Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The body was flown to Vallegrande, where it was displayed in the hospital laundry room to prove to the whole
world that 'El Che' was finally dead. Local women noted an uncanny resemblance to the Catholic Christ and took
locks of his hair as mementos, while the untimely deaths of many of those involved in his capture and assassina-
tion has led to widespread belief in the 'Curse of Che,' a sort of Tutankhamen-style beyond-the-grave retribution.
Almost 40 years later the socialist revolution finally arrived in Bolivia, via the ballot and not the bullet, with the
election of Evo Morales Ayma. The country that executed Che now officially embraces him as a hero, and celeb-
rated his time in Bolivia with the establishment of the Che Trail, a community-based tourism project that traces
his last movements. Somewhat vaguely defined, the trail begins in distant Camiri (the southernmost point), though
it's quite a trek on to the sites of real interest which are clustered in the area immediately around Vallegrande.
Sleeping & Eating
Vallegrande has a fair number of basic, budget hostelries, so while you're unlikely to be
without a bed, you are likely to be without a private bathroom. Budget options in the
street around the plaza all charge around B$30 for very similar rooms with shared bath-
room.
Plaza Pueblo Hotel $
(
942-2630; Virrey Mendoza 132; s/d B$80/160)
Two and a half blocks uphill from the
market, this brand-new hotel is surprisingly upmarket for the price. OK, at the time of
writing it was still only half operational, but with spiffing bathrooms and an on-site res-
taurant it's already looking like the best value in town.
HOTEL
Hostal Juanita $
(
942-2231; Manuel María Caballero 123; s/d B$80/140)
This is a clean, family-run
hotel just two blocks from the main square where you get decent value for money and a
flowery courtyard with fountain.
HOTEL
La Nueva China $$$
(Florida; mains B$30-70)
Somewhat less than authentic Chinese food picked from a
menu that hangs on the wall. It's Bolivian-owned and while your food might not look or
taste exactly as you expected, keep an open mind and you'll conclude that different
doesn't necessarily mean bad!
CHINESE
El Mirador $$$
INTERNATIONAL
