Breathless in Potosi

Some of the biggest attractions in Potosi are the mines. Potosi was founded because of the discovery of silver there; today the mines are still functional and there is an opportunity to visit the mine run on a co-operative. It is a shocking and memorable experience.

The churches and cathedral are well worth a visit; the architecture is amazing.

The Casa Real de la Moneda, the royal mint, is also a popular attraction; it has one of the best museums in Bolivia, and it even has the county's first locomotive.

The areas around Potosi are beautiful and worth the hike to get around them in the high altitude.

Quick Tips:

Be prepared for the altitude. Although we had already been in La Paz, the change still shocked us. Especially as the city is all hills, you notice them!

Best Way To Get Around:

If you have lots of luggage with you then a taxi is worthwhile. The buses are crowded, and so difficult to get on, and walking will take it out of you.

The hostel is located in an old colonial house, just down from the main plaza. It has been renovated and turned into dorm rooms, a few of which are double. There are two sunny courtyards where you can sit and eat breakfast for a reasonable price. Dorm beds are $3.60.

They will also arrange tours of the mines for you.

This is a quiet little cafe where they serve delicious cakes and pastry's, perfect after a morning down the mines or a long walk around the city.

A tour of the cooperative mines is a shocking experience. You will be taken down into the mines through the cramped tunnels, and meet the miners who have to work in these conditions all day long.

We were lucky enough to meet a miner who had just completed a hole for dynamite, so we got to see an explosion. The fuse was lit and we had one minute to get far enough away to hear the explosion from a safe distance. You could feel the explosion shake the ground.

Before going into the mine, we were encouraged to buy the miners presents, such as dynamite, coca leaves, or cigarettes. I would recommend doing this as well; just buy something. It is inexpensive and gets you some interesting stories!

Be prepared to get dirty. Protective clothing is provided, but the mud still gets in, and you will have to crawl on the floor and squeeze through some holes in the wall.

These are artificial lakes constructed by Indian slaves, to provide water and hydro-power to the city. You can either walk it or get a micro along the Tupiza road, and just walk the last kilometer. Another option is to get a tour from one of the travel agencies.

To get to Tarapaya catch a micro from Potosi; this will cost about $0.50 and will drop you off on the main road. You will see the uphill steps/rocks; follow these to the hot springs which are walled in because they are extremely hot. You can see them bubbling!

The pond is scenic, and there are nice walks around the springs; unless you want to do some real walking half a day would suffice.

To get back to Potosi, go back to where you got off the micro and just wait. They have boards in the window saying where they are heading, but if you don't see it flag it down and ask. You may have to wait a while but one will turn up, and it will be crowded! Be prepared to be squashed and sat on!