Tarija is the capital and largest city of the Tarija Department of Bolivia, with a population of some 268,000 (2012), and is the centre of Bolivia's fledgling wine industry.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
In the central valley of the district, at 1,800–2,000 m, the climate in Tarija is mild and semi-arid, in contrast to the harsh Altiplano and the humid heat of the Amazon Basin. Average daily highs are 27–30 °C year round, while average nightly lows vary 8–17 °C depending on season. Freezing temperatures in winter are not uncommon. The winters (May–Aug) are dry, while summers are more rainy. As the Inca Empire conquered the valley, the original population was dispersed. The stone roads might have been built by the pre-Inca cultures. The city was founded in 1574. Tarija is the most important wine district of Bolivia.
The main plaza is picturesque and pleasant. The plaza is surrounded by restaurants of various cuisines, local handicraft shops, and internet cafés. The public market, a university campus and a number of sights are nearby. These areas are easily walkable. Hop-on micros, many lines, ask the locals or watch the windscreen for routes & destinations; ride within city limits Bs. 1.50. Some go further afield (e.g. San Lorenzo, San Jacinto). Trufis and colectivos go to El Valle de la Concepción from the stand at Calle Corrado (btwn. Trigo & Campero) – Bs. 10 per person. Short rides in taxis cost Bs. 3.50 per person.
1 Paleontology Museum, Calle Gral. Trigo No. 402 Esquina Virginio Lema, ☏ +591 4 663 6680, museou@mail.uajms.edu.bo. M–F 08:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00, Sa 09:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00. (updated Nov 2017) 2 Plaza Principal Luis De Fuentes y Vargas. Town square where you can watch people and time go by. (updated Oct 2020) 3 El Castillo Azul (Bolívar @ La Paz). Strange white and blue striped house in the gabled style of a castle. Old governor's house. 4 Mirador de los Suenos. Glass ball observation deck will enable you to have 360 degree views of the Tarija valley. (updated Oct 2020) 5 Casa Dorada, Calle Ingravi 0370, ☏ +591 4 6634201. Heritage building with historical museum about Tarija.
Valle de los Condores, Tienda Ecosol, Calle Virginio Lema entre Mendez y Suipacha. The condor's valley is a great undiscovered gem in Bolivia. 1 to 4 days treks, the scenery is spectacular and you get to see a lot of condors, some coming as close as 10 m. You can also to experience the countryside life harvesting honey or baking traditional bread with a family of the local community. (updated May 2015) Nature reserves. For visit to both Sama (Reserva Biológica de la Cordillera de Sama; 1,000 km²) and Tariquia (Reserva nacional de Tariquía; 2,500 km²) you need permission (free) from the Serdap at Av Jaime Paz Zamor 1161 ( across the bus terminal ) .
Gattopardo, Plaza Luis de Fuentes (main plaza). Smart restaurant, very popular with local middle class, parillada, good pizzas, salads, salteñas, good selection of local wines; try the fillet steak finished rare or "a la Inglés" (Bs. 40) - heaven! Pastelería Yenny (pronounced Jenny), Av. 15 de Abril (btwn. main plaza & D. Campos). Great cakes and real coffee, welcoming staff; definitely try "torta de tres leches y nuez". Cafe Show, Sucre (corner Del Carpio). Simple, reliable budget option. Set lunch (starter, soup, main course and dessert) for Bs. 10, limonada to drink. Also sells cakes and empanadas. Just don't expect coffee here. El Molino, Calla la Madrid O-0803, near Ramon Rojas.
Cafe Mokka, Plaza Sucre (Ave 15 de Abril). Great coffee and cakes, also fairly good speed free WiFi Nougat (General Trigo @ 15 de Abril). 09:00-23:00. Pretty cafe, nice decor, like most of South America, the milkshakes are mostly milk. Slow Wi-Fi, waitress unwilling to fix order when she got it wrong. Fair prices. XOXO (Sucre @ 15 de Abril). Americana-decorated diner-esque bar with a solid burger (Bs. 29) as well. Marilyn Monroe & Elvis Presley plaster the walls. One TV for watching sports. Split level seating. Quick Wi-Fi. Fair prices.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Sep, Tarija typically sees ~26°C daytime highs and 7 rainy days.
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