Essentials
- City
- Tarija, Cercado Province, Bolivia
- Population
- 250,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-50 Mbps (Fiber available via Entel and Tigo)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 6.91 BOB (Official), 1 EUR ≈ 7.50 BOB. Major banks: Banco Unión, BNB.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water (e.g., Naturagua, 2L for 6 BOB)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/C sockets
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Entel; 2GB data package for approx. 10 BOB ($1.45)
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Nacional de Bolivia (BNB); ATMs widely available but limit withdrawals to ~2,000 BOB
- Accommodation
- Monthly rentals via Airbnb or local Facebook groups (Alquileres Tarija)
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; carry cash for markets and taxis. Cards accepted in supermarkets and upscale restaurants.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com (approx. $300-$600/month for central apartments)
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostal Doña Elena (Calle Bolívar), approx. 100 BOB ($14) per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- El Centro (near Plaza Luis de Fuentes)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Barrio San Gerónimo or Barrio El Molino (quieter, better cafes)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Cowork Tarija (Calle Méndez entre Ingavi y La Madrid), approx. 50 BOB per day
- Best Cafe for Work
- XOXO Cafe (Plaza Luis de Fuentes) - good WiFi and central location
- Networking Events
- Cámara de Industria y Comercio de Tarija (CAINCOTAR) business mixers
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Bolivia Facebook Group; weekly meetups at Gattopardo
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- InDrive (popular) and local Radio Taxis (approx. 10 BOB for city trips)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Mostly private; some hostels offer basic bike rentals for 50 BOB/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- No ocean access; 'The Beach' at Coimata waterfalls (20 mins away)
- Top Regional Airline
- BoA (Boliviana de Aviación) - flights to Santa Cruz and La Paz
- Top International Airline
- LATAM or Avianca (via connection in La Paz or Santa Cruz)
- Highway Access
- Route 1 (North to Potosí/Sucre) and Route 11 (East to Villa Montes)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Buses Tarija (Avenida de Las Américas)
- Public Transport Passes
- Micro (buses) cost 1.50 BOB; pay in cash upon boarding
- Regional Travel
- Trufi (shared taxis) to San Lorenzo or Valle de la Concepción (5-10 BOB)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital San Juan de Dios (Public) or Clínica Santísima Trinidad (Private)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Espacio Shanti (Barrio El Molino) - classes approx. 40 BOB
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Premier Fitness Club (Calle Sucre), monthly pass approx. 300 BOB
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería La Burbuja (Calle Ingavi), approx. 10 BOB per kilo
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa (Most popular and reliable)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Saice Tarijeño (Spicy minced meat stew with noodles and potatoes)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- La Huertita (Calle General Trigo) - plant-based lunch sets
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pastelería Vainilla (Calle La Madrid) - try the Alfajores
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Central (Fresh produce and cheap meals - Almuerzo for 15 BOB)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Facebook Marketplace and Tumomo.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Supermercado Hipermaxi via PedidosYa
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Avenida Las Panosas and around Plaza Luis de Fuentes
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Astra (available in most bars)
- Wine Bars
- La Casa Vieja (Valle de la Concepción) - famous craft wine tasting
- Street Food Stalls
- Mercado Central evening stalls - try the Empanadas Tarijeñas
- Popular International Cuisine
- Gattopardo (Italian and international, Plaza Principal)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Casa Dorada (Madrigal Mansion), Blue Cathedral
- Museums & Art Venues
- Paleontology and Archeology Museum (Free entry)
- Historical Sites
- Castillo Azul (The Blue Castle)
- Religious Sites
- Catedral Metropolitana de Tarija
- Annual Events
- Carnaval Chapaco (February/March), Fiesta de San Roque (September)
- Cultural Districts
- Barrio El Molino (colonial architecture)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro de la Cultura (Calle Sucre)
- Local Markets
- Mercado Campesino (Massive local food and goods market)
- Music Scene
- Live Folk music (Cueca Tarijeña) at Peña La Cacharpaya
- Street Art
- Murals around the Universidad Juan Misael Saracho
- Cooking Classes
- Inquire at local hotels for private workshops on making Saice
- Art Galleries
- Galería de Arte de la Casa de la Cultura
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio de Justicia
- Local Heritage
- The 'Chapaco' culture - wine, music, and distinct dialect
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Rincón de la Victoria (Forests and river)
- National Parks Nearby
- Reserva Biológica de la Cordillera de Sama
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Ciclovía alongside the Guadalquivir River
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de los Sueños (The giant wine glass monument)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Laguna de San Jacinto
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Open camping zones near the San Jacinto Dam
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos de Bolivia (Public) and DHL (Calle Sucre)
- Tech Repair Services
- TecnoCell (Calle Domingo Paz)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club Tenis Tarija (Inquire for guest passes)
- Language Classes
- CBA (Centro Boliviano Americano) for Spanish/English classes
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Archivo Histórico Municipal
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural Salamanca
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Centers found frequently near Universidad Juan Misael Saracho
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Not officially recognized; focus is on local bingo halls
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $44,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $34,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $60,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $45,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $950 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $76,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $56,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (IUE - Impuesto sobre las Utilidades de las Empresas)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 12.5% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (Only income earned in Bolivia is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 13% (RC-IVA)
- VAT
- 13% (Standard nominal rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No strict CFC rules in place
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual tax based on municipal appraisal (approx 0.5% - 1.5%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% IMT (Impuesto Municipal a las Transferencias)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, territorial taxation means zero tax on foreign-sourced income