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.

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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.