Is Sucre safe?
One of Bolivia's safest cities; low violent crime. Pickpockets and bag theft in markets and on buses are the main concern.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-04-27.
- Homicide rate in Bolivia: 4.4 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Bolivia: 21.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 119.
Safety in Sucre at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft in markets and crowded buses, theft from hostels, and occasional bag snatching around the bus terminal. |
| At night | The center is quiet but safe after dark; use a radio taxi for the last stretch and avoid empty back streets. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women: catcalling is mild. Use radio taxis at night, lock your room and watch your drink. |
| Other risks | Altitude of 2,810 m; mild effects; Strong sun with cold evenings; Road blockades and landslides in the rainy season |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake police asking to inspect your wallet or passport
- Distraction thefts near the central market
- Taxis quoting a high flat fare to the airport
Take care
- Bus terminal and Mercado Central: bag theft, especially at arrival
- Quiet side streets after midnight: occasional robberies
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Any amount of illegal drugs counts as trafficking; the minimum sentence is eight years
- Prison tours are illegal and unsafe
- Coca leaves are legal in Bolivia but illegal to carry into most other countries
How Sucre compares in Bolivia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Uyuni | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sucre | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Copacabana | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Rurrenabaque | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Potosí | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| La Paz | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Santa Cruz | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Sucre safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women: catcalling is mild. Use radio taxis at night, lock your room and watch your drink.
Is Sucre safe at night?
The center is quiet but safe after dark; use a radio taxi for the last stretch and avoid empty back streets.
What is the crime rate in Sucre?
Petty theft in markets and crowded buses, theft from hostels, and occasional bag snatching around the bus terminal. Nationally, Bolivia records 4.4 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Sucre?
Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 119.
More about Sucre
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.