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Sucre, Bolivia | @maluveltze Whitewashed buildings, charming church steeples and sleepy plazas — no, you’re not in Santorini. Sucre, Bolivia, is one of South America’s most beautiful hidden gems. Surrounded by majestic mountains and populated with a slew of colonial architecture, this peaceful city offers a welcome respite for travelers. While there are numerous attractions to entertain, you’ll be tempted to stay for its relaxed atmosphere — a rarity among South American cities.

Fun Fact: Though La Paz is the Bolivian seat of government, Sucre is actually the nation’s capital.

Sucre, Bolivia S 19.02° / W 65.26°

@raphael_streit May — October With heavy rains dominating the early part of the year, most travelers should visit Sucre in the dry season: May through October. While the dry season is also the high season, it’s worth braving the crowds so you won’t have to worry about weather interfering with your travel plans. But this time of year does see some temperature drops at night, so remember to pack in layers.

Convento de San Felipe de Neri | @smartin06 Sweet as Sugar Sucre’s historic center is one of the most recognizable in South America, namely for its iconic whitewashed buildings. A designated UNESCO site, the city center is filled with beautiful plazas, peaceful gardens and a church every 100 yards. Find your way to the main square, Plaza 25 de Mayo, and explore from there. Climb the stairs to the top of nearby Convento de San Felipe Neri for a beautiful view before slipping over to Casa de la Libertad for a history lesson. In this building Bolivia’s Act of Independence was signed. There are also plenty of museums, from the Cathedral Museum to the ASUR Indigenous Art and Textiles Museum. Cementerio General de Sucre | @rachelmariie22 Think About It Sucre makes the perfect stop between South American adventures, so take advantage of the laid-back atmosphere to do some quality contemplation. A key spot for this is the Cementerio General, where rows of stacked graves are marked with a message: "Hodie Mihi Cras Tibi: Today Me, Tomorrow You." Beautiful and serene, this area may not be a typical tourist point but it’s worth a visit. If you’d rather stick to the beaten path, hike up to La Recoleta, a cobblestoned plaza overlooking the city. Grab a bite at the restaurant and watch the sun go down over the orange-roofed buildings. Maragua, Chuquisaca, Bolivia | @lemonde.autour Ready for Impact Bolivia is home to some diverse landscape, from vegetation-covered mountains to barren salt plains. You can’t miss the Maragua Crater, a stunning rock formation outside Sucre. The colorful surrounding scenery epitomizes Bolivia’s diversity, and features some pretty cool historical features from cave paintings to dinosaur footprints. Whether you hike to the top or join a quad tour, experiencing this natural landscape is otherworldly. Parque cretácico | @la_nomadica Life Finds a Way Want to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs? You don’t need a fictional Jurassic Park to do so. Just visit Parque Cretácico, an archeological park with a huge collection of preserved dinosaur footprints (over 5,000) set into the Cal Orck’o cliff. The footprints might be real, but there are also some fake life-size dinosaur replicas nearby that are fun to tour. Get up close and personal with these ancient creatures, without the danger. @annagibiskys   Anna's Discovery @annagibiskys "I've been in Sucre about 10 times and the most exciting things I've done were exploring the rooftops of the churches and dancing with locals at the main square. This photo is a sunset view of the city from La Recoleta. There is a cool hike behind La Recoleta, through a eucalyptus forest to a small chapel on the top of the hill."

#explorebolivia | @backpackerinsider Snacking in Sucre Visiting Sucre’s central market should be on your list just for the sensory experience, but while you’re there try the classic Bolivian dishes to accompany the colorful fruit you picked up at the market. From mondongo (a dish with pork and peppers), to pique macho (beef and french fries) there are plenty of classic dishes to try. Outside the market, El Patio is a favorite for salteñas (baked empanadas) with plenty of filling options. International cuisine also makes its mark with Italian at Papavero and French at La Taverne. Finally, Sucre is the chocolate capital of Bolivia, so you can’t leave without trying the sweet treats at Para Ti.

Mi Pueblo Samary - Hotel Boutique | @leakauny Sun Down in Sucre Sucre is relatively small, and despite being on the tourist circuit, has yet to attract any large hotel chains. But there is an abundance of hostels and boutique hotels that await travelers. The Villa Oropeza hostel and The Beehive Sucre are two favorites for budget hostels. For a step above, check in to El Hostal Su Merced, housed in an elegant colonial building with a rooftop terrace just steps away from the main square. For a more relaxing retreat, try Mi Pueblo Samary Boutique Hotel, which is located in an old colonial mansion and features private balconies and quiet courtyards tucked away.

Sucre, Bolivia | @bryce.hutchins Get Around "The bus terminal is located a few minutes from the historic center, on Ostria Gutiérrez Avenue, at the corner of Ignacio Ceballos. Buses from the most important cities of the country arrive at this terminal." – @lalibelle Speak Like the Locals "One of the main reasons a lot of backpackers visit Sucre for an extended length of time (me included) is to learn Spanish. There is no shortage of places to learn; in hostels, where they often offer an hourly rate and then don’t charge for the accommodation, in cafes/bars with independent teachers and schools." – @seymourofthisworld SUBMIT TO UPCOMING DESTINATIONS!

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