Bolivia's constitutional capital sits 2,800 meters above sea level, with colonial mansions and churches lining its UNESCO-listed center. Local restaurants and bars fill the streets after sunset.
Sucre sits at 2,790 meters in Bolivia's southern highlands. In this white-walled colonial city, you can climb San Felipe Neri's bell tower for city views, watch local women sell fresh cheese at the Central Market, and examine 68-million-year-old dinosaur footprints at Cal Orck'o. The city's calm atmosphere and clear Spanish accent make it popular with language students, while the Sunday market in nearby Tarabuco draws visitors to see Yampara textiles and crafts.
Markets and Local Trade
The Central Market occupies a city block with rows of fruit stands, cheese vendors, and food stalls serving Bolivian dishes. On Sundays, indigenous Yampara people come to Tarabuco, 65 kilometers east of Sucre, to sell their handwoven textiles and crafts. While shops in Sucre stock similar items, at the market you can watch the trading and meet the artisans.
Spanish Language Study
Dozens of language schools in Sucre teach Spanish, from beginner courses to advanced conversation practice. Local teachers speak with a measured accent that many students find clear and easy to understand. Many students choose to live with local families, practicing Spanish during meals and daily activities.
The Historic Center
Plaza 25 de Mayo forms the center of Sucre, with palm trees along its walkways between colonial-era buildings. From the square, you can visit the Metropolitan Cathedral with its twin bell towers, or climb to San Felipe Neri church's rooftop for views across the city. The Santa Clara convent contains a baroque altar with gold leaf details and intricate carvings. At the Casa de la Libertad museum, you can see the room where Bolivia's leaders signed the declaration of independence in 1825.
Parque Cretácico and Dinosaur Tracks
The Cal Orck'o cliff contains over 5,000 dinosaur footprints on its near-vertical wall. Viewing platforms let you see tracks from at least eight different species that walked here 68 million years ago. The site's museum explains the area's geology and prehistoric life through models and displays. Shuttle buses leave from Plaza 25 de Mayo four times daily.
Beyond the City
The Maragua Crater's red and purple rock walls surround several small villages. Hiking paths lead past pre-Incan ruins and waterfalls, with condors often visible overhead. Local guides lead day-long and multi-day treks, explaining the geological formations and local plant life.
Transportation in Sucre
AlcantarĂ Airport is 30 kilometers south of Sucre, with daily flights to La Paz and Santa Cruz. Buses connect to major Bolivian cities, with the La Paz route taking about 12 hours. You can walk between most central sights, while 'trufis' (shared taxis) run fixed routes to outer neighborhoods for a few bolivianos per ride.
