Potosí Department · Bolivia
Potosí travel guide
Potosí is a city in Potosí Department, Bolivia, home to about 190,000 people.
- Best months
- October and November
- Nearest airport
- SRE74 km · Alcantarí International Airport
- Currency
- BOBboliviano
- Time zone
- America/La Paz
- Language
- Aymara, Guarani, Quechua
About
About Potosí
Potosí was founded in 1546 after the discovery of the rich silver deposits in the Cerro Rico. It soon became one of the wealthiest and largest cities in the Americas. The mines of the Cerro Rico are the richest mines in all of world history and may have produced 60,000 tons of silver. The name Potosí was adopted by San Luis de Potosí in Mexico to reflect their hopes for equal riches. It is reputed that at one time mules were shoed with silver due to the difficulty of getting supplies of iron to the city.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Potosí
See
- Casa Nacional de Moneda
- Convento de Santa Teresa
- Torre de la Compañia de Jesus
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
Do
- Mining tour
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Potosí
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Potosí are October and November. October is the warmest month, with average highs of 18 °C; January is the wettest, with about 84 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Potosí: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Alcantarí International Airport (SRE), about 74 km from the city centre in a straight line; Joya Andina International Airport (UYU, 149 km) is also within reach.
Getting around
Taxis are generally cheap and plentiful around Potosí. However, always check the price with the driver. Some charge per person which could get you into arguments when it comes time to pay. Bus from Centro area to Main bus Terminal costs 1Bs. Taxis from main bus terminal between 3-5bs depending on your bargaining skills and the time of day.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
SRE · Alcantarí International Airport
UYU · Joya Andina International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Potosí
Stay safe
Potosí is relatively safe. But, like most other places in Bolivia it is advised not to walk alone at night outside the main Plaza. Also, be aware that there are many street dogs, some can be very aggressive. If you have one barking at you, slowly walk back the way you came, without letting the dog get behind you. They will bite and you might end up having to get antibiotics and post exposure rabies shots. These are however available at public clinics free of charge. But make sure not to get bitten!
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Potosí: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Potosí?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Potosí are October and November. October is the warmest month, with average highs of 18 °C; January is the wettest, with about 84 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Potosí?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Alcantarí International Airport (SRE), about 74 km from the city centre in a straight line; Joya Andina International Airport (UYU, 149 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Potosí?
boliviano (BOB).
Nearby
Destinations near Potosí
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.