10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Sucre

The ‘White City’ is South America’s hottest place to learn the local lingo. Competition between a huge number of language schools and private teachers has driven prices right down, creating excellent value for students. Prices start at less than BOB35 ($US5) per hour for group lessons and a little more for privates. Spanish students also love Sucre for its beautiful architecture, laid-back atmosphere and top-quality restaurants and nightlife.

Sucre has a youthful population due to its many large and prestigious universities. As a result, the nightlife is buzzing from Thursday to Saturday, most of which is based within the city’s colonial center. Lots of gringo-orientated restaurants start serving beer as the sun goes down and eventually pack out as the night goes on. The town also boasts a dedicated English and Irish bar, a classy wine bar and a number of good discotecas to choose from.

There’s lots of yummy food just waiting to be eaten in Sucre. From local Bolivian dishes, to vegetarian delights and exquisite European fine dining restaurants, everything imaginable is on offer within walking distance of the city center. Prices are very reasonable across the board, so you’ll be sure to eat well in this captivating colonial city.

Strangely enough, there’s an enchanting pink castle just a few minutes drive from the city. More at home in Belgium than Bolivia, Castillo de la Glorieta is a marvelous construction that was built to be the residence of a prince and a princess. Now serving as a museum, the castle provides a fascinating insight into a quirky slice of Bolivian history.

Sucre showcases what is arguably the best example of Spanish colonial architecture in South America. A number of restaurants, cafes and hotels reside within these centuries-old edifices, which are as charming as they are historic. White-walled buildings, elegant balconies, leafy patios and bright terracotta rooftops with imposing steeples dominate the city center, creating an old-world charm that is unlike any other.

As the site of Bolivia’s declaration of independence, as well as indigenous settlements that date back millennia, there’s a great deal of history behind Bolivia‘s official capital city. The best way to learn the history is to visit one of the city’s fine museums, which cover a wide range of themes such as religious art, gemstones, ethnography, indigenous art and folklore.

An essential Sucre experience is to get out of the city and go on some wonderful treks in the surrounding countryside. Maragua crater is the most popular option, but there are also waterfalls, remote indigenous villages and ancient Inca trails to explore. Don’t be surprised if you spot a few dinosaur footprints along the way.

Sucre is a great spot to see some well-preserved dinosaur footprints and learn more about these prehistoric behemoths. Parque Cretácico is the place to go, with a number of footprints on display, an informative museum and some fun life-size fiberglass models for the kids (or the young at heart).

Sucre hosts a number of vibrant and colorful markets, which locals flock to for clothes, everyday necessities and groceries. The markets also offer an interesting cultural experience, as the vendors are almost entirely indigenous cholita women dressed in their traditional apparel. For a fine selection of quality handicrafts, check out the Tarabuco Markets, which are held every Sunday morning.

Ample green space was obviously very important to the city’s earliest architects. Sucre’s city center is littered with charming little plazas and parks that are perfect for kicking back and doing a bit of people watching on a lazy afternoon. Among the best are Parque Bolivar, Plaza 25 de Mayo and Recoleta.