'''Cochabamba''', or simply Cocha, the third largest city in Bolivia, is located some 240km southeast of La Paz. The city, set on a plain surrounded by mountains, is known for its moderate climate and is often called Bolivia's "resort city". Other nicknames for Cochabamba include the "Garden City" and the "City of Eternal Spring".
Understand
Orientation
The main thoroughfare in Cochabamba is '''Avenida de las Heroinas''', which runs east-west, with its north-south counterpart ''Avenida Ayacucho''. The intersection of these two is known by its ''Correo''. Plaza 14 de Septiembre is considered the center of the city. Avenida Ballivian, commonly called '''El Prado''', is a tree-lined boulevard running north from '''Plaza Colon''', with many of the city's better restaurants and hotels nearby.
Generally, neighborhoods get more affluent towards the north, and poorer to the south.
Get in
By plane
Cochabamba's '''Jorge Wilstermann Airport''' connects well to other large cities in the country. If flying from La Paz, sit on the left side to get a stunning view of Mt. Illimani just off the wingtip. A taxi to the center of town from the airport is about Bs 25.
Most flights are handled by Aerosur[http://www.aerosur.com], some by Brazilian TAM[http://www.tam.com.br], and a few by Bolivia_Ls military airline, also named TAM.
By bus
The terminal is some 10 blocks south of the center, just north of the market called Cancha.
From La Paz, it's seven hours by bus to Cochabamba. Buses every hour, 30-60 Bs. A new highway is being constructed, which will reduce travel time by some 3 hours.
It's 10 hours by bus from Santa Cruz, 30 Bs.
Night buses to Sucre, 11 bumpy and cold hours, 40 Bs.
Get around
By bus
Cochabamba has buses (micros) and and shared cabs (trufis), at 1,50-3 Bs.
By taxi
Most cars honking at you are cabs. A fare within ten blocks should be Bs 6-8 but you can bargain to get a lower price most of the times, somewhat more late at night. Downtown to Quillacollo is 25-30 Bs.
See
'''Cristo de la Concordia'''. The statue is just a bit higher than the one in Rio de Janeiro, -great view of the city. Walk Calle Colombia until its eastern end, then a swift right: This park/playground is where the cable car goes from, 3 Bs each way. You can also walk, but stay in a group, as rumours has it robbers attack. Finally, taxi is always an option.
'''Simon I. Patino Cultural Center''' (''Centro Pedagogico y Cultural Simon I. Patino'') [http://www.fundacionpatino.org], Av. Potosí 1450. Includes the '''Palacio Portales''' mansion, gardens (''Jardines''), and an art museum (''Centro de Arte Contemporaneo''). The mansion was built by Patino, a tin magnate who controlled over half of the nation's output in the 1930s. Guided tour Tue-Fri, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30 (Spanish), 16:00, 17:00 (English).
Museum of Natural History. alle Potosi, Recoleta. ext door to Palacio Portales.
Do
The city is Bolivia`s paragliding capital. Several agencies offer tandem flights (300 Bs) and courses. A typical beginner_Ls course will take minimum 10 days (2 hours theory and 4 hours practice every day, 12 solo flights) and cost about 3000 Bs. Among the cheapest on the continent.
[http://www.andesxtremo.com/ AndeseXtremo][http://www.parapente.net/escuela.html?cb=180] (Also has other outdoor activities)
[http://www.parapente-bolivia.com/Default_Ing.htm Parapente Bolivia]
The biggest cinema in town, ''Cinecenter'', features a handfull of showrooms mostly flashing the latest Holywood fare, and a food court. Just north of Plaza Quintanilla.
There are some towns around Cochabamba worth visiting:
Visit nearby Punata (market on Tuesday with a lot of indigenous people selling animals)
Visit nearby Tarata, nice picturesque town
Visit nearby Quillacollo for it's Fiesta de la Virgen de Urkupina (August 15th)
Cochabamba is also a good point for excursions into the Chapare Region:
The non-profit organization [http://www.fundacion-delpia.org/ Fundacion Delpia][http://www.fundacion-delpia.org]"Fundacion para el desarrollo local de los pueblos indigenas amazonicos-andinos" organizes tours to the National Park Isiboro Secure and visits to local indigenous communities (4-5 days). Visitors can choose to get either integrated into the daily life of the local families (fishing, cooking, hunting, sleeping in traditional hut etc) or touring the national park with an indigenous guide by foot or canoe (sleeping in tents)
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Buy
One of the city's biggest attractions is '''La Cancha''', the city market on the south side of town and the largest open-air market in South America. Clothing, food, souvenirs, or books, the Cancha has it all. The market district spills out along Av. San Martin, which runs north from the Cancha to the center.
On the southeast corner of Ayacucho and Heroinas there's a slightly upscale market with lots of souvenir stalls.
Eat
Thanks to the city's origin as an agricultural center for mining communities, Cochabamba claims to have the best food in Bolivia.
Ceboro's. alle Lanza. etween Jordan and Sucre. on-Sat, lunch and dinner. ain course 20 Bs. Seafood!!
Don Corleone. alle Espana. etween Ecuador and Mayor Rocha. 255255. venings. ig pizza Bs 50. Probably the best pizza in town.
Casablanca. alle 25 de Mayo. alf a block from Plaza Colon. ain courses Bs. 30, pint of beer Bs. 9. Varied menu influenced by the Italian owner. Also good for snacks and a few drinks.
Cristal. v. de las Heroinas E-352. etween 25 de Mayo and Espana. ood breakfasts 15-21 Bs, set lunch 16 Bs.. Very neat and clean.
'''Casa de Campo''', Av. Uyuni 618, among other upscale restaurants in Recoleta. Good pique macho and other local dishes.
'''Sucremanta''', Several locations: Plaza 14 de Septiembre, and on the Prado. Small but filling menu, -somewhat spicey. The Plaza branch, with live piano music on Sundays, is a great place for brunch. Try the hearty ''menudito''.
'''Dumbo''', Av. Heroinas E-0354, also El Prado 55. Bolivia's favorite family restaurant. The main joint on Heroinas is always packed, with four dining floors and enough dancers in animal suits to keep the entire juvenile population of Cochabamba entertained.
Meihua. W corner of Plaza Colon. unch, dinner and in between.. he entradas at around Bs 15 are full meals. Standard chinese.
'''Bufalo Rodizio''', Meat dishes. Delicious. Avenida Oquendo N. 0654
'''Paprika''', North American style dishes. Yummy hot wings. Avenida Ramon Rivero, on the corner of Lanza. Open in the evenings.
Brasilian Coffee. v. Ballivian. ear Plaza Colon. Excellent Japanese food - sushi, sushimi, yakisoba etc. Excellent wifi connection available. Open almost 24x7.
Fast Food
Eli_Ls. orner of Colombia and 25 de Mayo, laso on Av. America. izza slices Bs 10-15, sandwich combos Bs 20. Inspired by North American joints.
'''Kebbab - Las Mille y Uno Noches''', (right next to Palacio Portales). A tasty reminder that South America isn't the only region known for huge cuts of meat roasted on spits. Great atmosphere thanks to the exotic paintings depicting the One Thousand and One Nights.
Globos. end of El Prado. E corner of Plaza Colon, also other locations.. coop 5 Bs, cup 20 Bs.. Good icecream, many coffe-drinks, some cakes and burgers.
Vegetarian
'''Tulasi''', Av. Heroinas 270, seemingly without regular opening times.
'''Gopal''', Calle Espana, Hot and cold Buffet lunch bet. 10-20bs., the homemade jugs of juice are delicious. Ordering off the menu is possible in the evening, but not as good. Beautiful open courtyard to sit in.
Drink
The best ''chicha'', fermented corn (or peach) based beverage, is said to come from the Cochabamba region. The small town of Punata, some distance to the southwest, is especially well-known.
Most small bars are on 25 de Mayo and Espana close to Plaza Colon. Av. Ballivian (Prado) has bigger and noisier stuff. The joints grow fancier and more expensive has you head north into Recoleta, centred on Calle Pando.
Cafe Paris. E corner of Plaza 14 de Septiembre. orner of Bolivar and 25 de Mayo. offees Bs 4-17. European style.
Cocafe. alle Venezuela. etween Espana and 25 de Mayo. ,6 l beer 10 Bs. Small, cozy, well decorated. Leaves on offer.
Cerebrito. alle Espana. etwenn Colombia and Ecuador. venings. l of beer 15 Bs. After school hangout for 18-25s. Star Wars decor. Rock music. Cheap dinners. Probably the most colourful range of shots in the country. Bottoms up!
Panchos. alle Mayor Rocha. etween Espana and 25 de Mayo. l beer Bs 15.. Starts out as a bar, turns into a club. Mostly latin music.
Picasso_Ls. alle Espana. etween Equador and Mayro Rocha. l beer Bs 15. Nice warm up venue. Tables, bar, play dice.
Marka. alle Ecuador. etween Espana and 25 de Mayo. ntil late. .6 l beer 10 Bs.. A courtyard with electronic music and a very mixed crowd.
Lujos. alle Beni. lmost on the corner of Santa Cruz. ntil sunrise on weekends. ntry 10-15 Bs, pint of beer 10 Bs.. Full dance floor, mostly classics.
'''Chernobil''', Best place to drink Chicha in the Cochabamba region. It is in the town of Quillacollo just west of the city. Well know by the locals, the chicha is safe to drink and so is the food.
Sleep
Budget
Residencial Cristo de Concordia. v. Aroma E-437 casi San Martin. etween Main Plaza and Bus Terminal. 4) 4257131. oncordia@boliviahostels.com. ttp://www.boliviahostels.com. 2:00. 2:00. ingle/Double with bath 50/80 Bs.. Good location, laundry service, helpful staff.
Hostal Sauna Internacional INN. alle Junin. etween Mexico and Mayor Rocha. 52 5382. ingle/Double with bath 50/100 Bs.. Good location, good breakfast. Rooms along the north wall heat up during the day and stay fairly warm through the night. The sauna is steaming Fri, Sat, Sun afternoons.
'''Hotel Los Angeles''', Ave. Esteban Arze 345, (''between Jordán and Sucre''), 450-0800. Decent budget hotel in a good location. Singles Bs 70, doubles Bs 120, with bath and breakfast. It competes with the Hotel Las Vegas (similar prices and standard) across the street for the cheesiest ''norteamericano'' decor.
Hostal Buenos Aires. alle 25 de Mayo 329. alf a block from Plaza Colon. 591 4 425 3911. ngievila@hotmail.com. 591 4 452 2719. ingle, shared bath 40 Bs, with bath 60 Bs.. Excellent location. Very thin walls. In-house restaurant.
'''Residencia Familiar''', Calle Sucre E-554, 422-7988-450-4609. Three blocks from Plaza 14 de Septiembre and two blocks from Avenida Heroinas. Clean room with two beds and shared bath 60b. Larger bed and private bath for 80 b. Area to wash clothes in back. Owners are a bit paranoid and untrusting of other Bolivians.
Hostal Jardin. alle Hamiraya N-0258. etween Equador and Colombia. 525356. ingle, shared bath, 25 Bs, with bath 40 Bs.. Fairly quiet, some long-termers, popular among Brazilians. You might share water pressure with you neighbours. Safe parking. And, yes, there is a garden here.
'''Bolivia-Online.net''' [http://www.bolivia-online.net/content_en/cochabamba_alojamiento.php] Listing of hotels and hostels in Cochabamba with description, prices, fotos, map and direct contact
There are dozens and dozens of hotels and ''hostales'' between the bus terminal and the center (Plaza 14 de Septiembre). This area is not very safe late at night, however. The closer to the bus station, the worse it gets. Take a cab.
Hostal Elisa. opez S-834. ingle, shared bath, Bs 35, with bath Bs 70. Breakfast extra.. Small, but neat rooms, around a cozy courtyard. Expensive internet.
'''Hostal Kanata''', Ayacucho 941, has clean doubles for 60 Bs (20 Bs more for a TV), though a not too friendly staff.
Splurge
The upper end hotels are mostly concentrated within a block or two from Plaza Colon. Expect to pay upwards of Bs 150 for a single. Also many classy hotels in Recoleta.
Stay safe
Roving gangs of supposed glue sniffers are known to attack and rob people, especially at night. Stay on streets with ample pedestrian traffic.
Robbers also operate from cars, particularly cabs, late at night. Stay alert if one stops right in front of you. Cross the street!
On the stairs of the hill "Cerrode San Pedro" have been robberies, some during the day. Take a taxi or the teleferico (gondola) to the top.
Contact
The '''Punto Entel''' on the southeast corner of Heroinas and Ayacucho is probably the neatest and best equipped '''internet''' spot. The going rate is 2-3 Bs an hour.
'''Calls''' to landlines in Europe and North America can be had as low as 0,50 Bs a minute. Shop around!
The internet/callshop at Av. Heroinas E0151 (Near the corner of Ayacucho) is good for '''Skype'''.
Cope
<listing name="Lavaya" alt="" directions="A block off Plaza Colon" address="Corner of Salamanca and Lanza" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="08:30 - 20:00" price="10 Bs per kilo">Same day laundry if you show up at opening time.</listing>
<listing name="Lavanderia Brilliante" alt="" directions="Between Ayachucho and Lopez" address="Av Aroma 118" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="7 AM - 10 PM" price="Wash and dry 7 Bs/kilo">Several others on the same block.</listing>
Laundry at Calle Junin, between Heroinas and Bolivar. Wash and Dry 7 Bs/kilo. 8AM-12 2PM-7.
A few '''exchange''' bureaus at the SW corner of Plaza 14 de Setiembre.
Many street '''money changers''', particularly at '''Cancha''', if you are willing to risk it.
For '''visa''' extensions, head to Imigracion at Ballivian 720, near the corner of La Paz.