Highlights of Gringo Trail

Below are some of the major travel highlights for Gringo Trail. For more in-depth attractions of each country on this route, click on the country names below or select a route to see the highlights on this section of the journey. Click on the icons below to focus on specific types of features (click again to return to all).

In-depth highlights: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru


Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Historical attractions of La Paz - Rio (central route)

Tiwanaku
Tiwanaku The ruins at Tiwanaku near La Paz are Bolivia's largest archaeological site and the remains of the capital of powerful pre-Hispanic empire extending over northern Bolivia, southern Peru, northern Chile and north-western Argentina. Initially settled around 1200 BC, the empire reached its apogee between 500 and 900 AD and is distinct from other pre-Hispanic empires in the Americas. The Temple of Akapana and the Gate of the Sun are the most notable structures found at Tiwanaku. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture

Tiwanaku

Tiwanaku

The ruins at Tiwanaku near La Paz are Bolivia's largest archaeological site and the remains of the capital of powerful pre-Hispanic empire extending over northern Bolivia, southern Peru, northern Chile and north-western Argentina. Initially settled around 1200 BC, the empire reached its apogee between 500 and 900 AD and is distinct from other pre-Hispanic empires in the Americas. The Temple of Akapana and the Gate of the Sun are the most notable structures found at Tiwanaku.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture

Potosí
Potosí The biggest silver lodes in the Americas were discovered in Cerro de Potosi, the mountain overlooking the city, in 1542 and the site soon became the world's largest industrial complex, producing more than half of the silver found in the continent. The silver production made the town one of the wealthiest in Latin America and fuelled the Spanish economy for almost 300 years. The human cost was horrific however, with an estimated 8 million people (indigenous and African slaves) dying in the mines. It's possible to visit the mines today, still used to extract tin, but it is an uncomfortable and distressing, though enlightening experience. Conditions for the miners are still difficult but are now much fairer as it is run as a co-operative. The silver wealth ensured that Potosi was one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas and much of that heritage still exists today. The highest city in the world at 4,090 metres, Potosi has some grand colonial architecture and numerous ornate Baroque churches. Buildings of note include the Church of San Lorenzo, the Convent of Santa Teresa and the Casa de la Moneda, the original 18th century royal mint which is now a museum. UNESCO World Heritage Site: City of Potosí

Potosí

Potosí

The biggest silver lodes in the Americas were discovered in Cerro de Potosi, the mountain overlooking the city, in 1542 and the site soon became the world's largest industrial complex, producing more than half of the silver found in the continent. The silver production made the town one of the wealthiest in Latin America and fuelled the Spanish economy for almost 300 years. The human cost was horrific however, with an estimated 8 million people (indigenous and African slaves) dying in the mines. It's possible to visit the mines today, still used to extract tin, but it is an uncomfortable and distressing, though enlightening experience. Conditions for the miners are still difficult but are now much fairer as it is run as a co-operative. The silver wealth ensured that Potosi was one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas and much of that heritage still exists today. The highest city in the world at 4,090 metres, Potosi has some grand colonial architecture and numerous ornate Baroque churches. Buildings of note include the Church of San Lorenzo, the Convent of Santa Teresa and the Casa de la Moneda, the original 18th century royal mint which is now a museum.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: City of Potosí

Historic City of Sucre
Historic City of Sucre The colonial city of Sucre was founded in 1538 as La Plata and was the first capital of Bolivia. The city's name was changed to Chuquisaca in 1776 and later to Sucre in honour of the general who fought for Bolivian independence. The House of Freedom is Sucre is one of the country's most important historical monuments, where many of the keys events in the independence struggle took place. Today Sucre is the cultural and education centre of Bolivia, with a host of historic buildings and museums. Its 16th-century religious buildings include San Lázaro, San Francisco and Santo Domingo while the Cathedral contains the jewel encrusted ‘Virgen do Guadalupe’ by Bernardo Britti. The colonial ambience and student culture make Sucre a great city to explore and enjoy while the surrounding countryside is ideal for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic City of Sucre

Historic City of Sucre

The colonial city of Sucre was founded in 1538 as La Plata and was the first capital of Bolivia. The city's name was changed to Chuquisaca in 1776 and later to Sucre in honour of the general who fought for Bolivian independence. The House of Freedom is Sucre is one of the country's most important historical monuments, where many of the keys events in the independence struggle took place. Today Sucre is the cultural and education centre of Bolivia, with a host of historic buildings and museums. Its 16th-century religious buildings include San Lázaro, San Francisco and Santo Domingo while the Cathedral contains the jewel encrusted ‘Virgen do Guadalupe’ by Bernardo Britti. The colonial ambience and student culture make Sucre a great city to explore and enjoy while the surrounding countryside is ideal for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic City of Sucre

Paraty
Paraty was an important port town during the height of the Brazilian gold rush and today is a beautifully preserved Portuguese colonial town. Its town centre is filled with colonial whitewashed buildings and pedestrianised cobbled streets, some of which are partly covered with seawater at high tide. There are four impressive colonial churches, the most imposing of which is the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios. As well as exploring the atmospheric town, its bay has islands with excellent beaches and inland the town is surrounded by mountainous national parks filled with trails and wildlife.

Paraty

Paraty was an important port town during the height of the Brazilian gold rush and today is a beautifully preserved Portuguese colonial town. Its town centre is filled with colonial whitewashed buildings and pedestrianised cobbled streets, some of which are partly covered with seawater at high tide. There are four impressive colonial churches, the most imposing of which is the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios. As well as exploring the atmospheric town, its bay has islands with excellent beaches and inland the town is surrounded by mountainous national parks filled with trails and wildlife.