Cochabamba City Guide

Quick answer: This Cochabamba city guide covers everything for a one- or two-day stay: fly or take the bus in, ride the cable car up to Cristo de la Concordia, get lost in the huge La Cancha market, eat well in Bolivia’s gastronomic capital, then head on to Toro Toro National Park.

Bolivia hits you with an inescapable assault of sights, sounds and smells from the minute you arrive, none of which you can begin to imagine while reading your guidebook at home. Cochabamba, the fourth largest city in the country, is nothing extraordinary. But it is nicknamed the gastronomic capital of Bolivia, and you can feel the city’s vibrant culture by spending a day or two here before hopping onto a prehistoric trip to Toro Toro National Park.

Getting to Cochabamba

By air

There are regular flights between Cochabamba (CBB) and other major cities in Bolivia. TAM, an airline owned by the Bolivian Air Force, offers the cheapest fares and departs from and arrives at military airports, which are located a few blocks away from the passenger terminals.

From Cochabamba Airport to the city centre, a taxi costs 25 Bolivianos, while a trufi (minibus) costs 2 Bolivianos.

Tip: If flying from La Paz, sit on the left side of the aircraft to get a stunning view of Mt. Illimani just off the wingtip.

By bus

The bus terminal is located six blocks from the main square, near Mercado La Cancha. Fares are 50–70 Bolivianos to and from La Paz and 70–120 Bolivianos to and from Santa Cruz.

Route	Cost
Airport to city centre (taxi)	25 Bolivianos
Airport to city centre (trufi)	2 Bolivianos
Bus to/from La Paz	50–70 Bolivianos
Bus to/from Santa Cruz	70–120 Bolivianos

What to see in Cochabamba

Cristo de la Concordia

Amid the bustling city, a cable car leads up to the massive Cristo de la Concordia, a 40.44 metre (132.7 ft) statue of Jesus Christ perched on top of San Pedro hill. The statue is the second largest statue of Jesus Christ in the world, after Christ the King in Świebodzin, Poland.

Getting there: Cristo de la Concordia is accessible by cable car or by climbing 2,000 steps. Locals, however, discourage people from taking the steps because they are often deserted and robberies have taken place.

Cost: No entry ticket is required to visit Cristo de la Concordia. A one-way teleférico (cable car) ticket costs 6.50 Bolivianos and a return trip costs 10.50 Bolivianos.

La Cancha

La Cancha (“walled enclosure” in Quechua) is the largest open-air market in the Americas. Clothing, food, souvenirs or books, La Cancha has it all at extremely competitive prices. Wandering through the market’s sprawling labyrinth of stalls is the best way to get a feel for the city’s vibrant commercial culture.

La Cancha is open seven days a week from 6 am to 3 pm. Wednesday and Friday are market days, or días de feria, when it gets much busier.

Getting there: The marketplace covers a 15-block area of the city along Av. San Martín, which runs north from La Cancha to the centre.

Where to eat in Cochabamba

As the gastronomic centre of Bolivia, Cochabamba has a reputation for excellent cuisine. Eating is a huge part of the culture here, and food is pretty inexpensive. There are plenty of vegetarian restaurants too.

Sabro-Vida

Serves vegetarian lunch from 12 noon to 2 pm on weekdays for 15 Bolivianos and on Sundays for 17 Bolivianos. They also serve good vegetarian pizzas in the evenings from Monday to Thursday.

Getting there: At the top of Calle Junín #942 (almost at the Costanera).

Gopal Cochabamba

A vegan restaurant serving typical Hare Krishna dishes. It usually offers two soups, two main dishes, various salads and dessert for 20 Bolivianos, and is open from 11 am to 2 pm, Monday to Saturday.

Getting there: Calle España N-250 (at Gallery Olimpia).

Where to sleep in Cochabamba

Av. Aroma, a block away from the bus terminal, has many hostels and hotels. If you are a budget traveller, you can walk into one of the many albergues, where a private room with a shared bathroom costs 30–40 Bolivianos.

Getting out: Cochabamba to Toro Toro National Park

Cochabamba is the jumping-off point for one of the major attractions in Bolivia, Toro Toro National Park, famous for its dinosaur remains. Minivans leave regularly from 8 am to 8 pm from Calle Mairana on the corner with Avenida República (south-facing side). The journey takes around 4 hours and costs 35 Bolivianos per person.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Cristo de la Concordia?

Take the cable car (6.50 Bolivianos one-way, 10.50 Bolivianos return). You can also climb 2,000 steps, but locals advise against it because robberies have taken place.

When is La Cancha market open?

Seven days a week from 6 am to 3 pm, and busiest on the Wednesday and Friday market days.

How do I get from Cochabamba to Toro Toro?

Minivans leave from Calle Mairana at Avenida República between 8 am and 8 pm. The trip takes around 4 hours and costs 35 Bolivianos.

Conclusion

Cochabamba may not be Bolivia’s most spectacular city, but with its giant Christ statue, sprawling market and great food, it is well worth a day or two before you head off to Toro Toro. Prices above were accurate when this guide was written, so check locally before you travel.