Cochabamba travel guide

History

The name Cochabamba is derived from joining the Quechua words ‘cocha’ and ‘pampa’, which together mean swampy plain. This once swampy plain has likely been inhabited for a very long time, to judge by the wealth of pre-Columbian artefacts unearthed in 2008 at Cundisa, just one block from the main plaza. The Spanish city was founded in 1574 by Sebastián Barba de Padilla and named Villa de Oropeza in honour of the Count and Countess of Oropeza, parents of the Viceroy Francisco de Toledo, who chartered and promoted the settlement of the place. During the heyday of Potosí’s silver boom, the Cochabamba Valley developed into the primary source of food for the population of that agriculturally unproductive area. Cochabamba came to be known as the ‘breadbasket of Bolivia’ because of its high volume of maize and wheat production. Today, the valley is still an important agricultural centre, producing not only abundant cereal crops but also orchard and citrus fruits, as well as accounting for the bulk of the country’s dairy products. This high level of economic activity has seen Cochabamba grow to become Bolivia’s fourth largest city.

is not as safe as it used to be and visitors are advised to take precautions. Do not venture into any of the hills around town on foot (including San Pedro with the Cristo de la Concordia, San Sebastián and La Coronilla), take taxis at night, and mind your belongings in markets, on public transport and other crowded places.

Getting around

The city is divided into four quadrants based on the intersection of Avenida Las Heroínas running west to east, and Avenida Ayacucho running north to south. In all longitudinal streets north of Heroínas the letter N (Norte) precedes the four numbers. South of Heroínas the numbers are preceded by S (Sur). In all transversal streets west of Ayacucho the letter O (Oeste) precedes the numbers and all streets running east are preceded by E (Este). The first two numbers refer to the block, 01 being closest to Ayacucho or Heroínas; the last two refer to the building’s number.

Ins and outs

Getting there

Cochabamba is on Bolivia’s main transportation axis, linked by paved roads with La Paz and Santa Cruz. It has ample bus and air service as well as three regional trains per week.

Cochabamba

Air

The small Jorge Wilstermann airport, T04-412 0400, is close to the city centre; micro ’B’ from Plaza 14 de Septiembre, US$0.40. A taxi from the airport to the centre costs US$4.

Several flights daily to/from La Paz (US$55, 35 mins) and Santa Cruz (US$70, 40 mins) with AeroSur and TAM, less- frequent service to Sucre and Tarija. TAM and Aerocon fly to Trinidad and other northern jungle towns.

Airline offices

Aerocon, Av Santa Cruz 1515, T04-448 7665.

AeroSur, Av Villarroel 105 y Av Oblitas (Av Pando), T04-440 0909.

American Airlines, 25 de Mayo 381, T04-452 0401.

TAM (Mercosur), Plazuela Constitución entre Chuquisaca y 16 de Julio, T04-4590212.

TAM (Militar), Av América Oeste y George Washington, Edif Torres América, T04-441 1545.

Bus

Local

Micros and minibuses around town cost US$0.20; trufis cost US$0.30.

Regional

Micros leave from Av Barrientos y Av 6 de Agosto for Tarata, Punata and Cliza and from Av República y Av 6 de Agosto to Epizana and Totora. Micros leave from Av Oquendo y 9 de Abril (be careful around this area) to: Villa Tunari, US$4.50, 4 hrs, several daily; Chimoré, US$5.75; Eterazama, US$5.75; Puerto Villarroel, US$7.75, 6 hrs (daily from 0800 when full); Puerto San Francisco, US$6.50.

Long distance

The main bus terminal is at Av Aroma y Ayacucho, 600-700 m south of Plaza 14 de Septiembre, information T155. Trufis ‘C’ and 10 go from the bus terminal to the city centre. A taxi to and from the centre costs US$0.65. Cochabamba is a major transport hub with many bus companies offering services throughout Bolivia. 2 of the more reliable lines are Bolívar and Trans Copacabana, their schedules are given below.

To La Paz about hourly 0530-2300, US$6, 7 hrs, común; Trans Copacabana semi-cama at 2230, US$8.50; Bolívar bus-cama at 2230 and 2300, US$12.50.

To Santa Cruz about hourly 0600-2130, US$7.50, 12 hrs, común; Trans Copacabana semi-cama at 2130, US$10; Bolívar bus-cama, US$15.

To Oruro several departures 0600-1730 (Sun until 2100), US$3.50, 4 hrs.

To Potosí at 2000 (común, US$7) and 2100 (semi-cama, US$11), 10 hrs.

To Sucre at 1930 and 2000 (común, US$7) and 2030 (semi-cama, US$8.50), 8 hrs. To travel to Sucre by day take a bus or train to Aiquile and continue from there the following day.

International

There is direct service to northern Chile . For Peru, transfer in La Paz; for Argentina or Paraguay, transfer in Santa Cruz.

To Arica via Patacamaya and Tambo Quemado; Trans Salvador, Sun-Fri 0800; and Bolivian Bus Wed and Sun 0800; US$21, 12-14 hrs; both continue to Iquique.

To Iquique via Oruro and Pisiga; Trans Bernal Sun-Thu 0700 and 2000; Trans Salvador Sun-Fri 0700 and 1900, US$17-21, 14-18 hrs.

Car hire

Avis, Av Pando 1187, T04-428 3132, http://www.avis.com.bo.

Barron’s, Sucre E-0727, T04-422 2774, http://www.rentacarbolivia.com.

International, Ayacucho 219 y Colombia, T04-422 6635.

Train

The train station is located in the middle of La Cancha market, ticket office open Mon- Fri 1430-1700, T04-455 6208. 3 trains a week to Aiquile, Tue, Thu, Sat at 0800, US$3, 10-12 hrs.

Taxis

Taxis cost US$0.50 around the centre, more if they cross the river, and double after dark.

Banks

Banco Unión, 25 de Mayo E-0397. Bisa, Av Ballivián 799 y Tte Arévalo. BNB, Nataniel Aguirre E-198 y Jordán. Prodem, Exprint-Bol, Plaza 14 de Septiembre O-0252, T04-425 4413. Will change TCs into cash dollars at 2% commission; Street changers offer good rates and are found at most major intersections, especially at Ayacucho y Achá (outside Entel), around Plaza 14 de Septiembre, and at Heroínas y 25 de Mayo.

Cultural centres

Alliance Française, Santiváñez O-0187; Instituto Cultural Boliviano-lemán (ICBA), Lanza 727.

Embassies and consulates

Argentina, F Blanco E-0929, T04-425 5859, visa applications 0830-1300; Brazil, Edif Los Tiempos Dos, 9th floor, Av Oquendo N-1080, T04-425 5860, Mon-Fri 0830-1130, 1430-1730; Germany, Plaza Quintanilla, Edif Los Tiempos, T04-453 0348, Mon and Fri 1000-1200; Paraguay, Edif El Solar, 16 de Julio 211, T04-425 0183, Mon-Fri 0830-1230, 1430-1830; Peru, C Pedro Blanco s/n, T04-448 6556, Mon-Fri 0800-1200, 1400-1800; USA, Torres Sofer, block A, of 601, T04-425 6714, Mon-Fri 0900-1200.

Immigration

Ballivián y La Paz, 0830-1630, T04-422 5553.

Internet

US$0.50 per hr.

Language classes

There are a number of language schools and many private teachers in Cochabamba, prices around US$6-7 per hr; Bolivia Sostenible, C Alfredo Michel 1174, Zona Las Cuadras next to Plaza Sucre, T04-423 1142, http://www.boliviasostenible.org, offers homestays and volunteer opportunities; Centro de Idiomas Kori Simi, Lanza 727, entre La Paz y Chuquisaca, T04-412 2323, http://korisimi. icbacbba.com, Spanish and Quechua, homestays and activities; Escuela Runawasi, C Maurice Lefebvre 0470, Av Blanco Galindo Km 4.5, Villa Juan XXIII, T04-424 8923, http://www.runawasi.org, Spanish, Quechua and Aymara; Sra Blanca de La Rosa Villareal, Av Libertador Simón Bolívar 1108 y Oblitas, T04-424 4298; Elizabeth Siles Salas, Av Guillermo Urquidi y Armando Méndez 1190, T04-423 2278; Carmen Galinda Benavides, Parque Lincoln N-0262, T04-424 7072.

Laundry

Jet, Cabrera 485, T04-425 0581, US$1.10 per kg, Mon-Fri 0800-1200, 1400-1900, Sat 0800-1700. Many other branches as well as home pickup and delivery service, T800-131 414; Brillante, Ayacucho 923 and other branches, T04-455 6372; also at the Women’s Prison, Plazuela San Sebastián, good and cheap (visits possible if you ask the guards).

Medical services

Dr James Koller, C Baptista N-0386, T04-422 4191, call between 1700-1800, speaks English. Clínica Belga, Antezana N0455, T04-423 1404.

Post office

Av Heroínas y Ayacucho, Mon-Fri 0800-2000, Sat 0800-1800, Sun 0800-1200. DHL Ramón Rivero y Lanza 310, and 2 other branches, T04-4116161, Mon-Fri 0700-2030, Sat 0700-1500.

Volunteer organizations

Ministerio de Lustrabotas (Shoeshine Kids Ministry), feeds street children and provides them with health care. To make a donation or get involved, email James Seaborn at ejamesseaborn@hotmail.com; there are many others, see http://www.bolivia-online.net.