Plaza Bolívar is the historic heart of Mérida, a large colonial square flanked by the Cathedral Basilica and surrounded by government buildings and cafes. Like all Venezuelan plazas of the same name, it is centred on an equestrian statue of Simón Bolívar, but Mérida's version has the unusual backdrop of the Andean peaks visible at the end of the city's streets — a view that makes the plaza distinctive.
The square is the gathering point for university students, street vendors, and the full cross-section of Mérida's population. Evenings are particularly animated. The surrounding streets have some of the best cafes and small restaurants in the city. The plaza is the natural starting point for exploring the colonial centre on foot.