COTOCA, BOLIVIA

Cotoca's central plaza and its church are its main attractions. (The plaza is being fully renovated through August 2008). The Sactuary of the Virgen de Cotoca (locally called Mamita de Cotoca or, Little Mother of Cotoca), a parrish run by Dominican priests, is a beautiful colonial-style church located on the central plaza. Each year very devout Catholics take part in a pilgrimage to Cotoca. As the Virgin of Cotoca is believed to have the ability to perform extraordinary miracles, hundreds walk the entire 17 miles from Santa Cruz to Cotoca hoping that in exchange for their efforts, she will grant them their prayers. Many, in penitence, crawl on their hands and knees all day and night until they reach the church, where they light candles and pray. Others, upon purchasing a new car, take their car to the Sanctuary of Cotoca on Sundays to be blessed by the priests.

When you arrive, visit one of the many pottery stores, most of which display their goods along the town sidewalks. Buy a colourful hammock, or spend some time in the central plaza, around which you will find small restaurants and vendors selling regional handcrafts. Cotoca is also very well-known for its sugarcane molasses which is sold in small ceramic pots, as well as other baked and candied goods.

In my opinion the best pottery and souvenir shop is VIVERO EL PARAISO which is on the left hand side, as you enter town. It's got several rooms, a garden and an enormous inside patio full of pottery, weavings, wood carvings, and many other souvenirs and it's a great place to spend a little time when you're in Cotoca. They've got some of the nicest pottery anywhere. You can see the store in the slideshow below:

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