Experience in Tarija, Bolivia by Jimena

What is it like to live in Tarija? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living in Tarija is a great experience.. A small city with friendly people who are going to make you wish to stay there forever...
I would definitely recommend it for a short time experience...
People in Tarija is very helpful and friendly, it is easy to talk to anybody and then became part of a social group.
It is a calm city where you can walk everywhere in a short time, arriving to the university or wherever you want is very easily...
Tarija is a wine area in Bolivia, is a completely different city, Tarija is located in a valley in the south with a different weather as the rest of Bolivia.
In Tarija the winter is not too strong and the summer is really nice with some fresh rain.

What is the student lifestyle like in Tarija?

It is a calm life, you are going to have a lot of time to study and also to enjoy with friends..
In this city you have the opportunity to go back home for a healthy lunch and then comming back to the university.. School is from 7:30am to 12:45 so as the same, you can go back for lunch.

How much does it cost to live in Tarija?

Tarija is a cheap city, you can find a big apartment for 2 or 3 people in 500$us for all. And each room with bathroom, closet and kitchen, living room in common.
The food is also cheap, a dish in a very nice restaurante is 2 or 3$ and you have the chance to cook yourself buying fresh and economic vegetables and fruits in stores..

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Tarija? Is there any advice you can give?

It is difficult if you search it by internet, because they don't put the advices in popular pages...
They offer their accommodation in private agencies in the same city.
Try to ask someone you know in Tarija for the accommodation, also you can contact me on facebook as Jimena Ruiz Castellanos

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is very healthy, people used to cook with vegetables, rise, potatoes, seeds, meat..
Traditional food is very spicy and not so healthy but they used to be cheaper.
For traditional dishes you can try Humintas, Saice, Pastelitos de queso, Arbejada...
And if you don't want traditional food you can go to Gato Pardo, Xoxo, El Marquez

What places would you recommend visiting in Tarija?

Try to visit the small towns near Tarija, as "El valle de la concepcion" also "San Lorenzo", "El rincon de la victoria", "Sama", "camino del inca", "valle de los condores"

Is it good to eat out in Tarija? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

yes.. You can try food everywhere! A nice restaurant or also a fast food in streets..

Is the nightlife good in Tarija? Where is good to go?

Yes! Definitely is a nice experience, you can go out with friends everyday!
I would recommend on Tuesday "la bifurcada" Fridays "perros y gatos disco" Saturdays "bunker disco"
In Tarija is very common to go to a friends house and singing with guitars, so nice...
And "Pizza Pazza" on fridays is a bohemian night where definitely you are going to enjoy

What advice would you give future students heading to Tarija?

try to visit Tarija for summer, the new year party is amazing, and also the carnival... People use to play with water.
Find the "chunchos" in august