La Paz
Overview
At 3660 meters above sea level, La Paz, Bolivia is the highest capital city in the world. A perfect collage of Andean, commercial, and financial cultures, La Paz holds strong its role as the epicentre of Bolivia. Everything happens here and travelers have loved this city for years.
As the poorest country in South America, Bolivia struggles to improve things like unemployment and the standard of living, so your first impression of La Paz will really depend on where your mode of transportation drops you off. Parts of La Paz are poverty ridded and look and smell more like a dump than a residential area or market. That being said, the city does an amazing job at keeping its city plazas and main commercial areas clean. Cleanup crews with straw brooms can be seen almost everywhere.
If you’re looking for souvenirs and cheap eats, you’re going to love this city. At the time of writing, 1 dollar USD was roughly 7 Boliviano, meaning travelers could eat out, buy an alpaca wool hat, and spend two hours at an internet cafe without breaking a $5 USD bill.
Travelers don’t have to look far for history and culture. Museums and historic buildings are everywhere and give the city a gothic fairytale feel. As for connecting with the locals, just head down (or up) to one of the many street markets where you will find hordes of Andean women with babies strung around their backs and all the fresh fruit and veggies you can handle. Remember to watch your bags.
If doing La Paz by foot, make sure you wear good footwear and be prepared for some major uphill climbs and downhill calf strains – the city is built vertically and the cobblestone streets don’t help. If you’re arriving in La Paz from a lower altitude take it easy for the first two days and let your body adjust to the altitude. Those hills can pack a real punch to a traveler not accustomed to such little oxygen.
> Read
La Paz
Destination Reviews
What to See and Do in
La Paz
Bike down the Death Road – For the thrill of your life test your agility and mountain biking skills on La Paz’ famous Death Road. Beginners to expert riders are welcome to try their luck on a windy downhill course that has had over twenty deaths in the last eight years. Tour agencies are not required to tell customers of any past accidents or deaths and it is a lucrative business so sometimes safety comes second to profit. Ask questions and check out the bikes before committing to an agency.
Gravity Assisted Mountain Biking is the most professional and most expensive Death Road agency in La Paz. For those who consider safety the top priority, go with Gravity for guaranteed professionalism and quality equipment. 1490 Avenida 16 de Julio, Edificio Avenida, Office 10, La Paz. Tel. (591-2) 231-3849
Downhill Madness Mountain Biking is another reputable agency with a great team of tour guides. Fully bilingual instruction, break checkups at all pit stops and outgoing tour guides make Madness a top choice for a safe and exhilarating ride. 339 Sagárnaga, La Paz. Tel. (591-2) 239-1810
El Alto Mercado – This market stretches on for blocks. Alpaca wool sweaters sell for under $50 Boliviano ($7 USD) and jeans range from $40 Boliviano ($6 USD) to $60 Boliviano ($8.50 USD). The highlight of this outdoor market is the used clothing tables that are piled high with used clothing imported from North America. Brand names are easy to spot and rarely get picked up by locals. Take a taxi or bus to El Alto and request a drop off at the El Alto Mercado.
Wresting Cholitas – Mexican luchadors have something new to worry about. The Bolivian Cholita has entered the ring and is ready for some hair pulling. Every Sunday in the upper city of El Alto, La Paz, skirts get ripped off and braids get pulled. The same Cholitas that sell alpaca wool sweaters on the curb become the stars at the El Alto’s Multifuncional Arena.
Warning: Tourists must pay the tourist fee and sit in the designated tourist section. No exceptions can be made if you remotely look foreign. Tickets are available at tour agencies in town for $80 Boliviano ($11.50 USD) and includes transportation, refreshments and a souvenir. Tourist fee at the door is $50 Boliviano ($7 USD) and includes refreshments and a souvenir.
Witches Market – Located on Linares between Sagárnaga and Santa Cruz, the Mercado de Hechicería or Witches Market in English is a popular tourist stop. Stalls and cubbyhole stores are brimming with herbs, dried roots, shrunken llama foetus and oils. It’s hard to determine the use for many of the items sold at the Witches Market and many vendors are reluctant to delve deep into conversation with foreigners. Take in the sights and smells of Bolivia’s mystical side and maybe you’ll find just what you’re looking for.
Plaza Murillo – Pigeons will forever outnumber the people at Plaza Murillo. However it is still worth a walk around to visit the Legislative Palace, the impressive Cathedral looming over the plaza and the nearby Museo Nacional de Arte at Comercio and Socabaya, Tel. (591-2) 240-8600.
> Read
La Paz
Activity Reviews
Hotels in
La Paz
If you have a specific hotel in mind, be sure to make a reservation because tourism in La Paz never slows down. The popular places fill up fast and many travelers end up staying a while to take full advantage of Bolivia’s rock bottom prices. This being said, hostels and budget hotels line Calle Jiménez, Calle Sagárnaga and Avenida Illampu and you are always guaranteed to find a bed. For the best prices in La Paz, go to the hotel in person and work your magic. Even if bargaining isn’t your forte, give it a try – it’s easy to do in La Paz.
Budget Hotels La Paz
Hostería Blanquita Don’t judge a book by its cover. Inside you’ll find a beautiful building with cracking plaster, worn-in wooden floors, marble staircase, courtyard and vines overtaking the interior balconies. Hot showers and peace and quiet at night make Blanquita one of the best values in town. Downside is the curfew at midnight. 242 Calle Santa Cruz, La Paz. Tel. (591-2) 245-7495
Hostal Copacabana An average hostel with fair prices. 734 Avenida Illampu, La Paz. Tel. (591-2) 245-1626
Hostal Cactus This dingy place fills up fast. There is nothing special about this hostel – including the price. 818 Calle Jiménez, La Paz. Tel. (591-2) 245-1421
Midrange Hotels La Paz
LOKI hostel - A new brand of party hostel that is taking over South America. LOKI is a busy gringo hangout complete with comfortable beds and duvets. 420 Calle Loayza, La Paz. Tel. (591-2) 211-9024
Adventure Brew Hostel Along with LOKI, the Adventure Brew is a favourite party place that often hires travelers as bartenders or receptionists in exchange for free beer and accommodation. The higher than average hostel price includes a free beer each night. 533 Avenida Montes, La Paz. Tel. (591-2) 246-1614
Luxury Hotels La Paz
Ritz Apart-Hotel Make no mistake, this is nowhere close to being ‘
The Ritz’. But it is comfortable, secure and ranks high on the plush factor in La Paz. 2478 Plaza Isabel La Católica, La Paz.Tel. (591-2) 243-3131
Radisson Plaza Hotel This chain hotel soars above hotel standards in La Paz. 2177 Avenida Arce, La Paz. Tel. 1-800-395-7046 or (591-2) 244-1111
> Read
La Paz
Hotel Reviews
Exploration 2.0
Baraaza.com is where travelers come together to help one another find information
about destinations around the world. Please share your travel wisdom for destinations
you have visited and help grow our knowledge base. There are 4 ways you can share:
- Write a Destination Review
- Write an Activity Review
- Post Photos
- Post a Video
We offer an online meeting place for travelers seeking information from people with
similar backgrounds and travel styles. All our content is searchable by author age
range, gender, travel style, travel budget, and more. Visit the Member Visits tab to contact members who have already
La Paz
Travel Resources
.