Exploring Tarapaya, Bolivia: A Travel Guide

Tarapaya, Bolivia, is a popular tourist destination for its hot springs, believed to have healing properties since Inca times. The most famous attraction is the Ojo del Inca or Eye of the Inca, a perfectly round, green lake in a low volcanic crater, with a diameter of 100m and a temperature of 30°C. The surrounding mountains and the unique colour of the lake provide a spectacular view. Tarapaya also offers medicinal thermal pools and resorts, with water sourced from the lake. The Tarapaya Thermal Lagoon is an artificial lagoon with volcanic origins, located 21 kilometres from Potosi city. The temperature of the lagoon varies from 35 to 40 degrees Celsius, and it is known for its circular shape and the surrounding mountains' striking colours.

Visit the Tarapaya Thermal Lagoon

Tarapaya is a small settlement located 21 kilometres from the city of Potosí in Bolivia. It is famed for its thermal springs, which have been used since Inca times and are believed to possess healing properties. The most famous of these is the Tarapaya Thermal Lagoon, also known as the "Eye of the Inca" or "Ojo del Inca" in Spanish. Here is your guide to visiting this natural wonder.

History and Geology

The Tarapaya Thermal Lagoon is a circular-shaped artificial lagoon with volcanic origins. Its temperature ranges from 35 to 40 degrees Celsius, and it is nestled within a volcanic crater. The surrounding mountains provide a spectacular view with their particular colouring. The site has been a popular destination for centuries, even serving as a holiday spot for Inca royalty.

Things to Do

Swimming in the lagoon itself is not recommended due to dangerous undercurrents caused by boiling ponds beneath the surface. However, there are several developed balnearios (resorts) along the river below the crater, where you can enjoy medicinal thermal pools for a small fee. These pools utilise water from the lagoon, and it is advised to stay close to the edge to avoid hazardous whirlpools.

If you're looking for more swimming opportunities, you can visit the nearby town of Miraflores, which also offers thermal swimming pools. Additionally, Tarapaya's tourist complex features a thermal swimming pool.

How to Get There

Getting to the Tarapaya Thermal Lagoon is easy and affordable. Taxis are readily available from anywhere in central Potosí and will take you there for a reasonable fare. Alternatively, you can opt for a bus ride, with buses departing regularly from the Mercado Chuquima on Av. Universitario. These buses typically take between half an hour and an hour to reach the site.

When to Go

The thermal lagoon can be visited year-round, but it is essential to plan your visit accordingly to ensure you have enough time to explore and enjoy the facilities. The last taxi back to Potosí leaves around 6 pm, and the last bus departs between 5 pm and 6 pm.

Take a dip in the Ojo del Inca thermal pools

Tarapaya, Bolivia, is a popular tourist destination, famed for its hot springs and thermal pools. The area has been revered since Inca times for its supposed healing powers, and it is said that the Inca king, Inca Huayna Capac, would travel from Cuzco (now in Peru) to bathe in the pools.

The Ojo del Inca (meaning Eye of the Inca) is a perfectly round, green lake, 100m in diameter, nestled in a low volcanic crater. The lake is 30°C and is fed by boiling ponds beneath, creating dangerous undercurrents. Swimming in the lake is not recommended due to these undercurrents, which have caused drownings in the past. However, there are several balnearios (resorts) along the river below the crater, where you can bathe in medicinal thermal pools for B$10. These pools utilise water from the lake, but it is best to stay close to the edge to avoid the whirlpools.

To reach the pools, you can take a bus or taxi from Potosí. Buses leave from Mercado Chuquimia, near the old bus terminal on Av Antofagasta, roughly every half hour from 6 am to 7 pm and cost B$4. Taxis cost around B$70 one way. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. The last bus back to Potosí leaves between 5 pm and 6 pm, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly.

The Ojo del Inca thermal pools offer a unique opportunity to relax and unwind in a picturesque setting, while also experiencing a piece of Inca history. With its round shape, green waters, and surrounding mountainscape, it is a truly beautiful and intriguing place to visit.

Explore the Torotoro National Park

The Torotoro National Park is a great place to visit if you're looking for things to do near Tarapaya, Bolivia. The park is home to a variety of attractions, including hot springs, geysers, and the Gruta de Las Galaxias. Here are some tips to make the most of your visit:

• Plan your transportation: The park is located in the department of Potosí and can be reached by public or private transportation. Camiones (trucks) leave regularly from Mercado Chuquimia near the old bus terminal in Potosí. Taxis are also an option and will cost you about B$70 one way. If you're driving, take Ruta 1 to get to the park.
• Explore the hot springs: Tarapaya is known for its hot springs, which have been used since Inca times for their healing properties. The most famous spring, Ojo del Inca (Eye of the Inca), is a perfectly round, green lake in a low volcanic crater with a temperature of 30°C. You can also find developed balnearios (resorts) along the river below the crater, offering medicinal thermal pools for B$10. Be cautious while bathing, as remolinos (whirlpools) can make it hazardous.
• Discover the Gruta de Las Galaxias: This attraction, translated as the Cave of the Galaxies, is sure to impress. Located within the park, it offers a unique perspective on the natural wonders of the area.
• Hike to the Torotoro Hill: For a challenging yet rewarding experience, hike up Torotoro Hill. The hill is located within the park and offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
• Visit the Dinosaur Footprints: Look for the dinosaur footprints at Huayllas Mountain, which are located near the park. This site provides a fascinating glimpse into the prehistoric past of the region.
• Stay at Balneario Tarapaya: If you wish to extend your visit, consider staying at Balneario Tarapaya, which offers accommodation and access to the thermal baths.

Visit the Silver Mines of Potosí

Tarapaya is one of the cantons of the Potosí Municipality, the capital municipality of the Tomás Frías Province in the Potosí Department of Bolivia. It is situated 21km northwest of the city of Potosí and is known for its hot springs, which are visited by tourists. Tarapaya is also close to the city of Potosí, which offers a range of attractions for visitors. One of the main tourist attractions in the city is the Silver Mines of Potosí, also known as "Cerro Rico" (Rich Mountain). Here is some information about visiting the Silver Mines of Potosí:

History

The Silver Mines of Potosí are located at the foot of Cerro de Potosí, also known as Cerro Rico ("Rich Mountain"). This mountain is popularly believed to be made of silver ore and has been the site of silver mining since the 16th century. The city of Potosí, which grew up around the mines, became the Hemisphere's richest city and the second-largest city in the Americas. The silver mined at Potosí was a major source of wealth for the Spanish Empire until Guanajuato in Mexico surpassed it in the 18th century.

Visiting the Mines Today

It is possible to visit the Silver Mines of Potosí and take a tour to learn about the history and ongoing mining operations. Tours typically start with a visit to the miners' market, where visitors can purchase gifts for the miners such as coca leaves, cigarettes, or dynamite. Visitors then enter the mines, which can be accessed by an elevator that descends 240 meters below the ground. The mine interior, called Pailaviri, is open to the public and has been divided into several levels with galleries where lead-silver, zinc-silver, and tin are extracted. After exploring the mines, visitors can deliver their gifts to the miners and learn about the challenging conditions in which they work.

Practical Information

The city of Potosí is located at an elevation of 13,350 feet above sea level and can be reached from Sucre (two hours to the northeast) or Uyuni (three hours to the southwest). The mines are located 700 meters south of the city centre. Tours of the mines typically last for 2-3 hours and involve walking and crawling through the mine passages. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes, and to bring a flashlight or headlamp for illumination in the dark mine passages.

Go to the Casa Nacional de la Moneda

The Casa Nacional de la Moneda, or the National Mint, is a must-see attraction in Potosí and one of South America's finest museums. Here's why a visit to this site is a must when in Tarapaya, Bolivia:

Historical Significance

The National Mint holds immense historical significance. The first mint in Potosí was established in 1572 under the orders of the Viceroy of Toledo. The current structure, a replacement for the original, was built between 1753 and 1773 to oversee the minting of colonial coins. The coins minted here, known as 'potosís', bore the mint mark 'P'. The building's walls are over a meter thick, reflecting its multiple functions throughout history, including serving as a prison, a fortress, and even the headquarters of the Bolivian army during the Chaco War.

Architectural Marvel

The National Mint is a vast and strikingly beautiful building that occupies an entire city block. Its architectural grandeur is characterised by thick stone walls, fine brickwork, and a central courtyard featuring a stone fountain and a unique mask of Bacchus, hung in 1865. The building's construction cost a substantial amount, leading the king of Spain to exclaim that 'that building must be made of silver' upon seeing the bill.

Treasured Artifacts

Within its walls, the museum houses a plethora of historical treasures. Visitors can admire a selection of religious paintings from the Potosí school, including exceptional works by Melchor Pérez de Holguín. The highlight is the 18th-century anonymous masterpiece, 'La Virgen del Cerro'. Additionally, the museum displays the immense wooden cog assemblies driven by mules, which were used to beat silver to the required width for coining until they were replaced by steam-powered machines in the 19th century.

Educational Insights

The museum offers guided tours that provide a wealth of insights into the history of currency and the minting process. While tours are available in English and French, the Spanish tour is highly recommended for its comprehensiveness and quality. Don't forget to bring a jacket, as the temperatures inside can be chilly!

Cultural Preservation

Today, the Casa Nacional de la Moneda serves as a national repository, museum, and archive of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. It safeguards and showcases the country's architectural, cultural, and economic heritage. The museum also houses the most important mint in Latin America and the Caribbean, underscoring its role in preserving and promoting Bolivia's rich history.

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