TARIJA
The department known as the Andalusia of Bolivia, is a garden favored by nature in which poetry, song and dance are combined with fertile valleys, extensive plains and rivers of crystal clear waters. The city of Tarija on the banks of the Guadalquivir River is a city with spring weather almost all year round. It is distinguished by its hospitality and the joy and joviality of its people.
You can find in Tarija, on the one hand dwellings of the dinosaurs of immemorial times with very important paleontological data and, on the other, fertile lands of abundant vineyards and production of rich and fine wines. In Tarija we also find one of the most important fish resources in the country: the plentiful Pilcomayo River, belonging to the La Plata river basin.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Paleontological, archaeological and historical museum
Tarija is characterized for having been populated in prehistoric times by different species of dinosaurs, of which we find evidence in this important national repository. The museum presents 700 pieces on display of which 505 belong to mammals whose fossils have been found in the Quaternary Cave of Tarija and 195 pieces are invertebrate fossils of the Paleozoic age. The archaeological section has 5,000 lithic and ceramic pieces, with arrowheads, darts, burnished, spinning wheels, jugs, pots, etc.
Church of San Francisco
Founded in 1606, it is one of the oldest in Tarija. It has a library with more than 15,000 volumes of great historical value and a pinacoteca of the colonial era.
Metropolitan Cathedral
Built in 1810 by the Jesuits and declared a cathedral in 1925, today it houses a public school and the Cathedral Museum where a real treasure is kept in oil, silver and gold chalices inlaid with stone.
Church of San Roque
It is the center of the most important festivity of Tarija, the Patronal Feast of San Roque. In honor of this saint the processions and dancers go through the streets called "chunchos".
Church of San Juan
This church was founded in 1632. In this place the surrender of the Spaniards was signed, declaring the triumph of the army of national liberation, after the battle of La Tablada on April 15, 1817. It is located in the area of ​​the same name from which can be seen a panoramic view of the city.
The Golden House
Founded in 1930. It is currently the House of Culture of Tarija. The facade is striking with statuettes at the top. Figures of triumphant women appear on its cornice and on the atrium.
The mill
Located in the neighborhood of the same name, it retains its colonial appearance. Here the Feast of the Virgin of the Rosary takes place.
Avenue "Las Americas"
It is an extensive and beautiful walk; It borders the city in the southern part, it is located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River.
Observatory
Located in the vicinity of the city. Belongs to the Academy of Sciences of Bolivia. Tarija was chosen to install it due to the special conditions of its skies. At night it is open to the public to observe the planets, the moon and the stars. Inside and outside visitors arrive to appreciate, through their modern and powerful telescopes, phenomena such as eclipses or the passage of comets
Chaco region
Much of the region is made up of immense plains that extend to the south. It has forests rich in wood; It has several rivers, the most important being the Pilcomayo, whose fishing resources are commercialized in different parts of the country.
Yacuiba: It is an important urban center, its vegetation and fauna are varied, it has a paved road that links the country with Argentina. Every year the event called Festifront is celebrated in this town.
Villamontes: Its best attraction is the sport fishing that is practiced in the Pilcomayo river throughout the year, authorized only with hooks. This worthy city is intimately linked to the national history in the chapter of the Chaco War (1932 - 1935), was the main scene of the war with Paraguay. In Villamontes the International Festival of Fish is celebrated annually.
The tarijeño valley
La Tablada: It is considered a historic field where the brave Montoneros, commanded by the chapaco leader "Moto Méndez", staged an epic day contributing to the cause of freedom. In the fields of La Tablada, the Chapaco Rodeo is celebrated.
Tomatitas: Natural spa with its beaches full of sun, bathed by the confluence of the Rivers Guadalquivir and Erquis. It has a beautiful "Suspension Bridge" and a wooded park suitable for picnics. It is a place that can be visited all year round, since the weather is warm. The visitor finds typical food, national and international, you can also taste the delicious pateros wines and chicha de maíz.
Rincon de la Victoria: It is one of the places of greatest tourist attraction of Tarija, it is ideal for weekends. Surrounded by a panorama where green manifests itself in all shades, it is a paradisiacal zone.
Jets of Jurina: Falls of water or jets formed by a river that precipitates and forms two channels, one known by the name of white jet and the other as black jet, is place of incomparable beauty. The flow precipitates from a height of more than 40 meters. and falls at the foot of a similarity of water dust that takes different tonalities according to the intensity of the solar rays and the position of the sun.
San Lorenzo: Cradle of the national guerrilla hero Don Eustaquio Méndez. It has a colonial style with cobblestone streets and houses with carved balconies. Here is the house of Moto Méndez converted into a national museum. The church of San Lorenzo dates from 1709 and has an original architecture surrounded by a green countryside.
Museo Casa del Moto Méndez: In the town of San Lorenzo we find what was the abode of the great leader of independence, Moto Mendez. They keep their personal belongings here and the setting corresponds to the time in which the hero lived. In the museum, the testament that he left at the time of his death and the weapons he used with the montoneros in the contests of independence lasts.
Coimata: Falls of crystalline waters between two hills that make beautiful pools, which invite locals and strangers to cool off in them. It offers a place to swim, sunbathe and enjoy nature with abundant flora.
San Jacinto: Here, nautical sports are practiced and national and international boating competitions are held. Ideal place to fish.
Erquis: It is a wide leisure area for locals and strangers and for hunting and fishing.
Tolomosita: It is a natural spa of geological formations constituted by a considerable extension of farallones of clay that present / display different forms in a shore.
Tolomosa: It is a natural spa, with a scenario of robust trees and green meadows.
San Andrés: It is a natural spa where the potato fair takes place annually.
El Angosto de San Luis: The rivers Guadalquivir and San Jacinto come together to form what is called El Angosto, a spa with deep pools where youth squander courage by jumping into its waters from a suspension bridge over 20 m. Tall.
Conception: Traditional place of the grape festival, vineyards, orchards, in its purest colonial architectural style.
Padcaya: Its architecture is varied and retains something of the colonial style. The most outstanding are the remains of an old building in the canton Cabildo. Presents caves with archaeological remains of cave paintings belonging to ancient civilizations.
Bermejo: Recreation place where you can practice hunting. In the rivers Bermejo and Tarija, it is possible to practice sport fishing. Here is the "International Festival of Lapacho". Among the tourist attractions of the region are: El Chorro; a natural spa and El Cajón; considered as the most important fish reserve in the country. Those who prefer adventure tourism have in "El Cajón", the best place for sport fishing.
Entre Ríos: Its attractions are abundant and varied flora. It is the scene of the most famous folk festival of the department, the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe.