La Paz invites you to the Bicentennial celebrations

Come to the celebrations of 200 years of the proclamation of the first independent government in Latin America held in La Paz, Bolivia on July 16, 1809. The bicentennial celebrations will last the entire month of July and officially began the first of July, with the flag hoisted in La Paz and the lighting the torch located at the Plaza Murillo, representing the fire of freedom that never goes out, near the monument to Pedro Domingo Murillo, a leader of the Junta Tuitiva, the first independent government in Latin America that was under the Spanish yoke.

As part of the celebrations, commemorative coins have been minted. Also the mayor of La Paz has planned the execution of an endless array of activities throughout the month. But the high point of the celebrations will take the 15 and 16 with parades and music festivals throughout the Department of La Paz with the participation of all citizens of the city, including the national government and guests from around the world. The festival will be extended naturally to other cities in the La Paz Department, El Alto, Copacabana, Coroico, Tiwanaku, and so on. An excellent opportunity for those who are in the city of La Paz on these dates to be part of the party, and share the patriotic fervor of the party.

Everything for Aymara's New Year 5517 at Tiwanaku

Happy New Year 5517, it’s not a typo; Aymara people in Tiwanaku Bolivia are celebrating the year 5517. Tiwanaku has been the center of spiritual and political life of the Tiwanaku culture. After the extinction of this culture, before the Spanish conquistadors reached America, Andean people had gathered here to celebrate the Willkakuti (Return of the Sun), for many centuries. The celebration of the New Year or Willkakuti coincides with winter solstice in the southern hemisphere, when the sun is farthest from the planet. This natural phenomenon marks the beginning of a new planting season.

According to the official program, the June 20 will start on the town’s main square of Tiwanaku, with a pilgrimage to Quimsa Chata, where there will be an offering to mother earth.

Later at 5 p.m. on the main square of the town there will be a Cultural Festival for all visitors, this will last trough the night and it will be accompanied of native music and. The next day all will be ready for the Ritual Ceremony of the Great Willkakuti at the temple of Kalasasaya. The sun will rise around 07:25 a.m. when all locals and visitors will receive the Cosmic Energy of the first rays of the sun on a New Year. This will be done by raising the hands to the rays of the new sun as tradition calls.

Tours for this celebration are easy to find around Sagarnaga Street in La Paz. It’s advised to bring warm clothes, gloves and something warm to drink, due to the frigid conditions of the Andes during the night.

2009 Fiesta del Gran Poder

If you're planning to be in La Paz, Bolivia on June 6th this is an event you can miss. Make your hotel reservation fast because this celebration brings people from around the world and most hotels are booked well in advance. The Fiesta de Jesús del Gran Poder (Jesus Almighty) is one of the larges celebrations in Bolivia outside the Carnaval. The religious celebration include a dancers parade a across the city of La Paz, the dances are performed by devotes of the image of Jesus of el Gran Poder, one of the most revered and venerated images in Bolivia.

The dancers parade starts around 10:00 a.m. and lasts the entire day, it starts at Cementerio near the Jesus of Grand Poder Church and finishes at Park Roosevelt near the Hernando Siles Stadium, crossing the entire downtown area, you'll need to get a sit early in the morning, the area near Plaza San Francisco is considered to be one of the best places to be watch this magnificent traditional dances display.

Seasom: High

June 6th (Movable according with the Catholic Calendar)

Fiesta de Jesús del Gran Poder

La Paz-La Paz

Religious/ethnic

2009 Feria International de Cochabamba

The Feria International de Cochabamba is one of the largest trade fairs in Bolivia this Fair is accompanied by shows, great food and artist presentations. The Fair includes companies from around the world, showcasing their products, going from the food industry to technology and machinery. This event qualified as one of the most important economic events in the country, expects to generate more than 150 million dollars in business transactions, commercial agreements and other activities such as tourism, entertainment, services, direct sales, among others.

Date of the event: Starts on April 23th (normally goes for two weeks)
Recurrence: las week of April (Movable Event Organizer defines de date)
Location: Feria International de Cochabamba, Cochabamba
Type: Trade Fair

Season: High
Read more about to Cochabamba
Find Hotels in Cochabamba

Easter in Bolivia (Semana Santa)

This is one of the most important celebrations in the Bolivian calendar. The celebration is deep into the catholic roots of the country. It includes processions and parades on every city and town.
The long Holiday (starts on Thursday and ends on Sunday), it's used for many Bolivians as a chance for a short vacation; therefore most hotels are completely booked during this days. We recommend you to do your reservation well in advance if possible; and to double check with the hotel, for availability at least one day before you get there.

The peoples favorites are: Coroico in La Paz, Uyuni Salt flats in Potosi, the Las Misiones or Samaipata in Santa Cruz, etc.


Recurrence: April or May (Movable according with the Roman Catholic Calendar)
Where: Bolivia
Type: Religious
Season: High