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Venezuela🇻🇪 | festivalsFeria del SolBullring concerts, Reina del Sol, Andean city nights, ice cream flavors | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Feria del Sol
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

The Plaza de Toros Monumental is where Feria del Sol earns its reputation, with salsa and Latin pop concerts and bullfights packing the ring through the night. The festival takes place in Mérida, a university city in the Andes of western Venezuela, and runs around Carnival season. Expect Venezuelan families, students from the Universidad de los Andes and travelers from other Andean towns, with a loud, friendly, beer-in-hand mood. Streets near the center fill with stalls and sound systems, and the climb to the ring is a steady uphill walk on crowded sidewalks. Skip the bullfights unless that tradition interests you. Back the concerts, because the crowds are big and the energy is real. Mornings are cool and calm, which makes them the time for coffee and a slow loop of the old center. On a first day, wander the plazas by daylight, eat an arepa andina, then head out after dark to the main stage.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Venezuela Travel Guide.
Safety warning

The current risk level for Venezuela is high. Check the advice before going.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 festival in VenezuelaWhat makes this festival worth celebrating

Feria del Sol gives you a week when Mérida stops being a sleepy mountain base and turns into a party that locals actually plan their year around. Hostel dorms fill with Venezuelans, Colombians and other travelers, so conversation comes easily, and the best contacts come from sharing a table at a street stall. The big draw is the Plaza de Toros Monumental shows, where concert tickets for established Latin acts usually cost far less than comparable events in Europe or North America. It also fits neatly into a longer Andean route. Mérida sits in the Sierra Nevada de Mérida, so you can pair festival nights with days of trekking, paragliding or village-hopping to Jají and Los Nevados, then recover in the cool air. Pay in cash, since card use is patchy. Book beds early, because prices rise and rooms vanish in festival week.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Feria del Sol

  1. Plaza de Toros Monumental Román Eduardo Sandia: The festival’s anchor. The big concerts and the bullfight cycle happen here, and the circular stands make even a large crowd feel close to the stage.
  2. Coronation of the Reina del Sol: The pageant that crowns the festival queen is the formal centerpiece, with sashes, gowns and local pride on display. It is an easy window into how Mérida sees itself.
  3. Plaza Bolívar and the Cathedral: The plaza is the town’s meeting point. Come by day for shade, the cathedral facade and people-watching, and treat it as a calm base between concert nights.
  4. Heladería Coromoto: Mérida’s famous ice cream parlor lists hundreds of unusual flavors, including trout and beer. Order one odd scoop and one normal one, and you will understand why people queue.
  5. Mercado Principal de
… read more 👉
  1. Plaza de Toros Monumental Román Eduardo Sandia: The festival’s anchor. The big concerts and the bullfight cycle happen here, and the circular stands make even a large crowd feel close to the stage.
  2. Coronation of the Reina del Sol: The pageant that crowns the festival queen is the formal centerpiece, with sashes, gowns and local pride on display. It is an easy window into how Mérida sees itself.
  3. Plaza Bolívar and the Cathedral: The plaza is the town’s meeting point. Come by day for shade, the cathedral facade and people-watching, and treat it as a calm base between concert nights.
  4. Heladería Coromoto: Mérida’s famous ice cream parlor lists hundreds of unusual flavors, including trout and beer. Order one odd scoop and one normal one, and you will understand why people queue.
  5. Mercado Principal de Mérida: A multi-floor market with Andean crafts, cheeses, fruit and cheap lunch counters. It is the best place for an honest meal and souvenirs that are not mass-produced.
For a first visit, start with the Plaza de Toros Monumental, because the main-stage concerts are the festival at its loudest and most social.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Feria del Sol?

Feria del Sol is held in Mérida, in the Venezuelan Andes, for about a week of events each year around Carnival, in February or early March, with the date moving as Carnival moves; the main venues are the Plaza de Toros Monumental and the city’s central avenues and plazas.
  • Best day: The opening parade and the first bullring night draw the biggest energy, while midweek concerts are easier to enter and see.
  • Weather: Days in the city (about 1,600 m) run around 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F), nights drop to 12 to 15°C (54 to 59°F), and rain is light in this dry stretch. Bring a sweater, sunscreen and a hat.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed three to four weeks ahead, since prices climb roughly 30 to 60 percent around the main weekend.
  • Crowds: Mountain roads from Barinas and El Vigía clog on Friday evening and Sunday
… read more 👉
Feria del Sol is held in Mérida, in the Venezuelan Andes, for about a week of events each year around Carnival, in February or early March, with the date moving as Carnival moves; the main venues are the Plaza de Toros Monumental and the city’s central avenues and plazas.
  • Best day: The opening parade and the first bullring night draw the biggest energy, while midweek concerts are easier to enter and see.
  • Weather: Days in the city (about 1,600 m) run around 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F), nights drop to 12 to 15°C (54 to 59°F), and rain is light in this dry stretch. Bring a sweater, sunscreen and a hat.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed three to four weeks ahead, since prices climb roughly 30 to 60 percent around the main weekend.
  • Crowds: Mountain roads from Barinas and El Vigía clog on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, so travel on Thursday and leave Monday morning.
Buy concert tickets on the first days, when the cheapest zones are still available.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The best base for the festival is central Mérida, within walking distance of the Plaza Bolívar and the Plaza de Toros area, where concerts and parades concentrate and you can return on foot after dark.
The streets around Plaza Bolívar and Avenida 2 (Lazo) and Avenida 3 (Independencia) hold most of the budget guesthouses, backpacker dorms and tour agencies. This is the social choice: travelers from the hiking and paragliding crowd gather here, kitchens are shared, and it is easy to find companions for the evening concerts. Keep to the lit main streets late at night and take a taxi for longer legs. … read more 👉
The best base for the festival is central Mérida, within walking distance of the Plaza Bolívar and the Plaza de Toros area, where concerts and parades concentrate and you can return on foot after dark.
The streets around Plaza Bolívar and Avenida 2 (Lazo) and Avenida 3 (Independencia) hold most of the budget guesthouses, backpacker dorms and tour agencies. This is the social choice: travelers from the hiking and paragliding crowd gather here, kitchens are shared, and it is easy to find companions for the evening concerts. Keep to the lit main streets late at night and take a taxi for longer legs.
The Belén neighborhood, a short walk from the center, is quieter and cheaper, with family-run posadas and a calmer feel. It suits solo travelers who want sleep after late shows, and it stays close to the market and the pedestrian streets.
The area near Avenida Las Américas is another option for a bit more comfort, with more room and parking, but it is farther from the plazas and less sociable, so you will likely rely on taxis or buses.
Dorm beds usually run US$8 to 15 in normal weeks and rise during the festival, so book early.
Best hostels in Venezuela


Best quality hotels in Venezuela

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

A day at Feria del Sol costs about US$62 for an independent traveler, counting a dorm bed at festival rates.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 20Parades and plaza events are free; bullring and headline concerts range from about US$5 to 20 depending on the zone, and prices rise at the door.
AccommodationUS$12 to 25Dorms and basic guesthouse rooms cost more in festival week than at other times, when beds start near US$8.
Local transportUS$1 to 4City buses and shared taxis are cheap; a private taxi at night costs about US$2 to 5 within Mérida.
Food & drinksUS$10 to 18Street snacks cost US$1 to 3, set lunches US$3 to 5, and a beer US$1 to 2.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$3 to 10Sunscreen, a warm layer, locker or luggage storage, and tips are typical extras.
Total Daily BudgetUS$26
… read more 👉
A day at Feria del Sol costs about US$62 for an independent traveler, counting a dorm bed at festival rates.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 20Parades and plaza events are free; bullring and headline concerts range from about US$5 to 20 depending on the zone, and prices rise at the door.
AccommodationUS$12 to 25Dorms and basic guesthouse rooms cost more in festival week than at other times, when beds start near US$8.
Local transportUS$1 to 4City buses and shared taxis are cheap; a private taxi at night costs about US$2 to 5 within Mérida.
Food & drinksUS$10 to 18Street snacks cost US$1 to 3, set lunches US$3 to 5, and a beer US$1 to 2.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$3 to 10Sunscreen, a warm layer, locker or luggage storage, and tips are typical extras.
Total Daily BudgetUS$26 to 77About US$62 for a comfortable mid-range day with one paid event.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

Festival food in Mérida is Andean, hearty and made for cool evenings, and the stalls around the plazas and the bullring fill the air with the smell of frying dough and grilled meat.
Start with pastelitos andinos, crisp pastries filled with cheese or shredded meat, and arepas stuffed to the edges. The region’s trucha (trout) comes fried or grilled, and pisca andina, a warming soup of potato, milk, cilantro and egg, is the dish to order when the night turns chilly. Grilled parrilla skewers and cachapas with cheese show up at the busier stands.
For drinks, look for jugo de mora (Andean blackberry juice), hot chocolate merideño and the local vino de mora. Beer is cold, cheap and sold by the bottle at concert grounds, and rum from nearby is poured generously.
Carry cash, in small US dollar bills or … read more 👉
Festival food in Mérida is Andean, hearty and made for cool evenings, and the stalls around the plazas and the bullring fill the air with the smell of frying dough and grilled meat.
Start with pastelitos andinos, crisp pastries filled with cheese or shredded meat, and arepas stuffed to the edges. The region’s trucha (trout) comes fried or grilled, and pisca andina, a warming soup of potato, milk, cilantro and egg, is the dish to order when the night turns chilly. Grilled parrilla skewers and cachapas with cheese show up at the busier stands.
For drinks, look for jugo de mora (Andean blackberry juice), hot chocolate merideño and the local vino de mora. Beer is cold, cheap and sold by the bottle at concert grounds, and rum from nearby is poured generously.
Carry cash, in small US dollar bills or bolívares, because card machines at stalls are unreliable and change is often a problem. Lines move quickly but form around the popular grills, so go early. Portions are big, so sharing a plate with a new friend is normal and lets you sample more. Expect a snack for US$1 to 3 and a full plate for US$4 to 8.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Feria del Sol takes place in Mérida each year around Carnival, usually in February or early March, and it runs about a week. The exact dates move with the Carnival calendar, so check the local program shortly before you book. Main events are held at the Plaza de Toros Monumental and in the central plazas.
Attending Feria del Sol costs about US$26 to 77 per day for a backpacker. Parades and plaza events are free, while bullring and concert tickets are roughly US$5 to 20. A festival-week dorm bed runs US$12 to 25, and food averages US$10 to 18.
Tickets are needed in advance only for the big paid events at Feria del Sol, such as headline concerts and the bullring shows. Buy them in the first days of sale for the cheapest zones, since door prices are higher and popular nights fill. Free parades and street events in Mérida need no ticket, but book your bed three to four weeks ahead.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Venezuelan festivals near Feria del Sol

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on celebrating the Feria del Sol

Plan around the cool hours. Spend mornings and early afternoons on the market, plazas and ice cream, then save your energy for the evening concerts, when the crowds peak and the mountain air turns crisp. I would bring a light jacket for after midnight and cash in small bills. Book your bed well before the feria week begins.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Venezuela. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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