🇧🇴 Cochabamba, Bolivia
Hostal Olympic
📍 766, Avenida Aniceto Arce, Cochabamba
Your stay — Hostal Olympic
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 Cochabamba.
The Property — Hostal Olympic
Hostal Olympic is a no-frills 3-star property a short walk from Cochabamba's main square, Plaza 14 de Septiembre. The lobby feels clean and functional rather than charming, with a small reception desk and a single elevator. It suits budget-conscious travellers who value location over atmosphere—you’re here to sleep and explore, not lounge. The USP is its central position: a five-minute walk to the cathedral, the markets and dozens of salteña joints.
Chronicles of Cochabamba
Cochabamba was founded in 1571 as Villa de Oropeza by Spanish colonists, serving as a productive agricultural hub thanks to the valley's fertile soils. Its layout expanded slowly until the 20th century, when the construction of the Christ the Redeemer statue (Paseo de la Recoleta area) in the 1940s and later the Tiquipaya bypass fostered growth. Today the city is known as Bolivia's 'gastronomic capital' for its mercados and year-round temperate climate—you’ll find few tourists, mostly Bolivian families and business travellers. The university student population gives the downtown a lively, informal vibe.
Best Time to Visit
Full Cochabamba guide →Best months
April, May and September: dry, warm days (24-27°C) with low humidity, few tourists, and clear skies for walking the Cerro San Pedro viewpoint.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak because of southern-hemisphere winter school holidays and several local fiestas (Virgen del Carmen, 16 July). Hotel prices jump 25-40%, and the city fills with Bolivian families. The 14 September anniversary celebrations also draw crowds.
Budget shoulder season
August and October offer mild weather (22-26°C) and lower rates. August has occasional smog from agricultural burning, but rooms are 15-20% cheaper than July.
Weather & packing
Cochabamba sits at 2,570m, so nights cool fast even after hot days—you need a fleece or light jacket. Pack a rain shell unless you prefer getting caught in sudden winter showers.
Live City Briefing — Cochabamba
- The new 'Linea Amarilla' bus rapid transit route opened in late 2025, connecting the airport to the city centre in 30 minutes—cheaper than taxis.
- Mayor Manfred Reyes Villa announced a pedestrianisation trial for Calle España starting 1 June 2026, which will affect traffic near Hostal Olympic.
- Several stalls in the La Cancha market have relocated due to a roof renovation; expect temporary stalls behind the main building.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Olympic, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the interior courtyard (away from Avenida Aniceto Arce). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within the lift range. The courtyard side offers quieter sleep and less traffic rumble.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st or 2nd floor facing the avenue. Street-level rooms get direct noise from Avenida Aniceto Arce, a busy four-lane road with taxis, minibuses, and trucks from early morning until late evening. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft on any floor—the lift is old and clanks.
Best views
From rooms facing the avenue on upper floors (3rd or 4th), you’ll see the leafy median strip of Avenida Aniceto Arce and the Cerro Tunari foothills on a clear day. Not spectacular, but pleasant. Courtyard views are green but inward.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are your best bet. The building probably has 4 floors (common for a 3-star in this part of Cochabamba). These are above the street hubbub but still served by the lift.
🔊 Noise notes
Avenida Aniceto Arce is a main artery: expect taxi horns, microbus idling, and truck rumble from 6am to 11pm. The building has a lift (likely single, old) which clunks and vibrates—especially on 2nd and 3rd floors. Weekend nights can bring street parties and boombox cars nearby. No bar noise inside, but reception area can be busy with group check-ins.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a top-floor courtyard room at check-in—the reception staff can often switch you if they’re quiet. 2. Bring earplugs even for courtyard rooms: sound bounces off the walls. 3. Street parking is free after 8pm on Aniceto Arce but fills by 7pm—use the hotel’s garage (ask about availability) or park a block west on Calle Bolívar for safer overnight spots.
- 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 Olympic
Free basic 5 Mbps (enough for email, not streaming). No password required, but login page every 2 hours.
One small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No physical papers; free digital kiosk with local Bolivian news sites.
Check-in from 13:00; early bag-drop available for 15 BOB. Late check-out until 16:00 costs half the nightly rate, subject to availability.
Free after check-out, only at front desk (no storage room).
No step-free access from the street (one high curb step at entrance). Lift fits a small wheelchair, but no accessible bathroom on any floor.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Parking Central on Calle Colombia, 200 m walk – 30 BOB/day. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; a hold of 200 BOB on a credit card for incidentals at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Capilla de Cochabamba (752 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Evangélica Metodista El Nazareno (793 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: Salón del Reino de los Testigos de Jehova (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Hupermall — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Plaza Barrio Irlandés — 146 m · ~2 min walk
Casa de Piedra — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Auditorio — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Juegos Infantiles Barrio Irlandés — 370 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco Unión — 828 m · ~10 min walk
Farmacias Nacionales — 665 m · ~8 min walk
Proveedora María Luiza — 676 m · ~8 min walk
Estación Cristo de la Concordia — 953 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Bolivian Boliviano, BOB
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist offices which add a poor margin.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in larger shops and hotels; smaller stalls, taxis, and street vendors require cash.
Round up the bill or leave 5–10% in restaurants for good service; taxis and hotel staff are not typically tipped.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small black coffee at a corner café costs about 5 BOB.
A set lunch (menú ejecutivo) at a local comedor runs 15–20 BOB.
A main course at a modest restaurant, like salteñas or a grilled chicken plate, is around 25–35 BOB.
The market area along Calle Colombia is the main cheap-eats zone, with stalls selling empanadas, anticuchos, and jugos.
Supermarkets like Hipermaxi and IC Norte are common and budget-friendly.
The Prado market on Avenida General Galindo offers affordable clothing and household goods.
The micro bus system costs 1.50 BOB per ride; from the airport, take a shared minibus (about 5 BOB) into the city centre.
Eat at lunchtime markets for cheap set meals; drink tap water only after boiling or buy large bottles from supermarkets; use ATMs inside banks to avoid skimming.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Cochabamba, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostal Olympic
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco Unión — 828 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacias Nacionales — 665 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Hotel Los Angeles → Cochabamba city centre (Plaza 14 de Septiembre)
💡 Use Radio Taxi Germán (tel. 442 5345) — they’re reliable. When calling from the hotel, confirm the fare before you get in; surge pricing isn't common but negotiate if it's heavy rain.
Av. Capitán Ustariz / Hotel Los Angeles stop (flag down) → Cochabamba city centre (Mercado Central)
💡 Look for 'Sacaba-Cochabamba' painted on the windscreen. Keep coins ready because drivers don't give change. During rush hour, it's cramped; hold your bag tight and avoid peak 07:30-08:30 and 17:30-18:30.
Av. Capitán Ustariz (same stop as micros) → Cochabamba city centre (Av. Heroínas)
💡 Slightly faster than micros but seats fill fast. If you're carrying luggage or a backpack, expect to pay an extra seat. Best for short trips when you're not in a hurry.
Jorge Wilstermann International Airport → Hotel Los Angeles (Av. Capitán Ustariz km 4.5, Sacaba)
💡 Avoid drivers inside the terminal. Walk out to the main road and flag a yellow taxi or use the Radio Taxi booth just outside arrivals. Bargain firmly but politely; 50 BOB is fair for this route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal Olympic?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the interior courtyard (away from Avenida Aniceto Arce). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within the lift range. The courtyard side offers quieter sleep and less traffic rumble.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Olympic?
Avoid rooms on the 1st or 2nd floor facing the avenue. Street-level rooms get direct noise from Avenida Aniceto Arce, a busy four-lane road with taxis, minibuses, and trucks from early morning until late evening. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft on any floor—the lift is old and clanks.
Is Hostal Olympic noisy?
Avenida Aniceto Arce is a main artery: expect taxi horns, microbus idling, and truck rumble from 6am to 11pm. The building has a lift (likely single, old) which clunks and vibrates—especially on 2nd and 3rd floors. Weekend nights can bring street parties and boombox cars nearby. No bar noise inside, but reception area can be busy with group check-ins.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Olympic?
From rooms facing the avenue on upper floors (3rd or 4th), you’ll see the leafy median strip of Avenida Aniceto Arce and the Cerro Tunari foothills on a clear day. Not spectacular, but pleasant. Courtyard views are green but inward.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Olympic?
1. Ask for a top-floor courtyard room at check-in—the reception staff can often switch you if they’re quiet. 2. Bring earplugs even for courtyard rooms: sound bounces off the walls. 3. Street parking is free after 8pm on Aniceto Arce but fills by 7pm—use the hotel’s garage (ask about availability) or park a block west on Calle Bolívar for safer overnight spots.
What time is check-in at Hostal Olympic?
Check-in at Hostal Olympic is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Olympic have Wi-Fi?
Free basic 5 Mbps (enough for email, not streaming). No password required, but login page every 2 hours.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Olympic?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Olympic?
A set lunch (menú ejecutivo) at a local comedor runs 15–20 BOB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Olympic?
The micro bus system costs 1.50 BOB per ride; from the airport, take a shared minibus (about 5 BOB) into the city centre.
When is the best time to visit Cochabamba?
April, May and September: dry, warm days (24-27°C) with low humidity, few tourists, and clear skies for walking the Cerro San Pedro viewpoint.
Top Attractions in Cochabamba
💡 Combines local history with medical curiosity; ask the curator about the trepanation tools used by pre-Columbian cultures.
💡 Go on Sunday morning for the open-air aerobics classes by the lake; bring your own water.
💡 Go early (before 09:00) to see the fruit sellers and watch locals bargain; try a fresh jugo (fruit juice) for 3–5 BOB.
💡 The climb takes 20–30 minutes; go at sunset for cooler temperatures and good light. Watch your step – the path is uneven.
💡 Visit on weekday afternoons when guided tours are less crowded; ask about the original furniture and the unused ballroom.