La Paz Department · Bolivia
Where to stay in La Paz
La Paz is a city in La Paz Department, Bolivia, home to about 756,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- LPB6 km · El Alto International Airport
- Currency
- BOBboliviano
- Time zone
- America/La Paz
- Language
- Aymara, Guarani, Quechua
About
About La Paz
La Paz, officially Nuestra Señora de La Paz, is the seat of government of Bolivia. With 755,732 residents as of 2024, it is the third-most populous city in Bolivia.
The sight from the air as you fly into La Paz is incredible. First, you see the sprawling shantytowns of El Alto, slowly giving way to the sight of La Paz, clinging tenuously to the sides of what looks like a large gash in the earth. La Paz was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River (now mostly built over), which runs northwest to southeast. The city's main thoroughfare, which roughly follows the river, changes names over its length, but the central tree-lined section running through the downtown core is called the Prado.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in La Paz
See
- Sagarnaga Street
- The Witches' Market
- Eloy Salmon
- Calle Jaen
- Plaza Murillo
- Palacio Quemado
- Main cemetery
- Valle de La Luna
- Valle de las Ánimas
- Estación Teleférico Central
- Estación Teleférico 16 de Julio
- parking lot at the nearby autopista
Do
Take it easy on your first day in La Paz if you arrive from low altitude. Even if you feel fine, resting and walking slowly will help. Try not to eat too much, at least the first day or so. And sleep as much as you can. Visit tourist information services at the Plaza Estudiantes or Prado, they will tell you a lot about what you can do in and around La Paz.
- Crazy Dave
- Bolivian wrestling cholitas
- Monje Campero
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of La Paz to stay in
If you do not want to pay for a bed, you can pass a night in loco along Calle Sagarnaga or Calle Illampu. These streets are merged into fairs and museums, so are full of people all day long. Be sure to inspect your room before signing the register.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in La Paz
5 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Gran Hotel París | 0.1 km | |
| Almudena Apart Hotel | 1.9 km | |
| Casa Bonita en el centro de la Ciudad | 1.4 km | |
| Casa Fusion Hotel Boutique | 2.2 km | |
| Hotel Las Brisas | 0.7 km |
When to go
The best time to visit La Paz
La Paz has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. November is the warmest month, with average highs of 15 °C; January is the wettest, with about 122 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to La Paz: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is El Alto International Airport (LPB), about 6.2 km from the city centre in a straight line.
Getting around
Public transport in La Paz is largely underdeveloped compared to its counterparts in Europe and East Asia, or even other South American cities. Due to narrow streets driving is not recommended. Most of the time, a taxi is often preferred. There are three types of shared public transportation in La Paz: regular buses or "micros"; shared vans, called "mini buses", and shared taxis running set routes advertised on the windshield, called "trufis". The micros cost Bs. 1.30 while. The mini buses are Bs. 1.50-2.30 depending on duration. A trufi will generally cost you Bs. 3-3.50.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
LPB · El Alto International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in La Paz
Eat
For lunch try the little almuerzo-kitchens. You'll get a decent menu for under Bs. 10. Be careful with or avoid salads the first days. If you are on a budget it is always possible to eat in the local markets. Street food is plentiful in La Paz, including juice, snacks, and meals. The avocado sandwiches are delicious, if you're lucky enough to find someone selling them. Vegetarian options are rare, but easier to find than some years ago. Two national dishes that are from La Paz are pique macho and plato paceño. Most of the fancier restaurants in La Paz are at the bottom of the Prado, around the vicinity of Plaza Isabel La Catolica and Plaza Avaroa.
Drink
Try a glass of mocochinchi from street vendors. Local law prohibits serving alcohol after 04:00. There are a number of speakeasies defying this.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
La Paz: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit La Paz?
La Paz has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. November is the warmest month, with average highs of 15 °C; January is the wettest, with about 122 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to La Paz?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is El Alto International Airport (LPB), about 6.2 km from the city centre in a straight line.
What currency is used in La Paz?
boliviano (BOB).
Nearby
Destinations near La Paz
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.