Potosi Attractions
Attractions in Potosi, Bolivia

(photo: Casa Nacional de la Moneda - National House of the Mint - Potosi, Bolivia )

Potosi has some neat attractions and a city tour of Potosi is recommend, so that you learn about it's history, culture and other important details of the city. Many travel agencies in Potosi offer a city tour. Below are some of the Potosi attractions & sights to see and things to do in Potosi.
 

Cerro Rico (Rich Mountain): You can take a mine tour through this historic mountain in Potosi. These tours are not for wimps, conditions in the mine are rough, where tunnels are narrow and steep and you have to navigate through a series of tunnels and shafts. You can watch poor local miners hard at work and see some dynamite explosions.

Casa Nacional de la Moneda (National House of the Mint) is located near Plaza 10 de Noviembre. This huge building, now a museum, dates back to 1572 and is where the silver from Cerro Ricco was minted into coins. It is considered one of the best museum in South America. A strange statue of a grinning face hangs over the courtyard in the museum, which is kind of fitting for the greed of the Spaniards.

Museum and Convent of San Francisco is on Calle Tarija, and was built in 1547, making it Bolivia's oldest church. Nuns take you on a tour of the museum that features a collection of historic artwork.



Tarapaya Lake Hot Springs sits on top of an extinct volcano caldera, and which is warmed by a hot spring underneath. The lake was once a bathing site for the Incas. You can also go here for a quick dip to warm up. BEWARE though, signs warn swimmers of the treacherous currents that the hot springs produce and there has been stories of people being dragged down and disappearing. To get there you can take a micro from Potosi to the lake, which is about 30 minutes from Potosi, on the road to Oruro.

Other Related Pages:

• Potosi main page
• Getting There & Around Potosi
• Hotels in Potosi
• Places to Eat in Potosi
• Potosi Forums