{"id":2135,"date":"2026-01-20T21:45:05","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:45:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/torre-de-chochis-the-rocky-tooth-of-eastern-bolivia\/"},"modified":"2026-03-22T19:51:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T18:51:49","slug":"torre-de-chochis-the-rocky-tooth-of-eastern-bolivia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/torre-de-chochis-the-rocky-tooth-of-eastern-bolivia\/","title":{"rendered":"Torre de Choch\u00eds: the rock tooth of eastern Bolivia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bolivia isn\u2019t just the Altiplano, its high plateaus, and snow-capped Andean peaks. In the east, the land softens into the warmer, greener, far flatter region known as the Chiquitania. Here, just outside the small town of Robor\u00e9 in the Santa Cruz Department, stands the Torre de Choch\u00eds\u2014a striking sandstone monolith about 553 meters high that rises from the plain like a giant tooth.<\/p>\n\n

A stop in the village of Choch\u00eds<\/h2>\n\n

On the way to Robor\u00e9 I stop in the little village of Choch\u00eds. From afar it\u2019s obvious this brief detour is all about the Torre de Choch\u00eds, also known as the Torre de David. The near-vertical red sandstone pillar stands in stark contrast to the otherwise gently undulating\u2014at times completely flat\u2014landscape around it.<\/p>\n\n

You can drive to a small parking area right beneath the rock. A local road leads here from the village of Choch\u00eds, and there\u2019s a token 6 BOB access fee. The whole visit feels pleasantly low-key and simple to manage.<\/p>\n\n

Santuario Mariano de la Torre<\/h2>\n\n

At the base of the formation sits the Santuario Mariano de la Torre<\/strong>, one of the region\u2019s key pilgrimage sites. The sanctuary is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and was built as a testament to the community\u2019s faith. Its creation is tied to tragic events in the late 1970s, when the area was hit by destructive landslides and floods.<\/p>\n\n

Architecturally, the sanctuary stands out for its use of wood, stone elements, and rich symbolism drawn from local flora and fauna alongside Christian motifs. The grounds feel calm and dignified, and their position directly beneath the massive rock wall heightens the site\u2019s spiritual atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n

As I\u2019m here with Ibo, I only peek in from the outside. Entry with a dog isn\u2019t explicitly forbidden, but I don\u2019t want to disturb the spirit of the place.<\/p>\n\n

A short walk to the \u2018rock tooth\u2019<\/h2>\n\n

From the parking area a gentle path heads toward the Torre de Choch\u00eds itself. As I climb, views open out over the Chiquitania, including the railway line that runs all the way to the Brazilian border.<\/p>\n\n

For Ibo, the walk is a welcome change of pace. The higher I get, the more varied the trail becomes\u2014something he clearly enjoys. As usual, there\u2019s also a good roll in the dust, which I take as part of the package on outings like this. I\u2019m planning a stop at nearby waterfalls, where he can rinse off.<\/p>\n\n

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On the map the path seems to run right to the foot of the tower, but on the ground it clearly keeps traversing and likely loops around the whole massif. I didn\u2019t do the full circuit in the end\u2014the trail was getting pretty overgrown\u2014so from below I just admire the bolted climbing routes. The rock is peppered with bolts.<\/p>\n\n

Practical notes for visiting with a dog<\/h2>\n\n

Visiting the Torre de Choch\u00eds with a dog was no problem at all. The route is short, easy, and fine for a simple walk. Do keep in mind it\u2019s a popular spot, and during the day there can be more people around\u2014in which case it might not be ideal for a dog.<\/p>\n\n

I spent a little over an hour here, which was plenty. Torre de Choch\u00eds is exactly the kind of stop that nicely breaks up a drive while delivering a strong visual and cultural payoff\u2014even when you\u2019re traveling with a dog.<\/p>\n\n