Easter in Bolivia (Semana Santa en Bolivia)

Being Bolivia a deeply catholic country, Easter (Semana Sanata) is a major event across the nation, and it's consider high season for hotels and hostels around the country. Since most city dwellers use this opportunity to relax in small towns and touristy hot spots like Coroico and Copacabana near La Paz, Samaipata and the Missions near Santa Cruz or Uyuni Salt Flats in Potosi.

Easter starts on Wednesday (31st) in many cities and small towns with people visiting at least 7 churches on a small and very family oriented pilgrimage. Normally most people will take half day of on Thursday to start the long weekend, so most cities start to get deserted and there's little activity during the next days, only processions and other liturgics acts will disturb the peace and tranquility of those days.

Friday is a holiday, so all banks and official buildings will be closed that day, so it would be a good idea to have some cash on hand just in case. Selling alcohol and gambling are not allowed during Good Friday and most clubs will be closed during that day. Even though, this rule is not always followed.

Easter ends with Easter Sunday mass and large processions, and on Monday all goes back to normal.

We hope this information helps you plan your activities during those days and we wish you a great time while visiting Bolivia.

Carnaval in Bolivia

 Carnaval, Carnival or Mardi Grass in Bolivia is about to begin, as in most of the Catholic Countries around the world, the celebration of the days before lent will start on  Friday, and they will last until Ash Wednesday, with parties and celebrations through out the country. Many are the adjectives for the Carnival in Bolivia. Grand, majestic, magnificent, wonderful are some of the words with which this event is described. It combines the ancient customs of each region, department, city and rural community in the country, with European traditions brought over the colony.

Oruro Carnaval (Carnaval de Oruro)

Declared by UNESCO as an Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the lavish "Carnaval de 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 “Entrada de Carnaval” (Carnaval Parade) takes place on Saturday, 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. “El Alba” (The Dawn) will take place during the first hours of Sunday, during Sunrise dancer and musical bands at the Socavón will salute the Virgin Mary of el Socavón, showing the skill and Bolivian musical richness all accompanied by the applauses and cheers from the attending public.

At these dates Oruro receives over 500,000 tourists, between local and foreign visitors. 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 Carnaval 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, public 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.

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 great time for sure. The Carnaval in Bolivia is a synonym for good times and party, all mixed with music and tradition.

Carnaval Dates

Se next the Carnaval dates for this year and the following:

•2011 - Carnaval date - March 4-8



•2012 - Carnaval date - February 17-21


•2013 - Carnaval date - February 8-12


•2014 - Carnaval date - March 1-4


•2015 - Carnaval date - February 13-17


•2016 - Carnaval date - February 5-9


•2017 - Carnaval date - February 24-28


•2018 - Carnaval date - February 9-13


•2019 - Carnaval date - March 1-5


•2020 - Carnaval date - February 21-25

Enjoy Alasitas fair in La Paz, Bolivia

Alasitas is Bolivia's festival of small wishes; this fair is a mix of Catholicism and Andean tradition celebrated annually on January 24 and it last for two weeks. In the Aymara language, Alasitas means "buy from me" and in pre-colonial times Alasitas was celebrated in September, Bolivian springtime, to ensure a good crop.

The largest fairs is held yearly in the capital of La Paz, Bolivians and tourist alike, buy miniatures representing the material goods they aspire to own (like a new house, car, plasma TV, a bachelor degree or even marriage certificate) and then offer them to the Ekeko, the God of Abundance, in addition a Catholic priests give their blessing to the newly acquired miniature goods as well.

Alasitas is a festival for everybody and celebrated by Bolivians from all levels of society. It is celebrated by the inhabitants of villages, cities and countryside, by the highlanders and the lowlanders, by all Bolivians. If you are in La Paz during this time don’t miss an opportunity to be part of this tradition.



Date: January 24th (the fair last for two weeks)
Name: Alasitas
Location: La Paz, Bolivia
Type: Religious/ethnic

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

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

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

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)

All Saints Day in Bolivia

It is religious holyday celebrated across the country, commemorates the memory of those who passed away. The tradition also known as “Dia de los Muertos” (Day of the dead) is a mix of catholic and popular tradition, in which family and friends remember those who passed away. On this day the tradition says, that the souls of the deceased visit the living, and to welcome them families prepare their departed favorite meals and other treats also they tidy up the graves of their relatives ahead of All Saints Day accross the country.


Family and friends get together to remember and cherish the memory of those who left; during the celebration prayers are said for the souls of the departed and to ask god for their peaceful rest.

Modern life has changed this tradition a little bit and some people take advantage of the spring weather and the holyday to do some tourism; touristic sites like Coroico or Uyuni are normally at full capacity on this dates.

Fiesta de la Virgen de Urkupiña

The Fiesta de la Virgen de Urkupiña, it is one of the most important religious celebrations in Bolivia. The religious celebration includes procession and dances performed by devotes of the image of Virgin Mary of Urkupiña.

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 reputation.

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

Read more about Cochabamba
Read More about Bolivia

Entrada Universitaria

On July 26th, the students from all La Paz Universities, will stage a new version of the Entrada Universitaria, in which they will perform traditional dances in a party full of colorful costumes and Bolivian culture. The dancers parade starts around 10:00 a.m. and lasts the entire day. It starts at Cerveceria Boliviana Nacional (just in front of the Terminal de Buses) 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 watch this magnificent traditional dances display.



Date: July 26th (every year it takes place on the last saturday of July)
Name: Entrada Universitaria
Location: La Paz city
Type: Tradition/Culture/Dance/Music

Welcome to Coroico Folk Festival 2008 (Festival Internacional de Coroico )!

Welcome to Coroico Folk Festival 2008 (Festival Internacional de Coroico )!

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, this year the international invited guests are Soledad from Argentina and Eva Ayllón from Peru. They will be joined by some of the top artists in Bolivian like: Kjarkas, k'ala Marka, Guísela Santa Cruz and others. 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:

Showtimes: The shows start on Friday 11 at 21:30 (approx.) and Saturday 12 at 20:00 (approx.)

Scheduled presentations: Friday 11: Gisela Santa Cruz; Kala Marka; Los Montoneros de Mendez (Tarija); Soledad (Argentina) and Deszaire. Saturday 12: Duo Snetimiento; Eva Ayllón (Peru), Juan Enrique Jurado; PK2 and of course the K'jarkas. Venue: The event takes place at the Coroico Municipal Football Stadium, which will be divided into three areas: stadium seats, field (no chairs) and VIP area (closest to the scenario with chairs) Ticket Sale: -Discolandia: in La Paz located in El Prado, Plaza Murillo and Jenaro Sanjinés. -Planet Pizza: C. Ignacio Cordero. 8424; Achumani Av. Garcia Lanza almost esq. C.10; Obrajes C.14 between Hernando Siles and Ormachea
-Cinema July 16 (El Prado)
-Foodcourt "The Jungle" (Av. Sanchez Lima esq. Belisario Salinas and in Miraflores Av. Busch esq. Villalobos) Price: stadium seats 30 Bolivianos, field 50 Bolivianos and VIP area of 100 bolivianos (per night). Getting to Coroico: Mini-bus and bus, they leave from Villa Fatima Plaza in La Paz, ask you’re hotel clerk or taxi driver, what’s the easiest way to get there. The ticket Cost of ticket is normally: Bs. 15. - Daily departures every hour, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. (But during the festival this schedule will be extended) Bus Capacity: have a capacity of 14 passengers. Duration: Is approximately 3 hours by bus and 2.5 hours by car. Bus lines: • Tourbus TOTA - tel. 221-6592 • Yungeña - Phone. 221-6592 • Palms - Phone. 221-4009

Something to have in mind: 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

Noche de San Juan (Night of St. John)

The night of the 23rd to the 24th, Bolivia will celebrate the Noche de San Juan (Night of St. John) 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 and old furniture where burned on the city streets. Families and friends gathered together around the bonfires to celebrate the coldest night of the year. The bonfires were accompanied by heartily food, “ponche” (alcoholic beverage, served hot), music, dance and a lot of fireworks. In modern times and due to ecological concerns authorities have banned the practice of setting on fire wood and old furniture, but the party and the family reunion continues to live on. In small towns and remote 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. If you are in Bolivia on the 23rd don’t miss out the opportunity of been part this great tradition.

Aymara New Year & Winter Solstice in Tihuanaku

Aymara New Year & Winter Solstice in Tihuanaku


Come and celebrate de Winter Solstice and the New Year on the Aymara Calendar in Tihuanaku Bolivia. The event is celebrated with dances and Andean music, and it has its pinnacle with the ritual to receive the first light of day ("Wilkakuti" return of the sun in Aymara) this done annually in the ruins of Tihuanaku-Kalasasaya temple marking a new year on the Aymara calendar (year 5,516 this year).

Each June 21st, Bolivian and foreigners gather in Tiwanaku for this mystic celebration, witch is believed to fill spectators to this ritual, with the energy of the Wilkakuti. The event starts the previous night on the planes out side the Kalasasaya temple, in an eclectic atmosphere filled with Sicuri Music, native dances and the smell of bonfire, this last through the entire night.

The bonfires are necessary to weather the extreme cold of the southern hemisphere winter; with temperatures of less than 0 degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit) for sure you’ll need a warm coat to be there. If you are planning to attend this event you should take with you warm clothes, gloves, scarf and everything you consider necessary to stand the natures forces. There are some kiosk’s available but don’t expect nothing fancy or elaborate, so maybe it could be a good idea to take something to eat and drink.


At 6 am, the next day just before starts to rise, all is ready to receive the Aymara New Year, everyone is cheerful, Yatiris (Aymara shamans) begin to lay alcohol in the ground, shouting Jallalla (cheers to the mother earth) and invoking the Sun (Tata Inti) for a good harvest in the coming year. At that moment, just when the sun starts rising; people believe that by doing so, their bodies and minds have been revitalized and cleansed. This ritual puts end to the celebration, then everybody heads back to La Paz or their place of origin.

You can make arrangement to attend this magic ritual with almost any Travel Guide Agency in La Paz or in the Sagarnaga Street, since this is a largely known event in Bolivia.
La fiesta tuvo varias replicas en distintos lugares como: The celebration of the Winter Solstice and Aymara New Year is also celebrated in other places in Bolivia, like:

-La Paz is held in the so-called Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), located near Mallasa in the south of La Paz, the Apacheta of the Cumbre at 5,000 meters above seas level, in the Horca del Inca in the town of Copacabana in the Titicaca Lake.
-In the Samaipata fort, built by Incas, in eastern Bolivia in the Santa Cruz Department.
-Uyuni in the Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Lake) in Potosi.
-In Oruro in the Pampa of Aullagas, which according to investigations of the British cartographer Jim Allen it’s the place where the Atlantis was located.

Read More about Tihuanaku by clicking here.
Use our search tool to find Travel Guide’s to attend this event by clicking here

Coming event: El Gran Poder

Fiesta de Jesús del Gran Poder

If you're in La Paz on May 17th this is an event you can miss. Fiesta de Jesús del Gran Poder is one of the larges celebrations in Bolivia outside the Carnabal. The religious celebration include dances performed by devotes of the image of Jesus, 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. For additional information, check the event official Web Site (click here)

May 17th (Movable according with the Catholic Calendar)
Fiesta de Jesús del Gran Poder
La Paz-La Paz
Religious/ethnic