Hello, friends of Worldmappin! First of all, I wish you a 2026 full of many new adventures in the different tourist sites of your country and the world. On this occasion, I want to share with you the events of my last trip to the state of Mérida a few weeks ago.
I traveled there from the state of Barinas, where my maternal family is from. It was very special for me to spend time with my family, especially my nephew, whom I have always been very close to, even though he lives in the plains region while I live in the center of the country. So, this trip was very enjoyable for me because I was able to spend a lot of time with him, my siblings and my mother.
I remember that in my childhood and adolescence we used to go to Mérida a lot via El Páramo, which is the most direct and best route from the state of Barinas, since along the way we may see many nice villages, there are very beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, rivers, and being able to relive those moments of adolescence with my family again at the end of 2025 was very satisfying for me.
We were mainly headed to the Mucubají Lagoon, one of the most iconic and beautiful tourist sites in the state of Mérida. However, we decided to stop in a very pretty town called Santo Domingo that was on the way, where we could rest for a while from the trip, stretch our legs, enjoy the atmosphere, its plaza, and, in the background, its colonial-style cathedral that really catches the eye.
There we also enjoyed some delicious strawberries with cream. On the way, we also saw the Santo Domingo dam. The Santo Domingo River begins in the state of Mérida, passes through the state of Barinas, and then flows into the Apure River. It is one of the most important rivers in the Andean and plains regions of Venezuela.
The landscapes that can be captured in this mountainous area before reaching Mucubají are impressive. Let's remember that this area is part of the Andes mountain range, the longest on the planet, which runs from Argentina and Chile to Venezuela, passing through all of South America. These mountains have a different beauty than what I am used to in my state, Aragua, where we also have lush mountains and the coastal mountain range with a tropical climate. However, here the vegetation varies greatly, and it is really nice to be in contact with nature in these extraordinary places.
Once we arrived in the Mucubají area, we entered the complex where the lagoon is located. The change in climate and landscape is truly wonderful. The páramo zone is completely different from other ecosystems we might visit in the country. The lagoon was an ancient glacier fed by several waterfalls and springs that give rise to the Santo Domingo River.
This lagoon is abundant with trout, a fish that is highly prized in Andean cuisine, and of course, its waters tend to be very cold. The climate here is quite cold in general, with low temperatures and strong winds that make it feel even colder. But it's really nice since I come from a hot climate and this change is pleasant.
The páramo and the Mucubají mountain range are part of the Sierra Nevada National Park, one of the most beautiful in the Andes region and in Venezuela. I took the opportunity to take many photos from different angles. The lagoon is truly impressive. I have always loved lakes and lagoons; observing them and being on their shores brings me great peace and comfort; it is a relaxing, indescribable and satisfying feeling.
There is a pier where tourists take the opportunity to take pictures, get a little closer to the waters of the lagoon, and enjoy the freshness of the environment and the feeling of peace that this place offers us. Halfway through the walk, I went to a café in the complex to have a coffee and try to warm up and continue enjoying my tour.
This complex offers services such as trout fishing and horseback riding to other lagoons in the area. I did this tour on a previous trip and it was truly extraordinary. Riding through these areas made me think I was in an environment similar to the European Alps, and according to some people who have visited both places, they say the landscapes are very similar.
I also took the opportunity to buy typical sweets such as milk candies, guava candies and fig candies, which are very traditional, to take to my loved ones as souvenirs.
After spending an extraordinary time, we decided to return to the city of Barinas, which is about two hours away, very happy to have enjoyed a family outing that we used to do all the time and that, due to life circumstances, we had stopped doing.
Thank you for accompanying me this far. See you on our next adventure in the different places and tourist areas of my country, Venezuela, and why not, the world.
All pictures were taken with my Redmi Note 10 5G