Things to do in Potosi Department, Potosi Department: The Best Sights & Landmarks

May 2, 2022 Major Galusha

Discover the best top things to do in Potosi Department, Bolivia including Pueblo Pulacayo, Cerro Rico, Santa Teresa Convent Museum - Convento Museo Santa Teresa, San Francisco of Potosi Convent and Temple, San Lorenzo Church, Museo Historico Minero Diego Huallpa, Plaza 10 de Noviembre, Arbol de Piedra, Catedral de la Ciudad de Potosi, Plazoleta Simon Bolivar.
Restaurants in Potosi Department

1. Pueblo Pulacayo

Potosi 591 Bolivia
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
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0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7 reviews

Pueblo Pulacayo

Reviewed By JohnInBolivia - La Paz, Bolivia

Its a long time since I visited, but it is a WOW place to visit. Its just like going back in time 150 years. I'm not sure what facilities there are for tourist visits, but its very close to Uyuni, maybe just 20 kilometres away on a good quality dirt road. You will be able to get a taxi from Uyuni for almost nothing but I'd recommend finding a guided tour. If possible try and get inside the COMIBOL administration office building, although this maybe off limits. The top floor is amazing and was the quarters for the visiting directors of the company that owned Pulacayo many, many years ago; Hochchilds. Its full of beautiful antique furniture and photo albums of the mine's past. The stonework in the main adit is so beautiful, but again this maybe off limits, but you'll be able to walk to the adit entrance and look inside. Try and visit the ruin of the town on the other side of the mine from Pulacayo. I think its called Huanchaca. It is completely abandoned, but because this area is so arid the houses are in moderate condition. You can easily imagine the town was abandoned just a few years ago. The church is very interesting with a number of burials inside the church. If you visit Uyuni, then this is an absolute must side-trip for half a day.

2. Cerro Rico

Aycucho # 19 entre calles Bolívar y Frías, Potosi Bolivia +591 2 6231385 http://agencialtiplano.vzpla.net/turismo/aventura/contacto.html
Excellent
60%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 710 reviews

Cerro Rico

This silver mining site dates back to the Spanish colonial era.

Reviewed By Juanito_Hayburg - El Paso, United States

My first time going to the Southernmost community in the Americas [turn around point: Puerto WilliamsCHILE] was incorporated into my overall “Tierra del Fuego” odyssey, which began when my wife dropped me off in Centro ElPasoTX-USA and I Gimpwalked across Puente Santa Fe into magnificent Mexico! The red-eye from CJS took me to MEX then onto LIM, from where I made my way to Pto. WilliamsCHILE by various means. My intention was to primarily stay at/close to sea level until moving Northward, when I would ascend to the Altiplano/acclimatize to AMS (usually takes me about 24-hours) and remain at altitude for a month or so, primarily to explore beautiful Bolivia. So, by the time I arrived in Potosí, I needed a decent night’s sleep to complete acclimating and the highly recommended KOALA DEN HOSTEL was the place for me, arriving by taxi/colectivo 07MAR2020. Unfortunately, it has no grab bars/handrails/ramps at the entrance and the risers on the steps are quite steep—any traveller more disabled than me (I use a stick) would not stay here. Fortunately, JULIO (a former miner) was in charge and welcomed me into the Den, quickly assigning me to a bottom bunk in the dorm. I had great doubts I’d be able to stay, but Julio & the best brekkie I think I’ve ever had at a hostel convinced me otherwise. Featured prominently was a poster advertising the KOALA MINE TOUR, and, though I’m a bit claustrophobic, I was intrigued and realized that this was THE reason I came here: to explore/understand the essence of Potosí. I committed myself to going, and am so glad I did because the tour is far more than spending two hours in an enclosed space! On 08MAR2020, Ayer the great brekkie, we [I & three others(Christine & Anthony, Hong Kong; Ahmedeo, SpanishItalian) we’re escorted to the bus & great guide RONALD, who gave expert commentary (in English) throughout the 4-5 hour session. Despite my inability to continue far into the diminishing tunnel space—claustrophobia not withstanding—my great problem was not being able to bend my body enough to avoid continuous contact with the rock-hard overhead (good thing hard hats were provided!), and had to backtrack the 15-20 minutes progress, I felt immense satisfaction with the entire experience. So will you! I highly recommend this and it certainly has my coveted “iWheel of Approval!”

3. Santa Teresa Convent Museum - Convento Museo Santa Teresa

Calle Santa Teresa 15, Potosi Bolivia +591 2 6223847 http://www.museosantateresa.blogspot.com
Excellent
59%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 159 reviews

Santa Teresa Convent Museum - Convento Museo Santa Teresa

A three-hour tour takes you into the daily lives of the nuns who inhabited this convent beginning in 1691 and shows you galleries filled with art, antiques and hand-painted porcelain dishes.

Reviewed By TheBirdSpokane

Joined a very informative (spanish) tour that lasted for a good 1.5 hours. Fascinating convent. Beautifully restored. Lots of history. The nuns now live in a building next door. You can by coffee and sweets that they make in the cafe downstairs and there is also a gift shop.

4. San Francisco of Potosi Convent and Temple

Calle Tarija 47 Corner of Nogales, Potosi Bolivia +591 2 6222539
Excellent
57%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
4%
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1%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 90 reviews

San Francisco of Potosi Convent and Temple

Architecture buffs will appreciate these two buildings: the convent for its outstanding example of 16th-century religious architecture and the church for its symbolic cupolas. A walk around the grounds reveals incredible catacombs and beautiful colonial art.

Reviewed By beppo81 - Antwerp, Belgium

This Church, nice to visit if you manage to understand how to join a guided tour (erratic opening hours) is interesting but the main attraction is the roof where you can spend 20 minutes and get the best views of Potosi and Cerro Rico. Not to be missed. It is only two blocks from the main square.

5. San Lorenzo Church

Calle Heroes del Chaco In The Market Square, Potosi Bolivia
Excellent
44%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
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0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

San Lorenzo Church

6. Museo Historico Minero Diego Huallpa

Mina Pailaviri - Cerro Rico, Potosi Bolivia
Excellent
71%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
14%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Museo Historico Minero Diego Huallpa

7. Plaza 10 de Noviembre

Potosi Bolivia
Excellent
24%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
3%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 147 reviews

Plaza 10 de Noviembre

Reviewed By JohnInBolivia - La Paz, Bolivia

If you're in Potosi you're bound to wander through this plaza. It is quite stunning; beautiful architecture. I was lucky to wander through just prior to Christmas and the decorations were fabulous. None of the PC rubbish; full-on religious and Santa Claus decorations; wonderful to see. And while you're there make sure you visit the Case de Moneda just next to the plaza, one of the wonders of the Spanish Empire.

8. Arbol de Piedra

Uyuni Bolivia
Excellent
36%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
5%
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4.0 based on 746 reviews

Arbol de Piedra

Reviewed By Bikini_ninja - Ottawa, Canada

These are volcano rock formations lots of fun to climb and take pictures, you cannot climb the arbor de pier though for obvious reasons, bring lots of water the desert and high altitude can really dehydrate you.

9. Catedral de la Ciudad de Potosi

Ayachucho at Plaza 10 de Noviembre, Potosi Bolivia
Excellent
36%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
1%
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1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 138 reviews

Catedral de la Ciudad de Potosi

10. Plazoleta Simon Bolivar

Av. Republica Argentina, Villazon 33868 Bolivia
Excellent
36%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 14 reviews

Plazoleta Simon Bolivar

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