Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION: CHULUMANI
By bus
There are regular services to and from La Paz (roughly hourly; 4hr-4hr 30min).
Tourist information
The best source of information is Javier Sarabia, owner of the
Country
House
, who can advise on hikes from Chulumani; he also runs guided excursions and camp-
ing trips, and can arrange bicycle and motorbike rental.
ACCOMMODATION
Alojamiento Daniel
Uphill from the plaza on Bolívar 02 2136359.
Simple but clean
rooms with rough-hewn pink walls and a choice of shared
or p
rivate bathrooms; those up-
stairs have balconies and great views. Staff are friendly too.
Bs35
Country House
1km southeast of town beyond the Mirador 7322 9014.
This bohemian
guesthouse is Chulumani's best option. It has funky rooms set around an eccentric garden
with a psychedelic swimming pool. Walls and shelves are crammed with old wine bottles,
magazines, books, art, textiles, insect specimens and random newspaper articles. Helpful
English-speaking owner Javier Sarabi
a is a
mine of information, serves tasty food (which
costs extra) and organizes excursions.
Bs100
Hostal Familiar Dion
Southwest of the plaza; entry through the adjoining Cafetería Dely's
02 2136070.
Run by genial middle-aged sisters, this homely
hostal
consists of well-
scrubbed, unassuming rooms
- wi
th shared or private bathrooms - ringing a flowery court-
yard. Rates include breakfast.
Bs60
Hotel Monarca
Below the town on Av Circumvalación 02 2136121.
Although the front
gate is evocative of Alcatraz, this dated holiday camp-style hotel is friendly enough. The
parquet-floored, net-curtained chalets are en suite, have fans and look out onto a hu
ge po
ol
that's seen better days. There's also a bar and a decent restaurant. Breakfast included.
Bs90
Hotel San Bartolome
2km from town on the Irupana road 7251 4779.
This out-of-town
retreat has ten cosy bird's-eye-view cabins (sleeping up to six people) with 1970s furniture,
plus ten bungalow-style rooms styled in similar retro fashion. The place also boasts Chulu-
mani'
s nicest pool, a mini golf course, and billiards and ping pong tables. Breakfast included.
Bs210
EATING
The selection of places to eat in Chulumani is disappointing, and the better places are usually
open only at
weekends
.There is a decent restaurant in the
Monarca
,though finding it open is
another matter; even if you're a guest, it will usually require some notice.
Stalls
at the market
offer simple meals.
Cafetería Dely's
Just south of the plaza.
For a sandwich, burger or juice, head to
Cafetería
Dely's
, where in a spotlessly clean interior you can watch your food being prepared while
you wait. Snacks Bs10-20. Low season opening times are erratic.
