Quillacolo

The city of Quillacollo is located 13 kilometeres (8mi) west of Cochabamba.  With a population estimated to be over 85,000 it is a city in its own right.  However, it is being swallowed by the sprawl of Cochobamba.  For the most part it is a market town, but there is still a sizable agricultural and industrial component of the local economy.

The main attraction is the festival of the Virgen de Urkupiña in August, which attracts believers from around the world. This festival is both religious in nature and political, being hailed as a festival of national integration.  Not all of the integration sits well.  In addition to Catholic masses and pilgrimages, a number of other ceremonies that either integrate pre-Christian traditions, or are blatantly indigenous.  In particular, there are a number of events dedicated to Pachamama or Mother Earth.

During the rest of the year, the main attraction in Quillacollo is the Sunday market which offers up some local crafts and foods.  You also might want to go to one of the chicherías, which offer chicha, a locally famous brew that is sure to make your visit more interesting.

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Other places nearby Quillacolo: Sucre, Potosí, Tarapaya, Tarabuco, Parque Nacional Torotoro, Cordillera de los Frailes, Cochabamba and Around Cochabamba.