleasant day. Merida City is considered a tourist pole not only for the numerous attractions it offers but also for good standard hotels, inns, restaurants and most of all its friendly population.

The tourist season in Venezuela runs year-round so, theoretically, any time you visit is OK. Venezuela has one dry season (roughly November/December to April/May) and one wet season (the rest of the year). The dry season is certainly more pleasant for travelling, particularly for hiking or other outdoor activities, though sightseeing in cities or towns won't be greatly disturbed by rain. Some sights, such as waterfalls, are actually more impressive in the wet season. Angel Falls, for example, is absolutely spectacular after heavy rains in the wet months, but it may be not much more than a thin ribbon of water in the dry season. Furthermore, the falls can be inaccessible by boat in dry months.

Also keep in mind the periods during which Venezuelans take their holidays. They are mad about travelling to visit friends, family and the beach over Christmas (through till mid-January), Carnaval (several days prior to Ash Wednesday) and Semana Santa (Holy Week; the week before Easter Sunday). In these periods, you'll have to plan ahead and do a little more legwork before you find a place to stay. On the other hand, these periods are colorful and alive with a host of festivities.

The dry season from December to April is the best time to hang out on the coast and soak up the rays. While temperatures can get a bit fevered, peaking around 32°C (89°F) during the day, there is decent sunshine and insignificant rainfall. For the rest of the year temperatures are just a pinch hotter, especially between June and September, and rainfall peaks around October. Moving inland, temperatures are a fair bit cooler but still with little seasonal change, averaging highs between 24-27°C (75-80°F). While the wet season is still the same inland, rainfall is more frequent throughout the year. In the southern plateau region of Venezuela the temperature climbs again, however the hottest months are now February and March and it is wet for most of the year with slightly drier periods in September and October and between January and March.