Top Things to do in Potosi Department
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Things to do in Potosi Department, Potosi Department: The Best Sights & Landmarks
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
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 710 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
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
6. Museo Historico Minero Diego Huallpa
7. Plaza 10 de Noviembre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 147 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 746 reviews
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
10. Plazoleta Simon Bolivar
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