Bermejo combines a distinct festival occasion with nature destinations nearby. The festival in honor of San Santiago is celebrated every year on July 25; nearby are the Quebrada del Nueve and the natural swimming area “El Chorro.” When planning your trip, it is therefore important to decide whether you want to experience Bermejo during the festival or include nature in the surrounding area. Tarija, the broader travel destination, also offers its own destinations with different highlights.
The San Santiago Festival in Bermejo
The festival in honor of the patron saint San Santiago is celebrated in Bermejo every year on July 25. A 2019 report describes a multi-day celebration: on the evening of the 24th, a serenade was held in honor of the saint. A horseback procession also traveled from the International Bridge through Bermejo’s main streets to the San Santiago Church. Thus, that year’s festivities included both an evening tribute and a procession on horseback through the city. If you want to plan your trip around the celebration, check the current festival dates and program in advance.
Nature Nearby
The Quebrada del Nueve runs through dense vegetation near Bermejo; it is located by the natural swimming area “El Chorro.” The swimming area is in the municipality of El Nueve, northwest of Bermejo and about eight kilometers from the city. Its natural pools are ideal for swimming. If you are planning a visit, check current access options in advance.
Tarija: Winegrowing and Tastings
Winegrowing and tastings are among the distinct themes of the broader travel destination of Tarija. The Valle de la Concepción is 25 kilometers from the city of Tarija and is one of the Department of Tarija’s main tourist attractions. It is an important winegrowing region, with the department’s largest area under vines and some of Bolivia’s most important wineries. La Casa Vieja offers wine tastings in an artisanal winery in the valley; check current visiting arrangements in advance.
The Ruta del Singani Artesanal y los Molinos de Piedra is in the Sub Central de Yesera, in the municipality of Tarija. Along this route, visitors can learn about the production of artisanal singani at Bodega Artesanal El Galeán and take part in a guided tasting. This offering may vary depending on the season and the organized route. The two tasting experiences therefore differ: La Casa Vieja is associated with wine in the Valle de la Concepción, while El Galeán features artisanal singani on an organized route.
Landscapes and Activities in Tarija’s Protected Areas
The protected areas in the Department of Tarija also offer varied landscapes. The Reserva BiolĂłgica de la Cordillera de Sama features steep slopes, high plateaus, and high-Andean lagoons. At Laguna Pujzara Tajzara, visitors can watch birds and hike along the shore. The Reserva Nacional de Flora y Fauna TariquĂa is characterized by mountainous terrain and mostly well-preserved forests; in Sidras, visitors can camp and hike in the reserve. Check locally for specific access arrangements for TariquĂa.
Pilgrimage to the Santuario de Chaguaya
Another recurring tradition in the Department of Tarija is the pilgrimage to the Santuario de Chaguaya in Arce Province, in honor of the Virgen de Chaguaya. It takes place every year from August 15 to September 14. Check the current dates and arrangements before your trip.
When looking for hotels in Bermejo, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: the San Santiago Festival or nature destinations nearby. If you would rather visit wineries, protected areas, or the pilgrimage in the broader travel destination of Tarija, plan around the destination in question. This way, you can take dates and visiting conditions into account according to the purpose of your trip.
For the broader travel overview: Aniceto Arce.
