The Potosí Department located in the southwest Bolivia. It covers large parts of the plateau of the Altiplano, the To the as well as a few fertile valleys, especially in the southeast, which are very scenic.
Regions
places
- Potosí, former silver city with famous mines and a well-preserved colonial center, 175,000 inhabitants
- Uyuni, Starting point for the eponymous Salar, shaped by tourism, 20,000 inhabitants
- Villazón, Border town too Argentina in the south, 25,000 inhabitants
- Tupiza, 20,000 inhabitants, city in a fertile, colorful valley in the south near the Argentine border. Known for its scenic beauty and as a residence for US outlaws Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid.
Other goals
background
The Potosí Department is the driest and most hostile region of Bolivia. It is hardly populated outside of the urban centers and offers travelers above all natural attractions such as the one that is now internationally known as a travel destination Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt pan in America.
language
In addition to Spanish, you can also meet Quechua and Aymara speakers, which is often the colloquial language in the villages. In the south, influences from nearby Argentina can be noticed, for example the "voseo" (replacement of the 2nd person singular "tú" by "vos") prevails there.
getting there
mobility
In addition to buses, the best-equipped train in Bolivia, the Expreso del Sur or. Wari-Wari del Sur, the Oruro With Villazón (via Uyuni and Tupiza) connects.
Tourist Attractions
- Old town of Potosí with numerous magnificent buildings from the colonial era
- Laguna Verde and Laguna Colorada, two bizarre red and green colored volcanic lakes in the extreme southwest. Accessible from Tupiza, Villazón and Uyuni as well as from Chile (San Pedro de Atacama) from an excursion.
activities
kitchen
nightlife
security
In tourist places like Uyuni you have to watch out for pickpockets, also in the "shopping paradise" Villazón, where the thieves usually target the shopping Argentines. Otherwise, tourists do not face any particular danger.
climate
The climate is dry and sunny, but very cool because of the altitude. There is often frost at night.
