Sucre Travel Guide

1. Don't underestimate the distance. Sucre is about 12 hours by bus from La Paz. Flights from La Paz to Sucre are not expensive (about $50 dollars) and flying is recommended. Bus trips from Santa Cruz to Sucre can exceed 15 hours as you will pass through Cochabamba first. See our Sucre home page to read more about Bolivia's capital city.

2. Be sure you can withstand high altitudes. Located over 9000 feet above sea level Sucre is not the highest city in Bolivia by any means, but could affect visitors with respiratory problems or heart conditions. If you are going to Sucre from La Paz, then you have most likely already adjusted to the altitude. But if you are traveling to Sucre from Eastern Bolivia (Santa Cruz or Tarija, for example) then we do recommend taking a bus. The long ride will enable you to become acclimated to rising elevations gradually. Read about altitude sickness here and what you can do to get relief.

3. It's best to reserve a hotel or hostel well in advance if possible. If you decide to go on your own, book a hotel or hostel online through a trusted site before you arrive. Sucre has many hotels, and hostels. But it is also one of the most visited cities in Bolivia due to the large number of tourist attractions in Sucre.

What to take

1. Sunglasses. The weather in Sucre is lovely and not too hot. It also rains a bit more here than in other cities. However, due to the altitude and incredibly clean atmosphere, when the sun is out it get's very bright and hot.

2. Sun block. Again, the sun is strong in Sucre even when it's not so hot. Sucre is also a quite arid region. Sun block helps keep your skin moist as well as warding off sunburns.

3. Moisturizer. Sucre is very beautiful. You'll want to spend a lot of time walking and doing outdoor activities. When you don't need sunblock, you'll still need moisturizer to keep your skin from drying out.

4. Bottled water. If you take the long bus ride, be sure to purchase some water before getting on the bus. There are some stops along the way, but not many.

5. Warm clothing. Sucre is arid and is also surrounded by mountains. Once the sun begins to hide behind the Andes, the temperature drops fairly quickly in the evenings. Dress in layers so you don't sweat or freeze. Sucre weather.

6. Cameras, batteries, battery chargers, cellphone charger, electric current converter and if you use a digital camera, extra memory cards. The electricity in Sucre is 220V.

When to go

Sucre is located in a rippling, hilly area right in the center of the Andes Mountains cordillera, in the heart of Bolivia, but slightly to the South.

Between November and March (summer in Bolivia) the weather is slightly warmer but it's also the rainy season. Tours may be delayed as roads are washed out or damaged. Sucre tends to cloud up, and rain often delays flights because pilots need excellent weather and clear skies to take off and fly through the jagged Andes mountains.

In the winter, especially in June and July, temperatures can drop to well below freezing. The air is very dry and it doesn't rain. Bring some winter clothing during this time, although it may warm up during the day enough to walk about in a light shirt. It's also the time of year when the sky is bluest, the air is crisp and clear, and the contrast of the white buildings, red roofs and brown mountains against a deep blue sky offer you the best photo opportunities.

When making your plans, especially with regard to tourist attractions such as the Cal Orko Dinosaur Park keep in mind that most schools in Bolivia have a short 1-2 weeks of vacation in July between the first and second semesters of the school year. Kids probably won't flock to museums and cathedrals, but places like the Parque Cretácico (Dino Park) could have more visitors than usual.

Click here to see the weather in Sucre today and for the next 15 days. Click here to see more about the climate in Bolivia.

Click here for tourist attractions in Sucre you can visit during the year.

Tourist Information

1. Electricity in Sucre, Bolivia is 220 V.

2. There are several banks in Sucre but they won't be open during the siesta hour (roughly 12:00-2:30) and will be closed on weekends. Banks and some "casas de cambio" (exchange houses) change dollars, euros, pesos chilenos, and soles, etc. There is also a Western Union.

3. Few establishments accept credit cards other than larger hotels and some restaurants. Few accept travelers checks. Hotels may be able to exchange dollars or Euros but little stores, small hotels and most restaurants and tourist attractions won't. Here's more on Bolivian money.

4. You'll find an abundance of internet cafés in Sucre. Many hostels don't have internet or WIFI. Most larger hotels do. If you plan to bring a cellphone with you, be aware that Bolivia is on a different grid and many overseas cellphones don't work here.

5. Be careful of "police officers" who ask to see your passport or documents. Still, by law you must carry your documentation at all times.

6. Many tour operators don't have English-speaking guides. If they do offer a translator, the translator costs extra.

7. Never accept a foreign bill, such as dollars, that have even the tiniest tear. No one will accept them from you.

8. If you need medical care, you can visit the Hospital Universitario San Francisco Xavier located at: Daniel Sánchez Bustamante Street, on the corner of Adolfo Vilar. The phone number is 646-0958 and they even have their own Facebook page here, although they don't update it very often. Or you can go to Hospital Santa Barbara located at: Plazuela Libertad Nº1 in Sucre. They also have a Facebook page here and the phone number is: 645-1900. You should keep in mind, that most medical centers in Bolivia are not as well equipped as those you may find in North America or Europe.

9. There are a few laundry services. If your hotel or hostel itself doesn't offer this service, they can tell you who does laundry by the kilogram in town.

10. In Sucre the Immigration Office (Migración) is located at Calle Bustillos #284 in the city center. The phone number is (591-4) 645-5640. Hours are: Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 and from 2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

11. The Police are very helpful to tourists in Sucre. If you have an emergency, dial 110 on your phone or if it's not an emergency, call 645-3333. You can also call the Patrulla de Ayuda al Ciudadano by dialing 120.

12. We now recommend travel insurance if you're planning a trip to Bolivia.

How to get there

BUSES

The Terminal de Buses in Sucre is located at Calle Ostria Gutierrez and the phone number is: (591-4) 644-1292. You can take a bus to Sucre from La Paz, Potosí, and Cochabamba. (From Santa Cruz you'll go through Cochabamba). You can purchase a ticket at the bus terminal before leaving or... you can now purchase bus and train tickets online using Enbus. It’s worth the few extra dollars to take a bus cama (a bus with slightly larger, wider seats that recline further back).

FLIGHTS

Sucre has a nice clean, uncrowded airport and receives flights from numerous airlines. Flights from anywhere in Bolivia to Sucre are normally under an hour and generally cost less than $50 dollars.

TRAINS

There are no train routes that pass through Sucre. However, you can take a train to Potosi or Cochabamba and a bus to Sucre from there.