BO
La Paz
The world’s highest seat of government, in a canyon below Illimani, linked by cable cars
The world’s highest seat of government, in a canyon below Illimani, linked by cable cars
Colour-coded cable car lines connect La Paz and El Alto, offering cheap rides and spectacular views of the canyon and Illimani.
Ride up to El Alto for the view at sunset.
Photo: Christoph Strässler, CC BY-SA 2.0
The political heart of Bolivia is home to the government palace, the parliament and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Photo: Carwil Bjork-James, CC BY-SA 3.0
Stalls sell herbs, remedies, amulets and offerings used in Aymara rituals, along with souvenirs.
Ask before photographing vendors.
Photo: Gonzalo Rivero, CC BY-SA 3.0
In the southern suburbs, eroded clay pinnacles form a lunar landscape, with short walking trails.
Photo: Arabsalam, CC BY 4.0
The snow-capped mountain rises above the city’s south-east skyline and is visible from viewpoints such as Killi Killi.
Photo: JoseJordanFotografia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try salteñas (juicy baked empanadas, eaten mid-morning), api (purple corn drink) with fried pastries, and Andean dishes with quinoa and potatoes. La Paz also has a growing fine-dining scene based on Bolivian ingredients.
Markets such as Mercado Lanza have cheap food stalls.
El Alto International Airport, at about 4,060m, is one of the highest in the world, with flights from Lima, Santiago, Bogotá and other Bolivian cities. Buses connect La Paz with Copacabana (Lake Titicaca), Uyuni, Cusco and Sucre.
Use the cable cars, registered radio taxis or ride-hailing apps; minibuses are cheap but crowded.
Bolivia uses the boliviano (BOB). La Paz is one of South America’s cheaper capitals; exchange and price conditions can change, so check current rates.
Take it slowly; altitude affects most visitors on arrival.
Walk gently around Plaza Murillo and Calle Jaén, visit the Witches’ Market.
Drink water, eat lightly and avoid alcohol on the first day.
Ride several Teleférico lines, including up to El Alto, then visit Valle de la Luna.
Visit Tiwanaku or head towards Lake Titicaca.
Rest on arrival; consider seeing a doctor about altitude sickness before your trip.
December to March is wet.
Use radio taxis or apps rather than hailing cars on the street.
Nights are cold year-round.
Quick answers for planning time in La Paz.
It is the seat of government; Sucre is the constitutional capital.
About 3,650m above sea level.
Take it easy for the first days, drink water, and get medical advice before travelling.
The largest urban cable car network in the world, linking La Paz and El Alto.
The dry season, from May to October.
Planning a wider trip? Our Bolivia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.