Bolivia's first convert to the LDS Church was baptized in December 1964, a month after missionaries first arrived.

Originally the temple open house had been scheduled for two weeks, but because of civil unrest in the city of Cochabamba, due to an ill-fated attempt to privatize the municipal water supply (Cochabamba protests of 2000), the first week was cancelled.

LDS Church leaders were pleased when nearly 65,000 people toured the temple, coming close to the goal of 75,000.

In the dedicatory prayer, Hinckley recognized the founder of Bolivia, Simón Bolívar, who died the year the church was organized.

The Cochabama Bolivia Temple is of classic modern design reflecting the Bolivian culture.