Exploring Sucre, Bolivia: A City Of Cultural Delights

Sucre, Bolivia's capital city, is a place of beautiful architecture, museums, and cultural and outdoor activities. Known as 'La Ciudad Blanca' (The White City), Sucre is a great place to learn Spanish, with inexpensive classes and a laid-back atmosphere.

- Visit Plaza 25 de Mayo, Sucre's main plaza, which is surrounded by trendy restaurants and cafes.

- Take a city walking tour with Condor Trekkers to learn about the history and culture of the city.

- Admire the view from Recoleta, a cobblestoned courtyard with arches overlooking the city.

- Visit the Cementerio General, a unique and serene cemetery where shadow boxes hold photos, toys, flowers, and candles instead of headstones.

- Enjoy the view from the San Felipe de Neri Convent, a 17th-century building with beautiful courtyards and bell towers decorated with silver from Potosi's mines.

- Hike to the Maragua Crater, a popular trekking destination with panoramic views of multi-coloured swirling rocks and fossilised dinosaur footprints.

- Visit Parque Cretácico to see over 5,000 dinosaur footprints and take a tour of the site.

- Try the local delicacy, Salteñas, at El Patio or Salteñeria Flores.

- Visit the Museo Casa de la Libertad, where Bolivia's independence was declared in 1825.

Visit the Parque Cretácico to see dinosaur footprints

Visiting the Parque Cretácico to see dinosaur footprints is one of the coolest attractions in Bolivia. The park is home to the Cal Orck'o wall, which contains the world's largest collection of dinosaur footprints—over 5000 of them, to be exact, from around 15 different species of dinosaur. The footprints were discovered by accident in 1985 or 1995 by a local cement company, Fancesa, and date back to the Upper Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous Period of the Mesozoic Era, around 65-68 million years ago.

The Parque Cretácico offers a dinosaur-themed park with a museum dedicated to the findings and a collection of life-size dinosaur sculptures, including a 36x18-metre replica of a titanosaurus. The park also features an audiovisual display, restaurant, and gift shop.

The best time to visit the park is between noon and 2pm, when the sun is at its highest and provides the best lighting for viewing the footprints. A 30-45 minute guided tour of the park is included in the entrance fee, and these are available in English, Spanish, and French. Tours run daily at 10 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. In addition to the tour of the park, there is also a tour that takes you down into the quarry next to the Cal Orck'o wall, allowing you to get up close to the footprints. This tour is only offered twice a day, at noon and 1 pm, and you must go with a guide. Keep in mind that this tour requires a bit of fitness as you will need to climb down and back up the quarry, which can be tiring due to the altitude. Appropriate footwear is also recommended, such as hiking shoes or trainers.

There are a few different ways to get to the Parque Cretácico from Sucre. One option is to take the local bus #4 from either the bus terminal or from Arenales Street at the corner of Junin Street, one block from Plaza 25 de Mayo. The bus runs every 5 minutes and the park is the last stop. Another option is to take the shuttle bus, or "sauromovil" (dino bus), from Plaza 25 de Mayo in front of the cathedral. This bus departs Tuesday to Sunday at 11 am and 3 pm and costs Bs 15 for a return ticket. A taxi is also an option and should cost around $7 USD for a round trip.

The entrance fee for the Parque Cretácico is 30 bolivianos for tourists, 10 bolivianos for locals, and 5 bolivianos for children. There is an additional fee of 5 bolivianos if you wish to take photographs.

Eat salteñas, a type of Bolivian empanada

Eating salteñas is a must when in Sucre, Bolivia. Salteñas are the Bolivian version of empanadas, a juicy, sweet-dough snack, usually eaten around mid-morning. They are often described as a soupy, handheld chicken pot pie.

The best place to enjoy a salteña is El Patio Salteñeria. Here, you can choose from a variety of fillings, including pollo (chicken) or carne (beef), and enjoy your snack in their nice outdoor seating area. If you are vegetarian or simply want to try other options, head next door to Salteñeria Flores, which is also highly recommended.

Visit La Recoleta viewpoint and monastery

La Recoleta is a tranquil viewpoint tucked away at the bottom of Churuquella Mountain, offering panoramic views of Sucre. It is roughly a 15-minute walk from Plaza 25 de Mayo, the city's main square, although the moderate uphill climb may be challenging for some. Walking along Calle Dalence from the town centre will lead you to La Recoleta, where you can enjoy the picturesque Plaza de Anzurez. The white arches of the plaza are perfect for a photo, and the view of the city is especially stunning at sunset.

On the opposite side of the cobblestoned plaza is the La Recoleta Monastery, founded by the Franciscan Order in 1601. This stunning church now houses a museum that displays some of the city's most impressive religious artefacts. The monastery is well worth a visit, and the climb to La Recoleta is rewarding due to its relaxed vibe, fascinating sights and stunning photo opportunities.

Below the viewpoint, you will find Cafe Gourmet Mirador, the perfect spot to enjoy a long lunch or a glass of wine while soaking in the sun and admiring the views. La Recoleta truly comes alive in the evenings, with children playing football in the plaza while their parents chat and enjoy ice cream from nearby street vendors.

La Recoleta is also within walking distance of the Museum of Indigenous Art, which showcases the region's weaving arts. This museum is well worth a visit, especially if you can catch a demonstration on certain days.

Visit the city's churches and stand on their roofs

Sucre is home to many churches, each with its own unique history and architectural features. Here is a guide to visiting some of these churches and accessing their roofs for a panoramic view of the city:

Iglesia Nuestra Señora La Merced

This church is renowned for its beautiful interior, possibly the most exquisite in all of Sucre and even Bolivia. Admire the Baroque-style altar, the carved mestizo pulpit adorned with filigree and gold inlay, and the paintings by Melchor Perez de Holguin. You can also climb up to the bell tower for a small fee and take in the splendid views of the city.

Templo de San Felipe Neri

The San Felipe Neri convent is definitely worth a visit. A climb up to the bell tower and tiled rooftop will make clear why Sucre is nicknamed the 'White City of the Americas'. Explore the catacombs, including the tunnels used by priests, nuns, and guerrillas during political unrest. Take in the stone seats on the roof terraces, where monks once meditated, and enjoy the poinsettias and roses in the courtyard.

Iglesia de San Francisco

The Iglesia de San Francisco is steeped in history, having played a role in the Bolivian struggle for independence. It boasts a Mudejar ceiling, a unique architectural style influenced by Moorish craftsmanship. In the belfry hangs the Campana de la Libertad, Bolivia's Liberty Bell, which summoned patriots to the revolution in 1809. You can also visit the main crypt, where the remains of Spanish conquerors lie.

Sucre Metropolitan Cathedral

As the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Bolivia, the Metropolitan Cathedral is a significant religious and musical site. Construction began in 1552, and the cathedral showcases a blend of Renaissance, Baroque, and Mestizo Baroque architectural styles. Admire the white nave illuminated by stained glass windows, the crystal chandeliers, and the gold and silver embellishments. Climb up to the bell tower, adorned with statuettes of the apostles and patron saints, for a different perspective of the city.

Other Churches

While the above churches offer rooftop access, there are other churches in Sucre worth visiting, such as the Iglesia de San Lazaro, the first church built in the city, and the Iglesia de Santa Monica, notable for its mestizo-style architecture and impressive interior woodwork.

Take a Spanish lesson

Sucre, Bolivia's capital city, is a great place to take Spanish lessons. The city has a reputation as a comfortable halfway house between the frenetic, high-altitude energy of La Paz and the sparse, barely visited nothingness of the rest of the country. Numerous language schools have popped up across the city, and lessons are relatively cheap (as little as $5 USD per hour at some schools).

• Me Gusta Spanish School: This school has been offering face-to-face classes since 2011 with all security protocols in place. They also offer free trial online lessons. The school's methodology focuses on the needs of each student as an individual.
• Sucre Spanish School: Located a 3-minute walk from the city's central square, this school offers private Spanish language instruction with a 1-on-1 student/teacher ratio. They also offer group lessons with a maximum of four people in the classroom.
• LatinoSchools: This school offers free online Spanish lessons from Monday to Friday.

In addition to taking Spanish lessons, there are many other attractions in Sucre, including:

• Parque Cretácico: This museum is home to Cal Orck’o, a giant wall containing the world's largest collection of dinosaur footprints.
• Plaza 25 de Mayo: The city's main square and an important landmark for Bolivia.
• La Recoleta: A viewpoint and monastery that offers a great view of the city.
• Casa de la Libertad: The location where Bolivia gained its independence from Spanish rule.

Frequently asked questions