Things to Do in Oruro

Oruro’s main cathedral, a restrained neo-Romanesque building from the 19th century. Inside, the altarpiece and painted ceiling are modest but genuine.

🕐 Daily 6:30am–12pm, 3pm–7pm

💡 Mass at 7am on weekdays gives you the place nearly empty.

Small museum housed in a former mansion, displaying pre-Columbian gold and silver artefacts from the region. Well-labelled in Spanish.

🕐 Tue–Fri 9am–12pm, 2pm–5pm; Sat 9am–1pm

💡 Ask the guard to unlock the back room — it holds the best pieces.

A tribute to Oruro’s mining heritage, housed in a former miners’ union building. Memorabilia, tools and photographs tell the story of the town’s lifeblood.

🕐 Mon–Fri 9am–12pm, 2pm–5pm

💡 The guide (Spanish only) worked underground for 20 years — worth waiting for.

A quiet, well-kept park with benches, shade trees and a small pond. Good for a rest after walking the city centre.

🕐 Daily 6am–10pm

💡 The ice cream kiosk by the east entrance sells cheap fruit popsicles.

A grand church built into a hillside, dedicated to the Virgen del Socavón, patron saint of miners. The plaza outside offers wide views of the city.

🕐 Daily 7am–8pm

💡 Go late afternoon for good light on the facade and fewer crowds.