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10 best things to do in Sucre, Bolivia

  • 16 min read

Sucre is the 6th biggest city of the poorest country in Latin America: Bolivia. When you say it like that, you probably wouldn’t expect much…. Well, not too fast! Sucre is actually a lively and beautiful town in the heart of Bolivia, filled with history, gorgeous architecture and culture.

If you give it a chance during your travel in Bolivia, it will surprise you with its charming and well preserved historic centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Sucre is for many backpackers, an ideal destination to spend a couple of weeks learning Spanish and discovering the Bolivian culture and culinary specialities. It is a very special place to us where we learnt the longer you stay, the harder it is to leave.

Here are our best tips for a successful stay in one of the most beautiful city in Bolivia. You’ll learn where the best restaurants are, what day-trip worth it and all the best things to do in Sucre.

Bolivia - Sucre - street food stalls

We started what was a 3 month trip to Bolivia in the white city of Sucre. After travelling non-stop through South America for 4 months, we chose Sucre to be our first destination where we could breathe and take it easy. In Argentina and Chile, we never really had the opportunity to do so. The higher cost of travel meant we had to justify our activities and try to limit those “do nothing” days.

Thanks to the low cost of living, coupled with great infrastructure and a clear Spanish accent, we could finally understand, we finally allowed ourselves to slow down. We stayed 25 days in Sucre, keeping ourselves busy with Spanish classes, one to 2-day trips to a few incredible surrounding towns and spent time exploring everything Sucre had to offer.

Why visiting Sucre?

A lot less chaotic than the rest of the country, Sucre was built in 1538 by prosperous Spanish colons who benefited from the silver mines in the southern regions.

The streets of the historic town, bordered by white houses topped by red terracotta roofs offer nice strolls to the central market, the main plaza and numerous other places to visit or relax with a book in hand.

The town can easily be visited in a couple of days, but what makes Sucre so special is the laid-back atmosphere, the great food scene, and the surroundings that offer an authentic getaway into the Bolivian culture.

Staying a couple of weeks won’t be a waste of time. On the contrary, it should be a must for those who truly want to get a glimpse of what the country of Bolivia has to offer.

Did you know?
While La Paz is the “national capital of the Plurinational State of Bolivia” where sits the government and other legislative branches, Sucre is the only official and constitutional Capital. Sucre is indeed the “true” Capital of Bolivia.

How to get to Sucre Bolivia?

Sucre is located in the southern part of Bolivia, nestled at 2,400 masl. It has hot and dry weather in summer and cold nights in winter even though the days are generally pretty warm. Here is how to get to Sucre.

From Chile

If you arrive from Arica or Iquique, you will have to go all the way to La Paz and change for another bus.

Coming from San Pedro de Atacama, the only way to Sucre is to take a 3 to 4-day tour onto the “Uyuni Salt flats” and jump on a night bus from Uyuni. You can also travel to Calama (which isn’t the safest place, so don’t stay) before taking a bus to Sucre.

From La Paz

There are many night and day buses from La Paz. It takes around 12 hours to Sucre and the roads are actually okay.

From Uyuni or Potosi

The road is good but there are a lot of twists and turns, so it is not great for those prone to motion sickness. It should take around 4 hours from Potosi and 7 from Uyuni.

From Santa Cruz or Samaipata

The road from Santa Cruz via Samaipata is not the best in Bolivia and is usually not recommended. We never took this road but we heard from many other travellers that it is unpaved and very bumpy.

Some, prefer going back to La Paz or flying which sometimes can be quite a bargain.

Where to stay in Sucre, Bolivia?

There are a few nice places in Sucre for budget travellers.

We stayed and volunteered at The Beehive Hostel for 2 weeks and loved our stay there. Nice and quiet, the Spanish classes which take place on-site are very good and tailored depending on your level. There is a kitchen, yoga classes and a great patio to chill in the sun. But the main reason for staying in this hostel is the breakfast!

On weekdays you can choose between tortilla and toast, fruit salad or Oats and fruits with homemade granola. We recommend the last one… It is very well served with 7 different fruits on your plate. On Saturdays, they make French toast and on Sundays pancakes.

Finally, the manager of the hostel runs a lot of charity programs for kids and women and part of the profits of the hostel go to these projects.

If you fancy a party hostel, head to Kulture Berlin where the parties are the best in Sucre. You can also look at the Celtic Cross for a mix of both atmospheres.

NEXT READ: A selection of the best hostels in Bolivia

Bolivia - Sucre - Streets 1

10 best things to do in Sucre, Bolivia

1. Chill at the Main Square

In all the towns in Bolivia, the main square is called “Plaza 25 de Mayo” and is the heart of the vibrant city. There is always something happening. If there aren’t strikes, locals meet at the square on a regular basis, hold book and music festivals, student university fairs or well, Bolivia being Bolivia, social protests.

We loved sitting down in the shade of the many high trees of the plaza and watching the kids running after the pigeons and the street vendors advertising their freshly squeezed orange juice.

Bolivia - Sucre - plaza 25 de Mayo

2. Take on the views at the Recoleta Mirador

The Recoleta Mirador is one of the main touristic spots that offers an incredible view of the town. As you walk up, a bit out of breath, and pass the souvenir stalls, you enter the colonial square “Plaza Pedro de Anzúrez“, which is bordered by an arcade walkway leading to a viewpoint, a church and a school.

Many tourists like stopping at the “Café Gourmet Mirador” for a cocktail with a pastry and enjoying the view from there. The prices were outrageously high compared to the rest of the town, we preferred sitting under the arcades and watching the school kids during their break.

How to get there to the Recoleta Mirador?
From the plaza 25 de mayo, take the road Audienca until it turns into Grau street for 7 blocks (cuadras). Turn right onto Iturricha and walk this cobblestone street all the way up to the square.

Bolivia - Sucre - Recoleta Mirador 1

3. Visit the Merced church’s Terracotta rooftop

La Merced and Colegio Maria Auxiliadora churches are two great places to visit as you are allowed to go onto the rooftops.

From there you have splendid views of the whole centre of town and the surrounding mountains. It is also one of the only places where you have the chance to see the famous terracotta rooftops of Sucre. It is easy to spend an hour just relaxing on these rooftops enjoying the view.

Useful information
The churches aren’t often opened, so it is best to pop by both places and check the opening hours before planning a visit.

– La Merced entrance : 10 Bs (€1.28)
– San Felipe Covent/Colegio Maria Auxiliadora : 15 Bs (€1.92)

Bolivia - Sucre - Colegio Maria Auxiliadora

4. Find what’s odd about the Cathedral of Sucre

Unfortunately, the city’s cathedral cannot be visited but it can easily be seen from the main square.

There is one thing about it that you might be interested in. Check the clock and look for something unusual. No, this one isn’t anticlockwise like many clocks in Bolivia… It is something else. Let us know in the comment if you found the odd thing about the Cathedral’s clock!

5. Buy your groceries at the food Market

The Central Mercado of Sucre is a must-visit. It is the main place to buy fresh fruit, veg, meat, pastries, spices, eggs, cheese, etc. We absolutely loved this place which is the heart of Sucre where families shop, teenagers flirt, and the elderly meet for a chat.

On the first floor, there are 3 different “comedors” where you will find incredible homemade cooked Andean dishes for less than one euro!

Bolivia - Sucre - Mercado Central

6. Walk around the Cemetery of Sucre

The cemetery of Sucre is also a park where people like to walk around or sit down with a book.

It probably has to do with the peace of the place and the many trees that provide enjoyable shadows. The cemetery itself should be visited too for the unique way the graves are built. They indeed, kind of look like apartment buildings…

Bolivia - Sucre - Cemetery

7. Look for the Zebras

As strange as this title might be, we are not going to talk about the species that live in Africa, but about the volunteers dressed in zebra costumes that are found in the streets of the Bolivian’s major cities.

Inspired by the “zebra crossing” and a similar initiative in Bogota, Colombia, the Bolivian government established a program to regulate traffic in the capital and large cities of the country.

The “cebritas”, as they are known in the country, act like civilian police, high-fiving adolescents, hugging tourists and helping elders, while also using humour to fight against the law-breaking drivers.

They also help against littering in the streets by installing cameras and painting messages on the walls and investing time through educational programs on themes such as recycling, water conservation and bullying.

Bolivia - Sucre - Zebra crossing

8. Visit the Cal Orck’O and Cretacico park

The park “Cretacico Sucre” situated 5 km north of the town was opened to the public in 2006. It was built right next to Cal Orck’O, a 1.5km limestone wall on which more than 5000 dinosaurs’ footprints have been found. These were discovered by the local cement company Francesa in 1985. After excavation and studies for a few years, the museum was opened and guided tours onto the quarry were organised.

If you miss the tour onto the quarry, it is not really worth going as the footprints will be hard to be seen from the viewpoint in the museum. The whole experience is to put on the helmet, goggles and enter the Francesa quarry which is still in use.

During our visit, we could see the tractors passing by and we could hear the TNT detonation followed by giant fumes!

How to get to Cal Orck’O ?

There is a public bus that can be unreliable at times. For this reason, you should leave very early or take the “tour bus” that leaves from the main square on the cathedral side.

Impossible to be missed this double-decker red bus drives the visitors to the quarry just on time for the tours in Spanish and English at 1 pm. As for us, it is worth spending a couple of euro more to make sure to make it on time.

– Bus to Cretacico park (return): 15 Bs (€1.92)
– Entrance Cretacico Park : 30 Bs (€3.84) + 5 Bs (€0.32) for the photographic rights

Bolivia-Sucre-Dinosaurs-CalOckro-wall-quarry

RELATED: Cal Orck’O Dinosaur Park

9. Take a day trip to the Tarabuco Market

Tarabuco is a small town 3 hours east of Sucre. Every Sunday, farmers from the most remote countryside gather to buy or sell their products. Still preserved from mass tourism, Tarabuco manages to keep its true self. It is easy to walk around and appreciate the many local colourful items of clothing that differ from one community to another.

Probably the most authentic market we have been to in the whole of South America (and we have been to many many many) – Our dedicated article will be posted in the coming days.

How to get there ?

Take a taxi or bus to the crossing of Avenidad de las Americas and Avenida German Mendoza (you can ask “collectivo por Tarabuco”. Hop on a collectivo with the locals. It will cost 20 Bs (€1.30) return and takes 2 to 3 hours, depends how crazy your driver will speed…

Bolivia - Sucre - Tarabuco - Local 15 - Feature image

RELATED: A day trip to the Tarabuco Market from Sucre

10. Hike the Maragua crater

“Maragua Crater hike” is a famous 2 to 3-day trek that takes you through remote villages and unlikely-to-see somewhere-else landscapes. The trek starts with a 1-hour walk down Inca Steps into a beautiful valley leading to the village of Maragua. Once past the crater-like plateau where Maragua was built, the hike leads you across even smaller villages, dinosaur footprints and choclo farms, before arriving at the small town of Potolo. From there, we took a bus back to Sucre. It is an incredible hike that can easily be done without a tour or guide. We will write more about it in the coming days.

How to get to the start of the hike?

Take a taxi (20 Bs) to “la parada por Potolo” and hop on the 9:30 am bus or on the back of a truck. Ask the driver to drop you off at the inca steps (Virgen de Chatanquilla)

Maragua crater - Bolivia

RELATED: Hiking to the Maragua Crater without a guide

11. Taste Bolivia’s best food specialty!

As is it often cheaper to eat out than in Bolivia, we spent a lot of time in cafés and restaurants. Sucre is really one of the best places in Bolivia to taste all the tasty food. Here are our favourite places

Café Condor: Calle Calvo No. 102

The Condor café is a charity based restaurant that serves a cheap vegetarian menu and a la carte delicious meals. Fancy a stuffed potatoes, a Quinoa soup or a falafel? This is the place to go. They also offer tours and a climbing wall. It is also a famous place to get reliable wifi or chill playing games.

Chifa & Thai: Calle Calvo No. 70

Chifas are Asian restaurants in South America. The Chifa we recommend mixes Bolivian and Asian food and offer a very good menu for lunch.

Ice cream Sucre: Plaza 25 de Mayo

On the main plaza, if the weather allows it, make sure to pop by the Ice cream shop “Sucre” and try the many locally sourced flavours such as Maracuya, Quinoa.

El Patio: Calle San Alberto (close to the mercado central)

Salteñas are our favourites. You may know empañadas from Argentina, but do you know Salteñas? Also originated from Argentina and more precisely from Salta, Salteñas are however absolutely amazing in Bolivia too. El Patio is only open in the morning and every single day, it’s packed. This is the place the “Sucrenos” snack or order for the whole family/office. You can choose between meat, chicken or veggies.

Bolivia - Sucre - El Patio - Salteñas

Pollos a la Brasa “El Oriental”: Calle España

Our #1 place to eat dinner was recommended by our favourite food/travel blogger Heneedsfood.com – As always, John saw it right: probably the best Chicken we have had in South America. And we have had fried/roasted chicken at least once a week during our travels. Here, you order the size you want and the part of the bird you prefer. You get a smoked chicken with great fried potatoes on the side. Can’t get any better.

Carrot: Avenida Arenales No. 5

If you are into juices and smoothies, Carrot is your place! Jenny went many times to order her “own” gastritis juice that was always tasty despite the weird flavour she’d asked for spinach, ginger, carrot!

Mercado Central

If you are seeking well served, cheap tasty Andean lunches, with locals, the central market is the place to go to. It will be about €1 per person or less if you only fancy a soup. Our favourite dishes were: Saice, Sopa de Mani/Quinoa/Rice.

Bolivia - Sucre - Mercado Central 1
Pin It - Sucre is the gem of Bolivia that not many tourists take the time to go to. Probably because the longest you stay the hardest it is to leave ! Sucre is an incredible city for those who want to live the Bolivian life style, learn Spanish or just visit the incredible country-side. https://talesfromthelens.com/2018/01/11/sucre-bolivia-gem/

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jen – Owner, writer & photographer – has lived for the past 10 years across Oceania and Ireland while also travelling long-term in Latin America, North America and Europe. She has visited more than 60 countries and set foot on every continent in the world!

>> Favourite countries: New Zealand, Bolivia, Iceland.
>> Wishlist: Svalbard, Japan, Botswana, Alaska.
>> Philosophy: “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.

Jen is a coffee nerd, passionate about photographywildlife and outdoor activities. Her organisation and curiosity make her a great travel companion always looking for DIY and off-the-grid adventures. For more info, check out the About page.

If you’ve found this travel guide useful and want to say Thank You, you can now buy me a virtual coffee!

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