All Things Bolivia

Published: October 22, 2026 – Last updated: October 22, 2026

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Expected dates	Saturday and Sunday, February 6–7, 2027. Unofficial estimate based on the usual pattern; confirm with the organizers
Altitude	About 3,700 m. Altitude precautions apply
Days needed	2–3 days. Book lodging as early as possible
Budget tier	Budget to mid-range. Lodging and seat prices rise during Carnival
Family-friendly	With caution. Very crowded and long days outdoors; easier with older kids
Accessibility notes	Long days outdoors at altitude in large crowds. Not ideal for limited mobility

Introduction

Oruro Carnival is Bolivia’s largest folk festival, and it is expected to fall on the weekend of February 6–7, 2027. Dozens of folkloric groups dance and play through the city for hours in honor of the Virgen del Socavón. Hotels in Oruro come close to full during Carnival and prices rise, so decide early if you want to go. This guide covers the expected dates, where to stay, how seats work, and how to get there from La Paz.

⚠️ Verify this: The official 2027 dates and program have not been published yet. Confirm them with the organizers before you book anything non-refundable.

Dates and Schedule

The main events fall on the weekend before Ash Wednesday: a pilgrimage parade on Saturday and a second parade on Sunday. Official 2027 dates have not been published. The 2025 parade days were the Saturday and Sunday before Ash Wednesday, and the same pattern points to Saturday and Sunday, February 6–7, 2027, since Ash Wednesday falls on February 10.

Event	What happens	2026 date	Expected 2027
Convites	Rehearsal parades through the city in the weeks before Carnival	Weeks before	Check the organizers
Convite al Tío and Ch’alla	Celebrations and offerings on the Friday before, especially in mining communities	Friday, February 13	Friday, February 5 (unofficial)
Gran Peregrinación al Socavón (the Entrada)	The main parade of dance groups toward the Socavón sanctuary	Saturday, February 14	Saturday, February 6 (unofficial)
Entrada al Corso	The second main parade day	Sunday, February 15	Sunday, February 7 (unofficial)

In 2026 the parade followed a loop through the city center. It started on Calle Bolívar, passed Calle Aroma, and ended at the Santuario del Socavón by way of Avenida Cívica and Calle Junín. Routes can change, so check the year’s official route.

Around 50 groups take part, with tens of thousands of dancers and musicians, so the parade lasts many hours. One source puts the Entrada at about 20 hours. Plan to arrive at least a day early. Streets along the route close during the parade, so walking becomes the main way to get around.

Confirm the official program with the Asociación de Conjuntos del Folklore de Oruro and the Oruro municipality before you book.

Grandstand Seats

Grandstands are built along the parade route, and the city sets a price range. For the 2026 Entrada the municipality set a minimum of 100 Bs and a maximum of 900 Bs per seat, and said it would fine sellers who charged more. Zones reserved for invited guests, such as delegations and ambassadors, fall outside that rule. Days earlier, on February 2, a lawmaker said seats on Avenida Cívica were selling for about 2,800 Bs and four seats in the main plaza for 6,000 Bs, and the city then stepped in. It is unclear what the premium sectors cost after the cap.

The city sells stretches of the route to people who build the grandstands. In 2026 it published the route and the sold sectors on an online portal, and said it inspects grandstands for stability and safety.

• Buy early, and ask for the exact sector, the seat number and the price before you pay.
• Compare the price with the official range for that year.
• Skip anything that looks unfinished or unstable.
• Bring cash. Smaller vendors and grandstand sellers often expect it.
• Expect long, cold days. A seat gives you somewhere to sit, but not shelter.

Choosing a seat. Reports from 2026 describe the main plaza and Avenida Cívica as the premium sectors, with prices well above sectors farther along the route. Ask the seller where the seat sits on the route, whether it is in sun or shade, and how far it is from the sanctuary at the end.

Tours and packages. Some companies sell packages that include transport and a reserved seat, and some visitors do the festival as a long day trip from La Paz. Before you pay, check exactly where the seat is, what the price includes, the cancellation terms and the return transport.

Costs

Item	Approximate price	Notes
Grandstand seat	100–900 Bs	The official range set by the city for 2026. Premium sectors were reported at several thousand Bs before the cap
Bus from La Paz	Check current fares	About US$4–6 one way but fairs may increase because of Carnival
Meals	20–40 Bs	Standard local restaurants
Lodging	Higher than usual	Prices rise during Carnival

Bolivia moved to a floating exchange rate in mid-2026, so check a live converter close to your trip.

FAQ

Getting There

• From La Paz: frequent buses take about 3–4 hours. This is the most common route.
• From Cochabamba: buses also connect to Oruro.
• By train: Ferroviaria Andina runs passenger trains from Oruro south to Uyuni and Villazón. Schedules and routes have changed over the years, so check the current timetable.

During Carnival, buy bus and train tickets early. Transport fills up quickly and prices rise. Expect crowded departures after the parade days, so plan your return before you travel.

What to Pack and Staying Safe

February days in Oruro are mild but nights are cold. One source puts the long-term February average at about 19°C by day and 4°C at night. Carnival also falls in the rainy season.

What to pack

• Warm layers for the evening and early morning
• A poncho or waterproof layer, since rain is possible and foam and water balloons are a common part of the festivities
• Sun protection, because UV is strong at this altitude
• Comfortable shoes for long days on foot
• Cash in small bills
• A photocopy of your passport photo page and entry stamp. Leave the original in a safe place
• Offline maps. See our Internet & SIM Cards guide for staying connected

Staying safe

• Altitude: Oruro sits at about 3,700 m. Arrive a day or two early, rest, and avoid alcohol and hard exertion at first. See our Altitude Sickness guide.
• Crowds and theft: The UK government says petty crime is common in crowded areas and on buses. Keep valuables out of sight and carry only what you need.
• Fake police: Thieves can pose as police officers. Police cannot search you on the street without a written order from a prosecutor.
• Taxis: Use established companies and avoid taxis that already carry other passengers.
• Blockades and fuel shortages: Protests can block roads, sometimes without warning, and fuel shortages have affected bus services. Allow extra time and check current conditions before you travel.
• Respect the occasion: Devotion to the Virgen del Socavón is the festival’s central focus, so treat it as a religious event as well as a party.

Where to Stay

Hotel demand in Oruro reached almost 100% occupancy during Carnival 2026, and local advice was to book early and expect higher prices. Choose a refundable rate where you can, since the official 2027 dates are not confirmed yet.

Option	Good for	Watch out for
Hotel or hostel in Oruro	Being close to the route and resting between parade hours	Near-full occupancy and higher prices
Room in a private home	A common alternative during Carnival	Check reviews, cancellation terms and exactly where it is
Stay in La Paz and take the bus	More lodging choices	About 3–4 hours by bus each way, and the parade runs for many hours

Pick a place within walking distance of the route if you can. Streets along it close during the parade, so most people get around on foot.

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Planning more than Carnival? Our Bolivia Travel Guide helps you plan the rest of your trip.