Tarija - Facilities and Tourism

Facilities and Tourism

Tarija's main plaza is regarded as a picturesque and pleasant place to take a break or stroll around. The plaza is surrounded by restaurants of various cuisines, local handicraft shops, and internet cafes. Within immediate walking distance is the public market, a university campus, and a number of sights including the renowned Paleontology Museum of Tarija City. The public water supply, while still not potable by North American or Western European standards, is relatively clean in contrast to other Bolivian cities of equal or larger size.

High-quality restaurants, such as El Gattopardo and Cafe Mokka, as well as fast food restaurants like McRonalds, Kukis, and Homeros service the city. Tarija is also known for its youth entertainment, like the famed Plazuela Sucre, which attracts young people from all over the area. Tarija's nightlife is popular with tourists, like its dance clubs Vertigo and Bunker,. From Tarija, primary destinations and land routes coincide with the cardinal directions: Paraguay/the Gran Chaco, to the east via Yacuiba; Argentina, to the south via Bermejo, Yacuiba or Villazón; Tupiza/the Salar de Uyuni, to the west via Villazón; and the central cities of Bolivia, to the north via Potosí. The route to the altiplano and Potosí is much safer, as of December 2012. A new tunnel bypasses Sama, the mountain just west of the city of Tarija.

Tarija's land and climate are adequate for grape and wine production. The Festival of Wine is held annually in Tarija. The San Jacinto Dam is located a few kilometers south of Tarija. Also, the Chorros de Jurina falls, located a few kilometers from the city, is an enjoyable and popular local outing.