Location: Cochabamba
Top Things to do in Cochabamba
Top Restaurants in Cochabamba
10 Things to Do in Cochabamba That You Shouldn't Miss
Cochabamba (Aymara: Quchapampa, Quechua: Quchapanpa) is a city & municipality in central Bolivia, in a valley in the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cochabamba Department and is the fourth largest city in Bolivia, with a population of 630,587 according to the 2012 Bolivian census. Its name is from a compound of the Quechua words qucha, meaning "lake", and pampa, "open plain". Residents of the city and surrounding areas are commonly referred to as cochalas, or, more formally, cochabambinos.
Restaurants in Cochabamba
1. Torotoro National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
This park is a treasure trove of dinosaur footprints and other fossils.
Reviewed By rapha_y_nici - Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
Came here with a minibus which left Cochabamba when it was full. The place where they leave is marked correctly in maps.me. It's around the corner Avenida Republica & Calle Mairana, taxi drivers seem to know it. Once there we could subscribe for the ride and wait until bus was full (our bus had approx 13 seats). Try not to be the last ones because then seated in the backrow which is tight. Ride is 35bob pp. We arrived there on saturday begin of june at 0745am, left at 0845am. Just to give an indication. Ride took us 4h incl. 15min toilet and snack break, road was cobble stone and a bit bumpy but was ok.
The ride back took us 4.5h, dont know why, but no problem.
Already the journey to Torotoro served a nice landscape. Once there, went to the Tour- and ticketoffice (next to each other). First, we want to mention, that prices are very fair, even you need a guide for the excursion. Entry to the park is 100bob, what is not that much for what you can see over several days or even in 1 or 2 days. First day we did the most popular ones, 'Ciudad de Itas' and 'Caverna de Umajalanta' for which a transport is necessary. Therefore, we decided to make these two at the same day. The guide and the transport incl. small entrance fee and helmets with lamps for the cavernas cost all together 606bob. This price can be divided within the group you form. If you're 6 people its just 101bob for the entire day (entrance of 100bob is separate but valid for further tours). This price is very low for what you get in a that small group! You can do a tour as well with a smaller group, you just have to pay the amount requested. Price is per group not per person. But it's easy to get a group because in the morning there are always visitors around to ask. Our young guide Diego explained everything in a good understandable Spanish and made us feeling safe. I'm a bit claustrophobic and another one in our group as well but, the cavernas where that impressive that we made it, even through the most narrow parts of the cavernas. If you're very claustrophobic, i guess i wouldn't do that. It was not that easy but we made it and were very happy because it was very impressive. We entered the cavernas until 300m inside and could see the river flowing through and take a bath in the pool inside (cold but very special). Overall, an incredible day! The transport which is included to the Ciudad takes almost 1 hour, then to the Cavernas (before entering is a lunchbreak, bring something) approx 50mins and at the end of the day another 20mins to get back to Torotoro. We were back there at approx 0600pm, tired but very happy and thankful for this great experience! Wear a light long sleeve and clothes which might get dirty, you need to crawl sometimes. Maybe clothes you need to laundry anyway. Bring good shoes. There is some climbing at the Ciudad de Itas and in the Cavernas, being a bit fit helps. Wouldn't recommend it for children. Ask at the guides office!
The next day we did the Vergel tour through the canyon combined with the 'Chiflon' what was a walk of total approx 6h (this combination is concidered as 1.5 tours, therefore it was 150bob for the guide, very fair price). The walk down into the canyon took us 800 steps from the incredible lookout which is 300m up the bottom of the canyon. We hiked through the canyon and had lunch at the beautiful Waterfalls. The second part was walking with a bit climbing up and walking back to town. Also very impressive and interesting information provided by our guide. In the beginning of the Vergel hike you can see some dinosaur steps.
All the places we saw were impressive and we are very happy to have done the efforts to get there. The guides do a great job and the town of Torotoro is a nice place to hang out with cheap accommodation options. There is a good pizza restaurant and an eating hall (plate for 10bob and good). Overall, very nice experience in Torotoro and worth the effort to get there! When travelling during wet season check weather conditions. Go for it ;-)
2. Palacio Portales
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 178 reviews
This exquisite mansion, now an arts center, is the most impressive example of the opulence enjoyed by Bolivian elite in the early 20th century.
Reviewed By DharmaBum1965 - Macclesfield, United Kingdom
The palacio is a 1920s building that incorporates a real melange of European styles, from the Alhambra to classical to Ancient Greece and Rome. The tour was excellent, in English and for 20B good value. The Gardens are a peaceful spot to rest for an hour
3. El Cristo de la Concordia
Overall Ratings
4 based on 643 reviews
This towering statue of Christ stands at 33m (108 ft), one meter for every year of His life.
Reviewed By Rod P - Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Actually this is the second largest 'Christo' in the world only being supassed by a similar statue in Poland.
Cristo de la Concordia (Christ of Peace) is a statue of Jesus Christ located atop San Pedro Hill, to the east of Cochabamba, Bolivia. It is accessible by cable car, or by climbing 2,000 steps. The statue is 34.20 metres (112.2 ft) tall, on a pedestal of 6.24 metres (20.5 ft), for a total height of 40.44 metres (132.7 ft).
The platform on which the statue stands offers spectacular views of Cochabamba and it's surrounding Mountains. There is a nominal charge to take your car close to the summit. The park is closed at 6:30 pm and all vehicles need to descend. This is a slight shame as some spectacular sunsets ought to be visible but one is not allowed to be there at that time.
4. Plaza 14 de Septiembre
Overall Ratings
4 based on 135 reviews
Reviewed By CoHel2013 - Stuttgart, Germany
Busy square to people watch and just enjoy the houses around the square. If you are looking for a quiet bench in the shade you might want to go to one of the other parks but if you're looking for a lively place this is the place to go.
I've been told it's a must see at night so that's on the agenda.
5. Amboro National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
It is a nature reserve composed of living beings that live in harmony in this reserve called Amboro National Park
Reviewed By Der D
We did as jungle tour to Amboro park with Amboro tours.
We really enjoyed ourselves.
Our guide was brilliant and was very patient with our limited Spanish.
The food was fantastic, and the walks were great.
Due to over poaching in the park the quantity of wildlife is a bit sparce compared to say the pampas tours.
The camping equipment could really do with being updated.
We found the tour company great, very accommodating.
6. La Cancha
Overall Ratings
4 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By SojournerScholar - Lexington, Kentucky
This is a place where you can experience real life in Bolivia and meet local people. Don't go there expecting a sanitized tourist attraction. Speak Spanish if possible--it is appreciated. This is a place filled with colors, flavors, sights and sounds of daily life.
7. Parque de la Familia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By jnlwanderlust - Fairfax, Virginia
Such a beautiful attraction in Cochabamba. Multiple Fountains, some of which you can run through with your little ones or friends and family. They have multiple restaurants on the premises with really good food. I suggest this park, the Fountains are amazing- one showcased a movie and songs with local images.
8. Tunari Peak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Atractivo natural, 5030 m.s.n.m. trekking accesible. La vista desde el pico es imponente ya que al pie se encuentra el eje metropolitano de Quillacollo-Cochabamba-Sacaba
Reviewed By uclatraveler9 - Los Angeles, California
A group of us did a day-long trekk around the peak. It was SO BEAUTIFUL, honestly one of the prettiest places I've ever seen. We were there in September, so there were only small patches of snow. It was definitely chilly, though, so we did need gloves and hats. There were some trails, but in some areas the trail was hard to distinguish. We had a few instances where we needed to backtrack because the path we thought we were following lead to a cliff or an impassable boulder. There are very few people around the peak, so it is very important to ensure that you are keeping your bearings, and that you have enough food and water.
Our cochabambino friends organized a driver, who took us there from the city. We did not hire a guide, though. It's pretty far outside of the city, so getting there is difficult on your own.
Highly, highly recommended!
9. Laguna Angostura
Overall Ratings
4 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By Danusius - Dublin, Ireland
It's another place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, however, there isn't much to do. Locals go there to have a ride on the boat, some have a picnic in the more secluded parts of this artificial and quite contaminated lake. There are also restaurants that serve delicious trucha (trout) for the lunch.
10. Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By somethingforkar... . - Alicante, Spain
I went back to Ambue Ari last year june/july and it was incredible as ever. I wanted to write this review as no one seems to have mentioned CIWY's third park Jacj Cuisi near Rurrenabaque!!! It is so beautiful, quiet and more intimate than the other parks because not so many volunteers make the trek up there. I went in 2011 and it is so off the beaten path, if you are looking for a quieter more "middle of nowhere"experience then really think about spending a month up there :)
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