OUR JOURNEY TO SUCRE

Journeys like the one from Paraguay to the Bolivian city of Sucre sometimes turn into the moments you pass through more than the places you reach. Our journey, leaving Paraguay and heading toward the heart of Bolivia, toward Sucre, was exactly like that.

Every kilometer, every stop, every face and every breath… were engraved in our memory like part of a tale. You can also find other stories from our roads through South America on our English blog page.

🌿 1. FIRST STEP INTO BOLIVIA: TOWARD VILLA MONTES

That morning when we left Paraguay, the sky was slightly hazy. As soon as we crossed the border, the makeshift military checkpoint that appeared before us showed the spirit of the journey from the very beginning: this road was simple, real and unadorned. Neither a modern crossing decorated with signs, nor an orderly border gate… Just a small structure taking shelter in the shadow of the wind, a few soldiers and a Bolivian flag swaying gently in the dust. Our passports were checked, a few questions were asked, and that long road to the Andes took us in.

The first kilometers of Bolivia were like a continuation of Paraguay: plains… light shrubs… the haze of heat trembling in the distance… As if the world had not yet decided to become a mountain.

After a long journey, we arrived in Villa Montes. This was a simple but lively town in the middle of the Chaco. The streets were alive, people were in a hurry, the air was hot… First we changed money, because those classic Bolivian control booths were already making themselves known from the road. The checkpoints along the route both asked for documents and collected small fees.

We took a short break in Villa Montes and relieved our tiredness with a cold drink. Then the key turned, making the engine sound again… And the road truly began.

🏔 2. IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOUNTAINS: ASCENDING TO TARABUCO

Our first ascent toward the mountains on the road from Paraguay to Sucre began shortly after leaving Villa Montes. It was as if the earth’s crust was slowly swelling, as if the world was reshaping itself.

The first bends came… Then the second ones… Then curves going on toward infinity…

And suddenly the flat lands of Paraguay were left behind, and Bolivia’s legendary heights began. Dirt roads… winding mountain passes… valleys carved by streams… Everything was wilder, more natural, quieter.

When night fell, the color of the road changed. Outside the few meters lit by the headlights, the world was completely dark. We stopped beside a police checkpoint and slept in the car. That was our first encounter with the cold night of the Andes.

We continued on the road in the early morning light and, after a while, saw that magical town with red roofs, colorful clothes and narrow streets: Tarabuco.

If you wonder about the story of why we set out and what lies behind these long overland journeys, you can get to know us better on our About Us page.

🎨 3. TARABUCO: THE COLORFUL HEART OF BOLIVIA

Entering Tarabuco was like stepping into a storybook. Bolivia’s most authentic culture was living here, and in all its simplicity. This town, located at about 3,200 meters above sea level, made you feel the high Andean air from the very first step.

Church and bell tower in the center of Tarabuco — The church and bell tower in the center of Tarabuco.

Monument carrying the Bolivian coat of arms in the plaza — The monument carrying the Bolivian coat of arms in the plaza.

Women were walking through the streets in very colorful clothes made from traditional weaving. Their hats, patterns and posture carried the traces of a culture that had not changed for centuries.

Statue of a local hero in Tarabuco’s central park — The statue of a local hero in Tarabuco’s central park.

While walking around the market, the smell of earth and stones mixed with the stalls. The sweets and meals were simple but very delicious. This city’s cuisine was like its culture: modest, real and sincere.

Local food stall in Tarabuco market — A local food stall in Tarabuco market.

Daily life in Tarabuco on a market street.

Tarabuco was the soul of Bolivia. While the Andean wind blew through our hair, life here seemed to flow more slowly.

🏛 4. SUCRE: THE LIGHT OF THE WHITE CITY

We left Tarabuco and entered the mountains again. The bends continued, but the road became more orderly. As the evening sky turned pink, Sucre, Bolivia’s official capital, appeared before us. The city, located at about 2,800 meters above sea level, made us feel the cool and light air of altitude from the very first moment.

Yes, many people do not know this: Sucre is the constitutional and official capital of Bolivia. Because it is famous for its white houses, it is called “La Ciudad Blanca,” the White City.

As soon as we settled into the Airbnb house, one image came to our minds: Bolivian women grilling fish along the road… We went back and bought a large grilled fish. That night, together with our tiredness, we ate that fish and sank into the silence of the city.

The night of Sucre rested our souls with that light coolness of altitude.

🌄 5. LOOKING AT SUCRE FROM THE HEIGHTS OF RECOLETA

The next morning we went to Sucre’s most famous point: Mirador de la Recoleta.

This place is like a balcony built over the city. With its two-bell-towered Iglesia de la Recoleta, wide stone courtyard, old fountain in the middle and breathtaking view, it connects a person both to the past and to the present.

Mirador de la Recoleta square with church, fountain and view of Sucre — The wide courtyard of Mirador de la Recoleta: white church, old clock tower, fountain and arched terrace overlooking Sucre.

Sucre stretching below us… White houses… The harmony of red tile roofs… Watching colonial architecture reach the present without losing itself affected us deeply.

Sucre’s red-roofed houses and surrounding mountains from Recoleta — Panoramic view of Sucre from Recoleta.

This city was not just a capital; it was like a spirit that had walked from within history into the present.

Detailed view of Sucre city center from Recoleta — The heart of the city from above: church towers, narrow streets and red roofs.

Sundial on a stone base in Recoleta square — The historic sundial at Recoleta.

Steep cobblestone street descending from Recoleta — The steep stone street descending from Recoleta into the city.

🕍 6. GETTING LOST IN THE HEART OF SUCRE: COLONIAL STREETS

As we walked down from Recoleta toward the center, Sucre’s famous streets appeared before us. Whitewashed houses, black wrought-iron balconies, small doors, narrow stone roads…

Panoramic street view in Sucre’s historic center — A wide panoramic look at Sucre’s historic center, famous for its white colonial buildings.

These streets feel as if they have not changed since the 1800s. Every door carries a story, every balcony seems to hum an old song.

A street among white colonial buildings in central Sucre.

People walking in Sucre streets and colonial architecture — White façades, iron balconies and the daily life of Sucre.

Walking in Sucre is like walking through history.

⚰️ 7. CEMENTERIO GENERAL: THE CITY’S QUIETEST MOMENTS

One of the most surprising places in the city was Sucre’s famous Cementerio General.

From the entrance, a different world begins. Silence, weight and respect… Three- and four-story walls of tombs… A children’s cemetery… Small windows decorated with flowers… The sun bouncing off white walls…

Long tree-lined walkway in Cementerio General de Sucre — A quiet and shaded walkway in Cementerio General de Sucre.

Tomb walls decorated with flowers in Sucre cemetery — Tomb walls decorated with flowers.

This cemetery is a living heritage showing how Bolivian culture sees the delicate bond between death and life.

Small tomb windows and flowers in Sucre cemetery — Small tomb windows, colorful flowers and silence.

White walls and rows of tombs in Sucre cemetery — Among white walls, a heavy, simple and respectful silence.

🏰 8. CASTILLO DE LA GLORIETA: SUCRE’S FAIRY-TALE PINK CASTLE

After wandering through Sucre’s colonial streets and taking in the spirit of the city, we turned our route toward a very different place a little outside the city: Castillo de la Glorieta.

This pink-colored castle stands like a fairy-tale land in the middle of Sucre’s white architecture. Among the hills surrounding the city, it suddenly appears before you and leaves you amazed.

Panoramic view of the valley from Castillo de la Glorieta — The panoramic view of the valley from the tower of Castillo de la Glorieta.

Castillo de la Glorieta was built at the end of the 19th century by a wealthy couple, Francisco Argandoña and Clotilde Urioste. Both were among the most powerful figures of the Bolivian aristocracy, and wanting a home worthy of themselves, the couple had this castle designed with inspiration from European palaces. For this reason, the castle brings together not one architectural style, but many.

Pink exterior façade of Castillo de la Glorieta — The pink façade of Castillo de la Glorieta.

View from the terrace of Castillo de la Glorieta — The view of the valley from the castle’s terrace.

While walking through the courtyard of the castle, you feel as if you are traveling through time. The pink color of the walls shines even more in the sun, the texture of the stones whispers the voice of the old world. In one corner, a steep tower stretches toward the sky; in the other, a rounded structure completes the elegance of the castle. In the background, Bolivia’s mountains rise, surrounding all the magic of the castle.

Statue of Francisco Argandoña and children — The statue of Francisco Argandoña and the children.

Ceiling decorations of the ballroom at Castillo de la Glorieta — The decorated ceiling and ballroom of the castle.

Castillo de la Glorieta is not just an architectural structure: it is a dream frozen in time.

🦕 9. CAL ORCK’O: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DINOSAURS

The next day, we went to the most exciting place outside the city: Parque Cretácico de Sucre, the famous Dinosaur Park.

Here stands the largest dinosaur footprint wall in the world. On the enormous rock surface called Cal Orck’o, hundreds of dinosaur tracks have reached the present from millions of years ago.

Selfie with helmets in front of dinosaur footprints at Cal Orck’o — With our helmets in front of the dinosaur footprints at Cal Orck’o.

Waiting with the tour group at Parque Cretácico — Before starting the walk with the Parque Cretácico tour group.

People were taken in group by group. We also got in line, and when our tour time came, we entered together with the other tourists. Walking among dinosaur statues, hard rocky paths and fossil surfaces was an incredible experience.

Fossilized dinosaur footprint displayed in the museum — A fossilized dinosaur footprint displayed in the museum.

Huge sauropod dinosaur statue at Parque Cretácico — The huge sauropod dinosaur statue at Parque Cretácico.

Walking high in the Andes alongside traces of a world that lived millions of years ago… It was one of the most unforgettable moments of this journey.

Dinosaur footprints going upward on a vertical rock surface — Footprints stretching upward on the vertical rock face.

Posing in front of dinosaur footprints — Pointing excitedly in front of the footprints.

General view of the huge dinosaur footprint wall at Cal Orck’o — One of the largest dinosaur footprint walls in the world at Cal Orck’o.

🌟 FINAL WORDS — A TALE PASSING THROUGH THE HEART OF SOUTH AMERICA

This journey, stretching from Paraguay’s simple border to Sucre’s white walls, was more a state of mind than a route.

The heat of Villa Montes, the colors of Tarabuco, the colonial elegance of Sucre, the view from Recoleta, the silence of the cemetery, our fairy-tale walk among the pink walls of Castillo de la Glorieta, the timeless world of Dinosaur Park…

When all of them came together, they made us feel once again the magical atmosphere of South America.

This road was not just a trip. This road turned into a story in which two people grew, learned and discovered together.

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