This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Potosi.
Potosi is one of the most elevated cities in the world and is a Spanish colonial mining town in Bolivia. It has gained a Unesco world heritage status which helped fund a much-needed rehabilitation of several historical buildings. Though many of the rest are still in an extremely poor condition.
Some of the hostels in Potosi are actually situated in old colonial buildings, which can be really nice or really scary depending on the amount of money spent by the owner to turn the place into a hostel. So when making arrangements to stay in a Potosi hostel it is very important to check the profile before you show up. Since Potosi is also a classic destination for backpackers, it's a good idea to make a reservation for your Potosi hostel in advance.
The main tourist attractions when you stay in a hostel in Potosi are the city museum and tours of the mine around which the city was built. These tours can either be organized by your Potosi hostel (check with the staff) or one of the many tourist agencies in town. While it is an excellent experience, these tours can be very strenuous. You will need to be in good physical condition to enjoy them because they involve a lot of walking underground at high altitude, and climbing on wooden frames and unstable wooden ladders without being secured for a few hours.
There is a very limited night life in Potosi, and even restaurants are scarce. Of course, if you take a mine tour you will likely only want to get some good rest and go to bed early anyway. A less known attraction near Potosi is the hot springs lake which is located a few kilometres from the city center by microbus. Visiting the lake makes for a relaxing afternoon.
When arriving in Potosi via bus, you will be dropped off at the new main bus station, which unfortunately is located far from the historical city center where most hostels in Potosi are situated. You will need to have a clear address for your hostel to hand to the taxi driver so that you can be sure to get to the right hostel. Potosi is famous for its miner strikes which regularly block the entire city, so plan your trip flexibly as you may have to stay there longer than you initially planned.