Oruro

Oruro is famous for its Carnival, recognized by UNESCO as one of the world's great folkloric festivals with elaborate masks and dances. The city served as a major mining centre and railway hub, though declining rail connections have reduced its transit importance. Located just 3 hours and Bs. 15 by bus from La Paz, it offers a cheaper, less stressful alternative to the capital with colonial streets and Andean wildlife.

Buses from La Paz take approximately 3 hours and cost Bs. 15. The main bus terminal is located in the north of the city on Av. 6 de Agosto. Oruro is the current northern terminus for trains from Uyuni and Villazón (border with Argentina), operated by FCA with two services: the comfortable Expreso Sur and the more basic Wara Wara, each with two departures weekly.

The streets are well planned with Av. 6 de Agosto featuring a railway track in the middle running north to south. The centre is small enough to explore on foot, with micros heading to the main bus terminal cruising this avenue. The main square, Plaza 10 de Febrero, serves as the reference point for locals and visitors. The Virgen del Socavon temple is in the west part of the city.

Key attractions include the Faro del Conchupata offering excellent views, El Cerrato (also known as El Corazón de Jesús), and a museum of ethnography and folklore near the zoo in the south where you can see Chipaya artifacts and carnival costumes with masks. The small town of Cala-Cala, 45 minutes from the centre, has the Señor de Lagunas temple and prehistoric stone art. The surrounding hills feature geological curiosities including a snake-shaped stone, a crocodile-shaped mountain, and a giant frog formation.

The Carnival is the main event, occurring before Ash Wednesday between February 4th and March 10th. Walking up the hills surrounding the town offers easy excursions with decent views—bring ice cream and water. You can watch the train come through the middle of the main road, waiting about 1.5 hours before departure. The zoo in the south part of the city displays exotic Andean wildlife.

Fast food places serving cheap burgers, chicken, and papas fritas are found everywhere, especially around the bus station. Govinda at 6 de Octubre 6071 is an ambitious vegetarian restaurant with mains at Bs. 6-12, best visited at lunch. Negritos, two blocks from the main plaza on Bolivar, is one of few places with WiFi. For heartier meals, El Fogon near the bus station offers typical Bolivian food with generous portions, including Pique for long bus journeys.

Budget accommodation in the centre is surprisingly rare—options are either far below standard or start at Bs. 80. Residencial El Imperia de Carlos on La Plata 6364 is the best inexpensive option at Bs. 40 per person with WiFi included. Alojamiento Rosen at 21 de Enero No. 240 across from the bus station offers twins for Bs. 30 but is very basic with shared bath. Residencial 21 de Abril on Montecinos No. 198 has private rooms with shared bath at Bs. 50 with hot water.

Several bus companies run to Iquique and Arica in Chile from the main bus terminal. Trans Salvador charges Bs. 90 for the 10-14 hour trip including a simple meal, crossing at Tambo Quemado. Don't bring food across the border as there are X-ray searches at Chungara on the Chilean side. Sajama National Park offers beautiful Andean landscapes with Nevada Sajama (Bolivia's highest peak), accessible by tour, with buses leaving from the Tambo Quemado servis bus station in the far southwest at the ring road.

The Carnival is the peak time to visit, occurring before Ash Wednesday (February 4 to March 10). This spectacular festival draws visitors from across Bolivia and beyond. The rest of the year is quieter, making it a peaceful budget destination.

Oruro is generally a safe city for travellers, though standard precautions apply. The bus station area attracts some petty crime. Budget accommodation options in the centre are limited, with many falling below acceptable standards.