An evocative place in which to imagine the daily life of the wealthy Spanish families who inhabited these lands.
The ranch of the former president of Bolivia, José Manuel Pando Solares, retains the salient features of colonial architecture.
The Luribay region was conquered by the Spanish, who exploited its resources from the beginning, and every community in the municipality has a farm that represents this period. These consist of agricultural estates built in colonial times by the Spanish, before the lands passed from their successors to the community members.
The ranch of the former president of Bolivia, José Manuel Pando, in the community of Catavi, is one such estate. The farm retains interesting traces of distinctive colonial-era architecture and combines functional designs related to farming and rooms furnished with period furniture.
The local guides describe the work that was carried out on the hacienda and the cultural activities and farming methods practiced at colonial period. The life of the estate's most famous owner is retraced in detail: José Manuel Pando Solares (1849-1917), a military officer, politician and explorer born in the Luribay Valley, who served as the 25th president of Bolivia in the early 20th century. His family owned the farm for decades.
The ranch, surrounded by picturesque mountains and orchards that release inviting aromas, enjoys a mild delightful climate. In this part of the country, where time seems to have stood still, you can still hear the footsteps of the landowners who lived here more than a hundred years ago at the time of President Pando.
Book your trip to this historic destination with us, let yourself be carried away by the charm of a lost world and contact us to learn everything about one of the characters that have left their mark on the history of Bolivia.
Services
- Local guides available in Spanish
- Visits available in Spanish
Additional Info
It is recommended to bring light clothing, a bathing suit, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes with a footprint, a jacket and a camera.
Suggested periods
- Autumn
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
Where
Catavi community, Luribay municipality, La Paz department.
Transportation
By public transport
From El Alto, exactly from the Luribay Durazno Union, Calle 7 Villa Dolores area to Luribay. Minibuses with a capacity of 14 people. Departure times 7:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m; the price of the ticket is Bs 35 per person one way. Return times 4:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
By private transport
From La Paz take National Route 1 towards Patacamaya. Once you have passed it, take the detour to Luribay. Average duration of the trip: 3 to 4 hours.
From the Main Square with a walk of approximately 1 hour to reach the Community of Catavi, crossing the river by the suspension bridge.
Visiting Rules
For your health and the health of local population, remember to comply with all biosecurity protocols and codes of conduct before and during your stay: wear a mask and carry hand sanitizer, plus a first aid kit, with sunscreen and medications for altitude sickness.
During your visit remember to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the region.