Major city · Bolivia
Potosí
Give Potosí one night, two if you take a mine tour: at 4,000 m the altitude, not the sights, sets the pace.
Potosí sits at about 4,000 m and was founded in 1546 after silver was found in the Cerro Rico, the hill that still dominates the skyline. The colonial centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site: the Casa Nacional de Moneda, churches and narrow streets built on that silver. Most travellers come for one night between Sucre and Uyuni, or for a cooperative mine tour. Cold nights, thin air and a compact centre mean one full day covers the core.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BOB
- Best months
- Apr–Nov (dry season)
- avoid Dec–Mar (rain, cold, muddy mine roads)
- Airport
- SRE
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Bolivia ↗Visa rules depend on your passport (some nationalities need a visa in advance): check with Bolivia's migration authority or a Bolivian consulate.
- Bolivia ↗Most of the tourist route is above 3,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on arrival, and see a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bolivia ↗Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are frequent and can close routes and cities for days; watch local news and keep plans flexible.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Potosí110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Potosí, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the boliviano (BOB, Bs).Bolivia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEntel, Tigo and Viva sell SIMs with passport registration in their own shops.Bolivia-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Bolivia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up; about 10% in tourist restaurants.Bolivia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bolivia-wide
- SafetyPotosí is relatively safe, but altitude is the real risk: take day one slowly, do not walk alone at night away from the main plaza…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPay a boliviano or two; bring paper.Bolivia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 118 ambulance · 119 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBlockades and strikes close shops and roads; Sunday is quiet.Bolivia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSRE Sucre (Alcantarí) (Shared taxi from the airport rank to Potosí, about 2–3 h; agree the fare before leaving.).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable; taxis are cheap and plentiful for the terminals and the cemetery-side restaurants.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or pastryBs 5–15
- Street or quick mealSet lunch (almuerzo) in the Mercado CentralBs 10–20
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in the centreBs 3–5
- Metro or bus rideCity bus, centre to terminalBs 1
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekBs 40–80
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personBOB 50
- Mid-range bedDouble room, guesthouse or hotel, a night, per roomBOB 200
- High-end bedDouble room, guesthouse or hotel, a night, per roomBOB 400
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BOB 150 · Mid BOB 260 · High BOB 450
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SRE Sucre (Alcantarí) (Shared taxi from the airport rank to Potosí, about 2–3 h; agree the fare before leaving.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Feb
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Aug
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Best: Apr–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Oct (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jun (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Potosí: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
15 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
2 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
1 rd
Jul
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
1 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
2 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
3 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Dec
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable; taxis are cheap and plentiful for the terminals and the cemetery-side restaurants. Agree the price before you get in, and check whether it is per person or per car. A city bus between the centre and the main terminal costs about Bs 1; a taxi from the terminal about Bs 3–5.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 3.5–4 h
Hourly buses, about 3.5 h, or a shared taxi from the old terminal
Lower altitude and warmer; the usual next stop.
Door to door: 5–7 h
Buses from the new terminal, 5–7 h
Too far to return the same day; continue to the salt flats.
Tupiza
overnightDoor to door: 5–8 h
Morning and evening buses from the new terminal, 5–8 h
Gateway for some Salar tours and onward to Argentina.
Villazón and La Quiaca
overnightDoor to door: check
Long-distance bus south
Border crossing into Argentina; plan a full travel day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Historic centre (around Plaza 10 de Noviembre)
Walk to the mint, cathedral and most restaurants; best for one night.
Near the old terminal (Av. Universitaria)
Uyuni buses and shared taxis to Sucre leave here; 30 min walk uphill to the centre.
Near the new terminal (northeast)
Most long-distance buses; a 30 min bus ride from the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Bs 120–200 excl. bed
- Mid
- Bs 200–350 excl. bed
- High
- Bs 350+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, guesthouse or hotel1 × 1 night × BOB 200 | BOB 200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BOB 260 | BOB 520 |
| Casa Nacional de Moneda entry, foreigner2 × BOB 40 · check; photos cost extra | BOB 80 |
| Cooperative mine tour2 × BOB 100 · check; shop around, Bs 80–130 | BOB 200 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × BOB 60 · check | BOB 120 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BOB 112 |
| Trip total≈ BOB 616 per person per day, bed included | BOB 1,232 |
2026 estimate in bolivianos; long-distance buses and tours excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Set lunch (almuerzo) in the Mercado Central | Bs 10–20 |
| Kalapurka soupcheck | Bs 20–35 |
| Big plate at a local restaurant | Bs 30–35 |
| Coffee or pastry | Bs 5–15 |
| City bus, centre to terminal | Bs 1 |
| Taxi in the centre | Bs 3–5 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | Bs 40–80 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: about 4,000 m. Take the first day slowly, drink water, and treat headaches or breathlessness as a signal to rest.
- Mine tours are real working mines: dust, tight passages, low safety standards. Skip them if you are claustrophobic; wear the mask offered.
- Street dogs can be aggressive; back away slowly and do not let one get behind you.
- Do not walk alone at night away from the main plaza.
- Nights are cold year-round; heating in rooms is not standard.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
PotosíPotosí
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire119
Embassy
Most embassies are in La Paz; check your country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shared taxi, Sucre airport → Potosí: about Bs 50 per person (check)
- Bus, Potosí → Sucre: about Bs 17, 3.5 h (check)
- Bus, Potosí → Uyuni: about Bs 35, 5–7 h (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dees-KOOL-peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- ¿Es por persona? — Is it per person? (es por per-SOH-nah)
- Necesito ayuda — I need help (neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-YOO-dah)
Altitude about 4,000 m: take the first day slowly.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Potosí. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season) · avoid Dec–Mar (rain, cold, muddy mine roads) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SRE: shared-taxi rank, fare band, and a Potosí drop-off point field-checked.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Plaza 10 de Noviembre, the mint, the churches, the miners' market.
- Place pages with verified opening hours and tour cutoffs (Casa Nacional de Moneda, Santa Teresa, Torre de la Compañía) and eat pages with last orders.
- Altitude and cold-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.