Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cobija
POP 22,300 / ELEV 140M (459FT)
Capital of the Pando and Bolivia's wettest (1770mm of precipitation annually) and most
humid spot, Cobija sits on a sharp bend of the Río Acre. Cobija means 'covering' and,
with a climate that makes you feel as though you're being smothered with a soggy
blanket, it certainly lives up to its name.
Cobija was founded in 1906 under the name 'Bahía,' and in the 1940s it boomed as a
rubber-producing center. The town's fortunes dwindled with the shriveling of that industry
and it has been reduced to little more than a forgotten village, albeit with a Japanese-fun-
ded hospital and a high-tech Brazil-nut processing plant.
Festivals
Feria de Muestras
The Pando's biggest annual bash, the Feria de Muestras (August 18 to 27), showcases the
work of local artisans and is held at the extreme western end of town, near the Río Acre.
ARTS
Sights & Activities
The town rambles over a series of hills, giving it a certain desultory charm. If you spend a
day here, take a look at the remaining
tropical wooden buildings
in the center, and the
lovely avenues of royal palms around the plaza.
Cathedral
The cathedral, on the main plaza, has a series of naive paintings from the life of Christ.
CHURCH
Natural History Museum
(6 de Febrero; 8am-noon & 2-6pm Mon-Fri)
A small natural history museum is filled
with the usual collection of pickled animal bits.
MUSEUM
Sleeping & Eating
Most of the best places to eat are along Molina, but none are up to much and prices are
fairly high.
