Cochabamba

Cochabamba is Bolivia's fourth-largest city and the capital of the Cochabamba Department, set in a fertile Andean valley about 2,570 metres above sea level. Known as the 'City of Eternal Spring' and the 'Garden City', it enjoys a mild climate and serves as an agricultural, commercial and transport hub in the geographic centre of the country.

Founded in 1571 as Villa de Oropesa, the city grew by supplying food to Bolivia's silver-mining towns. Its history is visible around Plaza 14 de Septiembre, where the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral stands beside colonial and republican buildings, while the Palacio Portales recalls the early 20th-century tin-mining era.

The city's best-known landmark is Cristo de la Concordia, a 33-metre statue on San Pedro Hill reached by cable car with wide views over the valley. La Cancha, one of South America's largest open-air markets, fills a large area south of the centre with stalls, food and local life, while Tunari National Park and the Rocha River provide outdoor escapes nearby.

Neighbourhoods such as Recoleta and Cala Cala offer quieter, upscale residential streets, while the central El Prado and surrounding areas concentrate shops, cafés and nightlife. Cochabamba is also celebrated for its food, with dishes such as silpancho and pique macho and a strong market and restaurant culture.

As one of Bolivia's three main cities, Cochabamba plays an important role in business, agriculture and regional trade, and hosts the annual FEXCO international fair. Its central position between La Paz and Santa Cruz makes it a practical stop for both leisure visitors and business travellers.