Potosi

About Potosi

Potosí is the capital of the department of Potosí in Bolivia. It is at an altitude of 3,967 meters (13,015 feet) and has about 115,000 inhabitants. It is claimed to be the highest city in the world. It lays beneath the Cerro de Potosí — sometimes referred to as the Cerro Rico ("Rich Mountain”) — a mountain of silver ore, which has always dominated the city. Cerro de Potosi's peak is 4,824 meters (15,827 feet) above sea level. Potosí was the richest province in the Spanish empire, providing a great percentage of the silver that was shipped to Europe.

Founded 1546 as a mining town, it soon produced fabulous wealth, becoming one of the largest cities in the Americas and the world with a population exceeding 200,000 people. In the Spanish language there is still a saying, “vale un Potosi” ("to be worth a Potosi” a fortune). For Europeans, Peru — Bolivia was part of the Viceroyalty of Perú and was known as Alto Perú before becoming independent — was a mythical land of riches. The city of San Luis Potosi in Mexico was named after Potosí in Bolivia. In the United States, the name Potosi was also given to lead-mining towns of Potosi, Wisconsin, Potosi Missouri, and also to the silver-mining town of Potosi, Nevada.

By the time Bolivian independence (1825), the mines of the Cerro Rico were almost exhausted. In the mid 19th century, a fall in silver prices hurt Potosi's economy in a way from which it has never completely recovered. On December 11, 1987 (in Paris, France), the UNESCO declared the city of Potosí a "World Heritage Site" in recognition for its rich history and its wealth of colonial architecture.

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Climate

The city is well-known for its cool weather and sometimes freezing rain, with an average temperature of 12 C degrees (or around 70 F degrees). Be prepared for the cold! The combination of low temperatures and cool winds make for cold nights, and a number of hotels and restaurants are not heated.

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How to get here

By air

There are no commercial flights to Potosi's airport only private jets.

By land

You can get to Potosi by bus there are many bus companies that depart from La Paz as well as from other cities in Bolivia and neighboring countries.

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Getting around in Potosi

I's easy to get around in Potosi people are very friendly and eager to help tourist, just remember that due to the high altitude a simple walk could take a little more effort than at sea level, just remember to take it easy as your body adjusts to it.

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Where to stay

Potosi has a large number of hotels and affordable places to stay, most of them are located in near the main plaza allowing the visitor to be close to everything the city has to offer, find information on hotels and reservations by clicking here.

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What to see while in Potosi

Potosi has a lot to see here are some suggestions:

Cerro Rico: Mine tours are available. Cerro Rico is a silver mining site that dates back to the Spanish colonial era. Tours are available to watch first hand the roughness of mining work: Dynamite explosions, extreme heat, dust, etc.

  La Casa de la Moneda: The Potosí mint house was built during the second half of the 18th century it hosts a museum (Museo de la Casa de la Moneda) that exhibits hundreds of colonial silver and gold coins as well as colonial art.

  The Cathedral: Potosí's cathedral was built during the second half of the 16th century. Finished in the early 1600, it underwent reconstruction works from 1808 to 1838.

  San Benito Church: The construction of this church begun on the early 1700. It features marvelous Byzantine domes as well as mestizo wooden carvings.

  San Lorenzo Church: The mestizo-Baroque portal carved by 16th century artisans is one of the main attractions. Some paintings by Melchor Perez de Holguín are displayed in the church.

  Other Churches: Belen, San Bernardo, San Agustín, La Compañía de Jesús, San Martín, San Juan de Dios, Santo Domingo.

  Museo de San Francisco: Built as a convent in 1547, the museum has samples of religious art which includes works by Perez de Holguín.

  Museo de Santa Teresa: Convent founded in1685. Display works by renown painter Melchor Perez de Holguín.

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Where to Eat

There are many restaurants, pizzerias, karaoke's, hotel restaurants, and discotheques offering great service and food so you have a good culinary experience. Even though things have improved a lot lately, be careful to select a proper place to get your next meal because not all the vendors are known for keeping the highest standards for cleanness and hygiene.

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Do's and Don't in Potosi

The cost of living in Bolivia is very affordable so don't be afraid of going out and splurge there's a lot to see in town or out of it be as adventurous as you can, taking always some precautions. In crowded areas be careful for pickpockets and bags lashers. A common trick is that one person spills something on your clothes, and while you or he wipes it off another person lifts your wallet or slashes your bag.

Be vigilant when checking into a hotel or hostel. Keep a hand on all your bags/belongings at all times. Acting as if they work for the hotel, opportunist thieves will create a diversion and snatch the nearest unattended bag.

If you are approached by police in civilian clothes don't show any valuables or your passport. And certainly don't get in a taxi with them. Undercover police are strictly ordered not to hassle tourists. There have been several cases of muggings and things going missing from bags or luggage after "drug searches". Insist on being taken to the police station before giving them access to your things. If you can, call the 110, which is the Bolivian emergency number.

And the most important there have been several cases of violent muggings in taxis. Don't take unregistered taxis. Lock the doors and don't allow other people to share the journey with you.

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Places near Potosi worth to visit

Tupiza is the capital of Potosi's Sud Chichas province round 256 Km from Potosí by bus; also you can take the train covering La Paz - Oruro - Uyuni – Tupiza - Villazon (close to the Argentinean border, where the line now ends). This town is known for hosting in 1906 the infamous Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid gang that after weeks of careful planning robbed the Minerals Trading House and then escaped in the direction of San Vicente, find information on travel agencies and tour guides by clicking here.

While in Potosi of course you don't want to let pass the opportunity to visit the world famous Uyuni and the famous Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Lake) is with its 10,582 km². (4,085 square miles) the world's largest salt lake, located in the west Departmento of Potosí it is a significant tourist destination. Uyuni is a town in the Potosí Department in the south of Bolivia. Founded in 1890 as a trading post, the town has a population of 10,600 (2006 official estimate). It lies at the edge of an extensive plain at an elevation of 3670 meters above sea level, with more mountainous country to the east. There is little agriculture in the area, because water supplies are scarce and somewhat saline. Today the town's primary function is as a gateway for tourists visiting the Salar de Uyuni coming for its amazing views and out of this world landscape.

Uyuni is an important transport hub, being the location of a major railway junction covering the La Paz - Oruro - Uyuni – Tupiza - Villazon (close to the Argentinean border, where the line now ends) other highlights include a salt hotel and several so-called islands (this due to the fact that they resemble islands in the middle of the extent of the salt lake).

Also located in Potosi is the Eduardo Avaroa National Park containing three large lakes, the first one and the largest one is Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon), which has a red color caused by the algae that grows in the lake, is 6 km in diameter at an elevation of 4,278 meters, is every November a breeding grounds for three species of South American flamingos.

The other lakes are Laguna Verde Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) is a salt lake in the southwest of the altiplano of Bolivia, close to the Chilean border at the foot of the volcano Licancabur. Its color is caused by sediments, containing copper minerals. It is elevated some 4,300 m (14,000 ft) above sea level. The Laguna Verde is well known for its spectacular scenery and hot springs. The third one is Laguna Celeste (Blue Lagoon) is also well known for its sky blue colors and astonishing landscape. Find information on travel agencies and tour guides by clicking here.

Bolivia offers a great opportunity to experience both culture and challenging mountain environments. The high peaks of Bolivia are waiting for you.

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