The 9 things to do in Sucre

Do you want to visit Sugar during your road trip in Bolivia? Direction the white city and its must-sees that promise you a real blow of heart!

The charm of Sucre seems to leave none of its visitors indifferent. Classified as a world heritage by Unesco, this city has kept its authenticity, while evolving towards modernity: no building comes to disturb the harmony of its architecture. Its white houses with ochre roofs, its blue and deep sky, its green vegetation, its maintained alleys and its ideal climate invite to stroll and relaxation. Perched at 2780 m above sea level, it is the ideal place to rejuvenate, surrounded by the atmosphere and local treasures. If Sucre retains the status of the legal and historical capital of the country, it is very different from the administrative capital of La Paz. We have concocted you a small onions program, to know that to do in Sucre and, above all, not to miss anything during your visit to this welcoming city.

1. Central market

In all the cities of the world, the market is often a plight. The Central Sugar Market is a forced passage when you come to visit Sugar. This is a large permanent covered market where Bolivians come to do their food shopping, eat a meal, drink a coffee.

Blend yourself to the inhabitants and let yourself be drunk with colours, smells, surprising stalls. Enjoy a good fresh juice with the fruits of your choice; ask for a juice without water and without ice (sin agua y sin hielo) to avoid digestive disorders. Choose fruits to peel or wash them with mineral water. The central mercado is also the ideal place for a meal consisting of unbeatable prices, attacked with the inhabitants.

2. The esplanade of the Recoleta

Take height by climbing towards the esplanade of the convent La Recoleta . During this sporting march, you may have the short breath due to altitude! Fortunately, the game is worth the candle: art of living in Bolivian and spectacular panorama in perspective. With a view overlooking the white city, you can find out what to do in Sucre the following days, without losing yourself.

This must-see place is particularly breathtaking at sunset. The children came out of school, they played football, the elders spoke on their bench while their women were cheating on their laughter. If you arrive in the day, you may be tempted by the guided tour of the convent. Then, take the time to immerse yourself in places, enjoy a coffee on the square and enjoy the sweetness of this city.

3. Museums

What to do in Sucre if we love museums? Here are the best addresses in the city to understand Bolivia in depth. In order not to spoil anything, small prices and guided tours are usually on the program.

Museo del Tesoro

This museum, very educational, is interesting at all ages. The entrance fee includes a tour with a French-speaking guide. You will know everything about the lives of miners and the techniques of gold researchers. A dip in the heart of the Bolivian lands, with the exhibition of a unique precious stone in the world: the Bolivianite.

Ethnic and Folk Museum (MUSEF)

Here you will discover beautiful collections of objects from all over Bolivia, as well as very well preserved mummies. Travel through the customs and customs of the country, from the Amazon to the Altiplano. The most extraordinary is certainly the collection of masks from ancestral traditions. Guaranteed effect for young and old! Free entrance.

Museum of Indigenous Art ASUR

This museum is a real gem, near the Mirador de la Recoleta, not to be missed if you come to visit Sugar. In addition to dances and music, you will understand the art of weaving and relive ancestral techniques. Each ethnic group has its motives, with meanings that are specific to it. Cross the history of the Incas and the natives, thanks to the traditional textile world.

La Casa de la Libertad

The entrance, less than 2 €, gives access to a guided tour in French. This place retraces the complex political history of Bolivia, from the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadores to the Revolution. You will find the busts of the main actors of the Revolution, including Simón Bolivar, as well as the Treaty of Independence. A guide is really essential to fully enjoy this emblematic place of Bolivian history.

Museo Charcas

In the building known as Casa Gran Poder, contemporary and ethnic art is associated. Paintings, silverware, furniture and sculptures, the works are divided according to three themes: archaeology, ethnoography and folklore.

Chocolate Museum

The chocolate factory opens its doors to frecorate your taste buds. The guided tour in English or Spanish allows you to know the life of cocoa and farmers who live there. Tasting included!

4. Churches and other religious buildings

The city, which experienced its rise in the colonial era, is full of religious monuments. Some have become museums, others retain their primary vocation.

During your walks in the city, you will certainly cross the path of the Cathedral of Sucre or churches of San Felipe Neri, San Francisco, San Miguel, Santo Domingo or Merced, the convent and Santa Clara monastery in the Recoleta or the chapel of the Virgin. It should be noted that the Church of San Francisco welcomes Masses, some of which have the particularity of being accompanied by a rock band!

5. Mayo plaza 25

place of 25 May is the place where people like to find themselves. In a traditional or western costume, you will see them spending hours to discuss with each other to redo the world. If you speak Spanish, you can ask them for tips to find out what to do in Sucre to get out of the beaten paths. Come and relax on a bench and enjoy the calm, before leaving towards the historic buildings that border this square.

6. Park Simon Bolivar

Here, you will find students with gominated hair and families who have spent a few hours surrounded by green spaces. It is a chance to be able to easily close a population when travelling. This is easy in Bolivia, because its inhabitants like to spend time together outdoors. You can see a little better what their life looks like, apart from what the brochures guide you to visit Sugar. By observing life on the two main squares (Mayo and Simon Bolivar), you will realize the evolution of Bolivia. Between a very marked and modern traditional world, the country is full of contrasts.

7. Indoor courts

The city has a fantastic architecture. With its ranking in world heritage, its alleys and houses are well maintained. If you walk randomly in the city, don’t hesitate to enter the hotels and restaurants to admire the inner courtyards. These small patios are real havens of peace, with pavements and gardens that highlight the white building. A real baunt to make colorful and romantic photos. Enjoy entering restaurants and bars to find places and anticipate your evenings. Nightlife is very pleasant in Sucre.

8. Local football match

Almost every Sunday afternoon there is a football game, the most popular sport in the country. If you want to spend a unique moment, go to the stadium. This is the flagship attraction of the inhabitants of Sucre. Here all generations gather: young football enthusiasts, elders, parents with their infants on their knees... The atmosphere is sporty, but festive and good child: distribution of beard to papa, sandwiches and sodas, without waiting for half-time. We are far from the warrior atmosphere of their Argentine neighbours in La Boca!

9. Surroundings

By teaching you to the tourist office to know what to do in Sucre, you will see that you can establish several days here without bothering you. In addition to being a city full of resources and beauty, it is a central point for very popular excursions by travellers. Then put your suitcases and enjoy the following escapes:

• Dinosaurs Park Cal Orck’o : you will discover in this site the traces of the largest dinosaur in the world.
• The artisanal market Tarabuco : 65 km from Sucre, discover a village where the Chiriguano Indians settled. You will recognize them with their traditional traits and clothing. Tarabuco can boast of one of the most typical markets in South America.
• The crater of Maragua: this spectacular crater looks like a flower with rocky movements in the shape of petals and colors ranging from green to purple.

How to go to Sugar?

From France

From France, go to Paris to take a flight to Sucre. With an average of two stopovers, the trip lasts about 17 hours and is mainly insured by Air Europa. On the budget side, if the average price of the ticket is around €120.00, you can find tickets at €70.00 in the hollow period off school holidays or summers where prices tend to to be flamboyant. Whatever your choice, a tip so: anticipate your departure in all and for all! For your flight ticket, prefer Ulysses . As a flight comparison, the platform lists the cheapest flights in the market.

Once on site, the Sucre Airport provides shuttles to the centre located 6 kilometres away. A taxi service allows you to place yourself at the foot of your hotel or instead of your choice.

From Bolivia

Sugar is often an itinerant stage of a trip to Bolivia. If you are already on site, you can easily reach the capital for a lower budget! For example, we chose the most common route from Uyuni:

• Uyuni-Potosi : At Uyuni Central Station, take a bus to Potosi. Choose the company "Trans Copacabana SA» to be deposited at the "good" bus station and take your next bus directly. Count in about 8€ per person for 4 hours.
• Potosi-Sucre : once in Potosi, the bus drops you to "Nueva nozzle terminal» . You only have to change the bus to take the bus to Sucre (you will have to pay the tax payment transport - running in Bolivia - for the modest sum of €0.20). Count about 3 extra hours.
• Once in Sucre : the bus station being a little far away opt for the taxi (the most common fare is 5bob-0,06€, attention to the shooters) to reach the center of Sucre.

Where to stay in Sucre?

This city with strong tourist attraction has a complete housing stock, for all tastes and all scholarships. From the historical center to the Recoleta, passing the popular Surapata, Sucre enjoys several areas of predilection where to put his luggage in the time of a sejou, everything depends if you are rather green spaces or historical monuments! To give you an idea and make your choice, go to our article " In which quarter house in Sucre? "!

As for accommodation, you will have a choice between a hotel in panoramic view near the Recoleta or a hostel in the hyper-centre for example. If you opt for the hotel, think about jaunting prices on this Compare hotels which, depending on your stay dates and your selection criteria, will select the best offers of the moment. For a more authentic experience, opt for an Airbnb or let yourself be tempted by the woofing that, with safe strokes, promises a typical stay!