Tourist Attractions in Bolivia

Welcome to the land of extremes! Bolivia has been known for its several extreme descriptions as one of the craggiest, deserted, coldest, and windiest; most underprivileged and aboriginal country in South America, and as one of the wealthiest land of natural resources. Further, the cultural and adventurous tourist attractions in Bolivia put the nation on the tourist circuit. If you want to explore the nation fully, just be a bit adventurous and a proud visitor. As it was my first visit, I only explored its legally capital city of Sucre.

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca

Declared as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO, SUCRE is referred to as the most beautiful city in Bolivia as it is nestled in a valley of low mountains. So, the tourists are allured with its picturesque hotels of stay, wonderful churches, and great museums. I explored the following places of interests here.

I started from the national memorial and the historic landmark Casa de la Libertad. You must have guessed it that it was the site where the declaration of independence was confirmed on August 6, 1825. Erected in the 16th century, the Catedral is where you will come across a blend of Renaissance and later Baroque architectural styles. The major highlight here is the bell tower making the site to be regarded as a local landmark and a notable edifice. Do enter the monument to have a glimpse at the series of oil paintings showing the apostles, a detailed altarpiece, hanging angels, and a pulpit.

Copacabana

Copacabana

The Convento de San Felipe Neri is the home of the bell tower and a tiled rooftop of the holding the crypts with tunnels where the priests and nuns once assembled covertly and where the guerrillas hid at the time of the political unrest. One of the most admired tourist attractions in Bolivia is the Iglesia de la Merced that is a church drawing many visitors because of its most beautiful interior in Sucre. Check out its baroque altar and sculpted mestizo pulpit boasting filigree and gold embellishment making them worth to explore. It is said that this religious building’s construction was laid down in the early 1550s and that it was only over in the early 1580s.

The Cementerio Municipal is where you will encounter a handful of arches crafted from the poplar trees, picturesque palm trees, and the graves of the rich colonial families. If you come here at weekend, you will definitely experience its historic days while being amidst the families.

The Museo de la Catedral offers four different zones in the museum in which you can have a look at the some of the most beautiful collections of religious relics of Bolivia. In addition, do explore the entry room where a series of religious paintings of the colonial times will definitely mesmerize you. The excitement still continues when you come to a chapel of remnants of saints and gold and silver chalices. But, besides all these, the main highlight here is the Capilla de la Virgen de Guadalupe made in 1625.

Among all the top tourist attractions in Bolivia, the Museo de los Ninos Tanga-Tanga is worth visiting especially if you have kids along with you. Situated on the square of La Recoleta and housed in a magnificent edifice, the museum is a best one for children with its interactivities focused on renewable energy sources. Other attractions here are botanical gardens, facts of Bolivian ecology, and cultural and environmental programs like theater shows and ceramic classes. For some cool air to breathe, head to the Cafe Mirador from where you can have a spectacular view of the city.

Located in the Santa Clara Convent, the Museo de Santa Clara is where you come across several works of the Bolivian master Melchor Pérez de Holguín and his Italian instructor, Bernardo de Bitti. Discovered in 1639, this was the site in 1985 from where many paintings and gold ornaments were robbed.

The Museo Gutierrez Valenzuela is in the southeast corner of the main plaza and an old aristocrat’s home adorned with the 19th century décor. Also, an exciting natural history museum can be explored here. The Museo Textil-Etnográfico is for those who are a fan of the indigenous groups of Sucre. Here, there are exhibits of interesting textiles of the Jalq’a and Candelaria (Tarabuco) cultures. The Museos Universitariosb draws people with its three halls adorned with colonial relics, anthropological ruins, and contemporary art.

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