Nestled high in the Andes Mountains, La Paz is one of the most unique and captivating cities in the world. As the world’s highest administrative capital, sitting at an altitude of approximately 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) above sea level, La Paz offers provides extraordinary blend of stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant urban life.

Bolivia is one of my favourite countries I’ve ever visited and La Paz is a huge part of that, so here is my guide to visting La Paz and the top things to do!

Getting to La Paz

By Air

El Alto International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional El Alto)
La Paz is primarily served by El Alto International Airport (IATA: LPB), one of the highest international airports in the world. Situated at an altitude of 4,061 meters (13,323 feet) above sea level, the airport provides a dramatic introduction to Bolivia’s mountainous landscape as you fly in.

Major Airlines – International and regional carriers such as Boliviana de Aviación (BOA), Avianca, LATAM Airlines, and American Airlines operate flights to and from El Alto International Airport.

Direct Flights – The airport offers direct connections from major cities in South America, including Lima, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Bogotá. There are also direct flights from Miami, connecting travelers from North America.

Buses

Long-Distance Buses – Several companies operate long-distance bus services to La Paz from major cities in Bolivia and neighboring countries. Popular routes include those from Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and Puno (Peru). Different operators offer different levels of comfort on board ranging from standard coaches to coaches with lie-flat seats with meal service. If it’s in budget i would definitely consider going for the higher comfort levels. Journey times can be very long and often overnight. I would personally recommend going with TodoTurismo as one of the better quality operators.

Bus Terminals – The main bus terminal in La Paz, Terminal de Buses La Paz, is centrally located and offers a range of services. It’s advisable to purchase tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

Top Tip – When crossing the border into Bolivia you fill have to fill out a customs declaration form. This is done by scanning a QR code using local Wi-fi, so save yourself some stress and make sure your phone has charge! Theres no paper option available, although staff will assist if you have issues due to your phone dying or you not being able to connect to the Wi-fi.

Getting around La Paz

Mi Teleférico (Cable Car System)

Mi Teleférico is one of the most popular and efficient ways to get around La Paz and El Alto. The extensive cable car network connects various parts of the city, offering spectacular views along the way. The system includes several lines, each identified by a different color (e.g., Red Line, Yellow Line, Green Line).

Fares – The fares are affordable, and tickets can be purchased at the stations. The cost per ride is typically around 3 Bolivianos.

Operating Hours – The cable cars operate from early morning until late evening, making them convenient for both daily commutes and evening outings.

Taxis

Taxis are plentiful in La Paz and can be flagged down on the street or booked through a phone call. There are two main types of taxis in La Paz; Radio and Regular. Regular taxis will have a “taxi” sticker on them, whilst Radio taxis have a bubble sign on them instead, indicating that they belong to an official registered company. Radio taxis can be tracked and are connected to a central radio station. I would recommend always using the radio taxis, especially at night.

Fares – Fares should be negotiated up front before starting the trip, as most taxis do not use meters. A typical ride within the city center might cost between 15 to 30 Bolivianos.

Top Tip – For safety and fair pricing, ask your hotel, or the restaurent/bar if you’re out, to call a taxi for you.

Minibuses and Micros

Minibuses – These are small vans that operate on set routes throughout the city. They are popular with locals and a very cheap way to get around, although they are often crowded and the routes might be a little confusing at first if you’re not that familiar with the city.

Micros – Larger than the minibuses, these buses follow more extensive routes and are also a very cheap way to get about the city. The routes and destinations are usually indicated on the front of the bus.

Fares – Fares for minibuses and micros range from 2 to 3 Bolivianos, depending on the distance traveled.

Top Tip – To catch a minibus or micro you’ll need to flag one down from the side of the road. Be prepared to tell the driver where you want to get off, as there are no fixed stops.

Walking and Biking

A lot of La Paz’s main attractions are within walking distance of each other and walking is a great way to experience the city’s vibrant street life and discover hidden gems. There are lots of free, or at least very cheapest walking tours you can join around the city and most hotels will be able to help facilitate this. There are also several places where you can rent bicycles, including guided bike tours that can take you through various parts of the city and surrounding areas.

Top Tip – Keep in mind the city’s high altitude, which can make walking and biking more strenuous. Take it slow, especially on your first couple of days in the city, stay hydrated, and be mindful of any signs of altitude sickness.

11 Ultimate things to do in La Paz

Without further ado here is my list of 12 incredible things to do whilst in La Paz.

The Witches Market

The Witches Market is more than just a great place to barter over souvenirs and get photos of the umbrella covered narrow streets.

The market is actually run by local witch doctors known as yatiri, who sell potions, dried frogs, medicinal plants and armadillos used in Bolivian rituals. The yatiri can be identified by their black hats and coca pouches containing amulets, talismans and powders promising luck, beauty and fertility. The most famous item sold in The Witches’ Market is the dried llama fetuses. These llama fetuses are buried under the foundations of many Bolivian houses as a sacred offering to the goddess Pachamama

Ride the Teleferico

More than just useful for getting from A to B, the Teleferico cable car lines provide stunning views over all of La Paz and El Alto.

Tickets are typically 3-5 Bolivianos and riding the different lines is a great, and inexpensive way, to spend a day taking in La Paz.

Chacaltaya Mountain

Chacaltaya is a mountain in the Cordillera Real, situated 30km outside of La Paz nearby to Huayna Potosi.

Reachable via a roughly 2 hour drive from La Paz, Chacaltaya used to play host to the highest ski resort in the world and was famously near Neil Armstrong went to do some training before heading off to the moon. Unfortunately, a lack of precipitation and a warm El Nino phase saw off the glacier, and with it the ski resort, in 2009. The mountain however still provides a stunning, relatively short, hike that gives amazing views of the surrounding mountains.

The hike takes around 1 hour up and down and as well as the views it offers, it’s good way to help your acclimatisation, particularly if you plan to scale greater heights and much more difficult climbs later in your trip.

Charquini – Laguna Esmeralda

Another stunning hike in the Cordillera Real, although fairly easy, this one is a little more challenging than Chacaltaya, but just as rewarding.

The lake, fed by glacial meltwater is almost surreal in it’s deep blue-green hue. Surrounded by snowy peaks, the peaceful lake and fresh mountain air provides a stark contrast, and much needed relief, from the hustle and bustle of La Paz.

Taking around 3 hours in total, from the trail head to the lake and back (including time spent relaxing at the lake), this is another great way to acclimatise and stretch the legs a bit before for more challenges climbs.

Tiwanaku

70km outside of La Paz, you’ll find the Pre-Colombian archaelogical site of Tiwananku. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is believed to have been inhabited by around 10,000 – 20,000 at one point in time.

The site consists of decorated ceramics, monumental structures and large megalithic blocks. The site is fascinating and the stunning stone masonry on display has actually given rise to alien conspiracies over the years.

Got to say, some of the stone heads in the subterranean temple definitely give off alien vibes…

Valle de la Luna

The Valley of the Moon is a geological formation situated around 10km from La Paz’s centre. Wind and rain erosion over millenia has created this area of stunning clay obelisks, reminiscent of the surface of the Moon. If you look closely (and use a fair amount of imagination…) you can make out faces and animals in the shapes of the rocks.

There are two trails leading you around the Moon Valley, the longest of which will take around 45 minutes.

Although the area is deemed to be ‘protected’, looking around it’s clear to see the encroachment on the site from the surrounding urban sprawl. Who knows how long this site will last into future so visit it while you can!

Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol

No visit to Bolivia would be complete without visting Lake Titicaca. More than just an amusing name, Lake Titicaca, the highest lake in the world navigable to large vessels, is absolutely stunning.

From Copacabana on Titcaca’s shores you can visit Isla del Sol, the legendary birthplace of Incan civilisation. The sacred island is steeped in myth and history, you can explore ancient ruins, terraced hillsides, and take in breathtaking panoramic views of the lake and surrounding Andean peaks.

It’s a long day visiting from La Paz, around a 15 hour round trip, with a large amount of that time on a bus. If you’ve got the time, or if that just sounds like a bit much, I would recommend doing it over 2 days and spending a night on Isla del Sol, which is also famous for it’s beautiful sunsets.

Climb Huayna Potosi

The iconic Huayna Potosi lies just 2 hours from La Paz and is the most popular climb in Bolivia. Along with the incredible views and physical challenge, the mountain offers an amazing opportunity to get over 6,000m.

Whilst the mountain is a trekking mountain, requiring no technical skills outside of glacier travel, don’t be fooled by articles or companies telling you it’s an easy or comfortable climb. On my summit day, out of around 30 people going for the summit, 4 (that i know of) turned back as they were too tired. It might be the easiest 6,000m+ climb, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy climb.

It’s a challenge that shouldn’t be taken lightly, but with some prior preparation, acclimitisation and training, it’s achievable. And so, so rewarding when you reach the summit.

I booked my climb via Bookatrekking before heading out to La Paz. There are lots of climbing companies based in La Paz, with offices around the Witches Market where you can book also. You may get a better price in country, although there is a real shortage of guides in the peak season and you might miss out if they’re fully booked, so bear that in mind.

Take a trip down to Uyuni (and further)

Visting the world famous salt flats in Uyuni is a must whilst in Bolivia. The overnight bus from La Paz to Uyuni takes around 10 hours, departing at 9pm and arriving around 7am the next day (roughly, depending on which company you go with). Tickets can be bought from the main bus terminal in La Paz or online – https://www.ticketsbolivia.com/.

From Uyuni there’s lots of option for different trips, taking in the salt flats, andean lagoons, geysers, volcanos and the Siloli desert. Some trips are upto 3 days long and finish in either San Pedro de Atacama or back in Uyuni, whilst much shorter day trips are available as well.

I went with the 3 day option finishing in San Pedro de Atacama and it was incredible. There was a group of 5 of us, and whilst we spent much of the time cramped up in a Land Cruiser with our knees in our faces, we never drove more than 30-40 minutes before stopping to see another incredible sight. No Wi-fi (and on the second night no electricity!) actually really added to the experience, and helped to disconnect whilst taking in one amazing landscape after another.

Go to the football

If you’re a football fan like myself, you have to go to a game whilst in La Paz. True to form for South America, the atmosphere is electric from start to finish.

I went to see Bolivar vs. Palestino in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the UEFA Champions League, paying just 160 Bolivanos, roughly £18, for great seats right by the halfway line. Tickets are as cheap as 40 Bolivianos for some seats (£5).

Imagine paying just £5 for tickets to a Champions League game in the UK…

You can buy tickets via Todotix

Stay at the Atix Hotel

And rounding off the list is staying a night at the Atix Hotel.

Ordinarily I don’t make too many hotel recommendations. I don’t recommend things if I haven’t personally done it, and with hotels I only usually stay in one or two during a trip, so it’s difficult to provide a comprehensive view with recommendations, particularly when every traveller will have a different budget and set of expectations.

However… I would defnitely recommend spending one night at the Atix Hotel. The main reason, the heated top floor infinity pool, which provides amazing views, especially at sunset. The rooms are around 100 USD per night and the hotel also houses a spa and restaurant.

I spent my last night in La Paz here and it was an incredible way to round off the trip.