Sucre

Sucre is a city in Chuquisaca Department, Bolivia. It is the official capital of the country, though most of the government is based in La Paz. Its center is a UNESCO world heritage site, and it is a pretty city with welcoming people and a peaceful atmosphere.

See: 13
Do: 15
Eat: 12
Drink: 7
Buy: 3

15 places match

7 Cascadas

Go for a hike to the 7 waterfalls. Take a taxi from Sucre to the tiny village of Alegria for Bs. 20 (or catch the red 12 micro bus to the last stop for Bs. 1.50), then walk the remaining 3 km. Or negotiate for the driver to take you all the way. Take food, water, towels, bathing suit, sunscreen as there are no services nearby. The waterfalls make for a pleasant day-trip. You can hike around (wear sandals not shoes, as the path crosses streams) and swim in the natural pools. This attraction may be better in wet season. Besides frequent robberies in this area in the past, as of 2016, it was a very popular spot with locals and tourists, and seems very safe. While the waterfalls are almost entirely dry in April and May, it is still a beautiful place to swim and jump from the cliffs.

Centro Ecológico San Antonio de Aritumayu (Resort)

If you stay longer and want to escape the city for some fresh air and nature, consider the ecological centro in Aritumayu. Splendid clean river with waterfalls nearby, and basic but clean accommodation available (romantic: no electricity nor cellphone coverage).

Centro de Salud Sagrada Familia

A centre to give medical attention to the people. They also serve lunch to the children. You can volunteer in the health centre, help with cooking and serving food, or help the social worker.

Escuela Movil

CERPI

Integrated centre for pedagogical resources (CERPI) offers pedagogical services to children from marginal neighborhoods (mobile school, homework area, music classes, computer classes).

La Recoleta

Walk up Calle Dalence ("Pantaleón Dalence"), Grau, or Calvo ("Daniel Calvo") from the central plaza to La Recoleta, a spot up on a hill with a plaza and old buildings. Although there are often events here, as well as a monastery (Convento de la Recoleta), church and museum, the main attraction is definitely the view of Sucre from the Mirador Cafe. The drinks and food here are of European price level. Adjacent Hotel Kolping also has excellent views and a lunch buffet. If you don't want to pay, there are nice views from the plaza itself. At the entry to La Recoleta there is a small but rich market where native people sell weawings and handicraft.

Maragua (crater and village)

One of the most popular destinations outside of Sucre is Maragua crater, a region of unusual rock formations. The crater is not volcanic (contrary to what some say), but was formed by erosion. Fossils of marine shells are still found in the region and sold by local children. There can be nice children on the way, who may ask for some gift, so buy some pens, notebooks, dried fruits, or nuts in Sucre (no sweets please, people may not have access to dentist service)—you'll like making these children happier. It is possible to spend a night in Maragua village inside the crater (i.e. Bs. 60 a night)—ask local people, other tourists, or local kids will organize you a place. Conditions are basic but the experience unique. Simple meals are available too. Offered by many companies as a tour, but can also organised independently with a proper map. Buy food and water beforehand. You may want to take some chlorine pills to purify some water on the way. Take the minivan to Potolo (ask people in Sucre for the proper place to catch such a minivan; Bs. 12; a breathtaking ride), and get off at the chapel (ask the driver for "Chataquila" or "camino del Inca"). Start following the Inca trail from Capilla de Chataquila. When down (Chaunaca; lady takes Bs. 10 for the community), turn left and follow the river (don't cross the river yet). Further (where you see trees, church, some houses), cross the river over suspension bridge (Puente en el camino al Maragua; the lady takes Bs. 10 for the community), then hike up to Maragua (a waterfall and some water spots on the way). Here you could stay overnight, or you choose the camping site right at the beginning, depending on when you start the trek. From Maragua down to the dinosaur footprints, from where you continue further to Potolo (2nd night?). From Potolo there are regular buses back to Sucre. Alternatively, you can continue from Potolo into the valley for another half day hiking. Yet another alternative is to walk the main way from Marag

Parque Simón Bolívar

Take a stroll in the park, the city's favourite lovers' hangout. Just don't step on the grass. You can watch people (nice people there), watch street performances, eat. People have their small Eiffel tower there, just next is a big playing park for kids. At the upper end of Parque Bolivar stands Bolivia's supreme court. At the lower end is Estacion Aniceto Arce, Sucre's train station which is not in use. If you don't get your fill of old trains in Uyuni, there is another one within the station precinct. Ask permission from the token security guard before you enter, as there is a guard dog here (although she is usually playing with her puppy).

Realidades

Small NGO working with indigenous minorities, human and children rights.

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Independence Day

The day the city came alive. Sucre was where Latin America’s fight for independence started, at least that’s what we were told. The parade around the city make you feel proud, even if not close to being a Bolivian. This is also the reason for the naming of the main plaza: Plaza 25 de Mayo. Today, the plaza is full of families and couples, and it’s a fantastic place to sit and watch people go by, preferably with an ice-cream in hand.

25 May

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International Human Rights Film Festival

Festival Internacional de Cine de los Derechos Humanos

Known as the "Seventh Eye", a bi-annual film festival organized by PUKAÑAWI has occurred 20 times in Sucre. The festival recognizes films that focus on human rights in 3 categories: in Bolivia, in Latin America, and around the world. The festival was held in 2023 and the next one is being planned for 2025.