Potosí rises on the Altiplano of southern Bolivia and for centuries it was one of the richest cities in the world because of what lies just beyond its streets. At the foot of Cerro Rico (“Rich Mountain”), silver was discovered in the mid-1500s, and within a few decades the city became a center of mining and wealth that shaped global trade and economies.

At the heart of the city stands the Casa de la Moneda, the former mint where silver from Cerro Rico was turned into coins for the Spanish Empire. The museum here allows visitors to see minting machinery, rare coins and exhibits that explain how Potosí’s riches were processed and spread across the world. Close by, the Cathedral Basilica overlooks the main square with its mix of baroque and neoclassical details, and the Iglesia de San Francisco presents another layer of 17th-century sacred art.

Just beyond the city’s edge are inviting diversions, from the thermal waters of Tarapaya Hot Springs to the Ojo del Inca, a circular warm lagoon with a legend dating to Inca times. These natural spots offer a pleasant contrast to the urban center and provide places to reflect after exploring historic streets and museums.