Tarija, also known as San Bernardo de la Frontera de Tarija is a city in southern Bolivia. It’s the capital and largest city within the Tarija Department, with it’s own airport (TJA) and a regional bus terminal with domestic and international destinations. The city has a Mediterranean climate similar to other Bolivian cities like Sucre, which is the complete opposite to the harsh cold in La Paz, and the heat in Santa Cruz. As of latest measurement the city of Tarija has a population of 200 thousand people.
Both travelers and local citizens agree, Tarija is the most Argentine city of Bolivia, there’s two ways to define it. It’s citizens are descended from Argentina, yet more importantly, it’s fabulous wine region. The city feels like the Argentina towns Jujuy and Salta, yet it has an exotic ambiance of Bolivian reality surrounding it, which you can feel taking a stroll in the central plaza or dining in one of the small yet fine restaurants serving both local and international cuisine. It’s advised to try an excellent local Argentinian wine Concepciòn, for a Bolivian price.
Another unique feature to this travel destination lies within it’s climate, vegetation, agriculture, locals and their language. If you enjoying your stay in Tarija, and wish to see more unique cities, towns you can follow the road to Argentina which goes through mountains and a deep forest canyon. Once you cross the border at Beremjo and Aguas Blancas you can continue the gringo trail leading deeper into Argentina towards Parque Nacional Calilegua, Salta, Jujuy and many other small villages where you hardly find any tourists.
To visit Bolivia, you will need a valid passport and about a hundred dollars for the visa. You need to fill in a visa application form as well. You also need to submit proof of sufficient funds for your stay, proof of return travel, and, if coming from Brazil or Paraguay, a proof that you have had your yellow fever vaccination.
