Cerro Bonete is a high volcanic summit in southwestern Bolivia, rising to about 5,630 metres (18,470 ft) above sea level. Its mapped position is commonly given at the coordinates noted in regional cartography — see coordinates. The peak stands within the administrative bounds of Sur Lípez Province in Potosí Department and is recorded in surveys as a volcanic feature (volcano).

Geographic and geological setting

Cerro Bonete occupies the high Andean plateau known as the Altiplano or Puna, a broad, elevated region of plateaus and volcanic ranges. Volcanism in this part of the Andes is driven by the long‑term subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath South America and is generally grouped with activity in the Central Volcanic Zone. The mountain is one of many high volcanic edifices that rise from the arid, sparsely vegetated uplands of southwestern Bolivia.

Characteristics

  • Elevation: approximately 5,630 m (18,470 ft), making it one of the higher peaks in the region.
  • Type: described in maps as a volcanic peak; local descriptions emphasize steep slopes and rugged terrain.
  • Climate: high‑altitude conditions with cold temperatures, strong winds and seasonal snow or frost at the summit.
  • Landscape: surrounded by puna grassland, volcanic rocks and the high deserts typical of Potosí's southwestern provinces.

Because Cerro Bonete lies in a remote highland sector, human presence is limited to occasional scientific parties, high‑altitude travelers, and pastoralist communities in surrounding valleys. Andean peaks frequently carry cultural significance for indigenous peoples, who historically regard prominent mountains as important landscape features.

Access, uses and notable facts

Access to Cerro Bonete requires travel over rough roads and high passes; it is visited mainly by experienced mountaineers, geologists and by those touring the broader highlands. The surrounding Sur Lípez area is notable for its dramatic volcanic scenery and nearby salt flats, springs and mineral deposits that attract both tourism and geological interest. As with many remote Andean volcanoes, Cerro Bonete is valued more for its natural and scientific importance than for any intensive economic development.

For map references and coordinates consult regional survey data and atlases; local guidebooks and geological summaries give additional context for the peak's place in the Andean volcanic belt. Further reading and maps can be found through regional resources and databases that index high Andean peaks and volcanic features.