Tourism in Tarija city, Bolivia

Visit Tarija, capital of the wine. And enjoy the hotels and lodgings service, besides the varied gastronomy of the place.

The department of Tarija has 6 provinces and 157 cantons.

Tarija, where, on one side lodging of immemorial epochs of dinosaurs and important archeological antecedents mingle, and on the other side, the fertile generous land with its abundant vineyards, with the production of delicious and fine wines shows up. In Tarija, one of the most important fishy resources of the country is also found.

Tourist attractiveness

Tarija is characteristic for having been populated in the ancient times by species of dinosaurs, of which we find evidences in the Pale ontological, Archeological and Historical Museum. This important national repository presents 700 pieces in exhibit, of 505 belong to mammals whose fossils have been found the Quaternary Cave of Tarija and 195 pieces make up invertebrate fossils of the Paleozoic age. The archeological section has 5.000 lithic and ceramic pieces, with arrow heads, spears, burnishes, distaffs, jars, pots and others.

Churches and Chapels

The attractions of the city are one the beauty of its churches and chapels, among which we can mention:
. Iglesia de San Francisco, founded in 1.606, it is one of the oldest in Tarija and it has a library with over 15.000 volumes of great historical value and a picture gallery of the colonial epoch.
· Iglesia Catedral Metropolitana, built in 1.810 by the Jesuits and nominated Cathedral of Tarija in 1.925. Nowadays it lodges in it, a public school and the Cathedralitic Museum where a real treasure in oils, silverware and golden chalices with inlays of precious stones are kept.
· La Iglesia de San Roque, it is the center of the most important festivity of Tarija: The Saint Roque Patroonal Feast, one of the most worshiped saints by the Tarijeños. In honor to this saint processions and the so-called "chunchos" dancing groups wander around in the streets.
· Iglesia de San Juan, founded in 1.632. The surrender of the Spaniards was signed here, the victory of the liberation national army having been signed.

Others attractions in Tarija

· La Casa Dorada, founded in 1.930. Its façade with cartoons and little statutes on upper part. On its cornice and on the atrium, little statutes of Victorian women appear.
· El Molino, located in the residential district of the same name. It keeps its colonial aspect. Here, the Feast of Virgin on Rosario takes place.
· Avenida Las Américas, it is an extensive and beautiful boulevard that borders the southern part of the city. It's on the Guadalquivir riverside.
· Observatorio, It belongs to the Science Academy of Bolivia. Tarija was selected for the installation of it, for the special conditions of its skies.
· La Tablada, a historical enclosure, 4 kms. away form the city, where the last battle against the Spaniards took place.

Ecotourist attractiveness

The Tarijan valley characterizes for the unique beauty of its landscapes, and it has places such as:
· El Angosto de San Luis, a bathing spot of deep ponds where youth squander bravery plunging into the waters form a suspension bridge with over 20 meters of altitude.

· Villamontes, its best attraction it's the sports fishing that is practiced in Pilcomayo River all around the year, the fishing being authorized only with baits.

· San Jacinto
The Reservoir and the lagoon of 1,500 has, offer a beautiful landscape marked by the Sama mountain range. The natural surroundings are special for recreational activities like: kayak, rafting, long walks and fishing. In this place you can enjoy of plates elaborated with native fish species, like misquinchos, doraditos, crabs and carps.

· Erquis, where fishing and hunting are practiced.

· Tomatitas
Located only 5 km. of Tarija city, it is a natural bath with full sun beaches and covered by the confluence of the Guadalquivir and ErKs rivers, it counts on a suspension bridge and a small wooded park that offer a propitious area for unforgettable days of the camp.

In Tomatitas can be savored the typical meals of Tarija, specially the native species of small fish (misquinchos, doraditos, llausas, carps) and crabs.

· Rincón de la Victoria.

· Chorros de Jurina
Waterfalls or spurts formed by a river that downs and forms two sources, one well-known one with the name of “Chorro Blanco” and the other as “Chorro Negro”, because each one slides on rocks with those colors, is place of matchless beauty.

The volume runs of a height of more than 40 mts. and it falls on the foot of a similarity water dust that takes different tonalities according to the intensity of the solar rays and from the position of the sun.

· Corana - Tomatas Grande
They are characterized by the brooks that forming tiny lagoons and small natural water falls. Surrounded by culture camps and fruit orchards, these natural baths are ready too for camping, make long walks and practice adventure biking.
Spring, and especially the summer, is the best time to visit these zones.

· Coimata, crystal-clear waterfalls among the hills that make up beautiful ponds.
· Tolomosita, a natural bathing spot with its scenery of robust trees.
· San Andrés, a natural bathing spot.
· Concepción.
· Padcaya.
· Bermejo.
· Entre Ríos.
· Yacuiba.

Ethnics groups

The primitive ethnic groups that inhabited are: the Tobas, Chulupis, Chiriguanos, Caicuris and Matacos who at the moment conserve their traditions and customs.

Hotels in Tarija city