Cochabamba

Though much new building is taking place throughout the city, especially in the shape of shiny high-rise blocks of offices and apartments in the north, the centre retains much of its colonial character. There are many fine churches and streets lined with old colonial houses with overhanging eaves, balconies, wrought-iron windows and cool patios behind huge carved wooden doors. To the south of the main plaza are a wide range of colourful markets, which only add to the feeling that Cochabamba is more of an overgrown village than a modern urban centre.