Markets

Lonely Planet review

Cochabamba is Bolivia's biggest market town. The main market is the enormous La Cancha, which is one of the most crowded, chaotic, claustrophobic, and exhilarating spots in the country. You'll find it near Plaza 14 de Septiembre. Around the town's markets you'll find just about everything imaginable, but keep an eye out for pickpockets.

The largest and most accessible area is Mercado Cancha Calatayud, which sprawls across a wide area along Av Aroma and south toward the former railway station. Here is your best opportunity to see local dress, which differs strikingly from that of the Altiplano.

The Mercado Incallacta and Mercado de Ferias spill out around the old railway station. Artesanías (shops selling locally handcrafted items) are concentrated near the junction of Tarata and Calle Arce, near the southern end of the market area, where alleys are stuffed with friendly, reasonably priced stalls.

Due to overcrowding, the fruit and vegetable section has now moved to the shore of Laguna Alalay in the southeast of town.