Things To Do In Sucre Bolivia & An Awesome Downloadable Itinerary
It’s truly a rare event to meet a traveler that has disliked Sucre. On my three-week Bolivia trip, one of the most unexpected surprises was visiting Sucre. I instantly fell in love with the atmosphere of the city and deeply regretted not staying longer. Sucre is the capital of Bolivia although you will often hear the debate of La Paz being its contender. To this day, I think the answer varies with whom you actually ask. Compared to La Paz, Sucre is another world. It’s quiet, clean, everything is white and the climate is amazing. The weather in Sucre Bolivia is a dream for exploring.
This post will try to cover the basics of everything you need to know about traveling there, things to do in Sucre, and things I wish I knew. At the bottom of the post, you will find downloadable itineraries for your stay! I hope this post shows you how amazing this city is and inspires you to add it to your Bolivia itinerary!
Let’s get to the logistics
Sucre is an amazing recharging stop in the chaotic country of Bolivia. Most travelers get stuck there because it’s so simply very hard to leave this city. Sucre is welcoming, cheap, and interesting. I hope when you travel you don’t skip over it as it was certainly one of the highlights of my trip.
After being a little on the edge in La Paz and then spending 3 days in the Salt Flats, Sucre felt like paradise. I finally slept 8+ hours upon arriving there and I was able to relax and enjoy the beautiful Bolivian city.
2 weeks in Bolivia itinerary
Before we dive into the Sucre details here is an overview of my Bolivia itinerary with links to other guides I created. In the La Paz post, I also include a short summary of the costs for this trip.
- I flew into La Paz to take a bus into Copacabana and stayed there a night to acclimate.
- Then, I took a boat to Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca with an overnight stay.
- I returned to Copacabana to take a bus back to La Paz and stayed there for 4 days.
- My next stop was a trip from La Paz to Uyuni for a 3-day tour.
- After the tour, I took an overnight bus to Sucre and stayed there for 4 days.
- My last stop was Santa Cruz to which I took a flight from Sucre. I stayed there for another 3 days.
Traveling to Bolivia as a US citizen
While most countries don’t need a visa while traveling to Bolivia, the US relationship with the country made it mandatory to get one in the past. That’s why it was quite rare to find many American travelers there. Obtaining a visa was fairly straightforward and I got one at the New York Bolivian embassy for a hefty fee of $160 USD.
Good news for you my fellow traveler, as of the 2020s, with the change of presidents, US citizens are no longer required to get one.
How to survive high altitude in Bolivia
Sucre has an altitude of a little over 9,000 feet. It’s not as crazy as La Paz or Copacabana, but it’s still pretty high. If you’re coming from a high altitude, you will have no problems in Sucre. However, if you’re coming in the opposite direction, from low to high altitude, be prepared to rest for at least a full day before attempting any exploration.
If you’re curious about how altitude sickness affected me, I talk about this Cusco”horror” story, so feel free to read it for some entertainment. For tips on how to survive altitude issues in Bolivia, read my La Paz guide which goes into depth on things you can do to prevent it.
Where to stay in Sucre
If you’re traveling to Sucre, chances are you’re a backpacker. I saw very few “traditional tourists” while roaming the city. Hostels will be your best bet here are they provide everything a gringo needs abroad: 1) a bar 2) a walking tour 3) a group of friends 4) an atmosphere to feel safe and happy and bonus, 5) Spanish lessons! I stayed in a private room at KulturBerlin, a fairly known hostel in the city and I can vouch for its reputation and atmosphere. It also turns into a club at night at which you can find a lot of locals. Beware though, they’re not there to hang out to, they’re on a hunt if you know what I mean.
Hotels in Sucre Bolivia are abundant and will certainly not break your bank. You can get some pretty awesome spots for a very cheap price.
Sucre Transportation Logistics
To get to Sucre you have a couple of options: a long-distance bus or a flight. Transport in Bolivia isn’t pretty so don’t be deceived by certain verbiage of what your transport actually includes. My story went like this: I wanted to save some money on accommodation and decided that I would take an overnight bus from Uyuni to Sucre. I booked a “cama” seat and assumed I would be napping the entire time. When I got on the bus, I quickly found out that there is no bathroom option, the AC would be blasting beyond any reason and my cama barely reclined. It was quite an adventure, to say the least especially when I had to pee on a side of a dirt road in the middle of the night but I honestly wouldn’t do it any other way. However, if this isn’t your type of travel, I would find a different mode of transport instead.
Within Sucre, everything is walkable. The hills in the city could be a little brutal so if altitude ends up kicking our butt, opt for a radio taxi instead. To get to common attractions outside the city, you can take a public bus.
If you’re flying in or out, make sure you’re aware of the 1-hour journey to/from the airport. I totally missed the memo of how long it would take and almost missed my flight. The mini-buses leave from Av. Gregorio Donoso and Calle Camargo and cost a little over a dollar a person. You can also get a taxi at a fixed price of about 50 bolivianos.
People & Safety in Sucre
When you’re prepping for a trip, you’ll read many warnings about scams and what can happen to you. I was well-prepped and knew that one of the most talked-about scams was getting in a taxi where the driver also picks up a local along the way. Those interactions often lead to express kidnappings too. When I got off of my overnight bus from Uyuni at the Sucre bus station at a very sketchy 5 am time, I made sure to grab a taxi that was the most legitimate in appearance. The driver helped me with the bags and after I got in the back, a local joined us in the front.
Even when you’re prepared and have all the information when you’re actually in the moment of something sketchy happening, your reaction ends up being very different than what you’d assume it’d be. This was my case because when I questioned the driver about it, he reassured me that it was a friend we were dropping off along the way. For some reason, my gut trusted him, and looking back at it, it was actually crazy that I went with the flow. The good news is that it was actually the driver’s family member and he ended up being one of the nicest humans I encountered on the trip. Luckily, he wasn’t out to get me and got my safe to the hostel.
For the remainder of my time in Sucre, I only met nice people who were happy about the tourism in their city. My taxi adventure goes to show that not everyone is out to get you and if your gut tells you that a situation is ok, trust yourself. But with that said, don’t go blindly trusting people. I probably should not have taken that ride and simply got lucky.
Eating in Sucre
No one really talks about food in Sucre and I honestly don’t know why. I legit ate my way through the city and I had the best meals at each of the places I visited. You can get a street snack for $0.50 or indulge at more upscale places for a ridiculously cheap price. At the bottom of the guide, you can find my favorite places in the city!
Sightseeing in the city
Within the city, you won’t find many sightseeing spots but the beauty of Sucre is enjoying it as a whole. It’s simply stunning, the white buildings, the tranquil atmosphere, and the awesome nightlife. You stay in Sucre to soak it in and enjoy it, not to cross off “top ten things to do” kinda style.
However, there are some things you should check out within the city so I’ll list them below for you.
Perfect Things To Do in Sucre
Plaza 25 de Mayo
I love the main plazas in every city because they usually reflect the atmosphere of the place. This is certainly the case in Sucre as Plaza 25 de Mayo is the perfect place to spend some time in. You will find many locals hanging out, vendors selling sweets or snacks, performers during the day, and cute shows at night. I kept on coming back to the plaza just to sit and enjoy it, every single day I was in Sucre. Make sure to come during the day, at night, and during the weekend if you can.
Don’t forget to check out the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe located on the corner too. It was built around the 1600s and is a beautiful religious site.
La Recoleta
It will be a painful hike to get there, but the views from this place are incredible. The arches overlooking the city are amazing too. It’s actually an old monastery that’s now the best hang-out spot in the city from views. Make sure to grab a drink at Café Gourmet Mirador, it’s a popular spot but it lets you soak in the city for a little longer.
Templo de San Felipe Neri
This amazing monastery/school is the spot for rooftop views of Sucre. The grounds are also great for some quiet exploration. I hope you’re luckier than I was and are actually able to get inside this place. It’s apparently open only between 2-6 pm and you need to knock on large wooden doors to get inside.
General Cemetery
Remember that the topic of death in South America vs. in the Western culture is very different. We don’t necessarily celebrate the dead and don’t spend time in the cemeteries for reasons other than grieving. In Sucre, a general cemetery is a place for families to return to their loved ones, celebrate them, and drop off personalized trinkets that their loved ones, once cherished.
When you visit the general cemetery, you will be fascinated by how casual (yet very respectful) the locals treat this place. You will be able to admire the beautiful blocks of graves. Don’t forget though that this is a burial site so make sure you’re also being respectful and not treating it as a backdrop for your new insta pic.
Parque Bolivar
It’s a pretty park to observe the locals strolling, especially all the local teenagers hiding from their parents and kissing. It has a strange mini replica of the Eiffel Tower too. This place is probably best for small children as it offers a ton of exciting structures for them. I liked it for a stroll and some afternoon peace.
Catch the Fuente del Bicentenario light/fountain show located in Parque Bolivar and the show occurs between 7 and 9 pm on Sundays. It’s something cute to do in town along with the locals. Double-check if it’s currently running as I couldn’t find any reliable confirmation about it still working.
Central Market
This should be a spot on your radar for some local delicacies if you’re staying long-term. The Sucre central market is the place for fresh fruit, delicious juice, and some local bites. It’s colorful, authentic and something you should also do in every town you visit. Please be respectful of the locals and don’t walk up to them and take pictures of their faces. Ask if it’s ok first or assess the situation. Sucre is not as infested with tourists as other South American cities so it’s your responsibility not to ruin the gringo reputation too much.
Tarabuco Market
This is not your typical town market. Tarabuco is a gathering of the locals of the Yampara culture. It’s not only beautiful but you can also do some cool authentic shopping. Getting there will take a little effort from your end. Catch the number 14 bus from Mercado Central to Parada de Tarabuco for less than $0.50. If local buses aren’t your thing, take a taxi. It shouldn’t cost too much either, around $15 a person. Heads up, the journey will take you 1+ hour along a very scenic route. Note, the market only happens on Sundays and closes as early as 2 pm.
This Tarabuco market article is an amazing resource if you’re planning to visit. This cool travel couple gives you the history and all the information you need for visiting. People have mixed feelings about it as locals don’t love so many tourists there and prices are known not to be the cheapest for visitors. However, if you’re staying long-term, it could be a cool experience.
Museums in Sucre
Sucre might be a tiny town but it still houses a handful of museums. If that’s something that interests you, you can spend a full day exploring them here.
- Museo del Tesoro: The treasure museum is a cool spot in town where you can find gold, silver, and other valuable gems. The fairly new museum is housed in an old building. English tours are abundant.
- House of Liberty Museum: If Bolivian history is something you’re interested in, this place should be a must-stop for you. Take a tour to understand what is happening there though.
- Museum of Indigenous Art ASUR: As the name suggests, this indigenous museum is your stop for all things indigenous, textiles, art, and way of life.
- The Ethnographic and Folklore Museum (MUSEF): Another museum about all things culturally important to Bolivians. Check out their awesome current exhibitions.
Cretaceous Park
What once was a limestone quarry is now a site to spot some authentic dinosaur footprints. To get there you’ll take bus micro 4 from Plaza de 25 mayo or a private taxi. Don’t be surprised when you find large man-made dinosaur statutes there. You’re not going there for that though. You’re going to see the Cal Orck’o limestone wall for which you need to catch the noon or 1 pm tour in order to enter it.
The place is not well-protected meaning that visitors can touch the wall and the weather is actively eroding these unique findings. Whether this is a must-do activity or not, depends on how interested in dinosaurs you are. If you’re not, I wouldn’t recommend coming all the way there to see it. However, if nerding out on dinosaur movies and books was your thing when you were a kid, skipping this place would be silly.
Spanish Classes
When you’re researching Sucre travel, this will come upon every single list of things to do if you’re staying long term. The reasons are simple: Spanish in Sucre is very clean and easy to understand, lessons are super cheap for the quality of learning, and the overall mentality of other students to learn as much as they. Even the hostel I stayed in advertised lessons inside and encouraged even a couple of days of learning.
You’ll see all the major spots in the city in a day or two but you won’t want to leave. Make use of that extra morning time and learn a new language or upgrade your existing skills. The options are honestly endless here. I suggest getting a private tutor because you will be able to learn the most in a short amount of time. If you’re looking to make some friends along the way, group classes should be your choice. You will find advertisements everywhere: hotels, hostels, restaurants, and cafes. I haven’t taken any classes so I cannot recommend a specific one but a simple google search will answer that question for you.
Maragua Crater
If you’re staying in Sucre for a longer period of time, consider doing this magnificent trek into the most scenic parts of the country. There are two ways to do it, an organized 2-day tour or a DIY tour that is often described as a logistical nightmare. Travelers often get lost due to the poorly marked trails but with the current posts now, I think you can learn from their mistakes. This blog tells you a good story about their Maragua adventure. I also like this post about this couple getting lost hiking the crater but eventually successful.
Eat eat eat drink drink drink
Sucre’s food scene is amazing and you should try as many places as you can. Since this city is quite cheap, you can get some gourmet meals for really cheap prices. On the contrary, street food is also amazing so whichever you choose, you won’t be disappointed. Here are my picks for a good meal. Don’t forget to drink in Sucre either. This is a cool town for your nighttime adventures.
- La Taverne: This was my favorite place in town. The steaks are to die for, the wine is amazing and the cute French ambiance is an awesome touch too.
- El Huerto: This is a higher-end restaurant to which you will need to take a taxi. It offers national dishes and a nice outdoor terrace.
- Cafe Florin: This is a known backpacker/tourist stop. Food is good and you’ll also find some travelers hanging around.
- Pueblo Chico: I like this place for drinks and a cool setting. It has courtyard-style dining and it’s super cute.
- Los Balcones: The food might not be the most amazing you had, but the view of the plaza makes up for it. I liked my dish there and I would certainly recommend it for an awesome perspective of the plaza alone.
- Chifa & Thai: Love this spot for some great chifa!
- Goblin Bar: An awesome local pub with some locally brewed beers. It’s family-owned and you will often find them onsite.
- Red Lion: An English pub in town. For sure not an authentic local spot but who doesn’t crave a good pub when traveling?
- KulturBerlin: No, it’s not only a hostel, but it’s also a solid bar that turns into a club at night too!
- Joy Ride Cafe: A known tourist spot in town. Make sure to at least grab one drink there.
- Mitos: This is your local discoteca to go drink and dance at.
- Chocolates Para Ti: And lastly, don’t forget to make a stop at this town staple for some tasty chocolates 🙂
Download Perfect Itineraries for your Sucre Trip
Sucre doesn’t seem that exciting on paper but when you get there, I promise it will surprise you in the best of ways. I stayed for 4 days but I honestly wish I stayed for 2 weeks. It’s such a nice place to unwind, practice your Spanish, eat well, and spend quality time with other travelers. Sucre is truly a gem and one of the best places to visit in Bolivia. It’s nothing like La Paz and nothing like Santa Cruz either. The tranquil atmosphere can be felt throughout the city and I promise you won’t want to leave.
All my itineraries were made after I traveled to a destination so they are optimized for things I wish I did differently. I hope that my mistakes could help you avoid bumps in the road. However, if you feel like some plans can be even more perfect, please let me know in the comments below!
One Day Itinerary for Sucre
I really don’t recommend traveling to Sucre just for one day because it is such a beautiful city. However, if that’s all you have, I have highlighted the places I think you should visit in your 24 hours. You will start your Sucre itinerary with a good breakfast with my favorite recommendations of restaurants. Then you will take a walking tour or a self-guided one. For your afternoon, I recommend you visit La Recoleta for some amazing views of the city. Lastly, you will grab a super tasty dinner and come back to the main plaza for some local vibes.
Two Day Itinerary for Sucre
Two days is what I recommend at a minimum here. It will let you capture the best spots in the city, absorb some culture and relax a little too. Your first day will look just like my day one itinerary. The second one, however, will let you see the cemetery and another known local park. At night, I am sending you to enjoy some Sucre nightlife.
Three Day Itinerary for Sucre
A three-day visit is a great option if you’re not planning to take Spanish classes and want to continue your Bolivian journey. Your first and second day will be very similar to my one and two-day itinerary, seeing major spots like Plaza de 25 de mayo, La Recoleta, restaurants, parks, and museums. On the third day, you will head to the awesome dinosaur park a little outside of town. You will end your stay enjoying the nightlife.
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