Call 
The Highest Elevated City
Once the richest city in the Americas from its abundance of silver, Potosi has a rich history involving Aymara culture, ornate
churches, Spanish architecture that allow visitors to experience the city and the surrounding Andes mountains in an excellent
stop on your luxury tour of Bolivia.
Discover Potosi
CULTURE1 / 3
The city is a blend of its Spanish colonial past, and the largely indigenous Aymara inhabitants. While the architecture and common language of Potosi are Spanish - everything from the traditions, local dialects, festivals, food, and more are largely Aymara, making Potosi the perfect place for those looking to learn more about Aymara traditions, first-hand. The Aymara language is still the major language in the Bolivian Andes and in southeastern Peru. In rural areas, one finds that the Aymara language is predominant. In the cities and towns, the Aymara are bilingual, speaking both Spanish and Aymara.
HISTORY2 / 3
History buffs will be drawn to learn about Potosí’s complicated history and the pivotal role that it played during Spanish rule. A plethora of experiences from visiting churches and museums to visiting the mines themselves where workers were forced into slavery illuminate the tumultuous history of the city and how it is engrained in the everyday lives of its inhabitants. It's an intricate part of Bolivian culture that cannot be missed on your visit to Potosi.
NATURE3 / 3
Though Potosi itself doesn’t have a wealth of natural attractions, there are many hiking trails that afford visitors incredible views of the Andes, including the (optional) hike to Cerro Rico, a three-hour ascension with mountainous views that also gives an insight into what workers had to do on a daily basis to get to the mines. Additionally, visitors can also experience Potosi’s hot springs, or Laguna Tarapaya, which the Incas believed to have healing powers. Relaxing in the hot springs is the perfect complement to an active day visiting Potosi or, restoring your health just as the Incas did.
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Signature Bolivia Itineraries
Our custom-designed itineraries are suited to the needs and
preferences of each traveler, every time.
When booking a vacation to Bolivia, we’ll keep your travel goals in mind. Whether you’re looking to experience the art
and culture of La Paz, experience the salt flats of Salar De Uyuni, or enjoy lake life in Lake Titicaca- Bolivia has
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LUXURY BOLIVIA TRIP
13D / 12N
Set off on a luxury trip to Bolivia for two weeks of history, culture, and adventure. Explore the highlights of cities teeming with life from…
JOURNEY TO THE UYUNI SALT FLATS
7D / 6N
Set off on a luxury trip to Bolivia to stand in the presence of the awe-inspiring Uyuni Salt Flats. Explore strange and stunning…
LA PAZ & THE ISLAND OF TITICACA
5D / 4N
Uncover one of the most unique cultures in South America with a trip to the world’s highest navigable lake. This luxury trip to…
DISCOVER THE
Best Time To Travel
Potosi is located in the Altiplano region of Bolivia, with one of the highest elevations in the world.
Here, the dry and humid seasons coincide with the rest of the country, that is, the former is from April to October, and
the latter from November to March. Travelers believe this region can be visited throughout the year, although the dry
season is preferable, from November to March.
BEST MONTHS TO VISIT
JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC
Insider Tips
GET THE INSIDER KNOWLEDGE FROM EXPERTS IN TRAVEL
With travel experts who have explored Bolivia, the Kuoda team knows the ins
and outs of the country and the best way to experience it.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO1 / 4
Step back in history at Cerro Rico As the biggest industrial complex of the Spanish colonial empire, the historical importance of Cerro Rico is difficult to overstate. Some 60,000 tonnes of silver were extracted from the mountain during Spanish rule which involved the work of more than 6 million indigenous and African slaves, most of whom perished at the mines. Witness miners stop at an ore refinery plant before heading deep into the mines to give tourists an insight into their daily work. Of particular interest is a visit to El Tio, a devil-like effigy that provides the miners with protection in exchange for offerings such as coca leaves and alcohol.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO2 / 4
Discover colonial architecture As such an important city in the Spanish empire, Potosi is filled with several impressive and well-preserved colonial churches and buildings that can be found in Potosi’s city center, remnants from the days when the city was flush with wealth. Highlights include the Torre de la Compañía de Jesús, the Catedral de la Ciudad de Potosi, the Convento Museo Santa Teresa, and the Iglesia de San Lorenzo de Carangas, among others.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO3 / 4
Visit the Casa De Moneda The National Mint is Potosi’s star attraction and one of South America’s finest museums. The building was built between 1753 and 1773 to control the minting of colonial coins. Potosi’s Casa De Moneda was formerly a Spanish-era mint where the silver from Cerro Rico was turned into coins before being shipped off to Spain. Now a museum, it features a collection of contemporary and religious art as well as some artifacts from its coin-pressing days. The walls are more than a meter thick and, not surprisingly, it has not only functioned as a mint, but also done spells as a prison, a fortress, and, during the Chaco War, the headquarters of the Bolivian army.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO4 / 4
Lagunas De Kari Kari For those interested in learning more about the intricate mining system during Spanish rule, we suggest a visit to Lagunas de Kari Kari. The Lagunas de Kari Kari are artificial lakes, ranging from an elevation of 4500 to 5025 meters, constructed in the late 16th and early 17th centuries by 20,000 indigenous slaves to provide water for Potosi and for hydropower to run the city’s 82 ingenios, or smelters. The artificial lagoons of Potosi known as the 'Lagunas de Kari Kari' are considered to be one of the main elements of the mining infrastructure. Of the 32 original lakes, only 25 remain and all have been abandoned – except by waterfowl, which appreciate the oasis amidst the mining region.
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