Residencial Altiplano: Local Attractions in and around Tarija, Bolivia

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Tarija is well known for its great climate, wine, friendly people, and the palaeontology museum. But there are also a number of other attractions that you won’t want to miss.

Just some of the local or nearby attractions are listed below

However, if you have a special interest, send us an email and we will find out more about what you can do or see while in Tarija.

Archaeological and Paleontological sites:

The area around the city, especially the banks of the river, is home to numerous fossil and dinosaur bones.

Five kilometres out of town is a site where amateur palaeontologists search for bones, teeth, and even spines which can be seen after the rains bring them to the surface.

Padcaya is 50 Km from Tarija and has caves containing petroglyphs and archaeological remains belonging to ancient civilizations.

Astronomical Observatory:

Fifteen kilometres south of Tarija is Bolivia’s first astronomical observatory housing two Russian telescopes and an atomic clock that keeps official time for Bolivia.

Colonial Buildings:

Reflecting Tarija’s colonial feel there are a number of impressive buildings to see such as Casa Dorada (The Gold Palace) (1903), Castillo Azul de Moises Navajas (the Blue Castle), Iglesia de San Roque (1887), Basilica de San Francisco (1606), and the Cathedral (1611).

Located 16 Km north of Tarija is the town of San Lorenzo which displays Spanish colonial styles, wood-carved balconies, stone-layered streets. In this town is the house of Eustaquio "Moto" Mendez, hero of Bolivia's fight for independence from Spanish rule.

Golf Club:

Tarija boasts it own 18 hole golf course which is situated in the picturesque Rincón de la Victoria valley.

Plazas:

Tarija has over 30 plazas or parks. However Tarija’s two main plazas are Plaza Luis de Fuentes and Plaza Sucre. Both are palm tree lined and surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and stalls. They are really pleasant places to sit and watch the world go by.

Markets:

In addition to a number of Campesino Mercados there are numerous covered markets (mercados) which are great places to buy almost anything you could want from shoes, clothing, to household items and food.

Museum of Archaeology and Palaeontology:

The free Museo de Arqueologia y Palentologia has excellent specimens of prehistoric creatures and early peoples that once inhabited the Tarija region. The archaeological section display ancient tools, weapons, and pottery from all over southern Bolivia.

Recreational Areas:

San Jacinto Reservoir is a 1700-hectare artificial lake 7 Km from Tarija and is ideal for water-related sports or a great place for a picnic.

Just 5 Km from Tarija is a natural swimming resort at Tomatitas. It’s beaches are bathed by waters from the Guadalquivir and Erquis rivers . There is also a small forest area for camping.

Rincón de la Victoria is another forested area 18 Km from the city and offers the opportunity to get close to nature and enjoy wonderful scenic views.

At Chorros de Jurina, about 21 km from Tarija, you will see two forty meter high waterfalls set in a beautiful landscape.

Wineries:

There are numerous wineries you can visit or take tours to including Aranjuez, Bodega de la Concepcion, Casa Vieja, Campos de Solana, and Kholberg.

While visiting be sure to enjoy some wine tasting.

Silver Mines (Potosi):

Potosí is a city that is claimed to be the highest city in the worldat a nominal 4,090 m (13,420 feet). It lies beneath Cerro Rico ("rich mountain") a mountain popularly conceived of as being made of silver ore. Most people visit Potosi for the incredible experience of visiting one of the myriad of mine workings under Cerro Rico. You will also enjoy wandering the narrow streets and admiring the architecture or visiting the Casa de la Moneda (National Mint of Bolivia).

Salar de Uyuni:

Salar de Uyuni is a 12,000 sq km salt lake. The salt is over 10 metres thick in the centre. You can take a one-day tour that takes you to see the salt mines, Fish Island and the Salt Hotel (a building completely made out of salt) or take a 3-day tour that crosses the Salar and the Andres to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.

Sucre (The White City):

Sucre is called the white city because of the white-washed walls of the colonial buildings that are the dominant feature of the older part of the city. Sucre, the constitutional capital of Bolivia and home of the Supreme Court, is also a university city, with many cultural attractions, museums, shops and restaurants.

Train Graveyard (Uyuni):

For train enthusiasts this is a must see. This train cemetery contains the first locomotive to enter Bolivia and a train robbed by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid shortly before their career came to an end at San Vicente in 1908.

Salta, Cafayate, Cordoba, and Mendoza Argentina:

Tarija is a great jump off spot to go to Argentina to visit the cities and towns of Salta, Cafayate, and the Cordoba and Mendoza regions.

There are daily bus services to these and other Argentine cities.

Language Schools:

Tarija is also a good place to spend some time taking Spanish lessons at our Language School. We also run English language classes.

Please check our Language School Altiplano page to find out more.