SUCRE
For colonial charm, quaint Iberian-style architecture, and innumerable pretty churches; Sucre is the best in Bolivia.
Due to its central location and relatively high altitude, this genteel city enjoys a balmy temperate climate all year round which lends itself nicely to wandering the photogenic cobbled streets in search of a quaint local coffee house or historic landmark. One of Bolivia’s capital cities (Sucre shares this honour with La Paz), the Supreme Court is located here, along with the Casa de la Libertad where the Bolivian declaration of Independence was signed in 1825. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, the whitewashed historic centre of Sucre boasts a wealth of fascinating colonial mansions and monasteries sheltering exquisite courtyards and engaging museums on the history of the region.
Top picks in Sucre include the stunning Baroque cathedral, the Museum of Indigenous Art, the Gold Museum and the pretty main Plaza. For a fabulous day out with the family, hop on a bus from Sucre’s main square and head out of town to the remains of an abandoned quarry where workers unearthed one of the world’s most extensive trails of preserved dinosaur footprints. The complex now houses a fun museum with life-size model dinosaurs, and incredible views of the quarry where the footprints of these prehistoric beasts have been preserved for posterity.
WHERE TO STAY
Our favourite luxury hotels
Hotel Parador de Santa Maria
The Parador de Santa Maria offers comfortable and elegant accommodation in picturesque Sucre. Warmly decorated rooms exude the charm of a bygone era with characterful antique furniture and accents of original stonework and dark wood. Features include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and well stocked mini-bars, whilst the hotel’s well-appointed suites add decadent whirlpool tubs and balconies. The rustic restaurant offers local delicacies alongside international favourites. There is also a charming and cosy café bar and a spa with a hot tub, sauna and massage facilities.
Hostal de Su Merced
Housed within an exquisite, traditional Spanish colonial residence, this welcoming family-run property is close to many of Sucre’s unmissable tourist sites. The quirky rooms feature antique furnishings and elegant crystal chandeliers. Built in a classic Spanish style, this quaint building offers an interior courtyard and a beautiful rooftop terrace with sweeping views over this historic white-washed city where guests can enjoy relaxed evenings in the balmy open-air of the lower Andes.