Come to Santa Cruz and visit "La feria"

On Friday 18^Th, Feria Internacional de Santa Cruz (Expocruz) opens it doors to visitors, this annual Trade Fair is accompanied by shows and artist presentations, it also coincides with Santa Cruz Department anniversary, being a local Holiday the 21st. During the day the fair is all about business, but at night it becomes an endless party.

Expocruz is the largest trade fair in Bolivia and one of the largest in South America. This event qualified as one of the most important economic events in the country, expects to generate million dollars in business transactions, commercial agreements and other activities such as tourism, entertainment, services, direct sales, among others.

It’s also a great tourist and cultural attraction with thousands of people coming from around the world to visit Santa Cruz, during the week that the fair last (18 to the 27Th), is very hard to find available airplane tickets or vacant rooms, so make plans well in advance. Santa Cruz is a nice city to visit and enjoy, so don't miss the opportunity to become part of the celebration.

Name: Feria Internacional de Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz International Fair)

Where: Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia

Duration: September 18 through the 27Th

Quillacollo invites you to la Fiesta de la Virgen de Urkupiña 2009

Quillacollo invites you to la Fiesta de la Virgen de Urkupiña (celebration of Virgin Mary of Urkupinha's day), it is one of the most important religious celebrations in Bolivia. The event includes a procession and bolivian dances, like Diablada, Caporales, Morenada, Tinku, etc. performed by devotes of the image of Virgin Mary of Urkupiña through the streets of Quillacollo.

The event takes place in Quillacollo, 14 km. from Cochabamba around San Ildefonso Chapel; it is a spectacle of color, costumes, dance and faith. More than 15,000 dancers, 6,000 musicians and about 400,000 spectators enjoy every year the splendid entrada (parade) folklorica de Urkupiña.

During the parade (about 12 hours) the fraternities perform dances like: Caporales, tobas, Morenos, Diablos, Tinkus, saya, pujllay, moseñadas, tarquedas and vallunadas. People come from around the world, just to be part of this event known for its international reputation.

So don’t waste more time and join us in the party.

Read more about Cochabamba
Read More about Bolivia

Come and Visit the Wine Route in Tarija, Bolivia

We suggest you the perfect getaway and it’s a lot closer than you think. As well as discovering some of the most scenic places in Tarija; we invite you to immerse yourself in the "total experience" of the Bolivian Andalusia by traveling the Wine Route, in the Santa Ana and Concepcion valleys.

Tour the vineyards and sample award-winning wines. Treat your palate to gourmet fare inspired by farm-fresh ingredients. We promise you, this will be an experience that will have you coming back for more.

Plan your wine country adventure today. Start by visiting Bolivian Wines web site and their guide to Wineries of Tarija its’ your complete source for everything Tarija's Wine Route has to offer, and more. The interactive Wine Route Map will help you to effortlessly navigate Bolivia’s Wine Country.

Traditional tourism in Bolivia has included archeological and cultural sites; more recently eco tourism became the latest addition to Bolivia’s tourist list of options. Wine tourism in Bolivia, is a new offer to its visitors and an experience well worth trying.

Everyone is invited to the celebrations of 200 years of the proclamation of the first independent government in Latin America held in La Paz, Bolivia on July 16, 1809.

The bicentennial celebrations will last the entire month of July and officially began the first of July, with the flag hoisted in La Paz and the lighting the torch located at the Plaza Murillo, representing the fire of freedom that never goes out, near the monument to Pedro Domingo Murillo, a leader of the Junta Tuitiva, the first independent government in Latin America that was under the Spanish rule.

As part of the celebrations, commemorative coins have been minted. Also the mayor of La Paz has planned the execution of an endless array of activities throughout the month. But the high point of the celebrations will take the 15 and 16 with parades and music festivals throughout the Department of La Paz with the participation of all citizens of the city, including the national government and guests from around the world. The festival will be extended naturally to other cities in the La Paz Department, El Alto, Copacabana, Coroico, Tiwanaku, and so on. An excellent opportunity for those who are in the city of La Paz on these dates to be part of the party, and share the patriotic fervor of the party.

Eight presidents and heads of state are on the list of special guests from the municipality of La Paz that will arrive for the central events of the Bicentennial celebration of the Revolution of July 16, 1809. Among them are Fernando Lugo of Paraguay, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina, Hugo Chávez Frías of Venezuela, Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva of Brazil, Rafael Correa of Ecuador, Álvaro Uribe of Colombia, Michelle Bachelet of Chile and Manuel Zelaya of Honduras.

The Mayors of 20 cities from around the world will also join the celebration from cities like Madrid, Quito, Santiago, Mexico City, Montevideo, Santo Domingo, Bogotá, Lima, among others.

2009 Coroico Folk Festival (Festival Internacional de Coroico 2009)

Coroico is a small town with a resort-like feel, 3 hour bus ride from La Paz, it has mild weather year round. Coroico is known among tourist for been a tourist hot spot in South America due to is amazing landscape and nature. The Coroico Festival was created in 2,007 to promote Coroico and its tourist attractions. The Coroico Folk Festival promises to surpass the success of the previous version. The event expects to host close to 10,000 visitors.

The festival showcases Andean and Latin-American music; in which some of the top artists from Bolivia perform, they will be joined by international artist. This is a great opportunity to visit Coroico and the Bolivian Amazon, most tourist use Coroico as the gate to it, on they’re way to the Madidi natural reserve. The Festival: Start Time: starts on Friday, July 3, 2009 and ends Sunday, July 5, 2009.

The Unidad de Transito (Bolivian road authority) reported that the road should be in optimal conditions.

Practical recommendations: • In the winter season (June-August): bring warm clothing. Although Coroico enjoys a template climate normally it feels cold early in the morning. • If you're decide to camp don’t forget to take with you: first aid kit, pocket knife, flashlight, batteries, bug repellent, medication (if you’re taking any), antihistaminic and whatever you feel necessary for your comfort and safety.

If you want to know more about Coroico click here

Celebrate the "Coldest night of the year" in Bolivia

The Coldest night of the year will be celebrated on June, 23rd and the fist hours of the 24^Th. That night entire Bolivia celebrates the Noche de San Juan (St. John’s night) it’s a very ancient tradition which is celebrated in many parts of Europe and Latin America, and is an established event in Bolivia, this is a tradition brought to the country by the Spanish colonist; in the northern hemisphere Noche de San Juan celebrated the shortest night of the year and the arrival of summer; while here in Bolivia it was adapted to celebrate the coldest night of the year and the arrival of winter. The traditional way to celebrate this event consisted in bonfires where fire wood was burned, families and friends gathered together around the bonfires to celebrate the coldest night of the year. The bonfires were accompanied by heartily food, “ponche” (milk based alcoholic beverage, served hot), music, dance and a lot of fireworks. In modern times and due to ecological concerns authorities have banned bonfires, but the party and the family reunion continues to live on. In small towns and remotte areas of the country bonfires are still lit on San Juan Night.

In the modern version of Noche de San Juan, the party has also met the modern life, been carried out in clubs, bars and discotheques as well. It’s a well publicized event around Bolivia, just ask you’re hotel concierge or taxi driver for a good San Juan Night party and they will give you good tips on how to get to one. Music, dance, hot dogs and ponche are a big part of the party and off course fireworks.

Aymara New Year 5517 at Tiwanaku

Bolivian Government agencies launched on Monday 15^th the official program for the Aymara New Year 5517 in the ruins of a pre-Columbian city of Tiwanaku, 72 kilometers from the seat of government, the next 20 to June 21.

The official launch was held in the Plaza Murillo in La Paz, with the participation of Bolivia's Chancellor David Choquehuanca, the Minister of Culture Pablo Groux, the prefect of La Paz, Pablo Ramos and the Mayor of Tiwanaku, Eulogia Quispe, who invited national and international people to be part of the ancient rite of "Willkakuti 2009" (return of the sun) will start the new year aymara 5517.

“According to shamans, Tiwanaku is part of network of energy centers around the world. Every year we prepare to receive the energy of the new sun. We invite all to come to Tiwanaku and celebrate with us on June 21," said Chancellor Choquehuanca.

Tiwanaku has been the center of spiritual and political life of the Tiwanaku culture. After the extinction of this culture, Andean people had gathered here to celebrate the Willkakuti, for many centuries. The celebration of the New Year or Willkakuti coincides with winter solstice in the southern hemisphere, when the sun is farthest from the planet. This natural phenomenon marks the beginning of a new planting season.

According to the official program, the June 20 will start on the town’s main square of Tiwanaku, with a pilgrimage to Quimsa Chata, where there will be an offering to mother earth.

Later at 5 p.m. on the main square of the town there will be a Cultural Festival for all visitors, this will last trough the night and it will be accompanied of native music and. The next day all will be ready for the Ritual Ceremony of the Great Willkakuti at the temple of Kalasasaya. The sun will rise around 07:25 a.m. when all locals and visitors will receive the Cosmic Energy of the first rays of the sun on a New Year. This will be done by raising the hands to the rays of the new sun as tradition calls.

Tours for this celebration are easy to find around Sagarnaga Street in La Paz. It’s advised to bring warm clothes, gloves and something warm to drink, due to the frigid conditions of the Andes during the night.

We wish you all a Happy New Year 5517.

Fiesta de Jesús del Gran Poder 2009

Fiesta de Jesús del Gran Poder 2009

If you're in La Paz on June 6th this is an event you can miss. The Fiesta de Jesús del Gran Poder (Jesus Almighty) is one of the larges celebrations in Bolivia outside the Carnaval. The religious celebration include a dancers parade a across the city of La Paz, the dances are performed by devotes of the image of Jesus of el Gran Poder, one of the most revered and venerated images in Bolivia.

The dancers parade starts around 10:00 a.m. and lasts the entire day, it starts at Cementerio near the Jesus of Grand Poder Chruch and finishes at Park Roosevelt near the Hernando Siles Stadium, crossing the entire downtown area, you'll need to get a sit early in the morning, the area near Plaza San Francisco is considered to be one of the best places to be watch this magnificent traditional dances display.

June 6th (Movable according with the Catholic Calendar)
Fiesta de Jesús del Gran Poder
La Paz-La Paz
Religious/ethnic

Golf Vacation in Bolivia

So you decided to move on and enjoy Bolivia and its beautiful landscapes and lush nature. We know you already planned a visit to the majestic Andes, as well as a visit to the sacred lake of the Incas, Lake Titicaca; and of course you could not complete your visit without a visit to the Salar de Uyuni. So far so good, but you're not reading this article to know what you already knew, that is why we offer something different now, why not a round of golf on one of the great golf courses in Bolivia. Yes what about teeing off at 3.700 meters above sea level (about 12,000 feet). Sure you have not heard before this proposal, maybe is because most tourists visit Bolivia does the traditional and now we want to open your eyes to other sports and activities that will make your visit even better. Yes Bolivia has golf courses and they’re in excellent condition for the game. Golf in Bolivia is not as popular as football (or soccer for Americans), but there are many golf enthusiasts who practice it regularly. There are courses like the one in Mallasilla on the outskirts of La Paz, is the highest golf course in the world, recently recommended by Golf Diggest as one of the best golf courses outside the U.S., many players say that thanks to altitude of La Paz the ball can travel more easily and more upright than in any other field in the world. You can also play in any of the fields located in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz surrounded by the beautiful Amazon jungle. For more information about golf courses in Bolivia and its characteristics, we suggest you to visit the Bolivia Golf. It’s full of relevant information for golfing enthusiasts, course details, maps, weather, etc.

Feria International de Cochabamba 2009

The Feria International de Cochabamba is one of the largest trade fairs in Bolivia this Fair is accompanied by shows, great food and artist presentations. The Fair includes companies from around the world, showcasing their products, going from the food industry to technology and machinery. This event qualified as one of the most important economic events in the country, expects to generate more than 150 million dollars in business transactions, commercial agreements and other activities such as tourism, entertainment, services, direct sales, among others.

Date of the event: Starts on April 23th (normally goes for two weeks)
Recurrence: las week of April (Movable Event Organizer defines de date)
Location: Feria International de Cochabamba, Cochabamba
Type: Trade Fair


Read more about to Cochabamba
Find Hotels in Cochabamba

Semana Santa en Bolivia (Easter in Bolivia)

This is one of the most important celebrations in Bolivia. The celebration is deep into the catholic roots of the country includes processions and parades on every city and town. The long Holiday (starts on Thursday and ends on Sunday), it's used for many Bolivians as a chance for a short vacation; therefore most hotels are completely booked during this days. The peoples favorites are: Coroico in La Paz, Uyuni Salt flats in Potosi, the Las Misiones or Samaipata in Santa Cruz, etc.

Recurrence: April or May (Movable according with the Roman Catholic Calendar)

Where: Bolivia

Type: Religious

Bolivian Police captured band that Kidnapped foreign tourists

La Paz, 1 April - The Bolivian Police on Wednesday captured three criminals which claimed $ 29,000 for the rescue of two Swiss tourists and that would be part of a larger criminal organization of Ramiro Milán Fernández, a.k.a. as "El Choco", imprisoned in La Paz accused of murdering two Austrian tourists.

The caught criminals, who kidnapped tourists In La Paz in the area of the Cemetery, are Hugo Omar Puita Ampuero, Giovani Guido Zalles Laura and Barba Katia Jimena Arriaga.

The Interior Minister Alfredo Rada, congratulated the Police for the results being achieved in the fight against crime.

The second secretary of the Swiss Embassy in Bolivia, Eros Robbiani, thanked the Government and the Police for the arrest of the kidnappers.

The Commander of the Bolivian police, Gen. Víctor Hugo Escobar explained that the March 21 Special Force to Fight Crime (FELCC) received a complaint about the kidnapping of the two Swiss citizens.

According to the director of national FELCC Humberto Echale, the two Swiss tourists were first contacted in Copacabana in March 19 by the kidnappers; once they have gained the tourist confidence the band proceeded with the kidnapping near the Municipal Cemetery. Then the kidnappers contacted their families in Switzerland, demanding a ransom of $ 30,000 US dollars.

Once the ransom was paid, the tourists were released under threat of death, but raised in the complaint that initiated FELCC research to find the criminals.

Carnaval in Bolivia 2009

The larges party in the country by far. The country becomes a party zone, especially in Oruro, Tarija, La Paz and Santa Cruz, with parades and street parties. Parades include local dances and costumes.

Many are the adjectives for the Carnival in Bolivia. Grand, majestic, magnificent, wonderful, etc. those are some of the adjectives with which this event is described. It combines the ancient customs of each region, department, city and rural community in the country, with Catholic traditions brought over the colony.

The diversity of options varies according to geography and cultures of each region. No matter where you are during the Carnaval you will have a blast for sure. The Carnaval in Bolivia is a synonym for good times and party, all mixed with music and tradition.


Oruro Carnaval

Declared by UNESCO as an Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, "the lavish Carnaval in Oruro" features a vast wealth Cultural Heritage, which combines dance and music with the devotion to Our Lady of Socavón.


This expression represents the greatest folkloric shows in Bolivia, with dances such as the Devils, Moreno, Caporales, Tinkus, Llamerada, Sicuris, Incas, Antawaras, Tobas, Wacas Waca, Kullawadas, Pujllay and others, whose members, besides orureños, come from all regions of the country, as well as from abroad, to express through dance, their faith and devotion.


The first trial or "Convite", known as "The Promise" to the Virgin begins in early November and serves to open the carnival and make a commitment to dance three years consecutively. This pledge is endorsed on the last "Convite", which takes place a week before Carnival Sunday.

The “Entrada de Carnaval” (Carnival Parade) takes place on Saturday 21st, it’s the highlight of the Oruro Carnaval, when dancers wearing luxurious costumes will parade a long the city and spectacle of more than 50 fraternity with more than 500 participants each accompanied by large musical bands. The fiesta runs until the early hours of Sunday. That day is "The Dawn" or greeting to the Virgin by the dancers who, enlivened by bands and fraternities gathered at the Socavón, showing the skill and Bolivian musical richness.


At these dates Oruro receives over 500,000 tourists, between local and foreign. This event generates around $ 8 million dollars in business, for the four days of Carnaval. The Carnival of Oruro is a magnificent demonstration of pagan costumes and religious devotion. It is an amazing demonstration of folk culture, involving young and old people; without distinction of social classes or race.

Santa Cruz Carnaval

It reflects the joyous spirit of the Santa Cruz habitants. It Begins one month before the Carnaval with the "pre-carnavaleras" in which all the groups (Comparsas) elect their Queen. A week before the carnival takes place in “mini-corso”, with the proclamation of the Carnaval Queen; witch is selected among the Comparsas Queens.

On Carnaval Saturday, from evening until dawn of Sunday of the carnival takes place in the spectacular “Corso” (Carnival Parade) with the Comparsas dancing in the streets about 300 of them. They dance through the city streets to the beat of drum bands. During the parade, expectators enjoy the luxury and colorful of the Comparsas costumes, impressive floats carrying the Comparsa queens.

The show reaches its pinnacle when the Carnaval Queen enters the main stage. The party continues on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, days in which people dance and play in downtown streets; playing with water, foam and paint.


When? This year it starts on Friday February 20 and last till March 1st. This event normally takes place during February or March (It's a Movable celebration conciding with the beggining of Lent on the Catholic Calendar)

Constitutional Referedum

On January 25, a Constitutional Referendum will take place in Bolivia, for the first time in the history of the country the citizens will be asked, if they approve or reject a new Constitution. (So far, Bolivia has had 16 previous Constitutions).

The National Electoral College orders that, 48 hours before the event a "dry Law" is set in place so no alcohol will sold during the days prior to the Referendum.

In the day of the Referendum, airports, ports, road and streets will be closed to traffic. Once the electoral event has concluded activities will go back to normal. Police, the Army, Local and National Authorities oversee the event and prevent any burst of violence or public disorder. If you are in the country or planning to arrive during this days you should plan accordingly.