Where to Stay
Relámpago del Catatumbo — Where to stay (hotels & lodges)
Ologá Palafito (Alan Highton's compound)
The classic stilt-house experience — built over the water on wooden poles
Mosquito-screened palafito rooms, generator power until 22:00, all meals fresh-caught fish
Included in tour ($100-150/night equivalent)USD / night
Congo Mirador stilt village
Smaller, more traditional Zuliano fishing community palafito
Authentic but more basic — hammocks common, shared bathrooms
Included in tourUSD / night
Hotel Boutique Casona de Margot (Mérida)
Pre/post-trip base in Mérida with Andean character
Restored colonial-era house in Mérida historic center, used by Alan Highton tours
$60-110USD / night
Hotel La Pedregosa Suites (Mérida)
Comfortable Mérida pre-trip base near teleférico
Pool, restaurant, organized airport pickups
$50-90USD / night
Hotel del Lago Inter-Continental (Maracaibo)
If approaching from Maracaibo
Best hotel in Maracaibo proper, business-class amenities
$70-130USD / night
Where to eat
Palafito family meals (Ologá)
All meals included in tour — fresh fish from the lake, plantain, rice, cassava
Bocachico (lake fish) cooked in plantain leaves is the signature meal
La Mamá Vieja (Mérida)
Pre-trip Mérida classic — Andean food before heading to Zulia
Pisillo de chigüire, trout, mountain cheeses
Restaurante La Estancia (Encontrados)
Stop here for lunch before the boat to the palafitos
Llanero / Zuliano cuisine — grilled meats, fried plantain
Tequeños y patacones (Maracaibo)
Pre-trip street food in Maracaibo if approaching from north
Zulia is famous for its patacones — fried plantain sandwiches