COTOCA, BOLIVIACotoca is a small town of
Guaraní
origin located to the East of
Santa Cruz,
Bolivia. The town is best known for its pottery shops as its ceramic artists are very highly skilled. It is also famous for its Fiesta de Cotoca, held each year in early December. You would pass through it if you take the Jesuit Missions tour because it's one of the first towns you'll come upon when you leave Santa Cruz in that direction.
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. Cotoca is the entryway to the Department of Beni and the Chiquitania region, where 400 years ago Jesuit priests attempted to convert the Chiquitano and Guaraní natives to Catholicism and established Jesuit Missions. It takes about 35 minutes by car, or 50 minutes by bus to reach Cotoca from downtown Santa Cruz. 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: Owner: Teodora Alvis de Siles Avenida Santa Cruz #266 Cotoca, Bolivia Tel: (591-3) 388-2128
View my
Cotoca Photo Gallery
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