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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in Bolivia
A lot of people know the classic Western movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). It made Paul Newman and Robert Redford famous. Fewer people know the script was based on a real story, and even less people know that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid spent their last days in Bolivia, more specifically in Tupiza! Butch Cassidy was born in Utah as Robert LeRoy Parker on April 13, 1866. His criminal career started by stealing a horse when he was a boy. Because he had worked as a butcher, he chose 'Butch Cassidy' as his nickname. His colleague Harry Alonzo Longabaugh had also pinched a horse, for which he spent 18 months in a prison in Sundance, Wyoming. Since then he was dubbed The Sundance Kid. When he was released, he teamed up with Butch.
The Aramayo family owned the richest mining company in Tupiza, a statue of founder Avelino Aramayo (1809 - 1882) remains at the main square of Tupiza. This is also the square were Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid made their plans to hold-up that payroll transport. The outlaws lived in a house just behind the mansion of the Aramayo family, called Chajrahuasi. You can still visit these places today. The Tupiza citizens will be most happy to show you the way.
The payroll transport went off on November 3, 1908, early morning. Butch and Cassidy were sneakily following them into the mountains. The caravan spent the night at an Aramayo hacienda in a village called Salo. The next day, the bandits were waiting for the money transport at Waca Wañusca (the Dead Cow Hill). At the riff (4,000 m) the hold-up took place. Naturally, Butch and Sundance were masked, but their accents gave them away easily. It is said that they robbed the transport in a polite way. But then again, they were hugely disappointed to find only 15,000 pesos ($ 90,000 US dollars)! They learned the bigger money transport was scheduled for a week after!
From that moment on, it seemed like lady luck had let the robbers down. Pretty soon after Butch and Sundance left, the employee who escorted the transport made the call of alarm. In no-time the police were notified and messages went out by telegraph to watch out for the gringos, especially at the Argentinean and Chilean border. Lots of miners, whose monthly pay was stolen, took their guns and everything they could use as a weapon to search the mountains for the two robbers. The army sent patrols as well. When the outlaws came to collect their stuff at their Scottish friend's house, they had to confess about their deed and reveal their real identity. They said they never stole from the poor, only from rich companies, and had never hurt anyone other than in self-defense.
When they hit the road again, they headed for Uyuni. Via a place called Cucho, 10 miles north of Estarca, they crossed the Andean mountains to arrive in San Vicente. It's a beautiful track in the mountains. At the time though, being chased by the army and posses of angry miners, instead of enjoying the scenery, the outlaws probably had different things to worry about. In San Vicente, they had to pause and feed their mules and themselves. They asked a local for an inn, but since there wasn't any in San Vicente; the man invited the strangers to his house. When he provided them with food and drink, they paid for it with cash money. The host got a little suspicious. What were these gringos's doing here with such a load of cash? Why were they in such a hurry? The gringo's asking about the road to the border only added to his suspicion.
Stating he went out to get some beer for them, the Bolivian went straight to the army post and informed the commander about his suspicious guests. Three soldiers went to the house immediately. When they approached the house, Butch saw them coming and fired a shot at them with his Colt. One soldier got wounded and died. The others now took position and a heavy gunfight started. But there was no escaping; the “bandidos” were trapped. The soldiers besieged the house until the night. Only the next morning the soldiers dared to enter the house. They found Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid lying dead on the floor, riddled with bullets. The police report stated that, judging from the positions of the bodies, Butch had probably shot his fatally wounded partner-in-crime to put him out of his misery, just before killing himself with his final bullet.
In the following investigation by the Tupiza police, Butch and Sundance were identified as the men who robbed the Aramayo payroll transport. They didn't know their real names, though. The bodies were buried at the small San Vicente cemetery, where they still rest up until this day. In Tupiza you can of course see the places where the outlaws lived and the bank they planned to rob. Ask locals for the directions to Waca Wañusca, where the stand off took place, you can rent a bicycle or a horse or just go hiking. You can also go on a jeep tour to follow the track the outlaws used on the run to San Vicente.
Back to top Getting around in Tupiza
It's easy to get around in Tupiza people are very friendly and eager to help tourist.
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Where to stay
Tupiza has a small number of hotels; most of them are located in near the main plaza find information on hotels and reservations by clicking here.
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What to see while in Tupiza
Its privileged location allows Tupiza to show the visitor nature at its best, is the ideal place for eco friendly tourism, wildlife and outdoor activities.
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Where to Eat
Tupiza provides the visitor with an acceptable selection of restaurants and places to have a descent meal, there are many restaurants, pizzerias, karaoke's and, hotel restaurants. offering great service and food so you have a good culinary experience. Click here to find more information. 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 Tupiza
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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Image of the Main Plaza of Tupiza were the bandidos planned their move.
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Image of the ad of the western movie starring by Newman and Redford, about Cassidy and Sundance Kid visit to Tupiza.
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 Tours and Tourist guides
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