Bolivia · 2026 itinerary
Potosí 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Potosí: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
Franciscan convent with a small museum of religious art and colonial relics. Entry is free but a donation of 5 bolivianos is suggested. The cloister garden is open to wander.
🕐 Mon-Sat 9am-12pm; closed Sun
Free entry💡 Ask the caretaker to unlock the upper balcony—it has a great view of Cerro Rico. Avoid Sunday afternoon when it's closed for mass.
Hotels near Museo del Convento de San Francisco →Covered market with food stalls, handicrafts, and a vegetable section. No entry fee. Good for cheap local lunches like salteñas or api (corn drink) for under 10 bolivianos.
🕐 Mon-Sat 7am-6pm; Sun 7am-2pm
Free entry💡 The second floor has a comedor (food court) with the cheapest set meals in town—around 12 bolivianos. Go before 1pm for the freshest produce and fewer crowds.
Hotels near Mercado Central →Restorán Mirador Giratorio Pari Orko · ££
Cherry's · ££
Deeper Into Potosí
Main square with a central fountain, benches, and colonial arcades. Locals gather here in the evenings. Good spot for people-watching and free Wifi from the nearby municipal building.
🕐 Accessible 24/7
💡 Best light for photos is late afternoon when the cathedral facade glows. Avoid sitting near the fountain after 6pm—it gets crowded with street vendors selling cheap snacks.
The mountain that made Potosí famous. You can hike the lower slopes for panoramic city views without paying a guide. The summit is not accessible without a miner-led tour, but the viewpoint at the bas
🕐 Daily, dawn to dusk
💡 Go early morning before 9am to avoid afternoon clouds rolling in. The path starts behind the main market.
La Manzana Mágica
La Plata
Final Favourites & Departure
Historic mint where colonial silver coins were struck. The main exhibition costs 20 bolivianos but the courtyard and outer rooms with old machinery are free to
💡 The free section includes the original coin presses and a small workshop. Steer clear of the paid guided tour if you're on a tight budget.
Doña Eugenia
pizzeria italia
Getting Around Potosí
No taxi rank at airport; arrange a pickup with the hotel beforehand. Haggle the fare down to 40 bolivianos—drivers start at 60. Cash only (small bills); they rarely have change for 100 or 200 notes.
Flag micros with your hand down—the driver will stop anywhere. Look for '4' painted on the front windscreen; same route runs backwards in the afternoon. Get off when you see the Hotel Coloso Colonial sign; Felimar is a 2-minute walk south. No change given; exact fare only.
Negotiate before getting in—15 BOB is fair for this distance. Avoid taxis near the mine gate at 5pm when miners finish shifts; they'll charge triple. Use a taxi with a green+white license plate (licensed, safer).
Minibuses stop near Plaza 10 de Noviembre, then walk 2 blocks east to Felimar. Exit at the corner of Sucre and Bolívar—watch for the white church tower. Keep a 5-boliviano coin ready; drivers don't give change for larger notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Potosí?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Museo del Convento de San Francisco and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Potosí?
See our full best time to visit Potosí guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Hotel La Casona, Hostal Carlos V, Alojamiento San Lorenzo. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.