Potosí, Bolivia: travel guide
Once one of the richest cities in the world thanks to Cerro Rico's silver. A UNESCO city of colonial churches and the still-working cooperative mines, sitting above 4,000 m.
- Country
- Bolivia
- Currency
- BOB
- Time zone
- America/La_Paz
Top places to visit in Potosí
Casa Nacional de la Moneda
Museum · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry BOB 40
The Royal Mint of Potosí, a vast colonial complex where Spanish colonial coins were struck. Now one of South America's finest museums.
Plaza 10 de Noviembre
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 0.4 h
Potosí's main square at over 4,000 m, surrounded by the cathedral and colonial arcades.
Cerro Rico Cooperative Mines
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · entry BOB 150
The silver mountain that bankrolled the Spanish empire. Guided tours enter the still-working cooperative mines (physically demanding, not for everyone).
Torre de la Compañía de Jesús
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · entry BOB 15
A richly carved Jesuit bell-tower with a viewing gallery overlooking the old city and Cerro Rico.
Things to do
- Cerro Rico Mine Tour Cultural · 3 h · from BOB 150 per person
- Casa de la Moneda Guided Tour Cultural · 1.5 h · from BOB 60 per person
Day trips and tours
- Cerro Rico Cooperative Mine Tour 4 h · from BOB 150
Where to stay in Potosí
- Centro Histórico about BOB 300 per night
The colonial heart of Potosí around the main plaza and the Mint, close to churches and mine-tour agencies.
Hotels
- Hotel Cima Argentum 3.5-star · BOB 400 to BOB 540 per night
- Hostal Eucalyptus 2-star · BOB 70 to BOB 230 per night
Where to eat
- Café La Plata Cafe, International · about BOB 45 per person
- El Fogón Bolivian, Grill · about BOB 70 per person
Getting around
- Minibus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Mine-tour and street overcharging
Cerro Rico tour touts, central streets
Some unofficial guides overcharge or run unsafe mine visits.
How to avoid it: Book mine tours through established agencies with ex-miner guides and proper gear.