Major city · Bolivia
Cochabamba
Stay 2 nights: use the city as a lower-altitude base for markets and food, then push on to La Paz or Sucre.
Cochabamba sits in a warm valley in the Andes and is Bolivia's fourth-largest city. It is a working city with a large market, a colonial core and quick access to the Tunari mountains. Two nights covers the centre and La Cancha; add a night for Tarata or Quillacollo. Altitude and exact sights: check.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BOB
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry, clear)
- avoid Nov–Mar (wet season, afternoon rain)
- Airport
- Jorge Wilstermann (CBB)
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Bolivia ↗Visa rules depend on your passport (some nationalities need a visa in advance): check with Bolivia's migration authority or a Bolivian consulate.
- Bolivia ↗Most of the tourist route is above 3,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on arrival, and see a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bolivia ↗Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are frequent and can close routes and cities for days; watch local news and keep plans flexible.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cochabamba110 ▾
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire119
- Taxi overcharge report (municipal)800-14-0201
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cochabamba, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the boliviano (BOB, Bs).Bolivia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEntel, Tigo and Viva sell SIMs with passport registration in their own shops.Bolivia-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Bolivia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up; about 10% in tourist restaurants.Bolivia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bolivia-wide
- SafetyCochabamba is generally safe by day in the centre and north; the real risks are taxi overcharging, pickpockets in La Cancha and the bus terminal…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPay a boliviano or two; bring paper.Bolivia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 118 ambulance · 119 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBlockades and strikes close shops and roads; Sunday is quiet.Bolivia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCBB Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (Airport serving Cochabamba; taxi fare and ride time to the centre: check.).
- Getting aroundcheckMicros, trufis and taxi-trufis run fixed routes with no set stops; ask locally for the route and fare (check).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a salteña snackcheck
- Street or quick mealSet lunch (almuerzo) in the centrecheck
- Beerbar / shopcheck
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)City taxi ride in the centreAgree before entering.check
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekcheck
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entrycheck
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personBOB 60
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomBOB 280
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomBOB 550
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BOB 180 · Mid BOB 320 · High BOB 600
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CBB Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (Airport serving Cochabamba; taxi fare and ride time to the centre: check.)
Map of Cochabamba
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Cochabamba
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Quillacollo · 13 km straight line
- Tarata · 28 km straight line
- Villa Tunari · 91 km straight line
- Oruro · 120 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Feb
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Oct (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jun (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cochabamba: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
1 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
1 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Micros, trufis and taxi-trufis run fixed routes with no set stops; ask locally for the route and fare (check). Taxis have no meter — agree the fare before you get in; radio taxis are safer at night.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tarata
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Trufi or bus from the Cochabamba terminal, about 1 h
Colonial village with a carved stone fountain and a Sunday market.
Quillacollo
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Trufi or taxi from the centre, 20–30 min
Pilgrimage town; busiest around the Urkupiña festival in August.
Villa Tunari
overnightDoor to door: 4–5 h
Bus from the Cochabamba terminal, 4–5 h down to the Chapare
Cloud-forest and warm lowland stop; too far for a day return.
Tunari National Park
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or trufi to the trailheads above the city, then hike
Waterfalls and ridge walks; go early and carry water.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro / Plaza 14 de Septiembre
Walk to the cathedral, museums and La Cancha; best for a short stay without a car.
El Prado (Av. Ballivián) and Cala Cala
Leafier north side with most of the better restaurants and hotels; 15–25 min walk or a short taxi to the centre.
La Recoleta / Av. América
Upscale north-east, near Palacio Portales and the botanical garden; quiet at night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- check
- Mid
- check
- High
- check
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × BOB 280 | BOB 560 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × BOB 320 | BOB 1,280 |
| Airport taxi to the centre, one way1 × BOB 30 · check | BOB 30 |
| Cristo cable car, return2 × BOB 13 · check | BOB 26 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × BOB 90 · check | BOB 180 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BOB 208 |
| Trip total≈ BOB 571 per person per day, bed included | BOB 2,284 |
2026 estimate in bolivianos; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Set lunch (almuerzo) in the centre | check |
| Coffee or a salteña snack | check |
| Beer: bar / shop | check |
| City taxi ride in the centreAgree before entering. | check |
| Micro or trufi fare | check |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | check |
| Museum entry | check |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Agree taxi fares before entering; drivers may overcharge visitors.
- Do not walk from the bus terminal, especially after dark; take a radio taxi.
- Roadblocks can halt intercity buses — check before travelling and wait for them to clear.
- Rainy season (Nov–Mar) brings afternoon downpours and muddy trails in Tunari.
- Altitude: check before you plan a first day at height.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 119
- Taxi overcharge report (municipal)
- 800-14-0201
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CochabambaCochabamba
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire119
Embassy
Most countries have embassies in La Paz; some keep consulates in Cochabamba — check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → centre, taxi: check
- Centre → Quillacollo, taxi: check
- Cristo cable car, one way: check
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- Me bajo — I want to get off (me BA-ho)
- Esquina — Stop at the corner (es-KEE-na)
- A esta dirección, por favor — To this address, please (a ES-ta di-rek-SYON por fa-VOR)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRA-syas)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWE-do pa-GAR kon tar-HE-ta)
Fares and hours change; confirm locally.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cochabamba. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct (dry, clear) · avoid Nov–Mar (wet season, afternoon rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CBB: taxi fare bands, radio-taxi numbers, late-arrival rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Plaza 14 de Septiembre, El Prado, La Cancha, Recoleta.
- Place pages with verified hours (Cristo, Palacio Portales, museums) and eat pages with market stalls.
- Roadblock and rainy-season fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Cochabamba
Loading…
Was this useful?