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It only takes a walk in the historic centre of Sucre in Bolivia to notice it. Surrounded by beautiful colonial white buildings and accompanied by traditional dances and songs performed by local street artists, take a stroll in beautiful Sucre.
One moment you walk past a group of students discussing the plans for the weekend, and a minute later you bargain for a guyabano with a typical “campesina”, dressed in the traditional style. While retaining its old character, Sucre hosts one of the most important universities in South America which is a catalyst for many young people from the whole continent and from abroad.
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It is this peaceful coexistence of old and new, of ancient traditions and modern society, that capture your senses as soon as you set foot in Sucre – leave your expectations at home and immerse yourself in the Bolivian world.
Discover below our favourite spots and activities in Sucre region!
Traditional Campesina selling herbs in the street in Sucre, Potosi
MERCADO CENTRAL
During our time in Sucre we visited the Mercado Central every single day for our grocery shopping or just to have a peak at the beautifully presented food, including plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, spices and “salsas”.
The Mercado never stopped to surprise us for its colourful stands of yummy ingredients and for its local vendors, mostly women in their traditional dresses. They were always trying to sell you more than you actually needed, making you taste all their delicious products. If you are hungry and on a budget, the Mercado Central is a good place for a cheap, big lunch.
BOLIVIA IS SO MUCH MORE! CHECK OUT OUR ROAD TRIP TO SUR LIPEZ AND UYUNI HERE
TIP – Local people do not like to be photographed, so either ask for permission (which is not usually granted) or be as discreet as you can wait until they fall asleep. You can get away with a few belt shots.
Amazing display of veggies and fruits at Mercado Central in Sucre, Bolivia
MARAGUA CRATER
Our favourite spot ever in Sucre region is actually outside the city, yet you can reach it by long bus or taxi rides or, better of all, on foot.
A trek to Maragua Crater is a must – highlights are rainbow-coloured mountains, traditional rural villages, fresh locally sourced food and incredible waterfalls, to name a few.
FIND OUT MORE TIPS ON HOW TO STAY ACTIVE DURING A LONG TRIP HERE
If you are up for a 2 to 4 day hike in Sucre area, then we highly recommend you trek with Condor Trekkers, a non-profit organization which devolves 100% of its profits to local communities (subtract the actual cost of the track itself for accommodation, food and guide which are always local BTW).
OUR DAY BY DAY TREK TO MARAGUA CRATER WITH CONDOR TREKKERS HERE
Taking in stunning views during our Maragua Crater Trek around Sucre area, Bolivia
CASA DE LA LIBERDAD
Museums are not our thing when we travel as we like to stay outdoors as much as we can. However, we make few exceptions, especially on rainy days, and Casa de la Liberdad was actually a quick but very pleasant visit if you would like to grasp a little about the intricated and long history of Bolivia and Sucre.
If you speak Spanish, we recommend to take the tour in Spanish language as it will give a more authentic touch to the visit.
For more information and opening hours / cost visit their website here
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Main entrance of la Casa de la Libertad in Sucre, Bolvia
LA TORRE CAFÉ
We usually look for panoramic spots whenever we visit a new city and La Torre Café, one of the highest bell towers in Sucre, fits the purpose as well as serving good coffee and pastry at the top of the tower. You can walk up the tower for free (consumption is not compulsory), but we still recommend sipping a coffee from above which adds up to the magnificent views.
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TIP – To find our way around the city we have used Maps.me, an offline map which gives you both driving and walking directions
Sipping a coffee at La Torre Cafe in Sucre, Bolivia
MIRADOR DE LA RECOLETA
Walk up the streets of Sucre on a sunny day and be rewarded by a wide-angle view of the city, plus you can join in the warm atmosphere of the main plaza at the top of the Recoleta, especially during the weekend when happy children improvise a football match and grandparents cheer the players in Quechua language.
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You can also visit the Museo de Arte Indigena, a textile museum, which we didn’t visit but was highly recommended by friends. Here you can learn the different weaving techniques used by local artisans and the meanings behind their design. More information here
Expansive view from el Mirador de la Recoleta in Sucre, Bolivia
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