Sucre is one of two capitals in Bolivia. La Paz is the administrative capital and where you’ll find the legislative and executive branches of government, but Sucre is the official capital and is home to the judicial branch. So not only is Sucre a big city in Bolivia, but it’s also an important city. It’s also a favorite for many travelers to Bolivia and I was no exception.
The historic center of Sucre is lovely and it’s totally worth spending a few hours just walking and exploring. But for those who want a little more structure, I put together an itinerary for one day in Sucre, Bolivia which covers what I consider to be the best parts of the city.
One Day in Sucre, Bolivia
This is not the only way to spend one day in Sucre, but it’s what I’d recommend to first time travelers. I spent a week in Sucre, so I took my favorites from my time in the city and formatted it into one itinerary.
9:00 – Salteñas at El Patio
While you could start your day with some sightseeing in the center of Sucre, I’m recommending that you start the day at El Patio restaurant. If you’ve traveled anywhere in South America, you’re likely familiar with empanadas, but in Bolivia, they love salteñas.
Salteñas are similar to empanadas, but they are also their own thing entirely. You can find salteñas at small stands all over the country, but here in Sucre, everyone will tell you the best salteñas are at El Patio. It’s not just travelers, but locals filling up this restaurant.
So why start your day here? Because the restaurant is only open until 1:00 pm. Traditionally, salteñas are eaten as a morning snack and El Patio’s hours reflect this. If you want to try what many consider to be the best salteñas in Sucre, you have to come early.
No matter what time you visit, you should expect a line when you visit El Patio. Thankfully the line moves quickly, so don’t be discouraged if you see a line.
Unlike a traditional restaurant, you’ll order before taking your seat. So that line you see at El Patio is just people waiting to place their order and pay for their food. Once you’ve ordered, head inside and find an open table. Eventually, your salteñas will eventually be brought to you.
Enjoy your snack (or breakfast) before heading on to explore the rest of Sucre.
10:00 – Walking Tour of Sucre
Next you have two options. You can explore the sights of Sucre on your own or you can join a walking tour to learn a little more about the city. At the advice of some travelers I met in Potosí, I booked a tour with GuruWalk and had a great time. My guide was Julio and he was one of my best tour guides in Bolivia. Our guide took care of everything and I saw so many of the best parts of the city.
If you’re traveling on your own, I’d recommend spending some time in the main square. Here you’ll find great people watching, statues of Bolivian heroes, and some great architecture. Nearby you’ll find Sucre’s Central Market, which is one of my favorite in Bolivia. Stop and get a fresh juice or just wander through the stands of fruits, vegetables, cheese, and more. Visit Sucre’s “Eiffel Tower” in Simon Bolivar Park.
In the Recoleta Neighborhood, you’ll find beautiful streets. Many visitors say that it reminds them of Granada, Spain but my first thought was Villa de Leyva, Colombia (though I understand why people compare this to the Andalusia region of Spain). The white washed colonial buildings look so different from the rest of the city. And don’t forget to pay attention to the street names. They’re named after cats (who were brought in to help control the rat problem).
12:30 – Views in Recoleta
If you take the same walking tour I did, you’ll end your tour in Recoleta. If you’re traveling on your own, don’t skip this area and head toward the Recoleta Monastery. It’s up to you if you enter the monastery (I skipped it due to its opening hours).
Before returning to the city center, enjoy the views from up top. You’ll have a great view of the city of Sucre (though unfortunately there’s trees obstructing part of the view).
1:00 – Lunch & Traveler’s Choice
Take a short break from sightseeing and enjoy some lunch. We’re not in a rush and Sucre has no shortage of restaurants. Find a place that looks good and enjoy.
After lunch, it’s traveler’s choice. Take the bus to visit Parque Cretacico to see the dinosaur footprints, wander the city, sample the chocolate at Para Ti Chocolates (the quinoa chocolate is fantastic), visit the Museo del Tesoro, or forge your own path. How you spend your afternoon is up to you.
4:00 – Convento San Felipe
In the late afternoon, visit Convento San Felipe. This is a school, but after hours it’s open to the public (for a fee). The highlight is climbing to the roof for views of Sucre. It’s some of my favorite views of the city and I think it may be even better than those views in Recoleta. Plus the school itself is pretty picturesque as well.
When you arrive, you’ll pay your fee and join a guided tour. The tour is in Spanish only, but it’s a short tour (so I wouldn’t stress so much about not being able to understand it). You’ll see different areas of the courtyard and the chapel before making your way to the roof. After the tour is finished, you are on your own to take as many photos as you like.
If you can, I recommend trying to time your visit with sunset. It was cloudy when I visited, but this would be a great place to watch sunset if possible. Just keep in mind that not only will you have to work your timing around sunset, but you’ll also have to consider the opening hours of the convent.
More Things to Do in Sucre
If you have more time to spend in Sucre, I’d recommend looking into some of the hikes nearby Sucre. I took a day trip with GreenTrekkers and hiked part of the Inca Trail and visited the Maragua Crater. For something different, take a Bolivian cooking class. I used La Boca del Sopa and had a lovely time.
Lastly, I have to mention the nearby archaeological park. This park is famous because you can get up close to dinosaur footprints. Due to renovations occurring during my stay in Sucre, I skipped the park, but it’s definitely one of the most popular things to do in Sucre.
I’ll be the first to admit that I skipped many of the museums in Sucre, but there are a few museums that may be worth your time. The Museo de Toro is the treasure museum and shows off various gemstones. A traveler I met highly recommended the textile museum, so I’m passing that recommendation on to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is One Day in Sucre, Bolivia Enough?
I think that one day gives you enough time to see the highlights of Sucre. Is there more to do in Sucre? Yes! But I think that you can cover the highlights in one day if you’re pressed for time.
How Do You Get to Sucre, Bolivia?
Sucre is well connected by buses throughout Bolivia. Given that it’s one of Bolivia’s two capitals, this shouldn’t be surprising. That said, Sucre is a bit out of the way, depending on where you are traveling.
Both Uyuni and La Paz require an overnight bus to reach Sucre. Destinations like Potosi, are just a four hour bus ride away.
Sucre also has an airport with regular flights, but if I’m honest, I didn’t meet a single traveler who used the Sucre airport. Buses may be slower, but they are significantly cheaper.
How Do You Get Around Sucre, Bolivia?
I walked through Sucre and had no issues. I’ll admit that some of the walks were long (most notably walks to and from the bus station), but they are doable.
For public transportation, there are buses moving throughout the city. If you plan to use one of the buses, I highly recommend talking to your accommodation to get advice. Even locals seemed to be confused about where exactly the buses were going and often had to ask the driver.
Taxis are also prevalent throughout the city and a way to cover some of those longer distances. Uber was not available in Sucre while I was there.
When Should You Visit Sucre, Bolivia?
Sucre can be visited all year round, but to have the best weather, plan your visit between April and October. I spent a week in Sucre in mid-April and had perfect weather.
Final Thoughts
Sucre is my favorite city in Bolivia. The center is beautiful and it’s just nice to get out and walk. Plus, it’s at a slightly lower elevation that La Paz and Potosi, and that’s always a huge benefit. Whether you’re spending one day in Sucre or a whole week, you’re sure to have a lovely visit.
Continue Your Adventure
Bolivia: In the capital city of La Paz, there’s no shortage of day trips including hiking at Chacaltaya Mountain, Charquini Lagoon, and Moon Valley. For adrenaline, bike down Death Road. Near Sucre, you can hike at the Maragua Crater. Halfway between Uyuni and Sucre is Potosí, which was once one of the richest cities in the world. In the very north, visit Copacabana and Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca. And lastly, no trip to Bolivia would be complete without visiting the Uyuni Salt Flats. Learn even more in my Bolivia Travel Guide.
