Roaming South America

Camargo, Bolivia - a pleasant, quiet town next to red cliffs

July 4, 2026

Camargo, Bolivia: population maybe around 15,000; located in the Cinti Valley, in which one side is high cliffs and the other high hills; the town sits at about 2425 meters (7956 feet). The Chico River runs alongside the town, and some new suburban growth is occuring across the river. The cliffs prevent the town from expanding that way, and there is some room between the river and the high hills. Those cliffs are impressive, red, and vertically straight up.

The town is supported primarily by vineyards and orchards. All throughout town you'll find murals that reflect the grape/wine industry. It is known as the wine capital of Bolivia. So there are many small wine shops here in town. The town is small but it has several banks and cash machines, no supermarket but there is the mercado, and there's a formal bus terminal plus a terminal for the trufis (vans and autos, shared taxis).

Camargo is actually a very pleasant little town. I stayed here for 3 nights. The only complaint I have is out of anyone's control - the climate. Afternoons are pleasantly warm in the low-mid 20s C (70's F) but nights drop into the single digits (the mid-30s F). The people here are much more pleasant than those in Potosí and Sucre, but that's probably because those are big cities and people in cities are generally less friendly than those in towns. So, is Camargo worth a visit? If you're traveling through this part of Bolivia, yes, stay a night or two here, it's a nice town to visit.