Important Information for Visitors:

Planning your trip to Venezuela
Please note that the main airport for entrance to Venezuela is in Caracas-Maiquetia "Simon Bolivar International Airport" (CCS). This airport has flights from the following European airlines: Alitalia, AirFrance, Iberia, Lufthansa, Air Europa, TAP Portugal.
From the United States of America: American Airlines, Continental, Avianca, Copa, Delta, LAN.
It’s important that you consider a reasonable time of 4 hours minimum for connection between domestic and international flights, because it is often than domestic flights are delayed.

Arriving to Venezuela
Venezuela has a currency exchange control policy, which does not allow the money exchanges except in some banks and official exchange offices. Upon arriving at Simon Bolivar airport you should be aware of people who will come to propose changing foreign currency for local currency, as it may be a scam, we recommend that you try to find at the airport the official exchange offices. Because of this situation, the local committee has contacted a travel agency that offers full service from arrival to Venezuela, payment of airport taxes, travel and accommodation in the city of Caracas-Maiquetia (if your connecting flight requires to stay in Caracas.) If you require this service please send an e-mail to wseas@ula.ve and we will try to attend your requirements.
For changing money during your stay in the city of Merida, you can contact the Local Committee members who will help you with the necessary formalities.

Merida, in the state of Merida, lies in the midst of two of Venezuela's Andean mountain chains. Founded twice, first illegally in 1558, and then at a different location as Santiago de los Caballeros de Merida in 1560, Merida is the home of Venezuela's second oldest university, the University of the Andes, founded in 1785.

Arriving to the city of Merida
Please note that commercial flights do not arrive to the city of Merida, the nearest airport is in the city of El Vigia, 90 minutes by car from Merida, for those interested in having booked and paid for his transfer from El Vigia to the Hotel in Merida can do at a cost of $40 (one way) shown in the Booking form.
The airlines that arrive at the International Airport "Juan Pablo Perez Alfonso" of the city of El Vigia (VIG) are:

• Conviasa
• Laser

Any question, please contact the local committee members:
Prof. Francklin Rivas-Echeverria. tlf: +(58) 416 6740686
Prof. Gloria Mousalli-Kayat. tlf: +(58) 416 6740600

More than university students and faculty enjoy the year-round spring like climate. With mountains, including the snow-capped peaks of Pico Bolivar, (5007 m/16,523 ft) Pico Humboldt (4,942 m/16,214 ft), Pico Espejo (4,753m/15,594 ft) and Pico Bompland (4883 m/16,113 ft), which form part of the Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada, one of four in the area. There are also 12 state parks. The region is popular with climbers, backpackers, wildlife lovers, birders, and sightseers who enjoy the variety of scenery from lush rainforest, abundant waterfalls to mountain peaks permanantly covered with snow, glacier lakes, and paramos, or highland moors reaching from about 3300 m to the snowline. Add the small and tropical Palmarito beach, located on the southeast side of Maracaibo Lake, and there are a dozen or more varieties of climate and geography in the state of Merida.

The fertile valleys between the mountains support agriculture, including coffee plantations, sugar cane, flowers, especially the frailejon which grows only in the altiplano areas of Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador and bloom in November and December. Tropical plants, palm trees, citrus, strawberries, orchids, and the Golden Rain tree grow lavishly. The city, built between and bisected by rivers, maintains 35 parks in its long, narrow stretch. With flat land no longer available, the city now grows up from its base (1,625 m/5,331 ft). Earthquakes and wars of independence have taken the toll on the city, but it cultivates a pleasant, quiet grace with plenty of cultural activities.

Additional links about Merida and Venezuela

Andes Holidays

About.com

Academic Links

Universities via Yahoo.com - Universities.
U.S. Higher Education - usefull links to U.S. universities

How to get to Merida

Merida is 680 km (422 miles) southwest of Caracas, easily reached by plane or road.

By Air:
The airport is on the meseta, right inside the city, 2km south-west of Plaza Bolivar. City busses connect the airport to the rest of the city.

By Bus:
The bus terminal is 3 km south-west of the city center and is linked by frequent public transport. Half a dozen buses a day run to Caracas and to Maracaibo.