Nestled in the Andean altiplano, La Paz is Bolivia's largest city with about 800,000 inhabitants.

Viewed from above, the city seems a huge slum with a little crowded center in the middle of modern buildings - most buildings are made of mud brick, unpainted.


WHY GO

A unique place to experience what remains of Andean influence more preserved.

Visit the Valley of the Moon, a series of eroded rock formations that resemble the lunar surface.

Mount Chacaltaya with 5.200 m of altitude it is possible to visit on foot.

HOW TO GET THERE

The airport is not in the capital but in the neighboring city of El Alto, which is no less than 4,100 meters of altitude. The plane flies over the valley where the capital is, at 3,600 meters, and gain a little altitude for just "park" at the airport.

10 THINGS TO DO IN LA PAZ

1. In the heart of La Paz, Plaza Murillo is the city's central plaza. The space is dominated by an immense cathedral, the Presidential Palace, and National Congress. Plaza Murillo is populated with statues of outsized historical personalities from all epoches of Bolivian history, including a dominating statue of Pedro Domingo Murillo, for whom the plaza is named.

Plaza Murillo is one of the best spots in the city for people-watching or snacking on a famous Bolivian empanada. 

Centrally located near Calle Jaén, several musuems and many cafés and restaurants, Plaza Murillo is a great place to start a tour of La Paz, or stop for a rest after a long morning exploring the city.

2.  Calle Jaén is a favorite place for travelers to find an outdoor table and sip coco tea or api, and spend a few moments imagining themselves in another era. 

The narrow, cobblestone alley is lined with well-preserved colonial buildings. Strolling down Calle Jaén is like stepping back in La Paz's republican history. The charming old district is home to high-end artisans selling alpaca sweaters andchullo hats, as well as several museums and small art galleries.

3. Find something unusual at the Witche's Market

The Mercardo de Hechecería, or Witches' Market, is one of the most unique places in La Paz.

Stands line the open air market, each bursting with merchandise. Cholitas in traditional bowler hats and petticoats sit front of their stalls, offering everything from herbal medicines to superstitious artifacts and trinkets. 

Each stall overflows with items that are important in traditional Aymara culture. Travelers are usually surprised to find items like mummified llama fetuses strung up in market stalls. The Aymara believe if you bury one of these under your house, it is a powerful way to bring blessings to your new home and provide your family with good health.  

4. Learn about Bolivia at the National Folklore Musuem of La Paz

This small but engaging museum provides an opportunity for visitors to take a look into the tradition and diverse culture of the Bolivian people. Built in the 1700’s, the Museo Nacional de Folklore features exhibits from the Chipayas and Ayoreos cultures, which predate modernday Bolivia by centuries. The museum is worth a visit just for the the display of ceremonial masks on the first floor.

This is a great place to escape the busy streets of La Paz, and spend an afternoon learning about the Uros and other indigenous cultures of Bolivia. The highlight of the National Folklore Museum in La Paz is the exhibition of ancient weavings at the 3,000 Years of Textiles display.

5. Catch your Breath at Mirador Killi Killi

One of the best things to see in La Paz is La Paz itself! The city is spectacular when seen from a distance. Long used as a lookout both the military and revolutionaries throughout Bolivia’s history, Killi Killi Lookout offers the best views in the entire city.

After you’ve stopped to catch your breath from the trek up the stairs to the top, the 360 degree panoramic views are absolutely stunning and well worth the trip.

6. Admire Colonial Art at San Francisco Church

Another spot with excellent views of the city is from the bell tower at the San Francisco Church of La Paz. Right in the thick of things, the Igelsia de San Francisco is a combination of elaborate baroque and mestizo architecture. Intricate stonework adorns the walls and inside you’ll find notable colonial-era religious art. It is one of the oldest churches in the city. In fact, construction began in 1548, before La Paz was even officially founded.

The church is open for tours Monday through Saturday in the evenings. Otherwise, travelers can admire the structure from the plaza in front of the chuch, near Calle Sagarnaga and the Witches' Market.

7. Try something new at  Food and Veggies Market

La Paz's street market culture is alive and well. All week you are sure to come across impromptu markets on your way to other attractions in La Paz.

Sundays are market days in La Paz, and farmers come from hours away to sell all kinds of food on La Paz's busy streets.

Head to one of the traditional food markets in the morning like Mercado Lanza, where you can grab a mug of the Bolivian favorite Api, a sweet, thick breakfast drink. Or try some of the tasty Bolivian snacks like Salteñas andtucumanas; pastries stuffed with fresh meats and veggies. Always fresh, the markets are the best way to taste the diversity of Bolivia’s ingredients for just a few Bolivianos.

8. Cheer on the Fighting Cholitas

Grab a couple of snacks and a couple of cold beers, and join the locals of El Alto as the Fighting Cholitas take center stage in the city’s Multifunctional Center. A local favorite, the cholitas luchadores –Fighting Cholitas­– is a weekly wrestling match between Aymara and Quechua women dressed in traditional attire.

As the sun sets on a Sunday afternoon, the sports facility quickly fills with the jeers and whistles of the crowd as the wrestling women jump from the top ropes of the wrestling ring and crash into the stands. The main attraction starts around 5pm, and for just a couple Bolivianos, you’ve got a solid night of entertainment ahead of you.

9. Hike through Moon Valley

Just outside the city is one of the most remarkable and bizarre landscapes in Bolivia–which is saying a lot in a country that offers salt flats, the amazon jungle and the windswept altiplano. The Valle de Luna or Moon Valley is a lunar setting of giant stalagmites, jagged gorges and set of trails that wind through the weird park.

Buses and tours provide easy access to the park, which feels like something out of an old science fiction movie. The fascinating landscape provides a great opportunity to duck out of the city for the afternoon and offers up some quality views of the Cordillera Real in the background as well. 

10. Explore Ancient Tiwanaku Ruins

A little further outside of La Paz, about an hour and a half or so, the Pre-Incan ruins of Tiwanaku sit high up on the altiplano. In a country that is known for its Inca history, this site is particularly important in Bolivian history and offers a fascinating look into the Tiwanaku civilization that dominated modern-day Bolivia and Peru for many centuries before the Incas arrived.

The most well-known monument, Puerta del Sol, a nearly fifty ton gateway into the ruins, is absolutely stunning, especially when the sun shines through the massive gate.  With no system of writing, not much is known about the ancient civilization, which only adds to the mystery of how they were able to raise these massive stone structures up on the barren plateau of the altiplano. Check out the red stone monoliths flanking the Kalasasaya Temple, or the stone faces covering the walls of the Underground temple.

The tours can be arranged, and having a local guide during your visit makes the tour much more interesting.