Cochabamba

Cochabamba is Bolivia's third-largest city - a warm, sunny valley city at 2,558 meters known as the "City of Eternal Spring" for its pleasant year-round climate. Famous for its food culture (it's considered Bolivia's culinary capital), the massive Cristo de la Concordia statue (taller than Rio's Christ the Redeemer), and a vibrant market scene.

The Cristo de la Concordia stands 34.2 meters tall on Cerro San Pedro, making it one of the tallest Christ statues in the world. A cable car takes visitors to the top, where panoramic views stretch across the Cochabamba valley. The Cancha market is one of the largest open-air markets in South America - a sprawling, chaotic, fascinating bazaar selling everything imaginable.

Cochabamba is where Bolivians come to eat - the city is obsessed with food. Silpancho (breaded meat over rice and potatoes), pique macho (a massive sharing plate of meat, fries, and vegetables), and salteñas (Bolivian empanadas) are local specialties. The surrounding valley produces excellent wine and singani (Bolivia's grape brandy).

The dry season (April-October) offers clear skies and pleasant temperatures. Cochabamba's climate is mild year-round, but the wet season (November-March) brings afternoon downpours.