Cochabamba, Bolivia: Culture, Celebration and Indigenous People.

Celebrating education, fiesta parade in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Cochabamba is a city in central Bolivia, at the foot of the Andes Mountains. It’s population is combined of local Bolivian and indigenous with around 800,000 inhabitants. 

Traditional clothing for festival in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Cochabamba has an amazing public transportation system, which we enjoyed very much. It has beautiful views of the city from the hills to the city center. In the morning, we walked the hills to climb the stairs to the Cristo Ray Statue. The view from Cristo Ray statue were amazing and we were lucky to attend a gathering of the Bolivian army at the foot of the statue.

At the foot of the Cristo Ray Statue, the army was gathering together in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Cochabamba also has a huge market, the biggest one in Bolivia. We were strolling the market for hours. We enjoy sharing with you in this blog the typical views you can witness in the Cochabamba market.

Local Bolivian fish market in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Local market and traditional clothing of indigenous woman in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Cochabamba is known as the heart of Bolivia and the gastronomic capital. Cochobamba is known for its biggest market, which includes many fruits, vegetables, papas, chiccaron, rice and other traditional cuisines. 

Enjoying a fresh fruit shake at the Cochabamba market in Bolivia.

Plentiful of fresh fruit in the Cochabamba, Bolivia, market.

Choclo and queso, traditional dish in Bolivia that consists of corn and cheese in Cochabamba, Bolivia market.

Indigenous Bolivian woman selling drinks in the market of Cochabamba, Bolivia.

We enjoyed walking the city and touring the market and tasting the delicious fruit and food. In Cochoabamba we were amazed to co-mingle with the local Bolivian and different ethnic groups of the indigenous. In that area, the indigenous Bolivians are a mix of Quechua, Aymara and Mestizo ethnicities.

Noy with the Bolivian locals dressed in traditional clothing in the parade in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

During our visit, there was a city festival which included a large parade of students, teachers and the residents of the city. The festival was to promote the education in the universities and local schools. In Cochabamba, the education takes precedence and there are a few universities located in the city.

Bolivian children in traditional clothing at the parade in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

In the festival, which we enjoyed very much, you can witness the colorful clothing and the traditional ones. The clothing of the students, the teachers and the residents, were very traditional, unique and amazing in their details. Their clothing was showing the significance of the connection between the Bolivians and their traditions. The Bolivian people and the indigenous are very proud people who take importance in preserving their traditions.

Bolivian children in their colorful, unique clothing in the parade in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

In the evening, we walked around the city center, ate some street food and we returned to our hostel. We had a joyful evening with our host. 

City center of Cochabamba, Bolivia.