Things to do in The Southwest
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AndesXtremo
Offers climbing, rafting, canyoning, trekking, and paragliding excursions.
reviewed
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Minuteman Revolutionary Pizza
This convivial spot, inside the Toñito Hotel, run by Chris from Boston and his Bolivian wife Sussy, is a deserved travelers’ favorite with the best pizzas in town, tasty alternatives like salads, pastas and sandwiches and fantastic desserts. It’s also a cozy spot for a beer or candlelit glass of Tarija wine or a hearty breakfast (B$20 to B$30) with all you can drink coffee or tea. If you have old sunglasses, you can do a good deed – drop them off here and they’ll be donated to the salt workers in Colchani.
reviewed
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Florín
Rapidly turning into the place to be seen in Sucre, this atmospheric bar-restaurant serves a mixture of typical Bolivian food and international dishes, including a ‘Full English’ breakfast. Popular with locals and gringos alike, who line up along the enormous 13m-long bar (surely the biggest in Bolivia?) at night during the two-for-one happy hour.
reviewed
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Tupiza Tours
Based in Tupiza, runs reliable tours from there to Uyuni or vice versa.
It's impossible for us to reliably recommend Uyuni agencies, and we strongly suggest that you speak to several companies after doing some research of your own in town. This company was performing well in travelers' eyes when Uyuni was researched.
reviewed
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Cristo de la Concordia
This immense statue stands atop Cerro de San Pedro behind Cochabamba. It's a few centimeters higher than the famous Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro, which stands 33m high, or one meter for each year of Christ's life. Cochabambinos justify the one-upmanship by claiming that Christ actually lived 33 años y un poquito (33 years and a bit).
There's a footpath from the base of the mountain (1250 steps) but several robberies have been reported, particularly around sunset. Safer and sweatless is the teleférico (cable car). On Sunday, you can climb right to the top of the statue and get an even better overview of the city.
The closest public transportation access is on micro L…
reviewed
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Mercado Cancha Calatayud
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. Around the 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.
reviewed
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Sole Mio
The best pizzas in Cochabamba are to be found here. The owners, encouragingly, are from Napoli and import the ingredients for their robust brick-oven, wood-fired pizzas – thin crust, light on the sauce. Soft opera music, rich Italian wines and excellent service make this a comfortable place to linger a while over a meal. They also serve a range of meat and pasta entrées.
reviewed
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Nayjama
This appealing three-floor choice serves high-quality traditional Oruro food with a dash of innovation. The servings are huge so ask for half a portion of anything you order. Lamb is the specialty, as is cabeza, the sheep’s head served with salad and dehydrated potatoes. The English menu is slightly more expensive so ask for the Spanish one.
reviewed
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El Huerto
Set in a lovely secluded garden, this is a favorite spot for Sucre’s people in the know. It’s got the atmosphere of a classy lawn party, with sunshades and grass underfoot; there’s great service and stylishly presented traditional plates (especially the chorizo) that don’t come much better anywhere in the country.
reviewed
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Páprika
One of the ‘in’ spots, this is a block removed from the roar of Av Ballivián, and is a quiet leafy place popular for its food – both Bolivian and international, including tasty baked potatoes and fondues. After dark it becomes a trendy spot for a late drink and is also a good place to meet up with young Bolivians.
reviewed
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Cretaceous Park
This slick theme park has a number of life-size models of dinosaurs, as well as an audio-visual display, optional guided tours and a restaurant. From the terrace, you can examine the tracks on the rock face opposite with binoculars, though the exposed prints are increasingly eroded with every passing winter.
reviewed
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Café Mirador
The café of the Museo de los Niños Tanga-Tanga overlooks a botanical garden that exhibits a range of foliage from around the country. The panoramic views are a sunset treat and worth the hike up the hill, and it's a sweet place to linger over juice, sandwiches, cocktails or the rich desserts.
reviewed
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Tunari
With the distinction of being the oldest restaurant in the city, this local favorite specializes in the sort of things you either love or hate: grilled kidneys (a patent local hangover cure), tripe and tasty chorizo. But if innards aren’t your thing, there are other typical Cochabamba plates.
reviewed
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Bibliocafé
With two adjacent locations, this has something for everyone; one side is dark and cozy, the other a little smarter. There’s good service, a menu of pasta and Mexican-Bolivian food, and also drinks until late in a cheerful and unpretentious atmosphere, plus regular live music.
reviewed
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La Taverne
With a quiet sophisticated atmosphere, the restaurant of the Alliance Française is a delight to visit. The short, select menu has a French touch and there are excellent daily specials. There’s live music every Friday night and film screenings several times a week.
reviewed
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M
Bravo’s Pizza
Bright, with big windows overlooking the square and a light ambience, this 2nd-floor eatery has 20 pizza varieties, including a spicy one with dried llama meat, plus hamburgers, sandwiches, burritos and breakfasts (B$20).
reviewed
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Cherry’s Salon de Té
Open all afternoon, this cafe makes a nice but very slow pit stop while you’re out exploring the town. The apple strudel, chocolate cake and lemon meringue pie are superb. They also serve light meals and breakfasts.
reviewed
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Para Ti Chocolates
Thanks to Sucre’s status as Bolivia’s chocolate capital, there are plenty of stores that cater to sweet tooths. The best is Para Ti Chocolates, where tasty bonbons are only the tip of the iceberg.
reviewed
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Café Mokka
A stylish place with a pavement terrace overlooking the square, they serve not-amazing coffee, decent cocktails and good, light grub. Tables are decorated with weird arrangements of peanuts and coffee beans.
reviewed
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Escuela Runawasí
The Escuela Runawasí offers a recommended program that involves linguistic and cultural immersion. It also includes a trip to a relaxing Chapare rainforest hideout.
reviewed
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Salfari
This little gem of a pub has friendly service, a loyal local crowd, and lively games of poker and cacho usually going on. Try their tasty but potent homemade fruit liqueurs.
reviewed
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Mitos
Mitos is a spacious basement spot a 15-minute walk from the centre. It really fills up around 1am and plays well-loved local and international hits.
reviewed
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Chifa New Hong Kong
Great value authentic Chinese food with huge portions. Watch your head on the ceiling upstairs though!
reviewed
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Solarsa Tour
Reliable travel agent; also run culturally-sensitive trips to Jalq'a villages.
reviewed
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Cooperative Mines
A visit to the Cooperative Mines will almost surely be one of the most memorable experiences you'll have in Bolivia, providing an opportunity to witness working conditions that are among the most grueling imaginable. You may be left stunned and/or ill.In the cooperative mines on Cerro Rico, all work is done with primitive tools, and underground temperatures vary from below freezing - the altitude is over 4200m - to a stifling 45°C on the fourth and fifth levels.
Miners, exposed to all sorts of noxious chemicals and gases, normally die of silicosis pneumonia within 10 to 15 years of entering the mines.
Contrary to popular rumor, women are admitted to many cooperative mines…
reviewed
