La Paz Destination Guide
Bolivia’s capital La Paz is the capital city at the highest altitude and the most picturesque too. Spread over an altitude of 3,600 m to 4,100 m, La Paz bustles with a population of about 2 million. A majority of the local people still dress in traditional clothing. Food and folklore permeates the city, with saltẽna stalls and fruit salad bars in the markets to haute cuisine French restaurants with surprisingly low prices. You must plan a visit to the witches market, the black market and a market in El Alto. The city has some good museums and interesting streets and buildings that are laid out in an attractive colonial style.
The towering 6,400 m tall Mount Illimani provides a dramatic backdrop to the city, which lies at the bottom of a huge canyon.
Use this La Paz Destination Guide to find out what there is to see and do while you are in this stunning city. Our La Paz Tours page lists some great tours which are the ideal way of exploring the city and its surrounds. More general information about things to do around the country can be found in our Bolivia Country Guide.
Things to See and Do in La Paz
San Francisco Church (Iglesia de San Francisco)
The San Francisco Church is a famous city landmark. The architecture is an attractive blend of 16th century Spanish and local Spanish or mestizo trends. The external façade of the stone basilica has carvings with natural themes. The upper part of the plaza has many rock pillars and stone faces that were designed to honour the three civilizations – Tiahuanaco, Inca and modern – that have influenced Bolivian culture.
The recently opened Museo San Francisco stands next to the church. The beautifully laid out cloisters and gardens complement the art and history associated with the church. There are historical artefacts, religious paintings, an anteroom and a rather celestial view from the roof.
The recently opened Museo San Francisco stands next to the church. The beautifully laid out cloisters and gardens complement the art and history associated with the church. There are historical artefacts, religious paintings, an anteroom and a rather celestial view from the roof.
Cathedral Murillo
The Cathedral Murilllo was built in 1835, quite recent by Bolivian standards. It stands on a steep hillside that makes the structure look very impressive. The base of the cathedral is on Calle Potosi and its main entrance is 12 m higher up. The high dome of the cathedral, its massive size, enormous columns, high ceilings and stone walls are quite overpowering. In contrast, the altar is surprisingly simple.
The main attraction of the cathedral is the stained glass work inside. The windows behind the altar are painted to depict a group of Bolivian politicians being blessed by a gathering of celestial admirers.
The main attraction of the cathedral is the stained glass work inside. The windows behind the altar are painted to depict a group of Bolivian politicians being blessed by a gathering of celestial admirers.
Presidential Palace
The Presidential Palace stands next to the Cathedral Murillo. The centre of Plaza Murillo, which is opposite the palace, has a statue of President Gualberto Villarroel. Vigilantes had dragged him out of the palace in 1946 and hanged him from a lamppost in the plaza. In an interesting coincidence, Don Pedro Domingo Murillo, after whom the plaza is named, died in a similar manner in the same square in 1810.
Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)
This natural phenomenon includes a maze of eroded clay hills and canyons and is located about 10 km from the centre of La Paz. The surreal landscape of pinnacles and canyons makes for a fascinating picture.
Museums
Museum San Francisco
This restored museum complex on Plaza San Francisco has been home to some of Bolivia's most important historical events, including the start of the Independence Revolution of 1809. You can climb the church tower and see the mestiza and the indigenous sections of the town spread out in a panoramic view. The museum displays are in both Spanish and English and there are guides as well.
Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporaneo)
This museum is located at Av. 16 de Julio 1698 on El Prado. Pay a Bs 10 admission fee to view the permanent collection upstairs, which displays the work of famous Aymará painter Mamani Mamani. The gallery downstairs displays work by students and upcoming artists. Admission is free.
Coca Museum
This interesting museum is at Calle Linares 906. The small museum is popular with tourists because it displays the history and importance of the coca plant, which is used to make cocaine. There are displays in Spanish but small booklets are provided with complete translations in other languages. The museum reports that crack cocaine is probably the greatest scourge on mankind since the plague in the Medieval Ages. Free samples of coca leaf are available.
Musical Instrument Museum (Museo de Instrumentos Musicales de Bolivia)
This is located at Calle Jaen 711 and a large collection of musical instruments from Bolivia and elsewhere is on display here. You can even play some yourself. The Bolivian inventor and master of the charango, Ernesto Cavour, founded the museum. Some of his more bizarre inventions such as multi-bodied guitars are on display.
Museum of Precious Metals (Museo de Metales Preciosos Precolombinos)
Located at Calle Jaen 777,the museum has some magnificent gold and silver treasures from the pre-Columbian era.
Submerged Museum (Museo Subterraneo)
A small outdoor plaza in front of the city stadium is submerged in the ground with a huge imitation Tiwanaku monolith in the centre. The original monolith was moved back to Tiwanaku for preservation.
This restored museum complex on Plaza San Francisco has been home to some of Bolivia's most important historical events, including the start of the Independence Revolution of 1809. You can climb the church tower and see the mestiza and the indigenous sections of the town spread out in a panoramic view. The museum displays are in both Spanish and English and there are guides as well.
Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporaneo)
This museum is located at Av. 16 de Julio 1698 on El Prado. Pay a Bs 10 admission fee to view the permanent collection upstairs, which displays the work of famous Aymará painter Mamani Mamani. The gallery downstairs displays work by students and upcoming artists. Admission is free.
Coca Museum
This interesting museum is at Calle Linares 906. The small museum is popular with tourists because it displays the history and importance of the coca plant, which is used to make cocaine. There are displays in Spanish but small booklets are provided with complete translations in other languages. The museum reports that crack cocaine is probably the greatest scourge on mankind since the plague in the Medieval Ages. Free samples of coca leaf are available.
Musical Instrument Museum (Museo de Instrumentos Musicales de Bolivia)
This is located at Calle Jaen 711 and a large collection of musical instruments from Bolivia and elsewhere is on display here. You can even play some yourself. The Bolivian inventor and master of the charango, Ernesto Cavour, founded the museum. Some of his more bizarre inventions such as multi-bodied guitars are on display.
Museum of Precious Metals (Museo de Metales Preciosos Precolombinos)
Located at Calle Jaen 777,the museum has some magnificent gold and silver treasures from the pre-Columbian era.
Submerged Museum (Museo Subterraneo)
A small outdoor plaza in front of the city stadium is submerged in the ground with a huge imitation Tiwanaku monolith in the centre. The original monolith was moved back to Tiwanaku for preservation.
San Pedro Prison
The prison, situated to the east of San Pedro Square, was made famous by Rusty Young's book "Marching Powder". The book relates the true story of the English drug smuggler Thomas McFadden who was a prisoner here. He started the prison tours for visitors, and they continue even today. You have to pay about Bs 250 as a bribe, and a donation to support the prisoners. The hour-long tour includes the cells, kitchens, shops and the swimming pool. To go on a tour, stand outside the prison and someone will approach you. You could also take some sweets and cigarettes for the prisoners and their children. You will be charged extra for a camera.
Scenic Views
La Paz is quite spectacular in itself but there are some special viewing points or miradores that offer even more spectacular views.
Parque Laikacota
Located at the top of Av. Ejercito and to the west of the city centre, enjoy the best panoramic view of La Paz and the rugged eastern terrain, all the way to Mount Illimani. Admission fee is Bs 3.5.
Mirador Monticulo
Entry to this small park next to the Plaza España is free and though a church and the trees block the views of most parts of the city, the wonderful view of Mount Illimani makes it popular as an evening spot for couples.
Av. Camacho
This road in the downtown area goes towards Mount Illimani. Stand at the intersection of Av. Camacho and El Prado to see Mount Illimani interestingly framed by skyscrapers.
The World's Most Dangerous Road
You can take a bike ride down North Yungas Road, or Death Road as it is also known. This scenic 64 km downhill stretch from La Paz to Coroico is reportedly the world's most dangerous road. An average of 100 deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents are reported every year. This is a world record, which is probably due to the rash Bolivian driving style rather than the road itself. In the decade that biking has been popular, there have been only 12 deaths reported. It is a long, narrow road with many twists and turns and steep vertical drops on the sides but biking downhill may be the safest way to reach Coroico. Travel agents in La Paz arrange such biking trips.
Yungas
You can take a bus to Chulumani on the South Yungas Road. After covering about 36 km, an interesting sight will stop you. A European style castle built in the 1930s stands in the midst of fields of coca plants and flowers. The current owners of the castle-cum-hotel have built several narrow roads for hiking through the mountains. The place is more peaceful than Coroico and the castle-hotel is called the Hotel Parque Ecologico El Castillo del Loro.
Several travel agencies on Calle Illampu and Calle Sagarnaga organize mountain climbing trips. The Huayna Potosi is most popular among climbers. Travel agents will take you to the top for US $100 - $150.
Several travel agencies on Calle Illampu and Calle Sagarnaga organize mountain climbing trips. The Huayna Potosi is most popular among climbers. Travel agents will take you to the top for US $100 - $150.
Day Trips
Coroico
Located in the Yungas region of Bolivia, Coroico is situated at an altitude that is lower than that of La Paz so travellers often spend a night here before going up to La Paz, or further into the forest. The weather is more pleasant than that of La Paz and that gives the city a resort-like atmosphere.
Tiwanaku (Tiahuanaco)
Tiwanaku was a city of a pre-Incan civilization and its ruins are one of 754 World Heritage Sites. Built more than a thousand years ago by the Tiahuanaco people, the city is 13,000 feet above sea level. It is surrounded by mountains, and Lake Titicaca, which is invisible from here, is on the west. There are enormous blocks of non-indigenous stones and that has led to the site being called "the Stonehenge of the Americas". The museum contains most of the artefacts of the Tiwanakan people. Photos are usually not allowed. A 13,000 year–old skeleton is displayed in the museum.
Lake Titicaca
This is the highest lake in the world and offers some magnificent views. In 1978, the Titicaca Reserve was established to preserve the countryside and the local flora and fauna. There are 14 types of fish, 60 kinds of birds and 18 species of amphibians. The giant frogs of Titicaca are famous and can weigh up to 3 kg.
Copacabana
Copacabana is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Hundreds of pilgrims visit the town each year to participate in the festival of the Virgin of Copacabana.
Chacaltaya
This mountain near La Paz has an altitude of 5,486 m and offers some splendid views. It has the world's highest ski area. The ski lift is reportedly the oldest in the world and rarely works. Easily accessible from La Paz, climbers like to acclimatize to the altitude here before climbing taller peaks.
Located in the Yungas region of Bolivia, Coroico is situated at an altitude that is lower than that of La Paz so travellers often spend a night here before going up to La Paz, or further into the forest. The weather is more pleasant than that of La Paz and that gives the city a resort-like atmosphere.
Tiwanaku (Tiahuanaco)
Tiwanaku was a city of a pre-Incan civilization and its ruins are one of 754 World Heritage Sites. Built more than a thousand years ago by the Tiahuanaco people, the city is 13,000 feet above sea level. It is surrounded by mountains, and Lake Titicaca, which is invisible from here, is on the west. There are enormous blocks of non-indigenous stones and that has led to the site being called "the Stonehenge of the Americas". The museum contains most of the artefacts of the Tiwanakan people. Photos are usually not allowed. A 13,000 year–old skeleton is displayed in the museum.
Lake Titicaca
This is the highest lake in the world and offers some magnificent views. In 1978, the Titicaca Reserve was established to preserve the countryside and the local flora and fauna. There are 14 types of fish, 60 kinds of birds and 18 species of amphibians. The giant frogs of Titicaca are famous and can weigh up to 3 kg.
Copacabana
Copacabana is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Hundreds of pilgrims visit the town each year to participate in the festival of the Virgin of Copacabana.
Chacaltaya
This mountain near La Paz has an altitude of 5,486 m and offers some splendid views. It has the world's highest ski area. The ski lift is reportedly the oldest in the world and rarely works. Easily accessible from La Paz, climbers like to acclimatize to the altitude here before climbing taller peaks.
