Potosi mines
The Experience
Potosi mines
At the foot of the city of Potosi lies the Cerro de Potosi, also called the Cerro Rico (the Rich Mountain). In the silver mines of Potosi, a lot of silver used to be mined. A large part of ‘the Silver Fleet’ that Piet Hein captured from the Spaniards probably came from the silver mines of Potosi. The city of Potosi itself lies at an altitude of 4100 meters, the Cerro Rico even higher.
Visit the Potosi mines of Cerro Rico (the Rich Mountain), the place in Bolivia where a lot of silver used to be mined, under the guidance of a local guide.
Highlights of this excursion .
- Let a local guide show you around the silver mines.
- Impressive excursion where you should not be too claustrophobic.
What's Included
- Specialized guide
- Museum entrance fees
- Necessary transportation
- Hotel
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Extras
Day-by-Day Itinerary
If you are not too claustrophobic, you can visit the Potosi mines with a local guide (often a miner himself). We often get feedback that the excursion in the Potosi mines made an impression. On the one hand you meet miners who are proud of their work and on the other hand you experience the hard life of those same miners who often do not grow old.
Your guide will first take you to the market at the mines where the miners do their shopping. It is customary that as a visitor to the mines you buy something for the miners here. You will receive instructions and safety clothing from the guide. Then you will visit the mines underground with the guide. The guide will introduce you to the miners and tell you something about the traditions in the mines.
The excursion to the Potosi mines lasts half a day and can be done in the morning or in the afternoon.
A visit to la Casa de Moneda de Potosi, or 'the House of the Mint of Potosi' is recommended to learn more about the history of Potosi. There are a number of religious paintings on display and an explanation is also given of how silver coins were minted in the past. The entrance to the museum borders the central square of the city.