A visit to Potosí isn't complete without a visit to one of the cooperative mines. It's a shocking experience as the methods of working haven't changed much since the colonial times. Working conditions are terrible: most miners die of silicosis in their forties. Still, many people don't have another choice and around 10,000 people work in the mines. A tour starts with a visit to the miners' market to buy gifts for the miners like coca leaves, cigarettes or dynamite. A typical visit will have you walking and crawling through the mine for about 2~3 hours. You can talk, take photographs and share your gifts with the miners.

Taking a tour of one of the cooperative mines is still a good way to get a sense of the social price paid for the mineral wealth of the few. The dust is supposed to contain silicon that leads to silicosis (wear a disposable mask!) among the miners. Water dropping from the walls and ceiling is said to contain arsenic and cyanide. You can see asbestos fibers in the rock walls. Many of the mine props are snapped and on my tour in 2003 there was a minor ceiling cave-in that forced us to wait a bit before being able to exit the mine. One very interesting aspect of the mine was the little side chamber near the entrance to the mine that contained a statue of "El Tio," a diabolic figure that the miners make offerings to. They say that God may rule aboveground, but that El Tio is in charge down below.

There are many tour agencies in Potosí offering this tour, shop around before buying. The price is around Bs40. The maximum price allowed by the municipality is Bs80. Koala Tours, one of the oldest tour agencies, offers the tour for this price, for example. Koala Tours allow you to let off your own stick of dynamite on request!

Hostal La Casona Potosi also offers safe visits to Cerro Rico.

• Casa Nacional de Moneda, Cl. Ayacocha s/n, is de former royal mint, but now houses one of the better museums in South America. A visit is by guided tour (English and French if there is enough demand) which takes about 2~3 hours. The museum has a collection of religous art, contempary art,and artifacts from it's time as mint. Entrance is Bs. 20 for foreigners and Bs. 10 for Bolivians.
• Convento de Santa Teresa, Calle Chichas (Bottom end of Calle Ayacucho). Tours (in Spanish only) give a good explanation of the life and work of the Carmelite nuns and their monastry. Very little flagellation (LP). Bs 21.  edit

• Compañia de Jesus, Calle Ayaucho (Half a block from the square). Nice views of the surroundings from above. A guide will explain. 10 Bs.  edit

From the bus terminal it's a 30 minute walk uphill to the city center. You can catch a bus Bs 1,20, or a shared cab Bs 3,50.

• There are several daily buses from Oruro (about 6 hours).
• There are hourly connections with Sucre (3 hours, 17 Bs).
• Morning and evening buses to Tupiza (7-8 hours, Bs 30).

Collective cabs that travel slightly quicker than the buses can also be arranged to Sucre (35 Bs) and Oruru (120 Bs). These leave when full and are a godsend during bus strikes.

From Sucre it is worth hiring a cab for 2 or more people as the trip is faster and more comfortable than one on a collective cab or a bus, and the cab leaves at your schedule.

Taxis are generally cheap and plentiful around Potosi. However, always check the price with the driver. Some charge per person which could get you into arguements when it comes time to pay.

• The cheapest meals can be found in the Mercado Central.
• Sky Room (Mirador), Calle Bolivar 701, 3rd floor, ☎ 622 0138. Nice view of Cerro Rico 4 course lunch Bs 12.  edit

• Sumaj Orcko, Cl. Cobija 34, serves big plates (30-35 Bs), also a good place for lunch (15 Bs).
• Chifa Rosa, Cl. Cobija 38, cheap but not special chinese food.
• Pasteleria Cherrys, Padillo 8, for pastels and breakfast.

• Cine de Universidad, Bolivar 893, for Hollywood movies.

[[Image:map-of-potosi.gif|right|thumb|300px|Map of Potosi.]