La Paz City Guide (Bolivia, 2026)

Backpacking in La Paz
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

La Paz suits backpackers who want a city with real altitude, grit and momentum, and who don’t mind steep streets. Travelers who need flat walks, quiet nights or tidy sidewalks will find it exhausting. It sits in a high canyon in western Bolivia, where the government seat and the sprawling El Alto above it spill down the walls of a bowl. Public transport is a web of minibuses and the Mi Teleférico cable car, because roads clog and the slopes are brutal, so experienced travelers ride the cable lines to cross the city fast and see it from above. I expected the cable cars to be a tourist gimmick. Instead I found office workers in suits, grandmothers with market bundles and schoolkids in uniform, all gliding over rooftops on their commute while I pressed my face to the window. Go slowly on arrival and let your legs catch up before you start exploring. You’ll love it if you crave chaotic markets, big views and cheap adventure. You’ll struggle if you need calm and polish.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Bolivia Travel Guide.

Best time to go: April - October
Population: 756,000
Daily cost: US$32 to 45 [boliviatravelsite.com]

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 city in BoliviaWhy La Paz should be on your travel list

La Paz earns its place on a Bolivia route because it is the country’s great crossroads, and the density of things to do is hard to match. Backpackers come for the Mi Teleférico network, which turns commuting into sightseeing, and for the witches’ market, street food stalls and rooftop views packed into a few steep neighborhoods. Hostels here are plentiful and social, so it is easy to find travel partners for Salar de Uyuni trips, Amazon jungle tours and treks. Onward connections run to Lake Titicaca, Sucre, Oruro and the Peruvian border, so it works as a hub you pass through more than once. The altitude of about 3,640 meters in the center shapes everything, so plan easy first days and save hard hikes for later. Adventure operators here also run the Death Road bike ride and Andean climbing … read more 👉

La Paz earns its place on a Bolivia route because it is the country’s great crossroads, and the density of things to do is hard to match. Backpackers come for the Mi Teleférico network, which turns commuting into sightseeing, and for the witches’ market, street food stalls and rooftop views packed into a few steep neighborhoods. Hostels here are plentiful and social, so it is easy to find travel partners for Salar de Uyuni trips, Amazon jungle tours and treks. Onward connections run to Lake Titicaca, Sucre, Oruro and the Peruvian border, so it works as a hub you pass through more than once. The altitude of about 3,640 meters in the center shapes everything, so plan easy first days and save hard hikes for later. Adventure operators here also run the Death Road bike ride and Andean climbing trips, which are the biggest draws for many visitors. It is a city to use as a base for several nights, not a quick overnight, though anyone who dislikes crowds, fumes and hills may be happier with a short stop.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

Plaza Murillo: The political heart of La Paz, with the Presidential Palace, the Congress and the Cathedral on one square, and pigeons everywhere. Soldiers in red uniforms stand guard outside the palace. Go on a weekday morning when the light is clean and the crowds are thin. Free, 30 to 45 minutes.
Mi Teleférico (Yellow, Red and other lines): The cable car system is the best way to understand how the city climbs the canyon walls. The Red Line up to El Alto gives you the sweeping view of Illimani and the sprawl below. Ride in the morning for clearer air. About US$0.45 per line, 1 to 2 hours for a few lines.
Mercado de las Brujas (Witches’ Market): Along Calle Linares and Calle Sagárnaga, stalls sell dried llama fetuses, herbs, amulets and charms that Aymara families bury under new buildings as

… read more 👉

Plaza Murillo: The political heart of La Paz, with the Presidential Palace, the Congress and the Cathedral on one square, and pigeons everywhere. Soldiers in red uniforms stand guard outside the palace. Go on a weekday morning when the light is clean and the crowds are thin. Free, 30 to 45 minutes.
Mi Teleférico (Yellow, Red and other lines): The cable car system is the best way to understand how the city climbs the canyon walls. The Red Line up to El Alto gives you the sweeping view of Illimani and the sprawl below. Ride in the morning for clearer air. About US$0.45 per line, 1 to 2 hours for a few lines.
Mercado de las Brujas (Witches’ Market): Along Calle Linares and Calle Sagárnaga, stalls sell dried llama fetuses, herbs, amulets and charms that Aymara families bury under new buildings as offerings. Buy small, and ask before taking photos. Late morning is best. Browsing is free, a small charm costs US$1 to 5, 45 minutes.
Museo de Instrumentos Musicales de Bolivia: A small, excellent museum on Calle Jaén with charangos, panpipes and drums from across the Andes, and you can try some of them. Go mid-morning. Entry about US$1 to 2, 45 to 60 minutes.
Calle Jaén: A short colonial lane of ochre walls, balconies and several small museums, one of the few corners that kept its old look. Come in the afternoon for the soft light. Walking is free, museum tickets are cheap, 1 hour.
Valle de la Luna: Eroded clay and sandstone spires in the southern Mallasa zone, reached on a short loop trail of about 30 to 40 minutes. Go in the morning, before the afternoon wind. Entry about US$1.50 to 3, 1 to 1.5 hours including the ride.
Mirador Killi Killi: A hilltop viewpoint above the center where the whole bowl of the city spreads out, brick houses stacked to the rim and Illimani behind. Go late afternoon for the changing light, and take a taxi rather than walking up at this altitude. Free, 45 minutes.
Cholita Wrestling in El Alto: Sunday afternoon shows where women in layered skirts and bowler hats throw each other around a ring while the crowd roars. It is loud, theatrical and deeply local. Tickets about US$10 to 15 with transport, 2 hours.

For day trips, Tiwanaku’s pre-Inca ruins, Chacaltaya’s high-altitude viewpoint, Lake Titicaca at Copacabana and the Death Road near Coroico are the main options beyond the city. The small Museo de Textiles Andinos Bolivianos on Plaza Benito Juárez in Miraflores is easy to overlook, yet its weavings explain Andean identity better than any sign on the street.

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🏘️ NeighborhoodsUnderstanding the local layout

La Paz is a bowl of steep slopes, so every neighborhood sits at a different altitude and a different pace. Pick your zone by what you want to do, then let gravity help you.

Centro and Sagárnaga: The tourist core around Calle Sagárnaga packs alpaca sweaters, trekking shops, tour agencies and the Witches’ Market into a few steep blocks. Streets climb sharply, so walk uphill slowly and plan stops. Cheap set lunches fill the side streets, and bars stay open late near Plaza San Francisco.
Prado and Plaza Murillo: The wide Prado boulevard runs along the valley floor, which makes it the flattest walk in town. Government buildings, museums and old cafés surround Plaza Murillo. Go on weekday mornings, when it feels busiest, and head elsewhere after dark when it quiets down.
Sopocachi: Tree-lined streets,

… read more 👉

La Paz is a bowl of steep slopes, so every neighborhood sits at a different altitude and a different pace. Pick your zone by what you want to do, then let gravity help you.

Centro and Sagárnaga: The tourist core around Calle Sagárnaga packs alpaca sweaters, trekking shops, tour agencies and the Witches’ Market into a few steep blocks. Streets climb sharply, so walk uphill slowly and plan stops. Cheap set lunches fill the side streets, and bars stay open late near Plaza San Francisco.
Prado and Plaza Murillo: The wide Prado boulevard runs along the valley floor, which makes it the flattest walk in town. Government buildings, museums and old cafés surround Plaza Murillo. Go on weekday mornings, when it feels busiest, and head elsewhere after dark when it quiets down.
Sopocachi: Tree-lined streets, murals, small galleries, craft beer bars and some of the best coffee in the city. It is walkable once you get there, so take a minibus or the cable car down rather than climbing from the center. Evenings here are lively without being rowdy.
Miraflores: A residential district that holds the Hernando Siles stadium, Mercado Lanza-style food stalls nearby and the Teleférico Línea Verde views. Come for local lunches and city panoramas, not for nightlife.
Zona Sur (Calacoto and San Miguel): Lower, warmer and noticeably calmer, with malls, polished restaurants and the Mallasa valley beyond. It is spread out, so use the Celeste cable car line or a taxi. Come for brunch, a gentler climate and the Valle de la Luna trailhead.
El Alto: Perched on the rim above the city, it is home to the huge Thursday and Sunday market at Feria 16 de Julio. Go in the morning, carry little, and ride the cable car up rather than hunting for a taxi. Watch for cholita wrestling on Sundays.

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

This is a city-sampler day, all altitude, cable cars and street snacks, with a slow start for your lungs.

8:00 AM: Plaza Murillo

Start with a coffee and a salteña at a café near the square, then watch the guards outside the Presidential Palace. Walk downhill, which is the easiest way to begin at altitude.

9:30 AM: Calle Jaén

Stroll this colonial lane and duck into a small museum or two. It’s quiet in the morning and the best place to photograph painted balconies.

11:00 AM: Witches’ Market

Walk along Calle Linares and nearby streets, browsing herbal remedies and llama fetuses. Haggle gently and skip the tourist trinkets.

12:30 PM: Lunch at Mercado Rodríguez

Take a short uphill walk or taxi to this local produce market. Eat a set menu of soup and a main in the food hall, among office workers and market … read more 👉

This is a city-sampler day, all altitude, cable cars and street snacks, with a slow start for your lungs.

8:00 AM: Plaza Murillo

Start with a coffee and a salteña at a café near the square, then watch the guards outside the Presidential Palace. Walk downhill, which is the easiest way to begin at altitude.

9:30 AM: Calle Jaén

Stroll this colonial lane and duck into a small museum or two. It’s quiet in the morning and the best place to photograph painted balconies.

11:00 AM: Witches’ Market

Walk along Calle Linares and nearby streets, browsing herbal remedies and llama fetuses. Haggle gently and skip the tourist trinkets.

12:30 PM: Lunch at Mercado Rodríguez

Take a short uphill walk or taxi to this local produce market. Eat a set menu of soup and a main in the food hall, among office workers and market vendors, which is a stop outside the standard tourist circuit.

2:30 PM: Mi Teleférico

Take the Red Line up to El Alto and look out over the canyon. Step out and wander the edge of the Ceja area, a busy commercial district.

4:30 PM: Mirador Killi Killi

Take a taxi up for late afternoon views of the whole bowl, with Illimani rising behind. It’s worth lingering until the lights start to flicker on.

7:00 PM: Dinner in Sopocachi

Head down to this leafy neighborhood for cafes, bars and restaurants, and finish with a drink on a rooftop terrace.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

May to October is the dry stretch, with sunny days, cold nights and the easiest conditions for trekking nearby peaks.

Dry Season (May to October): Days reach 16 to 20°C (61 to 68°F), while nights drop to around -2 to 3°C (28 to 37°F). Sunshine is reliable and sunsets come early. June to August is peak for tourism, so tours and dorm beds cost more and fill faster.
Wet Season (December to March): Highs of 17 to 19°C (63 to 66°F) with afternoon downpours and sometimes hail. Mornings are often clear, trails turn muddy, and some mountain roads become rough. Prices are lower and crowds thin out.
Shoulder Months (April, November): Temperatures of 15 to 19°C (59 to 66°F), fewer visitors and mostly decent weather. Good value if you want flexibility.
Festivals: Gran Poder (May or June) and the Alasitas

… read more 👉

May to October is the dry stretch, with sunny days, cold nights and the easiest conditions for trekking nearby peaks.

Dry Season (May to October): Days reach 16 to 20°C (61 to 68°F), while nights drop to around -2 to 3°C (28 to 37°F). Sunshine is reliable and sunsets come early. June to August is peak for tourism, so tours and dorm beds cost more and fill faster.
Wet Season (December to March): Highs of 17 to 19°C (63 to 66°F) with afternoon downpours and sometimes hail. Mornings are often clear, trails turn muddy, and some mountain roads become rough. Prices are lower and crowds thin out.
Shoulder Months (April, November): Temperatures of 15 to 19°C (59 to 66°F), fewer visitors and mostly decent weather. Good value if you want flexibility.
Festivals: Gran Poder (May or June) and the Alasitas fair (late January) bring music, dance and crowded streets. Book beds early for those dates.

Give yourself two full days at 3,600 m (11,800 ft) before any big climb or hike.

source: climatestotravel.comJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Central La Paz, around Calle Sagárnaga and the streets near Plaza San Francisco, is the easiest place to find a dorm bed, with dorms from about US$6 to 12 a night. Hostels cluster here, so you can compare several within a few blocks, and tour agencies, ATMs, laundries and cheap lunch counters sit close by. Buses to El Alto, the bus terminal and cable car stations are a short ride away. The trade-off is slope and noise. Streets climb steeply, so choose a place close to a flat street if you are carrying a heavy pack, and bring earplugs because weekend nightlife and early deliveries rattle the narrow … read more 👉

Central La Paz, around Calle Sagárnaga and the streets near Plaza San Francisco, is the easiest place to find a dorm bed, with dorms from about US$6 to 12 a night. Hostels cluster here, so you can compare several within a few blocks, and tour agencies, ATMs, laundries and cheap lunch counters sit close by. Buses to El Alto, the bus terminal and cable car stations are a short ride away. The trade-off is slope and noise. Streets climb steeply, so choose a place close to a flat street if you are carrying a heavy pack, and bring earplugs because weekend nightlife and early deliveries rattle the narrow lanes. After dark, take a radio taxi for the last stretch rather than wandering.

Sopocachi is the better pick if you want calmer nights. It has fewer dorms but more guesthouses and private rooms, with prices often around US$10 to 18 for a basic single or double bed. The area feels safe in the evening, with cafés and restaurants nearby and the Prado reachable by a short minibus or cable car ride. It is also lower than the center, so the climb back is gentler. Book ahead in June to August and around major festivals, when beds sell out in both areas. Hot water and heating vary a lot, and nights are cold, so check for blankets before you commit.

Best hostels in La Paz

Best quality hotels in Bolivia

🚌 Getting aroundMoving around without the hassle

The Mi Teleférico cable car network is the easiest way to move around La Paz, because it glides over the traffic jams and steep streets that clog the roads below. Hills are brutal at this altitude, and many streets are too sharp for comfortable walking, so smart travelers ride up and stroll back down. Expect crowded buses in rush hour and no single reliable timetable for anything but the cables.

Walking: Central districts like Prado, Sagárnaga and Sopocachi are fine on foot, but the slopes steal your breath on day one. Walk downhill, and take a cab or cable car up. Take it easy while you acclimatize.
Mi Teleférico: Ten color-coded lines link La Paz, El Alto and the southern zone. A single ride costs about US$0.45 (a rechargeable card keeps queues short), and service usually runs from about 6

… read more 👉

The Mi Teleférico cable car network is the easiest way to move around La Paz, because it glides over the traffic jams and steep streets that clog the roads below. Hills are brutal at this altitude, and many streets are too sharp for comfortable walking, so smart travelers ride up and stroll back down. Expect crowded buses in rush hour and no single reliable timetable for anything but the cables.

Walking: Central districts like Prado, Sagárnaga and Sopocachi are fine on foot, but the slopes steal your breath on day one. Walk downhill, and take a cab or cable car up. Take it easy while you acclimatize.
Mi Teleférico: Ten color-coded lines link La Paz, El Alto and the southern zone. A single ride costs about US$0.45 (a rechargeable card keeps queues short), and service usually runs from about 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Red, Yellow and Green lines offer the best views and the fastest trips to El Alto.
Minibuses and Micros: These small vans and buses cover almost every route for US$0.20 to 0.40. Drivers shout destinations and routes are signed in the windshield, so ask locals if you are unsure. They are cramped, so keep your bag in front of you and signal your stop early.
Taxis: Shared radio taxis, which are the safest, cost about US$1 to 3 for most rides in the center and up to US$6 to 8 to the south. Agree on a price before you get in, and call a radio taxi at night rather than flagging one on the street.
PumaKatari Buses: The city’s municipal buses run set routes along main corridors for about US$0.30. They are less crowded than minibuses and give steady, predictable rides if you are carrying a pack.

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for La Paz

La Paz costs a backpacker roughly US$32 to 45 a day, and the table below adds up to US$38 using high-season dorm prices. Bolivia remains one of South America’s cheapest countries, and you pay in bolivianos, though many hostels quote dollars.

Category	Budget Range	Local Reality
Dorm bed (high season, May to September)	US$8 to 12	Dry, cold months fill hostels near Sagarnaga and Sopocachi. Breakfast is often included. Budget US$10.
Dorm bed (off-season)	US$6 to 9	Rainy months from December to March bring discounts, and walk-in rates drop further.
Meals	US$8 to 15	A set lunch (almuerzo) with soup, main and drink runs US$2 to 3.50. Dinner at a casual spot is US$3 to 7. Budget US$11.
Local transport	US$1 to 3	Minibuses and shared vans cost US$0.20 to 0.35 a ride. Short taxi hops run US$1.50 to 3. Budget US$2.
City

… read more 👉

La Paz costs a backpacker roughly US$32 to 45 a day, and the table below adds up to US$38 using high-season dorm prices. Bolivia remains one of South America’s cheapest countries, and you pay in bolivianos, though many hostels quote dollars.

Category	Budget Range	Local Reality
Dorm bed (high season, May to September)	US$8 to 12	Dry, cold months fill hostels near Sagarnaga and Sopocachi. Breakfast is often included. Budget US$10.
Dorm bed (off-season)	US$6 to 9	Rainy months from December to March bring discounts, and walk-in rates drop further.
Meals	US$8 to 15	A set lunch (almuerzo) with soup, main and drink runs US$2 to 3.50. Dinner at a casual spot is US$3 to 7. Budget US$11.
Local transport	US$1 to 3	Minibuses and shared vans cost US$0.20 to 0.35 a ride. Short taxi hops run US$1.50 to 3. Budget US$2.
City transport pass	US$1.50 to 3	Mi Teleférico, with ten lines, charges about US$0.45 per ride. A rechargeable card saves queuing, and a few rides a day is normal. Budget US$2.
Basic activities and entry fees	US$3 to 10	Most museums charge US$1 to 3. Free walking tours run on tips, and Valle de la Luna costs under US$5 to enter. Budget US$8.
Miscellaneous	US$3 to 6	Bottled water, SIM data, laundry at US$2 to 4 a load, and a coca-leaf snack or two. Budget US$5.
Total Daily Budget	US$32 to 45	About US$38 with a high-season dorm bed.

The cheapest way to eat well is the almuerzo at a neighborhood market or family-run comedor, which often costs less than a single restaurant starter. Carry small bills and coins, since drivers and market sellers rarely have change for large notes.

source: boliviatravelsite.com

⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsExploring the surroundings

La Paz sits close to some of Bolivia’s most striking high-altitude scenery, and most day trips leave early from the center, so you are back in the city by evening.

Tiwanaku:

This pre-Inca ceremonial site, around 70 km (43 miles) west, holds the Gate of the Sun and carved monoliths. Shared minibuses from Ceja in El Alto take about 1.5 to 2 hours and cost around US$2 to 3 each way, plus about US$14 entry for foreigners. Hire a guide at the gate or you will see only stones. Go in the morning, and carry water and sun protection.

👉 Explore Tiwanaku

Chacaltaya:

The road climbs to roughly 5,300 m (17,400 ft), where the views stretch to Huayna Potosí and Illimani on clear days. Agency tours run US$15 to 25 for about half a day, usually leaving mid-morning or at sunrise. The typical mistake is going on … read more 👉

La Paz sits close to some of Bolivia’s most striking high-altitude scenery, and most day trips leave early from the center, so you are back in the city by evening.

Tiwanaku:

This pre-Inca ceremonial site, around 70 km (43 miles) west, holds the Gate of the Sun and carved monoliths. Shared minibuses from Ceja in El Alto take about 1.5 to 2 hours and cost around US$2 to 3 each way, plus about US$14 entry for foreigners. Hire a guide at the gate or you will see only stones. Go in the morning, and carry water and sun protection.

👉 Explore Tiwanaku

Chacaltaya:

The road climbs to roughly 5,300 m (17,400 ft), where the views stretch to Huayna Potosí and Illimani on clear days. Agency tours run US$15 to 25 for about half a day, usually leaving mid-morning or at sunrise. The typical mistake is going on your first day in the city, when altitude hits hard. Wait until you have spent two nights at La Paz’s elevation.

Valle de la Luna:

This maze of eroded clay spires lies about 10 km (6 miles) south, in Mallasa. Minibuses from Calacoto take about 45 minutes and cost under US$1, and entry is about US$1.50. Allow one to two hours. It is dry year-round, though mornings are cooler and less crowded.

👉 Explore Valle de la Luna

Copacabana and Lake Titicaca:

A long day, but possible. Buses take about 3.5 to 4 hours each way for US$4 to 7, and you cross the Strait of Tiquina by small ferry. Most people spend a night, but an early bus lets you take the boat to Isla del Sol for a few hours. Skip it in the wettest months, when the roads and boats slow down.

👉 Explore Copacabana

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

La Paz does breakfast and lunch in a way few Andean cities match. Start with a salteña, a baked, juicy pastry stuffed with meat, potato and a sweet-spicy broth. Locals eat them before noon, standing, bending over so the juices do not run down their sleeves. Try the sandwich de chola, slow-roasted pork piled into a crusty roll with pickled vegetables, and the fricasé, a hot, hominy-heavy pork stew often eaten for brunch.

The plato paceño brings giant white corn, boiled potatoes, fava beans and fried Andean cheese on one plate. Chairo, a thick soup of chuño (freeze-dried potato), vegetables and meat, warms up cold evenings. For something stranger, try api, a thick purple corn drink served hot with a pastry, which locals sip on chilly mornings.

Markets such as Mercado Lanza and Mercado Rodríguez … read more 👉

La Paz does breakfast and lunch in a way few Andean cities match. Start with a salteña, a baked, juicy pastry stuffed with meat, potato and a sweet-spicy broth. Locals eat them before noon, standing, bending over so the juices do not run down their sleeves. Try the sandwich de chola, slow-roasted pork piled into a crusty roll with pickled vegetables, and the fricasé, a hot, hominy-heavy pork stew often eaten for brunch.

The plato paceño brings giant white corn, boiled potatoes, fava beans and fried Andean cheese on one plate. Chairo, a thick soup of chuño (freeze-dried potato), vegetables and meat, warms up cold evenings. For something stranger, try api, a thick purple corn drink served hot with a pastry, which locals sip on chilly mornings.

Markets such as Mercado Lanza and Mercado Rodríguez serve full set lunches (almuerzo) for about US$2 to 4. Street carts around Plaza San Francisco sell snacks and fresh juice. Sopocachi has the best cafés and craft beer bars, while Calle Jaén and Sagárnaga have mid-priced restaurants. A cup of coca tea helps at altitude, and singani, a grape spirit, appears in the local cocktail chuflay, mixed with ginger ale and lime.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

La Paz is manageable for most travelers if you stay sensible. Petty theft is the main annoyance, especially in crowded markets, minibuses and around the bus terminal. Keep phones and cameras tucked away on busy streets, carry a copy of your passport and wear your pack on your front in crowds. Fake police officers occasionally stop tourists and ask to inspect wallets. Real police do not do this, so refuse politely and walk into a shop or call for help. Express kidnapping and taxi robberies are rare but happen, so use radio taxis at night rather than hailing one on the street. Walk the main streets after dark, skip the steep side streets near the cemetery and El Alto’s outskirts, and avoid deserted areas. Solo travelers do well here when they avoid late-night walks and stay in busy hostels. … read more 👉

La Paz is manageable for most travelers if you stay sensible. Petty theft is the main annoyance, especially in crowded markets, minibuses and around the bus terminal. Keep phones and cameras tucked away on busy streets, carry a copy of your passport and wear your pack on your front in crowds. Fake police officers occasionally stop tourists and ask to inspect wallets. Real police do not do this, so refuse politely and walk into a shop or call for help. Express kidnapping and taxi robberies are rare but happen, so use radio taxis at night rather than hailing one on the street. Walk the main streets after dark, skip the steep side streets near the cemetery and El Alto’s outskirts, and avoid deserted areas. Solo travelers do well here when they avoid late-night walks and stay in busy hostels. Marches and road blockades are common, and they can stop traffic for hours, so check local news before travel days. Altitude sickness is a more likely problem than crime, so go slow.

Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Three days covers the main sights in La Paz: one for the Centro, markets and the Teleférico lines, one for Sopocachi, Valle de la Luna and viewpoints, and one for Tiwanaku or Chacaltaya. Add two days at the start to adjust to 3,600 m (11,800 ft). Add another one or two if you want Copacabana or the Death Road ride.

La Paz is reasonably safe for solo backpackers who use common sense. Petty theft in crowded markets and minibuses is the usual problem, and fake police are a known trick. Use radio taxis at night, which cost about US$1 to 3 in the center, and keep valuables out of sight. Staying in a central hostel makes it easy to meet others.

La Paz is known for being the world’s highest de facto capital, at about 3,600 m (11,800 ft), and for its cable car network, Mi Teleférico, which rides cost about US$0.45. It is also famous for the Witches’ Market, cholita wrestling in El Alto and the Death Road mountain bike ride, which costs roughly US$60 to 100. Nearby Tiwanaku and the peaks of Illimani and Huayna Potosí draw visitors too.

⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Bolivian cities near La Paz

Explore more nearby:

Oruro—Diablada masks, miners’ sanctuary, Carnival museum, Altiplano wind| 198 km away
Cochabamba—Regional plates, La Cancha market, hilltop Christ, lower altitude| 232 km away
Trinidad—Moto traffic, plaza sloths, Mamoré port, Beni lowlands| 391 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

La Paz is best in the dry months of May to September, and in any season the early morning is when streets feel calmest and views are sharpest. I would arrive early in the day, sleep low and rest, then climb to the viewpoints on day two. Skip rushing, because altitude punishes it.

✈️ When did I visit Bolivia?
Bolivia I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Bolivia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.

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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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Bolivia🇧🇴 | citiesLa PazCable-car commutes, canyon streets, Witches’ Market, cholita wrestling | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in La Paz
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 city in BoliviaWhy La Paz should be on your travel list

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

Things to do in La Paz

Bike Down the Road of Death

Ventanani Glacier Hike, Cordillera Real, Private Tour from La Paz

Discovering the Ajayu/Soul of La Paz

Shared Full Day Tour Charquini Lagoon and Hiking

Learn Bolivian Cuisine/Cooking Class

Smells like La Paz spirit: Walking & artistic city tour

Private. Valley of the Souls and Moon, Uni Mística Indigenous Viewpoint

3-Day Climbing Huayna Potosi from La Paz

La Paz Political Tour : History, Politics & Culture

Private Transfer from El Alto Airport to La Paz, Bolivia Hotels

🏘️ NeighborhoodsUnderstanding the local layout

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutBolivia Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

🚌 Getting aroundMoving around without the hassle

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for La Paz

🚌 Day tripsExploring the surroundings

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

FAQTraveler FAQ

Other Bolivian cities near La Paz

We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Bolivia🇧🇴 | citiesLa PazCable-car commutes, canyon streets, Witches’ Market, cholita wrestling | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in La Paz🏆 Top pickcity ranked #1By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada24154e4a5')

✨ Why go?Ranked #1 city in BoliviaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada24154f354')Why La Paz should be on your travel listaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada24154f35a')

💡 HighlightsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada24155086b')Places and moments you shouldn't skipaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241550873')

Things to do in La Paz

Bike Down the Road of Death

Ventanani Glacier Hike, Cordillera Real, Private Tour from La Paz

Discovering the Ajayu/Soul of La Paz

Shared Full Day Tour Charquini Lagoon and Hiking

Learn Bolivian Cuisine/Cooking Class

Smells like La Paz spirit: Walking & artistic city tour

Private. Valley of the Souls and Moon, Uni Mística Indigenous Viewpoint

3-Day Climbing Huayna Potosi from La Paz

La Paz Political Tour : History, Politics & Culture

Private Transfer from El Alto Airport to La Paz, Bolivia Hotels

🏘️ NeighborhoodsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241551270')Understanding the local layoutaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241551276')

⌛️ 1 dayaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada2415521e6')Seeing the highlights in 24 hoursaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada2415521ec')

🌤️ When to go?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241552b7c')Seasonal considerations and timingaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241552b93')

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutBolivia Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241553f29')Where staying makes the most senseaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241553f2f')

🚌 Getting aroundaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada2415547eb')Moving around without the hassleaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada2415547f0')

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241555366')Travel costs and budget guide for La PazaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada24155536b')

🚌 Day tripsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada2415615ca')Exploring the surroundingsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada2415615d4')

🍲 FoodaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241561d05')What to Eat & DrinkaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241561d0a')

🛡️ SafetyaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241562370')Staying Safe: What Travelers Should KnowaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241562374')

FAQaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241562404')Traveler FAQaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241562409')

Other Bolivian cities near La PazaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada24156407c')

We 💚 feedbackaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada2415641fc')What to keep in mindaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241564200')

👋 Meet the founderaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241564244')Who’s Behind Take Your Backpack?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6ada241564247')

Backpacking in La Paz
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 city in BoliviaWhy La Paz should be on your travel list

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

🏘️ NeighborhoodsUnderstanding the local layout

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

🚌 Getting aroundMoving around without the hassle

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for La Paz

🚌 Day tripsExploring the surroundings

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

FAQTraveler FAQ

Other Bolivian cities near La Paz

We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?