General Info
Volunteer in Cochabamba in Bolivia
Gone are the days when Cochabamba – or simply ´Cocha´ – was nothing more than a stop-off point for travelers visiting other parts of the country? It is now a cosmopolitan and vibrant city with a wealth of services, facilities and attractions to offer locals and visitors alike. Far more to offer than many imagine.
Located between La Paz and Santa Cruz, at 2558m above sea level, the city is easily accessible by air and road with additional daily connections to all other major locations.
Also known as Bolivia’s “Resort City” – “Garden City” and most commonly “City of Eternal Spring”, Cochabamba enjoys mild weather throughout the year with average annual temperatures of around 25°C. The seasons tend to merge into one and the weather is generally warm or hot all year round. Summers are long with temperatures reaching 35ºC, and winters very short – six weeks or so around July and August – with daily temperatures of around 20ºC, and a night-time low of 5ºC.
Like most of its South American neighbors, Cochabamba´s seasons are thought of in terms of dry and rainy. The months of greatest rainfall are January and February. At other times, many weeks can pass without a cloud in the sky.
Places to Visit
La Cancha : South America´s largest open-air market is open seven days a week with thousands of stalls selling everything imaginable. It is said that if you cannot find what you´re looking for in La Cancha you won´t find it anywhere in Bolivia!
El Cristo de la Concordia: The 34 metre tall statue of Jesus Christ – higher than the Cristo del Corcovado in Rio, Brazil – offers a stunning panoramic 360º view of the city.
Palacio Portales : The former home of tin baron Simón I. Patiño, (who in later life was one of the five wealthiest men in the world), with its French Renaissance and Louis XVI architectural overtones and influences of Alhambra de Granada, now hosts an art museum, cultural centre, concert salon, extensive gardens, a library and stables.
Pairumani: (Villa Albina): The Patiño family country mansion and mausoleum.
The Cathedral (Plaza 14 de Septiembre) : Built in 1571 houses many of its original frescos, icons, tapestries, vestments and paintings.
Museo Arqueológico: Exhibits and artifacts dating from ancient and Colonial times.
Casa de la Cultura: Pre-Inca burial site relics, works of art and historical literature.
Parque Mariscal Santa Cruz in the Chimba neighborhood: Gaudi inspired architecture, aquariums, a boating lake, fountains, sports fields, dirt bike hills, fairground rides, picnic areas and a host of other recreational activities for children and adults.
The Cochabamba Country Club: The place to ´see and be seen´. An 18-hole golf course, 12 clay tennis courts, swimming pool, fitness centre, skeet shooting, horseback riding, and a restaurant offering an international menu are all available.
Tunari and San Sebastian Hills: Perfect for camping, trekking, Horse-riding, wildlife and bird-watching.
The Convento De San Francisco: Built in 1607, with its stunning original rainforest-wood interior has a gold leaf altar and a Plaza facade reflecting a Mestizo fusion of Spanish Baroque and Indigenous architectural styles.
Things to Do
Cochabamba has more places to spend a night out than you can imagine. Small intimate café-lounges, clubs, discos and karaoke bars, all provide the visitor with a wealth of choice for a night out – whatever their tastes. As an alternative to a night on the town the ´Cine Center´ has 10 movie screens, Sky games zone, internet café, fast food & restaurant dining, and ice cream parlous. The 10-pin bowling alley and several pool halls are nearby, for yet another alternative night out.
Eating Out
From street food to exclusive restaurants and everything between, the city offers locations catering to every taste, ranging from traditional local and national dishes to specialty cuisines from around the world.
´Eat to live – Live to eat´ is the motto of many Cochabambinos!
Benefits:
Dates: Flexible dates and durations of stay. Available throughout year, from 4 weeks-3 months+. You pick your start and finish dates.
Cost: Costs vary depending on length of stay. Starts at $500-$700usd for 4 weeks including accommodation, food, transfer from the airport, full pre-departure support, local in-country team support and backup, 24-hour emergency support.
Requirements:
No any qualifications are necessary to join most of our Tanzania volunteer programs, just a good dose of enthusiasm and some experience if you have it and if you don’t have it then no problem with it! Everyone is welcome on a micatz programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 15 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.
