Cochabamba - City Information

Find Hotel reservations, tours, offers, attractions in Cochabamba, Bolivia! Cochabamba is the third largest city in Bolivia, located some 240km southeast of La Paz.

Cochabamba, found at the heart of Bolivia, is surrounded by six departments. Towards the North there is Beni; towards the South there is Potosi and Chuquisaca; towards the East there is Santa Cruz and towards the West La Paz and Oruro.

The Department of Cochabamba has a total population of 1.455.711 inhabitants (2001 Census) and it has been divided into 16 provinces and 201 cantons. The capital is the Province of Cercado (2.553 meters above the sea level).

Cochabamba counts with various climates, cultures, ecological scenarios and natural resources.

Cochabamba is the third largest city in Bolivia, located some 240km southeast of La Paz.

Extension: 55.631 km2.

Languages: Spanish - Quechua

The name derives from a compound of the Quechua words qhocha, or lake, and pampa, or open plain. Residents of the city and surrounding areas are commonly referred to as Cochabambinos. Cochabamba is known as the "City of Eternal Spring" and "The Garden City" due to its spring-like temperatures year round.

Cochabamba is among Bolivia's most economically and socially progressive cities. Commensurate with other large cities in the Andean highlands of South America, Cochabamba is a city of varied contrasts. Its central commercial districts, bounded by Plaza Colon and Plaza 14 de Septiembre, are generally equipped with modern urban amenities, and is where the majority of the city's business and commercial industries are based.

An active nightlife is centered around Calle Espana and also along the broad, tree-lined boulevard, El Prado.

The Cochabamba valley has been populated for over a thousand years due to its fertile productive soils and climate. Archealogical evidence suggests that the initial valley inhabitants were of various ethnic indigenous groups. Inca, Tupuraya, Mojocoya, Omereque, and Tiwanaku inhabited the valley at various times before the Spanish arrived.

The first Spanish inhabitant of the Valley was Garci Ruiz de Orellana in 1542. He purchased the majority of the land from local tribal chiefs Achata and Consavana through a title registered in 1552 at the Imperial City of Potosi. The price paid was 130 pesos. His residence known as the House of Mayorazgo still stands in the Cala Cala neighbourhood of the city.

Villa de Oropesa (as Cochabamba was first called) was founded on 2 August 1571 by order of Viceroy Francisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa. It was to be an agricultural production centre to provide food for the mining towns of the relatively nearby Altiplano region, particularly the city of Potosi which became one of the largest and richest cities in the world during the 17th century - funding the vast wealth that ultimately made Spain a world power at the time. With the silver mining industry in Potosi at its height, Cochabamba thrived during its first centuries of existence. The city entered a period of decline during the 18th century as mining began to wane.

In 1786, King Charles III of Spain renamed the city to the 'loyal and valiant' Villa of Cochabamba. This was done to commend the city's pivotal role in suppressing the indigenous rebellions of 1781 in Oruro by sending armed forces to Oruro to quell the uprisings. Since the late 19th century it has again been generally successful as an agricultural centre for Bolivia.

The 1793 census shows that the city had a population of 22,305 persons. There were 12,980 mestizos, 6,368 Spaniards, 1,182 indigenous natives, 1,600 mulattos and 175 African slaves.

The climate in Cochabamba is cold in the mountains, moderate in the valleys located at the south of the mountain range Tunari, cold and moderate to the North of the Mountain range Tunari; moderate and hot at the Yungas and hot at the North.

By plane

Cochabamba's Jorge Wilstermann Airport (IATA code CBB) 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.

Most flights are handled by Aerosur and a few by Bolivia's 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 takes seven hours by bus to Cochabamba. Buses leave every hour and pass through Oruro.

10-12 hours by bus from Santa Cruz.

Night buses from Sucre, 11 hours.

 

Festivals:

Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria: 2nd February
Fiesta de la Virgen de Urkupina: 15th August

Gastronomy:

Charque Taka Cochabambino: This dish made from "Charque" (dry meat), rice, mote (yellow corn), medium size potatos, eggs, cheese, tomatos, onions, yellow chilli pepper, quirquina (a type of herb) and salt.

Pique a lo macho: This dish is made from sliced meat, sausage, chilli pepper, onion and fried potatos.