13 Wonderful Things to Do in La Paz Bolivia | The Traveller's Guide

Looking for the very best things to do in La Paz Bolivia? This is the article for you! Full of where to stay, a little history, where to eat, the best time of year to visit, and of course - the very best things to do in La Paz!

Not everyone loves La Paz.

For travellers who have already experienced the serenity of Lake Titicaca, or the otherwordly landscapes of Uyuni's Salt Flats, La Paz and its chaotically congested traffic and bewildering layout, may feel like just another city. Something to be seen, ticked off the list and exited as quickly as possible

Such a misconception, and ungenerous description, is common on the South American traveller circuit. And we were guilty of believing it; of expecting La Paz (which is NOT the capital) to be no more than just another bus connection and hotel room destination before we left for somewhere better. 

How wrong we were.

Over the course of an unexpectedly long stay in the city (more on that later), we grew to appreciate the rhythms, the sounds and the unquestionable heart of Bolivia's third-largest city. We wandered its streets, seeking out the characters living amidst its crumbling, aged walls. We chatted to wrinkled and toothless shopkeepers about their lives or tried to get a good deal on that day's fruit and veg from a battle-hardened, indomitable cholita. We drank cold bottles of beer on the pavement, an oasis of calm next to the chaotic, cramped roads with taxis, collectivos and buses jostling for each inch of space. We marvelled at the clothing of choice for men, woman and children, their centuries old traditions and struggles encapsulated in the cloth.

For what it lacks in terms of of big-ticket, guidebook front cover worthy sights for the tourist, La Paz's streets and people provide an endless number of serendipitous moments for the traveller; bizarre rituals, unique interactions with locals and a sense that you are, truly, experiencing a way of life that feels intensely, fantastically, foreign to all of your senses. It's a city to be discovered on foot or from above with a rough plan and a thirst to discover nuances and charms which others may miss, to witness the idiosyncratic Bolivian version of urban development and growth where extremely traditional approaches to life and commerce exist in tandem, and often at a curious juxtaposition, with the country's efforts to develop more modern infrastructure. In a number of ways, the city is home to a number of elements we will always remember about our three months in Bolivia.

Here are our favourite experiences for travellers to the city, fun things to do in La Paz, as well as some essential information for making the most of your visit.

things to do in la paz

/ Take Mi Teleferico Up High

/ Explore El Alto

/ Get Lost in the Food Market

/ Watch the Cholitas Wrestle

/ Join a Walking Tour

/ Release Your Inner Street Photographer

/ Use It As a Base to Explore Bolivia

/ Discover the Witches Market

/ Visit the Coca Museum

Our favourite things to do in La Paz, bolivia

take Mi Teleferico up high

The best way to see La Paz? Leaving it.

A dilemma facing a number of cities in South America is that with little rural development, thousands of citizens migrate to the nearest city for work or opportunity. For many of them, it is a fruitless endeavour where the hardship of the fields is replaced by a concrete-encased version of the same struggle. In La Paz's case, these migrants - mainly indigenous Aymara - had no option but to settle in the steep hills looking down on the city centre.

This has ultimately led to the creation of a new city holding over one million, mainly poor, residents - El Alto (the Heights). A city geographically close, but one which takes at least an hour to drive to and from.

Following in the footsteps of Medellin, Colombia, La Paz created mi teleferico - a network of cable cars. It has been heralded as a sign of progress and a visible attempt by the government to create and improve connections, both mental and physical, between those in the shanty towns and slums on the hills or whom live further up in El Alto, and La Paz - however its reception is mixed and there is still controversy surrounding the costs. 

Ride the Cable Cars in La Paz, Bolivia

Taking the red line from Estación Teleférico Central to Estación 16 de julio, you will witness the scale of the Cementerio General (we've never seen anything quite like it - a true city for the dead), whilst the bird's eye view of the clustered city centre gives ways to travelling directly over some of the city's poorest parts. These ramshackle slums on the hills will give you an entirely new understanding of Bolivian poverty and the many issues this country still faces. 

As you reach the final station in El Alto, be sure to walk outside to get a panoramic view of the Nuestra Señoara de La Paz (to give the city its full name) below, with its densely packed skyscrapers, churches and red-brick buildings and the imperious snowcapped Mount Illimani watching over its residents. It's quite a sight. 

Teleferico Details | There are now 10 lines and 30 stations connecting various parts of La Paz, but as we’ve discussed, you need to take the Red Line to reach El Alto. This can be accessed from Estación Teleférico Central (a stunning building located here on Google Maps), takes just 10 minutes and costs 3 Bs each way (or 5 Bs return), which can can be bought at the station. The Teleferico runs Monday to Saturday 6am to 11pm, and Sunday 7am to 9pm.

There are also excellent views available from the top of the yellow cable car line which takes passengers to the Sopocachi neighbourhood.

Top Tip // For an alternative panoramic view of the city, visit the viewpoint at Mirador Killi Killi. The mirador is perched atop a hill in the Villa Pabón neighbourhood, here in Google Maps. It’s theoretically easy enough to reach on foot, but given the altitude, yo may wish to take a taxi from the centre.

An alternative viewpoint can be found at Parque Mirador Laikakota (maps).

Explore El Alto

There’s more to El Alto than just an incredible view, so be sure to take a wee wander before heading back down in the teleferico.

El Alto Market | Taking place every Thursday and Sunday, this huge open-air market (estimates put it at five square kilometres) is considered to be Bolivia’s largest.

The Yatiris of El Alto | Before reaching the market, you will see see a stretch of coloured cabins. Some will have crowds outside, others will have bonfires raging with an assortment of bottles and trinkets piled up next to it. These are the yatiris (shamen) of El Alto whom people visit to ask for luck, prosperity or, and this is totally true, curses from Mother Nature.

Look, but do not take photos and be aware that Bolivians take this custom very seriously - read more about them and their traditions in this New York Times piece.

Top Tip // If you’d like to explore El Alto as part of a tour, consider joining this highly-rated guided group tour that includes a ride on the teleferico, a guided tour of El Alto (including the incredible cemetery and the open-air street art gallery), alongside a visit to a local shaman who will read your fortune with coca leaves! Find out more here.

get lost in the city's largest food market

In La Paz, you don't go to the supermarket; you go to Mercado Rodriguez. 

We were fortunate enough to have our basic hostel (one of few we could find with a kitchen) right next to this market. Our daily routine would be to visit it in the morning and in the late afternoon to weave between the myriad of stalls, take in the sounds and smells and scratch our heads when confronted with a new type of vegetable or fruit and questioning whether why the world was gifted quite so many varieties of potato.

The scale of this market, which is partly undercover but mostly outdoors, is hard to fathom until you visit it for yourself and, for any budding foodies, it's a real treasure trove. We would purchase huge bundles of fresh basil or coriander for a few bolivianos, take home the plumpest, reddest tomatoes and dine out on perfectly ripe avocados the size of our fists whilst trying, and usually failing, to make friends with the indomitable, and incredibly hardworking, ladies who run these stalls from around 5am - 6pm six days a week.

Taking the time to actually do your shopping at Mercado Rodriguez, rather than just walking through it once for a photo and to buy a banana, is something we'd highly recommend to all visitors. It gives as much of an insight into Bolivia, and how cholitas form the backbone of it, as almost any other activity. Very cheap lunches are also available here.

You can find the market here, and we recommend you start your journey through the market on the corner of Avenida Illampu and Rodriguez.

Things+to+do+in+La+Paz+-+Mercado+Rodriguez,+La+Paz,+Bolivia.jpeg

watch the cholitas wrestle

If you followed us during our first visit to Mexico, you'll know that Andrew is an - embarrassingly - big fan of wrestling. And so, he relished the opportunity to drag Emily to yet another exhibition of cartoonish battles of good vs. evil in La Paz (technically, the show is at the Colieso in El Alto).

However, this is a wrestling show unlike any other; here, the women are the main event and call the shots. 

A cholita is a term which requires more than just a few lines of explanations, given its controversy and evolving usage in Bolivia. However, in very broad brush strokes, they are indigenous Bolivian women who wear bowler hats, big puffy skirts and pigtails (read this excellent BBC article on their struggles and increasingly important place in Bolivian society).

Every Thursday and Sunday, women and girls who have trained in their spare time perform high-flying moves, brawl in the squared-circle with the shouts and screams of hundreds of fans and an increasing number of boisterous gringos. Cholita wrestling has become a big tourist draw in the city and there were elements with which we weren't too comfortable - namely that tourists (via their tour company) have exclusive access to the best seats in the house whilst locals are relegated to the 'bleachers' further away. However, the show is great fun and visitors have the chance to pose with photos with the wrestlers. 

If you've never been to a cheap wrestling show before, the whole event may seem utterly utterly bizarre. However, if you pretend you're seven years old again, pick a favourite for each match and cheer madly for them, you'll have a great time - probably one of the most unusual things to do in La Paz!

The Details | Most visitors choose to go to the event with a tour, available at any agency or hostel. The price is around 90 Bolivianos per person, which includes your transport, a snack and small souvenir. However, we were disappointed that we only seemed to be able to stay for 90 minutes before being herded back on the bus whilst the show still had an hour or so to go.

You can alternatively book a tour with Viator (although do note that it’s a fair bit more expensive).

Doing this without a tour is possible, and cheaper, but do be aware that El Alto is not the safest place in the world for you to be wandering around after dark and so we’d only recommend doing so if you get together a group and travel with a pre-arranged taxi.

Cholita Wrestler, La Paz, El Alto, Bolivia


discover the witches market

As mentioned above with regards to El Alto, Pachamama (Mother Nature) holds huge significance in Bolivia and other South American countries (although you wouldn't necessarily think so when you see the litter...) and 'witches' are still called upon to bring about fortune, curse partners or enemies or cure a man's...performance...issues.

In Mercado de la Brujas (or Witches Market in English), curious and colourful objects, like dried llama fetuses, are littered on the stalls or small shops, each holding a special relevance or power when used by the right person.

The market itself is not as interesting as we had hoped, but it is worth stopping by. 

You can begin your explorations of the Witches Market at Calle Melchor Jiminez, here on Google Maps.

Visit the Coca Museum

If you've been confused by the sight of lots of old men and women with cheeks packed out like hamsters, then you'll find some answers at the Coca Museum.

It's small and a little dated, but we both loved learning more about the history of the coca leaf and its evolution from traditional medicine to the base of Coca-Cola and, eventually, cocaine. Within the country, the coca leaf has huge cultural significance and, since Evo Morales became the first indigenous President, there has been an increased effort to maintain its legality for traditional and medicinal usage (there are also many people who are highly addicted to chewing it). 

Do note that there are limited English explanations but there is a man on hand to answer your questions and you can sample some coca products. There's also a really cute coffee/tea shop upstairs.

The Coca Museum is open 10am - 7pm Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays), and entry is 15Bs per person.

You can find the museum here on Google Maps.

We unfortunately didn’t get around to visiting any other museums in the city, but there are quite a number to choose from, inlcuding:

Museum of Musical Instruments | A small museum with examples of musical instruments from all over the world. Entry is 20Bs per person and you can find it here.

Museo de Litoral Boliviano | As we discuss in our guide to Copacabana, Bolivians still mourn the day they lost their claim to a coastline, and this museum is an excellent place to understand how and why it happened. You can find the museum here.

Museum of Musical Instruments, Museo de Litoral Boliviano and Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas are all included in the same ticket price.

Museo Nacional del Arte | This 18th century colonial building has been beautifully restored to its original grandeur, and offers several floors of art from various eras (including works by former La Paz native, Marina Núñez del Prado. Entry is 20Bs per person and the museum can be found here.

Don’t miss the free gallery next year which offers rotating exhibitions of contemporary Bolivian art.

Ethnography Museum | If you’d like to understand a little more about why Bolivians dress the way they do, this is the place to come. Open 8am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 1.30pm on Sundays. Find the museum here.

Museo Tambo Quirquincho | Located in a former tambo (wayside market and inn), this museum houses a collection of frequently changing temporary art exhibitions. Entry costs 8 Bs, and the museum is open 9am to12.30pm & 3pm to 7pm Tuesday - Friday, and until 1pm Saturday & Sunday. Find the museum here.

Be aware that in the vast majority of these museums, photography is not allowed.

Get Your Hipster Fill in Sopocachi

Although we preferred to spend our time in the downtown and central areas of La Paz, if you’re looking for a more Bohemian scene, a good coffee or an overpriced plate of avocado toast, we’d recommend heading to the Sopocachi area.

Home to the majority of La Paz’s expect community, its numerous leafy parks offer and alternative to the diesel fumes and hectic streets of downtown, and its nightlife is hands-down the best in the city.

Fundación Solón | Walter Walter Solón Romero is considered to be one of the country’s most important artists. Politically active, he was known for his elaborate murals and fascination with Don Quijote. His house was donated to the neighborhood of Sopocachi in 1994 and features 2,000 of his works, including paintings, murals, drawings, altarpieces, engravings and textiles. Find the gallery here.

Diesel Nacional (maps) | Considered by many to be the place to go out in Sopocachi, Diesel is part dive bar, part restaurant and part cocktail bar.

Alternatively, consider Equinoccio (maps).

Selina Hostel | Anybody who has stayed in a Selena hostel will know why they chose to put their La Paz property in Sopocachi. With all the facilities you’d expect and cool stylings, it will suit some backpackers to a tee! Find out more here.

Salar Galería de Arte | An internationally recognised gallery that specialises in contemporary Latin American art, alongside a select number of foreign artists. Find the gallery here.

The Carrot Tree (maps) | If you’re craving proper brunch, this is the place to come. Reasonable prices and good portions.

Manq'a Restaurante | A highly regarded fusion restaurant, Manq’a combines authentic Bolivian flavours and ingredients, and presents them beautifully. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, if you’re looking for good food, consider stopping by! Find it here.

Lupito Cocina Vegana (maps) | If you’re looking for a plant-based, healthy set lunch at a reasonable place, head here.

take an (almost) free walking tour

Perhaps spurred on by inadequately tipping backpackers, the once famous free walking tour in La Paz has recently introduced a fee, and is no longer free. free - it’s now $3 per person.

The free, tips based,walking tour concept is now a booming industry across every major Latin American city, and although we don't always take them up as an option - often preferring to discover a city on our own - we heard very good things about the tour in La Paz and decided to give it a go.

Update December 2022 | Perhaps spurred on by inadequately tipping backpackers, the once famous free walking tour in La Paz has recently introduced a fee, and is no longer free - it now costs a very reasonable $3 per person.

Meeting in the square outside the notorious San Pedro Prison (yes, that one - no matter how many times you've read 'Marching Powder' under no circumstances should you take tour there, it is simply not safe) English-speaking guides bring you to sights like Plaza Murrillo (with its reverse-clock dripping in symbolism) and several markets, all whilst providing a potted history of the city and country and some interesting cultural insights.

If you're going to be in town for a few days, it's a nice and affordable way to get your bearings quickly whilst for those who are visiting for only a night, it allows you to understand and see more of the city than you might otherwise be able to on your own - definitely one of our top things to do in La Paz.

The details | The tours are operated by Red Cap Walking Tours and take place at 10am and 2pm everyday and last between 2.5 and 3 hours. Tours need to be booked in advance, which you can do so here. Meet your group and tour guide in Plaza San Pedro.

Don’t Skip The Historical Centre

Whilst the aforementioned walking tours cover off the main highlights of the historic centre, if you’re planning to go it alone, there are a few sites that you should add to your map:

Plaza Murillo (maps) | Named after the Bolivian hero, Pedro Murillo (an important chap in the independence movement), this large central square is always busy with both tourists and locals alike.

National Congress & Presidential Palace (maps) | Two grand colonial buildings which border Plaza Murillo.

San Francisco Basilica | A grand 18th century church located in San Francisco Square. The real draw for tourists is the ability to access the roof and bell tower for incredible views of the city. It’s free to access the church itself, but the bell tower costs 20Bs, and requires you to be accompanied by a guide (included in the price). Find the Basilica here.

Calle Jaén | This colourful stretch is La Paz’s best preserved colonial street, and home to the four museums clustered together that we mentioned above (Museo Costumbrista, Museo de Metales Preciosos, Museo del Litoral and Casa de Murillo). It’s one of the city’s more touristy areas, but undeniably pretty - find it here.

release your inner street photographer

For us, there's no doubt that La Paz was one of the most enjoyable places to head out with a camera - there is literally a picture on every corner.

A number of our afternoons  - we were blessed with crisp, clear sunny days throughout our stay - would be spent discovering the city on foot.  Its markets, its plazas and its streets, all oozed with atmosphere and character of a different way of living - a different age at some moments - and trying to get some perfect shots (which we'll be sharing in a future journal). Sagarnaga street and surrounding area, although the most touristy part of the city, is actually a great spot full of colour and felt safe during the day with cameras out. 

As ever, exercise caution with your camera, remain aware and your surroundings, avoid shooting at night and, above all, be respectful of your subjects.

Grab Lunch at Mercado Lanza

It’s fair to say that La Paz can at times feel like one giant market, and we promise that this is the last we will recommend!

A vast concrete building that looks more like a car park than a bustling market, Lanza has a wonderful brutalist feel to it, accentuated by the ever present bright colours of Bolivia. There are lots of general stalls on the bottom levels, selling everything from clothes, to crafts, and produce to Pachamama-inspired trinkets - but you’re not here for these!

Instead, make your way to the top and fill your belly with a large plate of simple Bolivian food. It’s a fairly meat-heavy affair, but we did find something suitable for us vegetarians, and the prices are enough to make any budget backpacker’s heart swell.

Still got space? Treat yourself to a giant ice-cream, juice or fruit salad sold from one of the speciality stores on the same level.

You can find Mercado Lanza here on Google Maps.

Top Tip // If you’d like to learn a little more about traditional Bolivian food, this three hour nighttime food tour has excellent reviews, and allows you to taste six different speciality dishes from local restaurants and ends with a drink in a bar. Find out more here.

use it as a base for your bolivia trip

As we outline in our '18 things to know before you visit Bolivia' post, most travellers are likely to visit  the city more than once, through necessity rather than choice.

The reason? Depending on your route, La Paz is actually the main jumping off point for a number of other destinations on the Bolivian backpacker trail. For example, those travelling to the Amazon in Rurrenbaque, the beautiful outpost of Coroico or taking a trip to Lake Titicaca are likely to depart from La Paz and return there once done (unless you have plans to travel through to Peru from Titicaca).

Similarly, the Death Road Cycle - the jewel in the backpacker crown here - is also best taken as a day-trip from La Paz. 

This is why many travellers may end up spending more time in La Paz than they initially anticipated - they simply have to keep coming back to the city to go anywhere else! So, our advice is to find a hostel or hotel that you like and make sure that you return to it each time you're in the city.

We’re putting together a full guide to the best day trips from La Paz, so be sure to check back for full details.

eat and drink at our favourite places in la paz

As we were enjoying the city so much, plus the fact that we had to extend our stay because of a national strike shutting down all road transport (not that uncommon an occurrence in Bolivia - find out more here), we spent a fair bit of time trying to find nice places to eat. Here are our favourites:

Mozarella Pizza: So good and affordable, we visited it four times! The portions are huge, the price is low and the pizza is very very tasty. Be sure to leave a napkin with your details under the table!

Address - Av. Illampu, 757. Find it here.

Namasté: Specialist veggie or vegan food is difficult to find in a lot of South America, so we were delighted to discover Namasté. It's a little pricier than most places, but still very much within a backpacker's budget and you can enjoy your meal guilt-free. Visit at lunch time for the excellent set menu. 

Address - Zoilo Flores, 1334. Find it here.

Cafe del Mundo: With reliable and quick internet being difficult to find in La Paz's hostels, this Swedish-owned coffee shop provides an excellent workspace or hangout for a day when you feel like eating some home-comfort foods or good coffee in nice surroundings and catching up on e-mails. Head up the stairs to find the best seats.  

Address - Sagarnaga, 324. Find it here.

Antigua Miami: Excellent little hipster coffee-shop with a young Bolivian owner who has recently returned to the country. Good coffee and teas, craft beers and a lovely outdoor area to enjoy the sun and plan the next step of your adventure. There is no wi-fi, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. 

Address - Calle Murillo, 826. Find it here.

 

Where to Eat in La Paz, Bolivia


where to stay in La Paz

Given La Paz's position as a tourist hot-spot, this is a city bursting at the seams with accommodation options. There's party hostels, family run hospedajes and an increasing number of fancier hostels. Here are our recommendations:

3600 Hostel | New hostel with beautiful design, helpful staff, great breakfast and a reasonably priced on-site restaurant. Check prices and availability here.

Greenhouse Bolivia | Located in Sopocachi, this brand-new hostel ticks a lot of boxes - great self-catering kitchen (difficult to find in La Paz), very clean, great outdoor area and a friendly owner named Sergio. Check prices and availability here.

Loki hostel | If you're looking for a party hostel, Loki's for you. On-site bar serving food, cheapish booze, clean rooms, pool table etc. Sure, you're not going to find Bolivian culture here, but maybe that's not what you're looking for? Click here for availability and latest prices.

La Posada De La Abuela Obdulia | If budget is still a consideration, but you'd rather avoid the hostel scene, consider this place. Great rooms, good wifi, heating, nice breakfast and a lovely patio area. It's also pretty good value at only £33 per night or a double. Check current prices and availability here.

Casa Mia Boutique Hotel | If you're looking for a boutique hotel that isn't going to break the bank, this is it. Ideally suited to couples, the rooms are really lovely and they have all the amenities you'd expect from a hotel - at around £50 a night. Check out latest prices and availability here.

**Don't forget about Airbnb - La Paz is full of rental options. Not signed up yet? Do it now via our link, and you'll £30 get free credit towards your first booking!

Transport to/from and around La Paz

Colectivos & Taxis

The colectivos (minivans) which make up a large proportion of La Paz's congested traffic are very cheap, however taxis are an inexpensive option to cover distances which aren't possible or advisable on foot.

Uber is not as widespread as in other major South American cities, but it does exist and offers peace of mind, especially to lone travellers.

If flagging a taxi in the street be aware that prices are agreed in advance, rather than using a meter - be sure to ask your hostel for a ballpark price beforehand or, if hailing without knowing the price, ask one or two taxis before entering as it is not unusual for drivers to double or triple the price for tourists.

Fake taxis are a risk in La Paz, so make sure that any taxi you enter has a yellow sticker on the windshield and back passenger side window which displays a 4 figure number. Also exercise your common sense and judgement before getting in any cab. We travelled with a number of taxis hailed on the street taking the above steps and had no issues but, if you're very concerned about safety, then use Uber or ask your accommodation to call a 'radio taxi' which is more expensive but will give you peace of mind. 

Arriving / Leaving La Paz By Air

The airport in El Alto is actually the world's highest at 4,058 m (13,313 ft), requiring an extended runway for takeoffs due to the thinning air.

If taking a taxi to the airport, research the price beforehand and only travel with an official cab. The journey should take approximately 30 minutes and cost around 80 Bolivianos.

It is also possible to reach the airport by a very inexpensive collectivo - around 3 Bs - which originates at Plaza Isabel de Católica (maps) but also passes by Plaza San Francisco (maps). However, if you are travelling at rush hour in the morning or late afternoon, factor in that that there will be heavy traffic and delays and these minivans will be full to bursting.

Arriving / Leaving By Bus

The main bus station is set in a very pretty building and provides connections to most places of interest in Bolivia (except those listed below). If you arrive here, then make use of the English-speaking tourist information desk to get maps etc. If you are taking a night bus from La Paz, then we'd recommend purchasing your tickets the day before or early on the day of travel to ensure availability and quality.

If arriving in the daytime, then it is very possible to walk from the bus station to the main tourist area around Sagarnaga Street (where there are a number of hostels), however do bear in mind that altitude may make this much more difficult than usual. We would not however recommend making this walk at dusk or late at night. Taxis leave from outside the station and, although they'll try and get an inflated price from you, may be the best option (try to pay no more than 15-20 Boliviano, but you will pay more if travelling at night). 

Lake Titicaca and Copacabana | Your best bet is to catch the regular services departing from the Cemetery Bus station. Although it isn't really a station, more a street with lots of bus companies, you will have a departure every twenty minutes or so for around 30 Bolivianos. To reach Terminal Cementerio, we recommend taking a taxi and confirming the target price with your hostel beforehand.

Corioco | Buses and minivans (trufis) travel this route, along one of the most scenic but terrifying roads we've ever been on. For the minivans, take a taxi to Terminal Villa Fatima where you will find them touting for passengers so that they can leave when full.

We'd recommend taking one of these, which are more expensive (25 Boliviano per person) than the large buses, but much quicker and more comfortable. 

transport la paz bolivia

Essential Information for your trip to La Paz

- At 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level, altitude sickness is a serious issue for new arrivals in La Paz. If you're fresh off the plane or bus from somewhere at low altitude, then you have to give yourself a day or two to adjust before you undertake any serious exploration or activity. Check out our guide to help you prepare for high altitude.

- Given the altitude in La Paz, it shouldn't come as too much of a shock that this is a city that remains pretty chilly all year round - even in the summer months of December to March, when temperatures often don't push beyond 14°C. What, like most of Bolivia, does change, is the amount of rain it sees, with summer bringing plenty of storms and lot more water! 

- If you are in La Paz and need to extend your 30 day standard tourist visa (the next 60 days are free for most nationalities, but check your own country requirements), then use this guide to prepare.

- And, if you're still trying to guess what's the capital of Bolivia - that's Sucre! La Paz is simply the main seat of government and the major city of the western part of the city, but it's most certainly not the capital (#pubquizknowledge!)

 

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So many backpackers whizz through La Paz, seeing it as just a necessary stop on the Bolivian backpacker route. But, look a little harder and you will find a city alive with culture and colour, and full of places to discover. Click on the pin to disc…
 

PLAN YOUR BOLIVIAN ADVENTURES WITH OUR GUIDES