Things to see in Sucre, Bolivia

Sucre is the capital of Bolivia, and this wonderful city is located in the southern highlands of the country. As soon as you set foot in it you’ll realize the historical importance and the many sights you can find in Sucre. It was here, specifically in the whitewashed Casa de la Libertad (The House of Freedom), that Bolivia’s Declaration of Independence was signed. Consequently, Sucre enjoys a great cultural relevance that is key if you want to get to know Bolivia and its history in depth. And that is why there are so many things to see in Sucre!

In this post we will give you the best tips and tell you all the places you must see in Sucre. In addition, in this article you will also find the best recommendations not only when it comes to choosing accommodation, but also restaurants. The colonial style and charm of this Bolivian city will captivate you. So, if you are organizing a trip to Sucre, read on and plan your trip in advance thanks to Passporter!

What are the best places to visit in Sucre?

1. Square of May 25 in Sucre Bolivia

As an old colonial city, the center of the city was located in the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) and today this square is still a central point that you must see in Sucre. Its name comes from the fact that on May 25, 1809 the call for the Revolution began, which, after many struggles, culminated in Bolivian independence from Spain.

Therefore, the Plaza del 25 de Mayo is a good starting point to see Sucre, since from it you can approach many other essential places: the Cathedral or the building of the Government of the Department of Chuquisaca. In addition, the Plaza del 25 de Mayo itself has trees, monuments and benches where you can rest after a long day of sightseeing around the rest of the city.

2. Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

This beautiful Metropolitan Cathedral of Sucre is one of the most important in all of Bolivia. It began to be built in the year 1551 and since then it has undergone several reconstructions and extensions. Consequently, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe presents an evident mixture of various styles: Renaissance, Baroque, neo-Gothic, and even neoclassical. In addition, inside the cathedral itself there is a museum of sacred art (Cathedral Museum) super interesting. Do not hesitate to visit it and photograph its beautiful white facade.

3. The House of Freedom in Sucre Bolivia

Within the Plaza 25 de Mayo stands another important building you will see in Sucre: the Casa de la Libertad (the House of Freedom). It is a unique museum where you will learn in detail the history of Bolivia. In fact, in the very hall of the Casa de la Libertad is where the constitution of Bolivia as a nation was signed on August 6, 1825. There is also where you can see first hand the manuscript. During the visit you will find multiple objects of the time and you will learn the history of Juana Azurduy. This woman is a very important person in the history of Sucre because she was one of the most famous warriors to fight for the independence of Bolivia.

You can visit the Casa de la Libertad from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm. It is important to note that on Monday and Sunday afternoons the museum is closed. Admission costs 15 Bolivianos (2€) for foreigners – don’t miss it, plan ahead of time!

4. The Basilica of St. Philip Neri

The Basilica of San Felipe Neri is one of the most representative of the city, as it is one of the oldest basilicas you will see in Sucre. However, what stands out the most is the cloister and its terraces, because they offer amazing views of the city. You will want to take a thousand pictures! Please note that to access the Basilica of San Felipe Neri you must do it through the María Auxiliadora school, so there the nuns will charge you the entrance fee. However, it is only open when there is no class, i.e. in the afternoons.

5. The Treasure Museum

One of the museums you must see in Sucre is the Museo del Tesoro (The Treasure Museum). This museum exhibits a vast collection of silverware and goldsmithing, it’s a blast. In addition, in the Museo del Tesoro you will also be able to contemplate many precious stones incorporated into numerous objects and jewelry. It is worth mentioning that many of these precious stones can only be found in Bolivia, such as the bolivianita, a bicolor stone, purple and yellow.

The Museo del Tesoro is open from 09:00 to 12:30 and from 15:00 to 18:30. Admission costs 25 bolivianos (3.2€).

6. Recoleta viewpoint

To access the wonderful Mirador de la Recoleta, you must climb a steep street, but the effort is worth it, you’ll see. The views are a real blast! In fact, this viewpoint is named after the Convent of the Recoleta, which is located in the same square as the viewpoint. This convent can also be visited from the inside, and we recommend that you take advantage of this moment of peace and disconnection to take lots of pictures.

6. Simon Bolivar Park

Simón Bolívar Park is the true lung of the city. In fact, this beautiful park is very close to the center and will allow you to recharge your batteries when you go to see Sucre. Moreover, some cultural events are held in the Simon Bolivar Park quite often. On your way to Simon Bolivar Park, take the opportunity to pass by the obelisk in the Plaza de la Libertad, the Hospital of Santa Barbara, built in 1554, and the Teatro Gran Mariscal (Gran Mariscal Theater).

This quiet park is the ideal place to end the day after a day of sightseeing. That’s why we recommend that you save it for last.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to visit in the surroundings of Sucre?

1. Cal Orck’o

Cal Orck’o is nothing less than the most important dinosaur footprint site in the world, and it’s located just outside of Sucre! At Cal Orcko you can find a huge vertical rock face on which there are more than 5,000 footprints of 15 different dinosaur species. In no other site will you find anything like this, so we recommend that you take advantage of your trip to Sucre to visit this particular and unique site in the world.

Cal Orcko is easily accessible from Sucre via the Dinobus. This is a bus that departs from Plaza 25 de Mayo several times a day and is the most economical option for visiting the park. Note that Cal Orcko is only open Tuesday through Sunday and admission costs 30 bolivianos.

What to see in Sucre in a day

If you only have one day to visit Sucre, the places you can’t miss are:

• The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
• The House of Liberty
• The Treasure Museum
• The Recoleta Viewpoint
• Cal Orck’o site

Where and what to eat in Sucre?

Bolivia has one of the most delicious cuisines in the world, so it is not uncommon to see the concept of fusion of Bolivian cuisine with that of other countries recurrently. However, in Sucre you will be able to taste the authentic delicacies that Bolivia has to offer. Being a multi-ethnic state, with indigenous, mestizos, Europeans, Asians and Africans, its typical dishes have also acquired this unique mix. You can’t leave Sucre without trying: the silpancho, the chola sandwich, the peique macho, or the empanadas salteñas among others. In Sucre in particular, we recommend that you try it at:

• Bienmesabe: Bienmesabe is an ideal restaurant to taste the traditional food of several Latin American countries. The arepas, for example, are spectacular! They also have gluten-free and vegetarian options. The average price of a meal for one diner is 4 euros to 6 euros.
• Nativa: This is the perfect restaurant to taste both Bolivian food and its fusion with other cuisines. When you go it is highly recommended that you order the menu 6 times, as it is a true gastronomic experience. The average price of a meal for one diner is from 9 euros to 18 euros.
• Cosmo Café: The location of this restaurant is ideal, right in the center next to the Casa de la Libertad. The service is incredible and all the food is delicious. The average price of a meal for one diner is from 1 euro to 7 euros.

Where to sleep in Sucre?

• San Marino Royal Hotel: This is a stately hotel with an excellent location, just 1.5 km from the Supreme Court of Bolivia. The facilities include a hot tub and sauna, AND all the rooms are very nicely decorated! The average price per night in a double room is 41 euros.
• Hotel Boutique La Posada: Hotel Boutique La Posada is an old house remodeled, so that although it has all the luxury of comfort, it has its own personality. The average price per night in a double room is 74 euros.
• Hotel Villa Antigua: This is also an old remodeled house, specifically a house from 1860. It has a unique decor and is a boutique hotel. The average price per night for a double room is 87 euros.

Tips for your trip to Sucre

• For Spanish citizens a visa is not required to enter Bolivia, but a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months is obligatory.
• Bolivia is not a very safe country, so you should avoid going out at night when you go to see Sucre.
• Do not expose valuables in public and try to be mindful of all your belongings.
• The official language in Bolivia is Spanish.
• The official currency of Bolivia is the Boliviano.
• It is recommended that you change money before you start your trip, as there are stores and restaurants in Sucre that do not accept credit cards.
• Sucre’s climate is tropical, which means that temperatures are mild.
• Tap water is safe to drink in Sucre.
• Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Sucre

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all of its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so that they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you can share your own travel tips to Sucre.
• Enjoy your trip to Sucre!

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter. 

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Sucre