Tarija: Wine and Nature Reserves
Accommodation in Tarija
Tarija offers several distinct ways to experience the region: the Valle de la ConcepciĂłn focuses on vineyards and wine tastings, while the Sama and TariquĂa reserves offer a different experience, with high-Andean lagoons, mountainous terrain and forests. There is also an annual pilgrimage. When planning a hotel stay, it helps to decide whether wine, landscapes or a specific cultural date will be the focus of your trip.
Winegrowing and tastings
The Valle de la Concepción is 25 km from the city of Tarija and is one of the main tourist attractions in the Department of Tarija. It is also an important winegrowing region, with the department’s largest vineyard area and some of Bolivia’s most important wineries. La Casa Vieja offers wine tastings in an artisanal winery in the Valle de la Concepción. Check the current visitor arrangements before your visit.
Visitors can also learn about artisanal singani production and take part in a guided tasting at Bodega Artesanal El Galeán, along the Ruta del Singani Artesanal y los Molinos de Piedra. The winery is in Sub Central de Yesera, in the municipality of Tarija. The visitor experience may vary depending on the season and the organized route. The two offerings have different focuses: La Casa Vieja offers wine tastings, while at El Galeán you can also learn about singani production.
Lagoons, mountains and forests
The Reserva BiolĂłgica de la Cordillera de Sama is characterized by steep slopes, plateaus and high-Andean lagoons. At Laguna Pujzara Tajzara, visitors can watch birds and walk along the shore. The site brings together scenic landscapes, nature observation and waterside activity.
The Reserva Nacional de Flora y Fauna TariquĂa offers a different landscape: it is characterized by mountainous terrain and mostly well-preserved forests. Visitors can camp in Sidras and hike in the reserve. Check specific access arrangements locally.
The difference between the landscapes can help you choose between these nature experiences: Sama is known for its lagoons, birdwatching and waterside walks; TariquĂa combines mountainous terrain and forests with camping in Sidras and hikes in the reserve. Which option better suits your travel interests depends on whether you would rather focus on the lagoon or the forested mountains.
An annual pilgrimage
An annual pilgrimage to the Santuario de Chaguaya in honor of the Virgen de Chaguaya takes place in Tarija from August 15 to September 14. It provides a distinct date on the calendar alongside the region’s wine and nature experiences. If you are planning your trip around the pilgrimage, check the current dates and arrangements in advance.
In the wider destination of Bolivia
Bolivia offers more than Tarija. The monumental stone structures of the Tiwanaku ceremonial center are preserved in protected archaeological zones. Its public religious spaces include the Semi-Subterranean Temple, the Temple of Kalasasaya, and the Akapana and Pumapunku pyramids.
The heritage of the ChiquitanĂa in eastern Bolivia is also part of this wider cultural context. It includes six surviving Jesuit missions: San Francisco Javier, ConcepciĂłn, Santa Ana, San Miguel, San Rafael and San JosĂ©. In the ChiquitanĂa, the Jesuits and the Indigenous communities associated with them combined European architecture with local traditions. These examples offer another perspective on Bolivia’s culture, alongside Tarija’s wine destinations, landscapes and experiences.
Discover more destinations: Cercado, Aniceto Arce, Gran Chaco, CaraparĂ, Jose Maria Aviles, Pando, Chuquisaca, Oruro.
Return to the main travel overview: Bolivia.
