Sucre, Bolivia

• Sucre sits at 9,150 feet, so you'll notice the altitude - though it's easier to adjust to than La Paz. The historic center is a UNESCO site with white colonial buildings that earned it the nickname 'White City'. Everything's walkable in the compact downtown. People speak very little English outside hostels and language schools, but Bolivian Spanish is clear and relatively easy to understand if you're learning.
• The university brings in lots of students, so cafes are full of people working on laptops or reading. Sitting alone doesn't feel weird at all. Tourist Police (648-0467) operate from Plaza Zudañez if you need help - they speak some English.
• Sucre ranks as one of the safer Bolivian cities, though you'll still want to watch your stuff around the bus terminal and central market. The historic center stays safe after dark with families out walking late. Most nightlife is around Plaza 25 de Mayo and nearby streets, busiest on weekends with the university crowd.
• Everything shuts down 2-4pm for lunch break, then reopens late afternoon. Restaurants don't start dinner service until around 6pm. This pattern takes some getting used to if you're hungry at odd hours.

Spanish is the main language. Almost no English outside tourist areas. Tourist Police (800-14-0081) have some English-speaking operators. Bolivian Spanish is clear and easier to understand than some other countries. You'll need Google Translate for most interactions outside hostels and language schools.

• Sucre is more conservative than other Bolivian cities. People dress modestly - covering shoulders and knees is standard, especially for churches or government buildings. Even cafes lean business casual.
• Start conversations with 'buenos días' before jumping in. Formal greetings mean handshakes with eye contact. Among friends, women do a cheek kiss and men shake hands. Ask before photographing indigenous people or their textiles.
• Lunch is 12-2pm when many businesses close. Dinner doesn't start until after 6pm. Tipping isn't expected but 10% is appreciated at restaurants.
• Don't touch or make offerings at Pachamama ceremonies unless invited. It's disrespectful.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Police: 110. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• Most things in the historic center are within 15-20 minutes walking. The cobblestones are uneven, so watch your footing especially at night.
• Taxis are cheap - around 4-6 BOB ($0.60-$0.90) within the center. Call a radio taxi instead of flagging one on the street. No Uber here, but EasyTaxi and InDriver work. Micros and colectivos (shared minibuses) cost 2-3 BOB and run fixed routes shown on the windshield. They get crowded during rush hours.
• The altitude makes walking uphill more tiring than you'd expect. You'll adjust after a couple days.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Sucre with local guides and curated experiences.