Cochabamba, or simply Cocha, the third largest city in Bolivia, is located some 240km southeast of La Paz. The city, set on a plain surrounded by mountains, is known for its moderate climate and is often called Bolivia's "resort city". Other nicknames for Cochabamba include the "Garden City" and the "City of Eternal Spring".
The main thoroughfare in Cochabamba is Avenida de las Heroinas, which runs east-west, with its north-south counterpart Avenida Ayaucho. The intersection of these two is known by its Correo. Plaza 14 de Septiembre is considered the center of the city. Avenida Ballivian, commonly called El Prado, is a tree-lined boulevard running north from Plaza Colon, with many of the city's better restaurants and hotels nearby. Generally, neighborhoods get more affluent towards the north, and poorer to the south.
PLACE TO VISIT
Cristo de la Concordia. The statue is just a bit higher than the one in Rio de Janeiro, -great view of the city. Walk Calle Colombia until its eastern end, then a swift right: This park/playground is where the cable car goes from, 3 Bs each way. You can also walk, but stay in a group, as rumours has it robbers attack. Finally, taxi is always an option.
Simón I. Patiño Cultural Center (Centro Pedagógico y Cultural Simón I. Patiño) , Av. Potosí 1450. Includes the Palacio Portales mansion, gardens (Jardines), and an art museum (Centro de Arte Contemporáneo). The mansion was built by Patiño, a tin magnate who controlled over half of the nation's output in the 1930s. Guided tour Tue-Fri, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30 (Spanish), 16:00, 17:00 (English).
Museum of Natural History, Calle Potosi, Recoleta (Next door to Palacio Portales).
WHAT TO DO
The city is Bolivia`s paragliding capital. Several agencies offer tandem flights (300 Bs) and courses. A typical beginner´s course will take minimum 10 days (2 hours theory and 4 hours practice every day, 12 solo flights) and cost about 3000 Bs. Among the cheapest on the continent.
Cochabamba is also a good point for excursions into the Chapare Region:
The non-profit organization Fundacion Delpia"Fundacion para el desarrollo local de los pueblos indigenas amazonicos-andinos" organizes tours to the National Park Isiboro Sécure and visits to local indigenous communities (4-5 days). Visitors can choose to get either integrated into the daily life of the local families (fishing, cooking, hunting, sleeping in traditional hut etc) or touring the national park with an indigenous guide by foot or canoe (sleeping in tents)
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HOW TO REACH
By plane - Cochabamba's Jorge Wilstermann Airport 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. A taxi to the center of town from the airport is about Bs 25. Most flights are handled by Aerosur, some by Brazilian TAM, 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's seven hours by bus to Cochabamba. Buses every hour, 30-60 Bs. A new highway is being constructed, which will reduce travel time by some 3 hours.
It's 10 hours by bus from Santa Cruz, 30 Bs.
Night buses to Sucre, 11 bumpy and cold hours, 40 Bs.
