Stroll through occasional fairs for handicrafts, food and traditional dishes, such as Rostro Asado, which is a lamb's head baked with the skin.
Shop for local crafts and textiles at Artesanias Oruro.
Things to Do and See
In Oruro:
The biggest tourist attraction is the annual Carnival when thousands of the faithful people parade through the city streets on the way to the Sanctuary of El Socavón. Along the way, dances such as the Diablada, the Morenada, the Tobas, the Llamerada and the Phujllay are performed by folkloric, costumed and masked groups dressed as archangels, devils, Incas, Spanish conquistadors and others.
Museo Nacional Antropológico Eduardo Lopez Rivas displays tools and information on the Chipayas and Urus tribes as well as
a collection of masks belonging to the different dancing groups.
The Chiripujio chapel draws crowds on every Friday of every month to worship the Lord of Chiripujio and Santa Vera Cruz. These ceremonies mingle Catholic and pagan worship of the Viper and the condor.
Museo Mineralógico has approximately 5000 samples of minerals, fossils, precious stones and crystals in the Petrography, Mineralogy and Paleontology sections.
Museo Etnográfico Minero, housed in a mine tunnel, displays methods of mining
The Casa de Culture, also called the Museo Patiño, the former residence of Simon Patiño displays possessions, including colonial art paintings, Louis XV and XVI style furniture.
The Sanctuary of Socavon - Historia de la Virgen del Socavon and photos.
Nearby:
Lake Poopó, south of Oruro. The main attraction is Panza Island for hunting and fishing.
Uru Uru Lake, also south of Oruro. The main attractions are the islands of like Huariala, Chamarra, Chacaloma and Ayero for wildlife viewing, hunting and fishing.
Warm water spas of Capachos, Urmiri Estalza, Pazea and Obrajes. The latter has individual pools, and is reputed to have medicinal benefits.
The Curahuara of Carangas Church, near the frontier with Chile, dates from 1606. The frescoes are particularly worth noting this "Sistine Chapel of the Highlands.”
Iglesia de Yarvicoya in Caracollo is an example of baroque art. Declared a national monument, the church dates from the 16th century. Photo of the Caracollo Church.
Chipaya town is considered one of the most important archeological ruins for its age and ceramics. The Chipayas were part of the Uru Chipayas and the culture is reputed to date from approximately 2500 BC.
Photo of Chipaya Chruch.
The Chullpares are Andean cemeteries with pre-Columbian mummies.
Paria was the first Bolivian town founded in 1535 by Diego de Almagro and Captain Juan de Saavedra. Foundations of the colonial church still exist after the church was rebuilt during the 1960s. The church with its spledid altarpiece is a national monument.
The prehistoric ruins, stone formations and caverns at Pumiri recall the legends of Wari and Inti Wara.
San Jose Mine and Huanuni mine are two long producing mines in the region.
The Zoo in Oruro has an interesting variety of species and samples of all regions of the country, mainly condors, eagles, alpacas, llamas and others.
Cave paintings of Cala Cala include llamas, flmingos, condors and shepherds. The Señor de Lagunas Chapel draw visitors, particularly on September 14, when feast day celebrations include many folkloric rituals.
Ceramics dating from 1800 BC were found in the prehistoric ruins at Uru Uru, an important site in the Uru culture of the region. Many of these pieces are on display in the Casa de Cultura.
A tunnel in San Pedro mountain is thought to be a means of transporting precious metals from the mines around Oruro to Cuzco, capital of the Inca empire.
These photos of Oruro show the attractions of Sepulturas, Cala Cala, Urmiri, Quillacas Sanctuary and other locations.
Many visitors use Oruro as a base for expeditions to the salt lakes at Coipasa and Salinas de Garcia Mendoza, or trekking through the region, as well as climbing Andean peaks, such as Sajama, in the park of the same name, one of Bolivia's National Parks
Whenever you go to Oruro, enjoy yourself and don't forget to post a trip report on the forum!
Buen viaje!
