Getting Around Cochabamba
Cochabamba sits in a valley in the Andes and is known as the "City of Eternal Spring" for its spring-like temperatures year-round. Locals are called cochalas or cochabambinos, and the city is nicknamed "La Llajta" — Quechua for "town." As the largest urban centre between La Paz and Santa Cruz, it's an easy city to navigate once you understand the local transport habits.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Cochabamba has no metro, tram or passenger rail network for getting around the city. Visitors rely entirely on road-based transport: buses, minivans, shared cabs and taxis. Plan your movements around these instead of looking for a train or subway.
Buses, Minivans and Shared Cabs
Public transport in Cochabamba comes in three main flavours, all running along fixed routes:
- Micros — full-sized buses.
- Trufis — minivans.
- Taxi-trufis — shared cabs following set routes.
There are no set stops. To get off, you call out "me bajo" (I want to get off) or "esquina" (to stop at the corner). Fares are paid in cash, and many drivers don't carry adequate change, so don't be surprised if you don't receive any — keep small bills handy.
From the north of the city, several trufi lines run along Av. Ayacucho and pass the main bus terminal, including the green 101, 102, 103 and 109. If you're arriving with a lot of luggage, it's not recommended to exit the main terminal to catch a bus — the area is hectic and makes you an easier target for pickpocketing. Walking from the terminal, especially late at night, is also not advised.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Most cars honking at you are cabs. Always ask and negotiate the fare before entering. There is no standard fare, and most taxi drivers will try to overcharge tourists. According to regulations that aren't well publicised, the price should be around Bs. 6 for one person within the city centre (inside the boundaries of the river), with crossing the bridges adding another Bs. 2. Additional passengers should cost a small amount per person. A trip downtown to Quillacollo runs considerably more.
If you're in a radio taxi — one with a company logo on the side — you can ask the driver to call the dispatcher and quote you the official price. There is a municipal toll-free number to report overcharging: 800-14-0201. Radio taxis are recommended in the evenings, and there's no additional charge to call one to pick you up.
Radio taxi companies include:
- Ciudad Jardín — Uyuni Avenue #731, ☏ +591 4 4241111, contacto@radiotaxiciudadjardin.com. Typically features more modern cars and has placards inside showing the driver's name and ID number. They also have a mobile app for requesting services.
- Renacer — Papa Paulo Avenue #491, ☏ +591 4 4200555. Operates primarily out of the Muyurina area.
- Jacarandá — Lucas Mendoza Street #612, ☏ +591 4 4200136. Operates primarily out of the Cala Cala neighbourhood.
Walkability
The city centre is compact enough to explore on foot, and many of the main sights, plazas and markets sit close together. That said, the source material specifically cautions against walking from the bus terminal, particularly at night, so plan to take a taxi or radio taxi for that leg. As with any city, keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas like the terminal and La Cancha market.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (CBB) connects well to other large cities in Bolivia. If you're flying in from La Paz, sit on the left side for a stunning view of Mt. Illimani just off the wingtip.
Airlines serving Cochabamba include:
- Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) — Bolivia's flag carrier and largest airline. Domestic flights from Cochabamba go to La Paz, Santa Cruz, Tarija, Cobija, Sucre, Oruro, Potosí and other smaller regional destinations. International destinations include Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Miami and Madrid. Tickets can be purchased with a credit card on their website.
- TAM — a small airline with a single Avro RJ70 plane and a very simple route network, including flights into Cochabamba from La Paz and out to Santa Cruz. It ceased operations for a period and resumed limited service in May 2024.
- Ecojet — offers a few flights between Bolivia's major cities, sometimes with promotional reduced fares.
To reach the city centre from the airport, a taxi costs roughly Bs. 25–35 (about US$3.50–5.00) depending on distance. When exiting the airport, there's a sign showing fixed costs depending on the boundaries — you may want to snap a picture of it in case a driver tries to charge you more. There is also a public bus, the "B" line, that eventually makes its way to the centre of town.
Arriving by Long-Distance Bus
The main bus terminal is about 10 blocks south of the centre, just north of the market called La Cancha. At the north end of the terminal there are radio taxis associated with the terminal — these are much more convenient for reaching your destination, especially with luggage.
Most bus companies charge around the same amount for a ticket, but seat classes differ. Interestingly, despite Bolivia being a poorer country, the number of "leito" (cama) seats is far higher than semi-cama or regular seats. Bus times are generally quite accurate because the station is so busy that buses can't wait forever at a platform. Arrive about an hour before departure to get the best price.
Always be aware of roadblocks while travelling in Bolivia. If companies know of existing roadblocks, many will halt their services, while others will take you as far as the roadblock, and you'll have to pay again after crossing. It's always recommended to wait for a roadblock to be lifted before travelling, even if a bus will take you that far.
Direct services connect Cochabamba with La Paz, Santa Cruz, Sucre, Oruro, Potosí and Tupiza, plus less-frequented services to Buenos Aires, Iquique and Arica. For other destinations, it's typically advisable not to travel directly from Cochabamba — instead, go first to one of the intermediary cities above and take another service from there.