Sucre, the White City — Bolivia's constitutional capital, UNESCO Heritage

— Department · Valleys · Sucre Constitutional Capital

Department of Chuquisaca

Bolivia's constitutional capital and cultural heart. Sucre (UNESCO 1991), Cal Orcko (world's largest dinosaur track site) and the Jalq'a market of Tarabuco.

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Capital

Sucre (White City)

Area

51,524 km²

Population

~680,000 inhabitants

Capital alt.

2,750 m.a.s.l.

Alt. range

500 – 3,500 m

Languages

Spanish · Quechua

— The Department

What is Chuquisaca?

UNESCO 1991

Sucre — exceptional colonial city

5,000+ tracks

Cal Orcko — 68-million-year dinosaurs

6 Aug 1825

Bolivian independence declared in Sucre

18°C

Average annual temperature in Sucre

The Department of Chuquisaca is Bolivia's historic and cultural heart. Its capital, Sucre — known as "The White City" for its ordinance requiring all buildings to be painted white — is Bolivia's constitutional capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. It's also the city where Bolivia declared independence on 6 August 1825.

Beyond Sucre, the department hides extraordinary gems: Cal Orcko, the world's largest dinosaur track site (68 million years old, over 5,000 tracks from 294 species), the Tarabuco indigenous market (Sundays only, Bolivia's most authentic), the geological Maragua Crater (unique formation surrounded by Jalq'a communities) and the Inca sanctuary of Chataquila.

Chuquisaca's climate is among Bolivia's most pleasant: Sucre has a mean temperature of 18°C year-round, making it Bolivia's most comfortable destination. Chuquisaca gastronomy is considered the finest in the country.

— Ecosystems

Chuquisaca's ecosystems

Temperate valleys · 1,500–3,500m

Valleys

Sucre · Tarabuco · Maragua · Potolo

Cloud forest · Butterflies

Tucumano Forest

Chuquisaca highlands · Southern zone

— Destinations

What to see in Chuquisaca

UNESCO 1991

Sucre

The White City · Constitutional capital · 2,750m

68 millones años

Cal Orcko

World's largest dinosaur track site · 68 million years

Solo domingos

Tarabuco

Jalq'a indigenous market · Unique textiles · Sundays only

Trekking

Maragua Crater

Geological crater · Jalq'a communities · 3-day trek

3.200m

Chataquila

Inca sanctuary · Maragua trailhead · Condors

— Love Bolivia Routes

Routes through Chuquisaca

La HuallataValleys

Vallegrande · Sucre · Potosí · 8–11 days

8–11 days · from $1,966

El PerezosoValleys

Cochabamba · Sucre · Samaipata · 14–21 days

14–21 days · from $1,766

See all 19 Bolivia routes →

— Getting there

How to reach Chuquisaca

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By air

Juana Azurduy de Padilla Airport (SRE): flights from La Paz (1h, BoA/Amaszonas), Santa Cruz (1h) and Cochabamba (50min). Frequent flights at reasonable prices (~$60–120 USD). Airport is 5km from Sucre centre.

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By bus

Potosí–Sucre bus: 3h (~$4–7 USD). Cochabamba–Sucre: 8–10h. Santa Cruz–Sucre: 12–14h. La Paz–Sucre: 14–16h (via Oruro or Potosí). Good sleeper bus services to La Paz and Santa Cruz.

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By road

From Potosí: 180km, 3h on mountain paved road. From Cochabamba: 8h via valley roads. From Santa Cruz: 12h. The Sucre-Potosí road has spectacular views of Quechua valleys.

— When to visit

Best time for Chuquisaca

Sucre has a privileged year-round climate. The dry season (April–October) is most popular. The rainy season (November–March) turns the valleys green.

Apr – OctDry season (ideal)

Best weather for Sucre and the department. Clear skies, 15–22°C. Tarabuco market at its peak. Maragua accessible for 3-day trekking.

MarPujllay festival

Tarabuco's Pujllay festival (UNESCO-listed) is one of Bolivia's most authentic celebrations, held in March, four weeks after Carnival.

Nov – FebRainy season

Afternoon rains, warm temperatures (18–25°C). Valleys are lush and green. Maragua can be muddy. Tarabuco market continues Sundays.

Jun – AugCool winter

Coolest months (12–16°C days, 5–8°C nights). Perfect skies. Good for Maragua trekking and cultural routes. Sucre is lively with its university population.

— People & culture

Identity & traditions

Indigenous people

Jalq'a

The Jalq'a people inhabit the highlands west of Sucre (Maragua, Potolo, Chataquila). Their textiles are unique: fantastic animal figures on black backgrounds representing the inner world (ukhu pacha). Tarabuco market (Sundays) is the best place to see and buy authentic Jalq'a and Yampara textiles.

History

Cradle of Bolivia

Sucre is Bolivia's birthplace. On 6 August 1825, at the Casa de la Libertad (now a museum), Bolivia's Act of Independence was signed. The city hosted Bolivia's first university (1624, Universidad Mayor de San Francisco Xavier) and was the full capital until the Federal War of 1899.

Gastronomy

Gastronomic capital

Sucre is widely considered Bolivia's gastronomic capital. Its restaurants are innovative, its markets excellent, and its offering of specialty cafés, artisan chocolate and sweets is the country's finest. The Valle de Cinti wines are gaining international recognition.

— Gastronomy