Potosí Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Land

Bus & shared taxi

All road routes into Potosí are quite scenic, and arriving by day will always present a dramatic introduction to the city. The bus terminal (624-3361) is about 15 minutes on foot downhill (1km) from the center, and micros and minibuses (US$0.15) run every minute or two. By the time you read this, the more inviting new terminal should be open on the northwestern edge of town, in the barrio of Las Lecherías.

Numerous flotas offer a daily overnight service to La Paz (US$5 to US$7, 11 hours) via Oruro (US$3 to US$4, eight hours) departing around 7pm or 8pm; you can also opt for a bus cama (US$12, 10 hours).

Buses leave for Tupiza (US$3 to US$5, seven hours) and Villazón (US$6 to US$8, 10 to 12 hours) daily in the morning and evening. Buses to Tarija (US$5 to US$7, 14 hours) run at least three times daily, and there are numerous nighttime services to Cochabamba (US$7 to US$9, 12 to 15 hours). Several flotas also have daily services to Santa Cruz (US$8, 16 to 20 hours), but it’s a long, arduous trip.

Quite a few flotas leave for Sucre (US$2, 3½ hours) between 7am and 6pm. Alternatively, you can take a shared taxi (US$16 for up to four people, 2½ hours), which is quicker and comfier, to Potosí. Most hotels can help arrange shared taxis. Try Expreso Turismo Global (624-5171),Cielito Lindo (624-3381) or Auto Expreso Infinito del Sur (624-5040). Expect high velocity.

If you prefer to take the least expensive route, micros (US$1.35, five hours) leave from the tranca 500m north of Plaza Uyuni all day when full.

Buses to Uyuni (US$2 to US$3.50, six to seven hours) depart between 9:30am and noon from just below the railway line, higher up on Av Antofagasta, but these services may switch to the new terminal once it opens. The rugged route is quite spectacular.

Train

A recently implemented train service between Potosí and Sucre was, at time of writing, temporarily suspended, but due to resume. Scheduled departures for this spectacular trip were at 8am Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday for the scenic six-hour journey (US$4.40 one-way), returning from Sucre at 8am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call Epifanio Flores (7287-6280) to check whether the service is in operation.

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Air

Potosí boasts the world’s highest commercial airport, Aeropuerto Capitán Rojas. In the early 1990s the runway was extended to 4000m to accommodate larger planes. AeroSur (622-8988; Cobija 25) had flights for a while, but no more. At time of research, TAM were planning flights to La Paz from here; check at Turismo Claudia, their agent. In any event, Sucre isn’t so far away.

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