Sucre
Bolivia's constitutional capital, a whitewashed colonial city in a mild Andean valley, where the republic was declared in 1825.
- Arrival
- Alcantarí, Yamparáez · SRE
- To the city
- About 25 to 32 km south-east of the centre
- Private jets
- Daytime hours; customs at La Paz
- Best time
- April to November
The city
The white city.
Spain founded La Plata in 1538, and the town that became Sucre kept its white-painted façades, so well that UNESCO inscribed the historic centre in 1991. It is still the constitutional capital and the seat of the Supreme Court, while government sits in La Paz. In the building of 1621 where the republic was founded, the declaration of independence of 1825 is kept on display.
At about 2,800 metres, the afternoons hover between 21 and 24 °C all year. From May to August scarcely any rain falls; the wet months are December to March. Several of the old mansions around the centre now take guests.
- Casa de la Libertad The 1621 house where the republic was founded and Bolívar's constitution was written, its independence hall still intact.
- La Recoleta The Franciscan monastery of 1601, on the hill above the rooftops.
- The cathedral Built from 1559 to 1712, with a museum of gold, silver and jewelled church treasure.
Arriving
A new airport above the valley.
Alcantarí opened in May 2016, in Yamparáez, south-east of the city, and replaced the old town airport. Its 3,600-metre runway lies at 3,104 m, some 300 m higher than Sucre itself.
- Lima 2 h 15
- Santiago 2 h 30
- Buenos Aires 2 h 45
- Toronto 9 h 30 long-range jet
- Cape Town 11 h 00 long-range jet
When to go
April to November.
Altitude keeps the days mild, between 21 and 24 °C in every month. The dry season runs from April to November, with under 10 mm a month from May to August. December to March are the wet months, with more than 100 mm.
- 23° J 139
- 22° F 115
- 23° M 100
- 23° A 34
- 22° M 7
- 22° J 2
- 21° J 3
- 22° A 9
- 23° S 24
- 24° O 47
- 24° N 62
- 23° D 117
Where to stay
In the old mansions of the centre.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
- Parador Santa María La Real Thirty-nine rooms in a restored eighteenth-century mansion on Calle Bolívar, with a spa and a bar on the roof terrace.
- Hotel Villa Antigua A restored heritage mansion whose owners have published a book on its history, from the sixteenth century to today.
- Capital Plaza Hotel On the main square, with rooms in the colonial style and a presidential suite.
Where to dine
Tasting menus in the white city.
No MICHELIN Guide covers Bolivia. These are the two tasting menu restaurants of Sucre, the best rated in the city on Tripadvisor.
- Nativa Rated 4.9 on Tripadvisor Contemporary Bolivian Historic centre
- El Solar Rated 4.8 on Tripadvisor Contemporary Historic centre
Elsewhere in Bolivia
More reasons to come.
Flying to Sucre?
Choose how you arrive.
A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.