Exploring Cochabamba, Bolivia: A City Of Eternal Spring

Cochabamba, Bolivia is a city in a valley in the Andes mountain range. Known as the City of Eternal Spring or The Garden City, Cochabamba enjoys spring-like temperatures all year round. The city is Bolivia's fourth-largest, with a population of 630,587 according to the 2012 census.

Cochabamba is a popular tourist destination, known for its friendly locals, vibrant culture, and delicious food. The city boasts a range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to basic hostels, and offers activities such as paragliding, mountaineering, and rafting. The food and nightlife scenes are among the best in Bolivia, with bars and clubs offering an artsy vibe and international cuisine.

The city also has a rich history, having been inhabited for thousands of years due to its fertile soils and mild climate. It was first inhabited by indigenous ethnic groups such as Tiwanaku, Tupuraya, Mojocoya, Omereque, and Inca, before being conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century. Today, Cochabamba is an important cultural, educational, political, and commercial centre in Bolivia.

Cochabamba's food scene

Cochabamba is known as the gastronomic capital of Bolivia, and its food scene reflects the country's diverse cultural influences, including native Andean, Spanish, and African flavours. The city boasts a variety of restaurants, street food, and unique regional specialties.

Cochabamba's traditional cuisine includes several iconic Bolivian dishes such as salteñas, chuño, tucumanas, pique macho, silpancho, anticucho, sopa de mani, chicharrón, and rellenos de papa. Salteñas, a type of baked empanada filled with meat, potatoes, and spices, are a popular street food choice. For a true taste of Cochabamba, visitors can try silpancho, a comforting and complex dish featuring thin, crispy Bolivian beef or llama meat served on a bed of rice with fried eggs and sides of potatoes and fresh salsa. Those who enjoy spicy food will relish pique a lo macho, a bold dish with meat, onions, tomatoes, rocoto peppers, fries, eggs, and a spicy sauce.

When it comes to restaurants, Cochabamba offers a range of options to suit all tastes. Casa de Campo is a local favourite known for its hearty Cochabamban meals and lively atmosphere. Casablanca, with its jazz-inspired murals and laid-back vibe, is one of the few restaurants serving non-Bolivian cuisine, including tasty coffee and dinner options. For fine dining, La Cantonata, a well-known Italian-inspired restaurant, offers a cozy respite from the bustling city. Their homemade gnocchi with Bolognese sauce and tiramisu are not to be missed.

For a more casual dining experience, visitors can explore the many street food options available throughout the city. A must-try is the delectable papas rellenas, mashed potato balls stuffed with cheese or minced meat, or the famous salteñas, best enjoyed hot and fresh from the oven. For an authentic Cochabamba experience, Ajonjoli, a buffet restaurant, allows diners to pile their plates high with a variety of meat, fish, vegetables, and salads, paying per kilo of food.

Whether you're dining in elegant restaurants or exploring the street food scene, Cochabamba's food offerings will surely delight your taste buds and provide a true gastronomic adventure.

The city's history

Cochabamba, known as the "City of Eternal Spring" or "The Garden City", has a rich and complex history that dates back thousands of years. The valley of Cochabamba has been inhabited for millennia due to its fertile soils and mild climate. Before the Spanish arrived, the valley was home to various indigenous ethnic groups, including Tiwanaku, Tupuraya, Mojocoya, Omereque, and Inca.

In 1542, Garci Ruiz de Orellana became the first Spanish inhabitant of the valley, purchasing the majority of the land from local tribal chiefs. The city of Cochabamba, originally called Villa de Oropesa, was founded on 2 August 1571 by order of Viceroy Francisco de Toledo. It served as an agricultural production centre, providing food and wood for the nearby mining towns of the Altiplano region, particularly the city of Potosí, which was one of the largest and richest cities in the world during the 16th and 17th centuries.

During the 18th century, as mining activities declined, Cochabamba also entered a period of decline. However, in 1786, King Charles III of Spain renamed the city the 'loyal and valiant' Villa of Cochabamba to commend its role in suppressing indigenous rebellions in Oruro.

Cochabamba played a significant role in the fight for independence from Spanish rule. On 27 May 1812, thousands of women took up arms against the Spanish Army in what became known as a courageous act of resistance. To honour their bravery, Bolivia now celebrates May 27 as Mother's Day.

In the late 19th century, Cochabamba once again became a successful agricultural centre for Bolivia. The city continued to grow and thrive, becoming an important cultural, educational, political, and commercial centre.

In recent years, Cochabamba has faced several challenges, including protests over the privatisation of its water supply in 2000, known as the Water War, and clashes between city dwellers and rural protestors in 2007. Despite these difficulties, Cochabamba remains an emerging market within the Bolivian real estate industry and a hub for industry and agriculture in Bolivia.

Outdoor activities

Cochabamba is a city in central Bolivia, nestled in a valley in the Andes mountain range. The city boasts a pleasant climate and is known as the ""City of Eternal Spring" or "The Garden City". With its spring-like temperatures all year round and stunning natural surroundings, Cochabamba offers plenty of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.

One of the most popular outdoor attractions in Cochabamba is the towering statue of El Cristo de la Concordia. This impressive statue of Christ stands at 33 metres (108 feet), representing each year of Christ's life. Visitors can climb up to the statue, either by stairs, taxi, or the teleferico (cable car), and take in breathtaking 360-degree views of the city and the surrounding landscape.

For nature lovers, a hike up the majestic Cerro Tunari mountain is a must. At 5035 metres above sea level, this mountain dominates the landscape to the northwest of Cochabamba. The hike offers a unique opportunity to experience the diverse ecosystems of Bolivia, from semi-tropical climates to fresh mountainous environments. Along the way, hikers can enjoy the sight of a deep aquamarine lake and, if lucky, spot llamas and soaring condors.

Another popular natural destination is the Carrasco National Park, where visitors can discover exotic rainforest plants and wildlife across its 1.5 million acres. The park is also home to the Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi (CIWY), a wildlife sanctuary that rescues animals from illegal trafficking and involves disadvantaged youth in their care.

Cochabamba also offers outdoor activities that showcase its rich cultural and historical heritage. The Plaza 14 de Septiembre, the city's main square, is a charming and elegant meeting place with cascading fountains, shady palm trees, and a towering column. This plaza commemorates the date when local patriots took up arms against Spanish rule in the War of Independence.

For those interested in history, a visit to Palacio Portales, the former residence of Bolivian tycoon Simon Patiño, is a must. This splendid gold-coloured mansion, with its beautiful gardens and lavish interior, showcases the extreme wealth of Patiño, who made his fortune in the tin mining industry.

With its combination of natural beauty and cultural attractions, Cochabamba offers a diverse range of outdoor activities that will delight visitors seeking to explore this vibrant Bolivian city.

Markets

Cochabamba is known for its markets, and the city is often referred to as the gastronomic capital of Bolivia. The city has a reputation for its excellent cuisine, and eating is a huge part of the culture. Food is also pretty inexpensive, making sampling and eating out all the more enjoyable.

Cochabamba is full of little markets called ferias that appear once a week in a specific location. There are also bigger markets where you can buy everything you need for the week in one go.

La Cancha

La Cancha is one of the biggest markets in South America. It is like a permanent fair, with a history that dates back to before the founding of the city itself. You can find almost everything there, from fresh produce to electrical goods, clothes, shoes, flowers, and artisanal products. It is also one of the most economical markets in the city, and you can support the smallest suppliers and traders here. However, it is important to be aware of pickpockets when visiting this market.

La Feria de la America

This market is located at the intersection of Av. G. Villarroel and Av. America. It is known for its high-class products, including a variety of meats, fish, cheese, and European foods. You can also find health foods, traditional drinks, fruits, and vegetables here.

Mercado 25 de Mayo

This market is open daily and offers a wide selection of goods, including clothes, makeup, toiletries, and food. You can find everything from nuts and vegetables to meats and fish. It is located in the city centre and is accessible from several streets, including calle Sucre and calle San Martin.

La Ecoferia

La Ecoferia is a small eco-market that appears on Wednesdays in Parque de la Torre. Small farm owners and vendors sell organic produce, milk, yogurt, natural toiletries, fruits, bread, and packaged health goods.

Friday Morning Market at the East End of Heroínas

This market is very handy for those living at Casa P or Casa Lopez. It offers a wide variety of products, including fresh fish, laundry soap, and vegetables.

In addition to these markets, Cochabamba also has many small shops and supermarkets where you can find a variety of products.

Nightlife

Cochabamba, Bolivia, is a great place for a fun night out, especially if you are young and full of energy. The city is mostly inhabited by young students, so the weekends in Cochabamba are usually wild and vibrant. There are three main nightlife destinations in the city, each catering to different crowds.

For those seeking luxury and willing to spend a good amount of money, there is Boulevard Recoletta. This street is filled with fancy restaurants, cafes, and bars offering excellent food and music. It is the place to go for a cool night out, with beautiful decor and a wide selection of cocktails and spirits. The dance floor tends to be small, keeping the ambience sociable.

Plaza de Septiembre and Calle Espana are known for their 24-hour bars, nightclubs, and karaoke spots. This area is perfect for those who want to party all night long and enjoy a variety of entertainment options.

Avenida Bolivian, also known as El Prado, is the place to be for Rock & Roll and jazz lovers. The crowd here is informal, and you can enjoy live bands that blend local music with popular world music motifs.

If you're looking for a more intimate setting, Suassuna por Cafe Fragmentos is a charming place with a central patio lit up by candles and heat lamps. It's surrounded by archways and has outdoor garden tables that are popular with young couples and small groups of friends on weekend nights.

For a trendy and contemporary atmosphere, head to the multistory Suassuna por Cafe Fragmentos, which offers a mix of hip-hop, Latin pop, and other musical styles. This place could easily be in Soho, NYC, or Miami Beach.

Finally, an Irish pub and restaurant on Avenida Salamanca offers a friendly atmosphere and live music, making it a popular spot for young travellers who enjoy a pint of Guinness with their entertainment.

Frequently asked questions