Major city · Bolivia
Oruro
Go for Carnival or as a 1-night rail/bus stop between La Paz and Uyuni; outside February the city is a half-day, not a base.
Oruro sits at 3,700 m on the Altiplano, 3–4 h by bus from La Paz, and is Bolivia's mining and railway town. Its Carnival — a UNESCO-listed procession of masked dance troupes — is the reason most travellers come; the rest of the year it works as a cheap one-night break in the La Paz–Uyuni corridor, with a train south and a bus to Sajama. Cold nights, thin air and few English speakers shape the trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BOB
- Best months
- Feb (Carnival), May–Sep for dry, clear days
- avoid Jun–Aug nights (well below freezing), Jan–Mar rain and Carnival crowds if you have no ticket or bed
- Airports
- ORU · LPB
- Nights
- 1 (2–3 during Carnival)
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Bolivia ↗Visa rules depend on your passport (some nationalities need a visa in advance): check with Bolivia's migration authority or a Bolivian consulate.
- Bolivia ↗Most of the tourist route is above 3,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on arrival, and see a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bolivia ↗Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are frequent and can close routes and cities for days; watch local news and keep plans flexible.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Oruro110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Oruro, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the boliviano (BOB, Bs).Bolivia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEntel, Tigo and Viva sell SIMs with passport registration in their own shops.Bolivia-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Bolivia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up; about 10% in tourist restaurants.Bolivia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bolivia-wide
- SafetyOruro is a working Andean city, not a resort: the centre is fine by day, quieter and darker at night, and Carnival week brings the usual crowd crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPay a boliviano or two; bring paper.Bolivia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 118 ambulance · 119 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBlockades and strikes close shops and roads; Sunday is quiet.Bolivia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckORU Juan Mendoza Airport (Small domestic field; most travellers arrive by bus or train from La Paz or Uyuni — check current flights).
- Getting aroundThe centre is small and flat enough to walk; Plaza 10 de Febrero is the orientation point and Av.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSet lunch (almuerzo) in the centreBs 15–30
- BeerBeer in a bar / can from a shopBs 15–30Bs 10–15
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)City taxi rideBs 10–25
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekBs 60–120
- Budget bedResidencial or hostel bed, a night, per personBOB 40
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomBOB 250
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomBOB 450
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BOB 160 · Mid BOB 350 · High BOB 700
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ORU Juan Mendoza Airport (Small domestic field; most travellers arrive by bus or train from La Paz or Uyuni — check current flights) · LPB El Alto (La Paz) (Main gateway; 3–4 h by bus to Oruro)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
Care
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Care
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Care
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Care
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: May, Sep. Mixed: Feb, Jun–Aug. Avoid: Jan, Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Oct (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jul (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Oruro: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
2 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
1 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
1 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
2 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
3 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is small and flat enough to walk; Plaza 10 de Febrero is the orientation point and Av. 6 de Agosto runs north–south between the bus terminal and the centre (about a 10-minute walk). Micros run along 6 de Agosto to the terminal. Taxis are cheap for the sanctuary, the zoo or the far-south Tambo Quemado servis stop.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cala Cala
cautionDoor to door: About 2–3 h return
Taxi or micro from the centre, about 45 min
Village with the Señor de Lagunas church and carved stones; go with a local driver and agree the return time.
Sajama National Park
overnightDoor to door: 3 h each way
Servis from the Tambo Quemado stop in the far south-west, four departures a day (06:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00), about 3 hServis from the Tambo Quemado stop in the far south-west, four departures a day (6:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM), about 3 h
Bolivia's highest peak and hot springs; too far for a day return — sleep one or two nights.
Challapata
goDoor to door: About 2–2.5 h
Bus about 2.5 h (Bs 8) or minivan about 90 min (Bs 12)
Market town on the road south; useful as a break in the Uyuni run.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around Plaza 10 de Febrero
The reference point for the city; walkable to the sanctuary, restaurants and the train station. Mid-range hotels cluster here.
Bus terminal area (north, Av. 6 de Agosto)
Cheapest beds and 24 h departures; practical for a single night before an early bus.
Near the train station (Velasco Galvarro)
Best if you leave on the Expreso del Sur or Wara Wara del Sur; basic residenciales opposite.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Bs 120–200 excl. bed
- Mid
- Bs 250–450 excl. bed
- High
- Bs 500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 1 night × BOB 250 | BOB 250 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BOB 350 | BOB 700 |
| Bus La Paz → Oruro, one way2 × BOB 15 | BOB 30 |
| Train Oruro → Uyuni, salón class2 × BOB 60 · runs only a few days a week | BOB 120 |
| Servis Oruro → Tambo Quemado (Sajama junction)2 × BOB 45 | BOB 90 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × BOB 80 | BOB 160 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BOB 135 |
| Trip total≈ BOB 743 per person per day, bed included | BOB 1,485 |
2026 estimate in bolivianos; long-distance buses and Carnival tickets excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Set lunch (almuerzo) in the centre | Bs 15–30 |
| Vegetarian main at Govindamenu not always complete; go at lunch | Bs 6–12 |
| Pizza near Plaza 10 de Febrero | Bs 35–50 |
| Meat main (entrecote, lamb) | Bs 80–130 |
| Beer in a bar / can from a shop | Bs 15–30 / Bs 10–15 |
| City taxi ride | Bs 10–25 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | Bs 60–120 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: 3,700 m. Arrive from La Paz slowly, drink water, and expect the first night to be rough.
- Nights from June to August drop below freezing; heating is rare in budget rooms — ask before you pay.
- Carnival week: beds and bus seats sell out weeks ahead, and prices rise. Book both.
- Carnival crowds mean pickpockets and drink-spiking risk in the packed streets; keep valuables zipped and stay with people you know.
- Train services to Uyuni and Villazón run only a few times a week and have been suspended by flooding in the past — confirm with the operator before planning around them.
- Road blockades are common in Bolivia and can cancel buses without notice; keep a buffer day.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
OruroOruro
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire119
Embassy
No embassies in Oruro; most countries keep embassies in La Paz. US citizens: US Embassy, La Paz (check the address and hours).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus La Paz → Oruro: about Bs 15, 3–4 h
- Bus Oruro → Cochabamba: about Bs 25, 4–5 h
- Train Oruro → Uyuni, Expreso del Sur: about Bs 60 salón, about 7 h
- Servis Oruro → Tambo Quemado: about Bs 45, 3 h
Say or show
- Buenos días — Hello (bwenos dee-as)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan-to kwes-ta)
- ¿Dónde está la terminal de buses? — Where is the bus terminal? (don-de es-ta la ter-mee-nal de boo-ses)
- Necesito una habitación para una noche — I need a room for one night (ne-se-see-to oo-na a-bee-ta-see-on pa-ra oo-na no-che)
- Ayuda — Help (a-yoo-da)
Altitude 3,700 m — the first night is the hard one.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Oruro. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Feb (Carnival), May–Sep for dry, clear days · avoid Jun–Aug nights (well below freezing), Jan–Mar rain and Carnival crowds if you have no ticket or bed · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares