Close by Attractions

The Cristo de la Concordia, on San Pedro hill, offers sweeping views of Cochabamba and the Tunari mountains. Visitors can climb a long staircase or take the cable car when it operates. Inside the statue, a narrow stairway leads to openings in the arms on certain days. The hill should be visited during daylight, as the stairs are isolated after dark.

Palacio Portales, the French style mansion built for tin baron Simón Patiño, lies a short ride from the hotel. Its gardens, marble halls and European furnishings show the wealth of Bolivia's mining era. Guided tours explain the life of the Patiño family. Part of the complex now hosts a cultural centre.

Plaza 14 de Septiembre, the main square, is surrounded by colonial arcades and the Cochabamba Cathedral. The Convento de Santa Teresa nearby is a former convent with a museum and rooftop views. The historic centre is lively by day, with shops and street vendors. Evenings are quieter.

La Cancha, one of the largest open air markets in South America, sells everything from fruit and spices to clothes and electronics. It shows everyday life in Bolivia at its most intense. Valuables should be kept secure.

El Prado, the tree lined Avenida Ballivián, connects the centre with Plaza de las Banderas near the hotel. Cafés and restaurants line the avenue.

Torotoro National Park, about four to five hours by road, has dinosaur footprints, canyons and caves. It is an unforgettable excursion for two or three days.

For food, try silpancho, a Cochabamba speciality of thin breaded meat with rice, potatoes and egg, and pique macho, a generous dish of beef, sausage and fries. Salteñas, juicy baked empanadas, are eaten in the morning.