Not to miss

Jardín Botánico

The botanical garden was inaugurated in 2000. Only a small portion of the total 44 hectares (109 acres) is open to the public, but it's worth coming, particularly on Saturday or Sunday, when an unusual 'aerial path' is open for visitors. You 'walk' using ropes between platforms built atop four tall trees.

Parque Zoológico Chorros de Milla

This small, scenic zoo features a selection of exotic local fauna, including the jaguar, condor, anaconda, capybara, tapir, and capuchin and spider monkeys. Set on a mountain slope along the Río Milla and named after the waterfalls in the park, it's well worth walking uphill along the creek for a view of the waterfalls.

Teleférico de Mérida

Please note: as of August 2008, the Teleférico de Mérida is closed indefinitely for repairs. Travellers are advised to check the official website (address above) for any updates.

An essential experience of any visit to Mérida is the teleférico (cable car), the world's highest and longest cable-car system. It takes you 12.5km from the bottom station at Barinitas (1577m/5174ft) to the top of Pico Espejo (4765m/15,633ft), in four stages. The ascent to Pico Espejo takes close to two hours if you go straight through, and provides some stunning views of the Andes along the way.

It's best to go up as early as possible, as clouds can obscure views later in the day. Make sure you take a short walk around Pico Espejo or Loma Redonda before heading back. The cable car also provides easy access for high-mountain hiking, but remember that acclimatization problems can easily occur when quickly reaching high altitudes - the ascent is likely to leave you light-headed at least.