Tarija - City Information

Find Hotel reservations, tours, offers, attractions in Tarija, Bolivia! Tarija,located in a fertile Andean valley about 160 miles southeast of Potosi, is famous for its vineyards and orchards.

The Tarija department is located in south eastern Bolivia bordering Argentina to the south and Paraguay to the east. The city of Tarija or San Bernardo de Tarija is the capital of the department.

Extension: 37.623 km2
Population: 291.407 habitants

The department is divided into six provinces:

Aniceto Arce
Burnet O'Connor
Cercado
Eustaquio Mendez
Gran Chaco
Jose Maria Aviles

Tarija, at an altitude of 6,398 feet or approx. 1,850 meters, is located in a fertile Andean valley about 160 miles southeast of Potosi. The area has rich soil and a moderate climate, making the region famous for its vineyards and orchards.

Vegetables, wheat, potatoes, corn, and other crops are grown near Tarija. However, due to the city's remote location, they are consumed by the local population. Founded in 1574, the city's commercial growth lagged due to a lack of communications.

Tarija is known for its Vendimia, or grape harvest festival, held each February. Residents of the city are noted for their outdoor religious processions. A university, founded in 1966, is also located in Tarija.

The Main Square is Luis de Fuentes. There is a statue of Luis de Fuentes, the founder of Tarija. There is also one of the leaders of the Independence struggle, Eustaquio Mendez, better known as "Moto Mendez" a legendary character of Tarija.

The Department of Tarija boasts South America's second largest natural gas reserves. Increased gas revenues and foreign direct investment in gas exploration and distribution are fueling growth and legitimizing Tarija as the next Bolivian industrial hub. The development of Tarija's gas reserves have been hindered by political instability at the national level.

Tarija is also the home of over 20 different Indigenous tribes (the Guarani tribe being the largest) ranging from 20 persons up to 1500.

Tarija is well-known for its Mediterranean-like climate and vineyards. Tarija is known as the city of the "copleros" (ballads), wine and beautiful valleys and has preserved its colonial heritage. It is a warm and pleasant place, ideal to rest and to enjoy nature.

Upon arrival to the city from its Oriel Lea Plaza airport, one will be greeted by a sign that reads, "Tarija, La Capital de la Sonrisa" ("Tarija, The Capital of Smiles") referring to the city's purported, warm hospitality and friendly inhabitants.

For many Tarijenos, the city's main plaza is regarded as a picturesque and pleasant place to take a break or stroll around. The plaza is aligned with restaurants of various cuisines, local handicraft shops, and internet cafes within the immediate vicinity. Within walking distance is the public market, a university campus, and a number of sights including the world-renowned Paleantology Museum of Tarija City. The public water supply, while still not potable by North American or Western European standards, is relatively clean in contrast to other Bolivian cities of equal or larger size.

Tarija is commonly regarded by Bolivian nationals and tourists alike as the Bolivian Andalucia. The Guadalquivir River that borders the city was named after the Spanish river of the same name. Residents of Tarija are self-identified as Chapacos. The term is commonly accepted by all residents regardless of social class and racial background. Although the origin of the name is uncertain, there is the hypothesis that it is a variation of "chacapa", the name of an indigenous settlement in the region during early colonial times.

Tarijenos enjoy a relaxed lifestyle and are sometimes particularly proud of a lackadaisical approach to punctuality. A two-hour siesta is practiced daily starting at midday. During the siesta, most offices and shops are closed and the city streets are emptied, all the while, families reunite to eat lunch followed by a short nap.

Tarija's land and climate are ideal for grape and wine production. The Festival of Wine and Cheese is held annually in Tarija. The San Jacinto dam is located a few kilometers south of Tarija. Also, the Chorros de Jurina falls located a few kilometers from the city is an enjoyable and popular local outing.

Tarija was founded on July 4th, 1574 as Villa de San Bernardo de Tarija. Tarija chose to become part of Bolivia which won its independence and was formally established as a Republic in 1825.

Although in the local legends the name of Tarija is said to come from a certain Francisco de Tarija or Tarifa, researched information disproves that probability. The valley where present-day Tarija is situated, was identified as "Tarija" and shared an articulation similar to its current pronunciation, prior to Spanish expeditions and occupation. In testimonials by members of the first group of Spaniards entering the Valley, the name of Tarija was already mentioned. This group did not include anyone by the name of Francisco de Tarija. One should also note that similar sounding toponyms exist for surrounding places. Such are the cases of Tariquia and Taxara.

The city and valley of present-day Tarija was first occupied by Western Hemispheric indigenous groups, such as, the Churumatas and the Tomatas, among others. Subsequently, the Inca Empire, administered by the Quechua civilization, conquered these territories and dispersed the Churumatas and other local groups over wide territories of the Andes. Mitimaes is the Quechuan name that the Incas used for the resisting ethnic groups they uprooted and then dispersed geographically. When the Spanish conquerors and colonials first arrived to the valley of Tarija, they encountered several stone roads, most likely the remnants of pre-Incaic cultures, such as that of the Churumatas. However, during that period, the presence of indigenous peoples remained sparse within the valley. Several of the pre-Incaic roads and trials have been preserved, and currently function as walking trails for the Tarijenos.

During Bolivia's post-revolutionary period for independence, the Chapacos (or residents of Tarija) voted on a referendum in favor of opting to be annexed by Bolivia instead of Argentina.

The weather is mild and pleasant although sometimes winter nights may get slightly cooler.

Moderate and cold at the Western zone, moderate at the central zone and hot at the South and East.

The climate of Tarija is Mediterranean (similar to the Bolivian cities of Cochabamba and Sucre), in contrast to the harsh cold of the Altiplano (e.g. La Paz) and humid heat of the Amazon Basin (e.g. Santa Cruz de la Sierra).

By Air

Airport: Oriel Lea Plaza. Flights to major domestic cities in Bolivia through Santa Cruz or La Paz.

By Bus

Tarija city connects Potosi and Villazon with the other departments in the country.

Tarija has a route that goes through Yacuiba and Positos to the border with Argentina.

Another important route the one that links Yacuiba with Villamontes, Camiri and Santa Cruz.

From Tarija, primary destinations and land routes coincide with the cardinal directions: Paraguay/the Gran Chaco, to the east via Yacuiba; Argentina, to the south via Bermejo, Yacuiba or Villazon; Tupiza, the Salar de Uyuni, to the west via Villazon; and the central cities of Bolivia, to the north via Potosi.

Festivals:

Carnival: February - March (variable)
Pascua Florida: 16th April
Fiesta de San Lorenzo: 10th August
Festividad de la Virgen de Chaguaya: 15th August
San Roque: 1st Sunday of September. This is the main festival of Tarija.
Festival Internacional del Lapacho: 4rd-5th-6th October

Gastronomy:

Humita a la Piedra: It is prepared with grind corn, salt, wheat flour fried in hot stones.

Chupe de camaroncillo de rio: Typical dish prepared with river shrimps, potato, corn and many vegetables.

Rosquetes: Made of chuno or potato flour beaten with egg.