Colonial Cities: Sucre, Potosí & Santa Cruz

Sucre is the official capital of Bolivia (the seat of government is in La Paz) and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The "white city" is located at 2,810 m — a pleasant altitude, mild warm climate, and many travelers fall in love with Bolivia here.

• Plaza 25 de Mayo — central main square with cathedral, town hall, and the Casa de la Libertad, where Bolivia's independence was declared in 1825
• La Recoleta — viewpoint with café and former monastery, ideal for sunset
• Cal Orck'o — one of the largest sets of dinosaur footprints in the world; about 5,000 tracks from the Cretaceous period
• Castillo de la Glorieta — eccentric building of a wealthy industrialist
• Mercado Central Market — juice bars, indigenous vendors in Pollera skirts and melon hats
• Tarabuco Market (Sundays) — traditional indigenous market about 65 km outside, with weavings and costumes

Sucre is popular for Spanish language courses — good, affordable schools and a pleasant quality of life.

Potosí is located at 4,090 m — one of the highest cities in the world — and was one of the richest cities on earth in the 16th/17th century due to the silver mountain Cerro Rico. "Vale un Potosí" (worth a fortune) is still a Spanish saying today.

• Cerro Rico — the "Rich Mountain," from which a large portion of the world's silver came from the 16th to the 19th century. The conditions in the mines were brutal; to this day, mining is carried out under extremely harsh conditions
• Casa Nacional de la Moneda (Royal Mint) — one of the most significant colonial museums in South America, the tour lasts about 2 hours
• Mine tours — offered by former miners. Physically and emotionally demanding; the reality of working miners is harsh. NOT for claustrophobic or health-compromised individuals
• San Lorenzo Church, baroque churches in the center
• Old Town — UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987

Santa Cruz is the largest city in Bolivia and the economic center — and quite different from the highlands: tropical lowland (416 m), modern architecture, prosperity, Latin American lifestyle. More Latin America feeling and less indigenous Andean flair.

• Plaza 24 de Septiembre with Cathedral Basílica Menor de San Lorenzo
• Zoo de Santa Cruz — impressively well done, with endemic animals
• Jesuit Missions of Chiquitania (UNESCO World Heritage) — east of Santa Cruz, villages with remarkably well-preserved Jesuit churches from the 18th century (San Javier, Concepción, Santa Ana, San Miguel, San Rafael, San José de Chiquitos)
• Samaipata — UNESCO World Heritage: pre-Columbian rock site El Fuerte, charming mountain town
• Gateway to Amboró National Park

Santa Cruz is the logical gateway if you don't want to fly directly to 3,500 m — 6-8 hours by bus or 1 hour flight from here up to Cochabamba or La Paz.

Bolivia's Amazon region is one of the most biodiverse in the world. The Madidi National Park is considered the most species-rich protected area on the planet.

• Rurrenabaque — small town on the Beni River, base for Amazon tours. Accessible from La Paz by flight (about 45 min.) or by bus (18-20 hours on adventurous roads)
• Pampas tours — river trips in wetlands, almost guaranteed sightings of caimans, capybaras, pink river dolphins, and hundreds of bird species
• Jungle tours in Madidi — more challenging, less animal density, but a more intense rainforest experience with lodges in the park

Tropical climate, mosquitoes, heat — insect protection and long clothing are essential. Malaria protection recommendation should be clarified medically.