The 7 essential things to do in Cochabamba

Visit Cochabamba: what are the best things to do and see in the city of eternal spring?

Cochabamba is a city of Bolivia located at 2570 m above sea level in the province of Cercado. It is located between the city La Paz and Santa Cruz de la Sierra in the southeast of the country. This city has a mild climate that benefits travellers in all seasons. Indeed, the temperature rarely falls below 20 °C throughout the year, which is worth the nickname of town in the eternal spring. Cochabamba is a city of contrasts, which has a fairly quiet city centre and a southern area, where the atmosphere is generally lively.

Cochabamba is often referred to as a noisy city with dense traffic. However, for visitors, it remains quite discreet. Are you looking for what to do in Cochabamba to miss the city's must-sees? Here is our selection of things to do and see to help you program your stay.

1. The Cancha market

Visiting Cochabamba is the promise to bathe in a lively and joyful atmosphere, like its traditional festivals that take place in the summer in the city. The Cancha market truly constitutes the heart of the city. This is a place where everyone finds themselves to make their purchases and discuss.

Looking for a priority in Cochabamba? The Cancha, the largest outdoor market in South America, is a step not to be missed. It is located on several avenues of the city and starts near the bus station. There are fruits and vegetables, but also typical handicrafts of the country as well as unusual objects such as lamas fetus, which serve as an offering to ensure the protection of Pachamama, Terre-Mère, sacred in Bolivia. This market is open every day, but animation is at its peak every Wednesday and Saturday.

2. El Cristo de la Concordia

Did you know that the Redeemer of Rio was not the greatest in South America? Indeed, Cochabamba has this record: El Cristo de la Concordia measures 34.20 m high for a total of 40 m with its base against 38 m for that of the Corcovado in Rio.

If you ask that in Cochabamba, a passage by Christ the Redeemer of the city is indispensable. This statue, inaugurated in 1994, is impressive in its white colour, which is due to the mix of steel and cement that composes it.

To discover it, it is possible to climb the 1250 steps that separate the city from the hill of San Pedro. However, some travellers avoid this path because it is an area where assaults are common (volume). You can take the cable car every day from 10am to 7pm and from 9am to 8pm on Sunday. It is located to the east of the Avenida Heroinas and costs about 1.50 €. On site, know that it is possible to ascend inside the statue of Christ on Sundays. However, from its feet you can have a superb viewpoint on Cochabamba and the Cordillera.

3. La Plaza 14 de Septiembre

Visiting Cochabamba is also discovering its small places that give it a certain charm. Plaza du 14 de Septiembre For example, located in the heart of the city, is of colonial architecture. It is a pleasure to sit there for a few moments to discover the local life that beats its full, but also its buildings and flowered spaces. Its large trees allow you to enjoy a corner of shade during a day’s visit. What to do in Cochabamba to start his visit? Joining this square in the heart of the city can be a good solution. It will then allow you to reach the other places of interest, including the Cathedral of Cochabamba. In the center of the square you can discover the famous fountain of the Three Graces and the Column of the Heroes.

4. El Palacio Portales

Located north of the city, opposite the market, the Palacio Portales attracts the curious who come to visit Cochabamba for its colorful building, which is a real jewel of architecture with its noble materials skillfully the marble and woodwork site. It is one of the most beautiful palaces built in the country, in a style with various influences; It was also the project of French architect Eugène Bliault who built it for Baron Simon Iturri Patiño, between 1915 and 1927.

For the anecdote in 1964, while General de Gaulle was about to meet the Bolivian president Victor Paz Estenssoro, he was invited to sleep in the Palacio Portales. He was even invited to borrow for the occasion, the bed of Baron Iturri Patiño. However, expansion work was required to accommodate the 1 m 92 of the General.

5. The archaeological site of Incallajta

At two o’clock in Cochabamba, the Incallajta site has the most important unaccompanied remains of Bolivia. At 2950 m above sea level, this city was founded by Emperor Tupac Inca Yupan, who was once a military fortress and a ceremonial and political centre. This site dates from the end of the 15th century.

Among the ruins are a sundial (Intiwatana) that allowed the Incas to observe stars and changes in seasons. The main building is called Kallanka and measures 78 m out of 25. It is a fortress whose incas used to protect themselves. If you spend a few days visiting Cochabamba, this step is often essential, to do, if possible, with a local guide.

6. Laguna Angostura

Laguna Angostura is an artificial lake that can feed the Cochabamba region. It has an area of 10.5 km2 for a capacity of 75 million cubic meters of water. We can do different activities like pedalo, zipline and boat tours. It is also the place to be preferred to visit Cochabamba under the sign of local gastronomy: there are very good fishes. But what makes this particular lagoon is the landscape on the surrounding terrains, which one can appreciate at the turn of a walk.

7 . To see and to do also in Cochabamba

You spend more time in this town? So don’t miss these different points of interest to discover with your desires:

• Saint Sebastian Cathedral
• The convent of Sainte-Thérèse
• Martin Cardenas Botanical Garden
• The Torotoro National Park

How to get to Cochabamba?

To get to Cochabamba from France, there are no direct flights. The fastest way will be to take a flight to Santa Cruz or La Paz and then to reach the city, by an internal flight or any other means of transport. Moreover to find a flight at the best price, visit our partner’s website Ulysses which benefits from the most advantageous offers and whatever the company of your choice. Once in Santa Cruz or La Paz, regular buses provide the transfer to Cochabamba for a small budget.

Good to know. : the city is near the border with the Amazon region of Bolivia. So you can go before or after a few days expedition to Amazonia. Apart from this, Cochabamba can register in a route between La Paz and Santa Cruz in Bolivia.

Where to stay in Cochabamba?

Looking for a place to sleep to visit this Bolivian city? For himself accommodation in Cochabamba , the best choice will certainly be the city center. Indeed, the southern neighborhoods are interesting to visit but will not be the quietest to rest.

In general, in Cochabamba, the accommodation is between 12 and 20 € per night for youth hostels and guesthouses and the hotel offer remains accessible to all the scholarships: you will find the best offers on this one. Compare hotels which benefits from a wide choice and according to the type of accommodation and the preferred options for your stay. On Airbnb , you will find full apartments with equipped kitchen for a budget ranging from 30 to 40 €. In any case, it will be better to book your accommodation in advance because the good establishments book quickly.