La Paz Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Plaza Murillo showing bird life and a square or plaza as well as a large group of people
Colonial architecture, urban office buildings, indigenoustraditions and snow-capped mountains make this striking mountain city thecountry’s cultural capital.

La Paz, with its mix of colonial architecture, indigenoustraditions and jagged snow-capped mountaintops, is a city of contrasts. Thisfascinating city mixes traditional, colonial and modern life. Walk through theOld City and the downtown area to pass indigenous Bolivians wearing traditionalclothing with bowler hats and urban workers dressed in the most recentfashions. Within this unique cultural mix are a range of great restaurants,bars, markets and intriguing art museums.

The official name of La Paz is La Ciudad de Nuestra Señorade la Paz (The City of Our Lady of the Peace). Although La Paz is the home tothe Bolivian government, Sucre is the constitutional capital.

The highest point of this mountain city is over 4,058metres (13,313 feet) above sea level and, due to the altitude, can literallytake your breath away. Upon arrival, take the time to acclimatise beforewalking through the steep inner-city streets.

Explore the PlazaMurillo, La Paz’s historical heart where neoclassical colonial buildingsline the square. See the PresidentialPalace, the National Museum of Artand the Cathedral Murillo.

Walk down CalleJaén to find a number of small museums dedicated to Bolivian culture. Seesilver and gold artefacts at the Museode Metales Preciosos, learn about Latin American music and instruments atthe Museo de Instrumentos Musicalesand at the nearby Museo de la Coca,discover the traditional uses of the coca plant. Stop by the Witches’ Market to buy traditionalherbs and medicines from the Aymara women.

Relax in the sun and enjoy the street performances andattractions in the Plaza San Francisco.Admire the San Francisco Church,climb the steps to the tower and look over CalleSagárnaga, a street where visitors and travellers gather. Get a taxi to Mirador Laikakota and take a panoramicphotograph of the city. Notice the divisions between the affluent parts and thesprawling houses that cling to the mountainsides.

Visit the stunning natural landscapes around the city:Climb the jagged peaks of Valle de la Luna the snow-capped Illimani Mountaintrek through the lush tropical jungle of the Amazon walk across the sparsesalt flats of Uyuni and unwind by the shore of Lake Titicaca.

Where to stay in La Paz

Plaza Murillo which includes heritage architecture, a square or plaza and night scenes

Downtown La Paz

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

Shopping, churches and mountain views highlight some notable features of Downtown La Paz. Make a stop by Plaza del Estudiante or Teatro al Aire Libre while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Camacho Cable Car Station or Edificio Correos Cable Car Station to get around town.

Downtown La Paz
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Sopocachi

Theatres, restaurants and shopping are just a few things travellers like about Sopocachi. Sights like Plaza Abaroa and Parque del Monticulo are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater La Paz area at Sopocachi Cable Car Station.

Sopocachi
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Macrodistrito Sur

If you're spending time in Macrodistrito Sur, check out sights like Japanese Garden or Megacenter Bolivia and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Obrajes Cable Car Station or Alto Obrajes Cable Car Station.

Macrodistrito Sur
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San Miguel

Visitors to San Miguel enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Galería PURO is worth a stop.

San Miguel
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San Pedro

While you're in San Pedro, take in top sights like Plaza del Estudiante and jump on the metro at Edificio Correos Cable Car Station to see more of the city.

San Pedro
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Calle Sagarnaga

Cafes and shopping are notable features of Calle Sagarnaga. You might consider stopping by San Francisco Convent and Museum while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Calle Sagarnaga
Hotel Sagarnaga
Hotel Sagarnaga
2.5 out of 5
Sagarnaga 326 Zona Rosario, La Paz
The price is NZ$64 per night from 15 May to 16 May
NZ$64
per night
15 May - 16 May
Stay at this hotel in La Paz. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Coca Museum and San Francisco Church are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (307 reviews)
"Right around the corner of "mercado de las brujas" and tourist area. Staff very nice and helpful. Food at restaurant is very good"

Reviewed on 18 Mar. 2024

Hotel Sagarnaga
Stannum Boutique Hotel & Spa
Stannum Boutique Hotel & Spa
4 out of 5
Edificio Multicine Pisos 5 & 12, La Paz, La Paz
The price is NZ$184 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
NZ$184
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in La Paz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (624 reviews)
"World class hotel in Lima."

Reviewed on 2 May 2024

Stannum Boutique Hotel & Spa
Atix Hotel
Atix Hotel
4.5 out of 5
Calacoto, Calle 16 N° 8052, between Patiño and Bustamante, La Paz
The price is NZ$256 per night from 12 May to 13 May
NZ$256
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in La Paz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (138 reviews)
"I highly recommend this hotel. The area is quiet and there’s many restaurants to pick out from. Hotel rooms are spotless clean and staffs are very helpful."

Reviewed on 4 May 2024

Atix Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Almudena Apart Hotel
Almudena Apart Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Calle Carlos Medinacelli, 1022, Esquina Borda, Zona Sopocachi, La Paz
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in La Paz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Solon House Museum and Parque del Monticulo ...
9/10 Wonderful! (41 reviews)
Best value in the area
"First time at this hotel in La Paz, we were pleasantly surprised by size of our apartment (#601), its decorations, comfort and the stunning views. Our apartment had 3 rooms, 2 of them with queen size beeds and one Jacuzzi, 2 full bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, dinning room and living room. Flat ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jan. 2018

Almudena Apart Hotel
Ritz Apart Hotel
Ritz Apart Hotel
4.5 out of 5
Plaza Isabel La Catolica Nro. 2478, La Paz
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in La Paz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Plaza Abaroa and Multicine ...
9/10 Wonderful! (202 reviews)
"It’s ok."

Reviewed on 26 Apr. 2024

Ritz Apart Hotel
DEPARTAMENTO PISO 20a, CENTRICO, CERCA EMBAJADA AMERICANA, TELEFERICO, MALLS, VISTAS PANORAMICAS y SEGURO
DEPARTAMENTO PISO 20a, CENTRICO, CERCA EMBAJADA AMERICANA, TELEFERICO, MALLS, VISTAS PANORAMICAS y SEGURO
3 out of 5
Av. Arce, Ed. Santa Isabel, , #2529, Final Hermanos Manchego, La Paz
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly apartment in La Paz. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
Great views and location! Comfortable! Spacious
"Great location! Great host! Very comfortable great views!"

Reviewed on 8 Apr. 2021

DEPARTAMENTO PISO 20a, CENTRICO, CERCA EMBAJADA AMERICANA, TELEFERICO, MALLS, VISTAS PANORAMICAS y SEGURO
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of La Paz

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
" "5 - Excellent 33.333333333333336%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 16.666666666666668%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
7 Oct 2019

It’s a pretty noisey and grunge Ly city, but full of character

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
5 Jun 2019

People said 4 days was too long. It was perfect. We did a city tour with Urban Adventures which introduced us to tb city and the local culture and local food. And tbe cable cars lines. Later we took cable car for a fun day out. Fanrastic city.