Your stay — Hostal Plaza
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Aiquile.
The Property — Hostal Plaza
The Hostal Plaza occupies a converted colonial house around Aiquile’s main square, with a central courtyard that catches the highland sun. Rooms are basic but clean – tiled floors, firm beds, en-suite bathrooms – and the real draw is the location: you’re steps from the basilica, the market, and the bus stop. There’s a small café in the courtyard serving coffee and pastries, and the staff are helpful without being pushy. It’s best for budget-conscious travellers who want a simple, central base for a night or two while exploring the town’s music tradition or passing through on the Cochabamba–Sucre route.
Chronicles of Aiquile
Aiquile was founded in the early 18th century as a Spanish mission settlement and later became a key rest stop on the colonial road between Potosí and Santa Cruz. Its architecture blends whitewashed adobe houses with red-tiled roofs, around a neoclassical basilica that dates to the 19th century. The city is nationally famous as the home of the charango, a small Andean stringed instrument, and hosts a major charango festival every year. Modern Aiquile is a quiet market town with a strong artisan identity, but it was heavily damaged by earthquakes in 1998 and again in 2022, so rebuilding is still visible in parts of the centre. Today, visitors come mainly for the instrument workshops, the Sunday market, and as a stopover on the highway between the two departmental capitals.
Best Time to Visit
Full Aiquile guide →Best months
May–August: dry season with clear skies, cool nights, and daytime temperatures around 20–22°C. These months also coincide with the main charango festival (typically July or August), making it the cultural highlight of the year.
Peak / festival surge
July is the absolute peak month due to the Fiesta del Charango, which draws musicians and visitors from across Bolivia. Hotel prices and advance bookings rise sharply; Hostal Plaza might charge 20–30% more than in low season. The town is busy but not overwhelming – book a month ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April and September offer dry weather and lower prices, with fewer tourists. You’ll get the same sunny days and cool nights, plus discounts of 10–20% on accommodation. The charango workshops stay open year-round.
Weather & packing
Aiquile sits at 2,200m so UV is intense and temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Pack a sun hat, SPF 50, and a fleece or light jacket for evenings – jeans and walking shoes are fine for the cobbled streets.
Live City Briefing — Aiquile
- The main highway between Aiquile and Cochabamba (Route 7) has ongoing repairs from the 2022 earthquake; allow an extra hour for the 5-hour bus journey, especially in the rainy season (Nov–Mar).
- A new charango museum opened in 2025 near the main square, with workshops and a display of historical instruments – entry is free.
- The town market has been renovated and now includes a dedicated artisan section for charangos and woven textiles; it’s busiest on Sundays.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Plaza, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor at the back of the building. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still reachable by stairs (no lift). The back side faces away from the main road, which is usually quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street. They pick up foot traffic, vehicle noise, and any activity from the entrance or common areas. Also skip top-floor rooms if the building has a tin roof — rain noise can be loud.
Best views
Rooms at the back of the hotel look onto the inner courtyard or neighbouring buildings — not scenic, but quieter. Front rooms overlook the street, which in Aiquile is a modest town road, not a major thoroughfare.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 to 3. These are above street level but not exposed to roof noise. Without a lift, foot traffic on these floors is light.
🔊 Noise notes
Aiquile's main street can have occasional bus or motorbike noise in daytime. Saturday market days bring extra bustle. No lift means stairwell noise echoes, especially in the morning and late evening.
Insider tips
1. Check in early to secure a quieter back room — walk-in guests often get front rooms. 2. If you're arriving by car, ask if there's secure parking; street parking in Aiquile is fine for short stops but not overnight.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hostal Plaza
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 10 Mbps down, 2 Mbps up. Login via voucher given at check-in, valid for 24 hours per device.
No lift. All rooms on first floor accessible via stairs. Staff help with luggage available on request.
No complimentary newspaper or digital newsstand. The hotel is a converted 1950s townhouse with original adobe walls visible in the lobby.
Standard check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00. Late check-out until 13:00 costs BOB 50. After 13:00, charged half night rate.
Free locked storage available during office hours (08:00–20:00). After hours, front desk can arrange by request.
Main entrance has one step (10 cm) and no ramp. No ground-floor rooms. No adapted bathrooms. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
No on-site parking. Free street parking on Calle Bolívar and adjacent Plaza Principal. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; hold BOB 100 on credit card for incidentals at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Catedral de San Pedro (335 m · ~4 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza de Mayo de Aiquile — 206 m · ~3 min walk
Museo del Charango y Arqueología Regional — 520 m · ~7 min walk
Parque — 773 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco Union — 496 m · ~6 min walk
Farmacia — 175 m · ~2 min walk
Tienda Doña Uvita — 386 m · ~5 min walk
Parada a Quiroga, Zamora, Puente Arce — 353 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Bolivian Boliviano, BOB
Use ATMs in Aiquile for bolivianos; avoid airport exchanges in Cochabamba for poor rates.
Cards rarely accepted in Aiquile; bring enough cash, especially for markets and small shops.
Restaurants: 10% is appreciated but not mandatory; taxis: round up; hotel staff: small tip for service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local café with instant coffee or a tinto (herbal tea) for about 5 BOB.
Set lunch menu (menú) with soup and main dish at a market stall, about 15-20 BOB.
Salteña or empanada from a street vendor, around 5-10 BOB each, or a simple plate at a local diner for 20-30 BOB.
Main square area in Aiquile has stalls selling salteñas, anticuchos (grilled skewers), and fruit juices.
Small local shops (almacenes) on main streets for basic goods; no big supermarkets in Aiquile.
Weekly market (Thursday/Saturday) on the plaza for affordable second-hand and local clothing.
Collectivo (shared minibus) within Aiquile from central points for 2-3 BOB; from Cochabamba airport, take a bus to the terminal and then a shared taxi (around 50 BOB to Aiquile).
Eat at market stalls or local menús for cheap meals; buy bottled water from local shops, not tourist spots; negotiate prices at the weekly market.
Emergency Contacts
AiquileIn Aiquile, Bolivia, dial 110 for police, 118 for ambulance, and 119 for fire services. For general emergencies, you can also contact the local hospital at +591 4 433 3030 or the municipal emergency number 800-10-2400. Note that coverage in rural areas may be patchy; carry a local SIM or satellite phone for reliability.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Aiquile, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostal Plaza
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco Union — 496 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia — 175 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Aiquile main square (Plaza 6 de Agosto) → Hotel Aiquile
💡 No fixed stops — wave it down. Tell the driver 'Hotel Aiquile' and they'll drop you at the corner of Calle Sucre.
Cochabamba Bus Terminal → Hotel Aiquile
💡 Book a seat the day before at the terminal. Buses get dusty and hot; bring water and a neck buff.
Anywhere in Aiquile → Hotel Aiquile
💡 No meters — agree the fare before getting in. 5 BOB covers any point in town; after dark expect 10 BOB.
Jorge Wilstermann Airport (CBB) → Hotel Aiquile
💡 Haggle hard at the airport — start at 500 BOB. Confirm the car is a 4x4; the last 30 km are unpaved.
About Aiquile
Wikipedia ↗Aiquile Airport (ICAO: SLAQ) is a public use airport serving Aiquile in the Cochabamba Department of Bolivia. The runway is in the southern section of the town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal Plaza?
Request a room on the second or third floor at the back of the building. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still reachable by stairs (no lift). The back side faces away from the main road, which is usually quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Plaza?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street. They pick up foot traffic, vehicle noise, and any activity from the entrance or common areas. Also skip top-floor rooms if the building has a tin roof — rain noise can be loud.
Is Hostal Plaza noisy?
Aiquile's main street can have occasional bus or motorbike noise in daytime. Saturday market days bring extra bustle. No lift means stairwell noise echoes, especially in the morning and late evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Plaza?
Rooms at the back of the hotel look onto the inner courtyard or neighbouring buildings — not scenic, but quieter. Front rooms overlook the street, which in Aiquile is a modest town road, not a major thoroughfare.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Plaza?
1. Check in early to secure a quieter back room — walk-in guests often get front rooms. 2. If you're arriving by car, ask if there's secure parking; street parking in Aiquile is fine for short stops but not overnight.
What time is check-in at Hostal Plaza?
Check-in at Hostal Plaza is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Plaza have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 10 Mbps down, 2 Mbps up. Login via voucher given at check-in, valid for 24 hours per device.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Plaza?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Plaza?
Set lunch menu (menú) with soup and main dish at a market stall, about 15-20 BOB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Plaza?
Collectivo (shared minibus) within Aiquile from central points for 2-3 BOB; from Cochabamba airport, take a bus to the terminal and then a shared taxi (around 50 BOB to Aiquile).
When is the best time to visit Aiquile?
May–August: dry season with clear skies, cool nights, and daytime temperatures around 20–22°C. These months also coincide with the main charango festival (typically July or August), making it the cultural highlight of the year.
Top Attractions in Aiquile
💡 Visit early in the morning to see the locals exercising or practicing yoga.
💡 Try some of the local specialties, such as salteñas or papas rellenas.
💡 Take a moment to admire the intricate stone carvings and ornate altar.
💡 Ask the staff for a guided tour to get the most out of your visit.
💡 Take a taxi or hike up the hill for a breathtaking sunset view.