Best Time to Visit
May to October (dry season, clear skies, best for outdoor activities)
Language
Spanish, Aymara, Quechua
Currency
Boliviano (BOB)
Time Zone
BOT (UTC-4)
Airport
El Alto International Airport (LPB) — at 4,061m, the world's highest international airport
Population
~2.0 million (metro area)
Climate
Subtropical highland, avg 5-17°C, dry winters and rainy summers
Safety Rating
Moderate Caution (Level 2 — watch for petty theft in crowded markets)
Altitude
3,640m (11,942 ft) city center — acclimatize for 1-2 days on arrival
Once called the world's most dangerous road, this 64 km downhill mountain bike ride drops 3,600m from 4,650m altitude through clouds, waterfalls, and subtropical jungle to Coroico. Tours run daily from La Paz, $70-100 USD including bike, gear, transport, and lunch. Allow 8-10 hours round trip.
A surreal open-air market on Calle Jiménez and Linares selling dried llama fetuses, potions, amulets, and ritual offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth). Aymara healers offer readings and blessings. Free to browse, 5 minutes from Plaza San Francisco. Open daily 9AM-7PM.
The world's longest and highest urban cable car system with 10 color-coded lines spanning 33 km across the city and up to El Alto. Ride the red and yellow lines for the most dramatic canyon views. ~$0.45 USD per ride. Operates 6AM-10PM daily.
An eroded clay and sandstone landscape resembling a lunar surface, just 10 km south of the city center. Two marked trails (15 and 45 minutes) wind through towering spires and canyons. Entry ~$3 USD. Taxi from center ~$5 USD. Best in afternoon light.
Every Sunday at 5PM in El Alto's Multifuncional de Ceja arena, indigenous Aymara women in traditional multilayered pollera skirts and bowler hats perform spectacular lucha libre wrestling. Tickets ~$7-10 USD (tourist section). Absolutely unique to Bolivia.
The political heart of Bolivia with the Presidential Palace (Palacio Quemado), the Cathedral, and Congress. Pigeons swarm the plaza and shoe-shiners wear balaclavas (a local quirk). Free. Allow 1 hour to explore the surrounding colonial streets.
A bustling indoor market near Plaza San Francisco where local vendors serve salteñas (savory breakfast pastries, ~$0.60 each), api (warm purple corn drink), and fresh juices. Best experienced 7-10AM for salteñas. Entry free. A genuine slice of daily La Paz life.
Fly into El Alto International Airport (LPB) at 4,061m — the world's highest international airport. The dramatic descent into La Paz's canyon is unforgettable. Take it very easy today — altitude sickness (soroche) hits most visitors. Drink coca tea immediately.
Arrive at El Alto Airport and transfer to La Paz(45 minutes)
Radio taxi to city center ~$8-10 USD. Use Tigo Taxi app — never hail on the street. Sit on the left for views of Illimani (6,438m) as you descend into the canyon
Check into hotel in Sopocachi or Zona Sur(30 minutes)
Mid-range hotels $25-50 USD/night. Sopocachi is central and pleasant. Request coca tea at check-in — it genuinely helps with altitude
Rest and hydrate(3 hours)
Do not overexert. Drink 3-4 liters of water today. Avoid alcohol completely. Take Sorojchi pills from any pharmacy ($1 USD). Your body needs 24-48 hours to adjust to 3,640m
Gentle walk around your neighborhood(30 minutes)
A short, flat walk to orient yourself. Walk slowly — you will be breathless on any incline
Light dinner at Alexander Coffee(1 hour)
A reliable café chain with soup, sandwiches, and coca tea on nearly every corner. Light meal ~$5-8 USD. Multiple locations including Sopocachi and Prado
Explore the city from above on the world's longest urban cable car system, then descend into the mystical Witches' Market.
Mi Teleférico red and yellow lines(2 hours)
Start at Estación Central and ride the red line up to El Alto for jaw-dropping canyon views, then connect to the yellow line. Each ride just ~$0.45 USD. Operates 6AM-10PM. The most scenic urban transport system on Earth
El Alto Market overview(45 minutes)
If it is Thursday or Sunday, the El Alto feria (open-air market) sprawls for kilometers — everything from llama sweaters to car parts. Worth a walk through for the sheer scale
Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas)(1 hour)
On Calle Jiménez and Linares — dried llama fetuses, potions, amulets, and ritual offerings to Pachamama. Aymara healers offer readings (~$3-5 USD). Free to browse. Open daily 9AM-7PM
Lunch at Mercado Lanza(45 minutes)
Bustling indoor market near Plaza San Francisco. Salteñas (savory breakfast pastries, ~$0.60 each), api (warm purple corn drink), and fresh juices. Best 7-10AM for salteñas but lunch plates available all day for ~$1.50-2 USD
Plaza San Francisco and Iglesia de San Francisco(1 hour)
The city's main square with the ornate 16th-century church. The rooftop terrace tours (~$3 USD) offer great views. Free to enter the church
Walk the historic government district in the morning, then visit the surreal lunar landscape on the city's southern edge.
Plaza Murillo and Government District(1.5 hours)
Presidential Palace, Cathedral, and Congress. Pigeons swarm the plaza and shoe-shiners wear balaclavas. Free. Walk the surrounding colonial streets
Calle Jaén Museums(1.5 hours)
La Paz's most charming colonial street with four small museums in restored houses — Museo del Litoral, Museo del Oro, and more. Combined ticket ~$2 USD. One of the few flat streets in the city
Lunch at Popular Cocina Boliviana(1 hour)
Modern Bolivian cuisine in Rosario neighborhood. Try the llama steak or pique macho (meat, potatoes, peppers plate). Mains ~$5-8 USD
Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)(1.5 hours)
Eroded clay spires 10 km south of center. Two trails (15 and 45 min). Entry ~$3 USD. Taxi from center ~$5 USD. Best in afternoon light
Dinner at Gustu(2 hours)
Bolivia's most celebrated restaurant by Claus Meyer (Noma co-founder). Tasting menu ~$45 USD — extraordinary Bolivian ingredients. Book ahead. In Calacoto, Zona Sur
The legendary 64 km downhill ride from 4,650m through clouds and jungle to subtropical Coroico — once called the world's most dangerous road.
Tour pickup from hotel(30 minutes)
Reputable operators: Gravity Bolivia, Barracuda Biking. $70-100 USD including bike, gear, transport, and lunch. Depart 7AM. AVOID the cheapest operators — safety matters on this ride
Death Road (North Yungas Road) descent(4.5 hours)
3,600m of altitude drop through cloud forest, past waterfalls and sheer cliffs. Starts on tarmac at La Cumbre pass (4,650m) then switches to the original single-lane dirt road with 600m drops and no guardrails. Exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure
Lunch in Yolosa/Coroico valley(1 hour)
Post-ride meal at a riverside restaurant in the subtropical valley. Included in most tours. Cold beer and warm sun at 1,200m — you have descended into a completely different climate
Return drive to La Paz(3 hours)
The modern road back is safe and scenic. Most riders sleep. Arrive late afternoon
Recover from Death Road. A lazy morning, then the most uniquely Bolivian spectacle imaginable in the afternoon.
Sleep in and leisurely breakfast(2 hours)
Your legs will feel the 64 km ride. Rest is essential
Walk to Mercado Rodriguez(1.5 hours)
A local market off the tourist trail in the Rosario neighborhood. Fresh fruits, meats, and prepared food. Empanadas and api for ~$0.50-1 USD. Authentic daily life
Cholitas Wrestling(2.5 hours)
Every Sunday at 5PM in El Alto's Multifuncional de Ceja arena. Indigenous Aymara women in pollera skirts and bowler hats perform spectacular lucha libre. Tickets ~$7-10 USD (tourist section). Take the red teleférico line to El Alto. Absolutely unique to Bolivia — do not miss this if your trip includes a Sunday
Day trip to the pre-Incan ceremonial center on the altiplano — Bolivia's most important archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Travel to Tiwanaku(1.5 hours)
72 km west of La Paz. Guided tours ~$25-35 USD including transport. Or take a minibus from Cementerio district (~$2 USD, 1.5 hours) and hire a guide at the site (~$10 USD)
Tiwanaku ruins and museum(3 hours)
Entry ~$15 USD including museum. The Kalasasaya temple, Gate of the Sun (Puerta del Sol), and Akapana Pyramid date to 500-900 AD. This civilization predated the Inca by a millennium. The on-site museum has impressive monoliths and pottery
Lunch at a restaurant near the site(1 hour)
Simple restaurants serve trucha (trout) and quinoa soup for ~$3-5 USD
Dinner at Namas Te(1.5 hours)
Vegetarian restaurant in Sopocachi with Bolivian and Indian-inspired dishes. Mains ~$4-6 USD. Good for a lighter meal after heavy altiplano food
Final morning in the world's highest capital. Last shopping and transfer to El Alto Airport.
Morning salteñas at Paceña La Salteña(45 minutes)
The city's most famous salteñería on Calle Sánchez Lima. These savory pastries filled with spiced meat and sauce are eaten only in the morning — La Paz tradition. ~$0.60 each. Arrive before 10AM
Last-minute shopping on Calle Sagárnaga(1 hour)
The main tourist shopping street near San Francisco church. Alpaca sweaters ($15-30 USD), aguayo textiles, silver jewelry, and coca products
Transfer to El Alto Airport (LPB)(45 minutes)
Radio taxi or Tigo Taxi app ~$8-10 USD. The climb back to 4,061m is noticeable. Arrive 3 hours early for international flights
US citizens need a visa ($160 USD, apply online or at border). EU, UK, Australian, and most Latin American passport holders enter visa-free for 90 days. Bring proof of yellow fever vaccination if arriving from a tropical country.
At 3,640m, altitude sickness (soroche) affects most visitors. Rest for the first 24-48 hours, drink coca tea (mate de coca, legal and available everywhere), stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol on arrival. Pharmacies sell Sorojchi pills ($1 USD) — take preventatively.
A known scam involves someone posing as a tourist asking for directions, then a 'police officer' appears and asks to check your documents and wallet. Real Bolivian police will never ask to see your money. If approached, walk to the nearest shop or hotel and call real police (110).
Use radio taxis (called by phone or app) rather than hailing on the street. The Mi Teleférico cable car is the safest and most scenic transport. Avoid unofficial taxis especially at night. Uber does not operate in Bolivia — use the local 'Tigo Taxi' app.
No direct flights from the US — connect via Lima (LATAM), Bogotá (Avianca), or Santa Cruz (Boliviana de Aviación). The landing at LPB airport at 4,061m is dramatic. Sit on the left side for Illimani views. Flight from Lima is ~2 hours.
Bolivia is South America's cheapest country for travelers. Set lunches (almuerzo) cost $1.50-2.50 USD, hostels $6-10 USD/night, and mid-range hotels $25-50 USD. The cable car costs just $0.45 per ride. Budget travelers can comfortably spend $25-35 USD/day.
Chewing coca leaves and drinking coca tea is a deeply rooted Andean tradition and completely legal in Bolivia. It genuinely helps with altitude sickness. However, do not attempt to take coca products out of Bolivia — they are illegal in most other countries.
SeasonalDry season clarity vs. rainy season thunder, plus the festivals and street food that shift with the calendar. Here's when to go and why.
StoriesMarco has lived in La Paz since 2014. He shares the places tourists miss, the scams to avoid, and why the altitude never fully stops being a problem.
Travel GuidesThe world's highest capital city runs on $0.45 cable car rides, $1.50 lunches, and experiences you literally can't find anywhere else on Earth.
