La Paz, Bolivia travel guide

The world's highest capital, a dizzying Andean city of markets, cable cars and canyons.

Best time to visit: May-October (dry season)
Average daily budget: $30 to $80 USD
Ideal trip length: 3 to 4 days

La Paz sprawls dramatically across a high-altitude canyon, with adobe-brick neighbourhoods climbing the slopes and the snow-capped Illimani towering over it all at over 6,000 metres. Sitting around 3,600 metres above sea level, it's the world's highest administrative capital, a chaotic, colourful, utterly unique city of witches' markets, indigenous Aymara culture, and a futuristic cable-car network that doubles as public transport. Joy Plus eases you into the altitude, sequences the markets and viewpoints, and builds in the legendary Death Road and Tiwanaku day trips at the right pace.

La Paz itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Ride the Mi Teleférico cable cars. Glide over the city on the world's highest urban cable-car network for incredible views.

Afternoon: Explore Centro / San Francisco, The bustling heart around the basilica, with markets, museums and colonial streets.

Evening: Explore the Witches' Market. Browse Aymara herbal remedies, amulets and ritual offerings in the Mercado de las Brujas.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Cycle the Death Road. Descend the famous Yungas Road from highlands to jungle on a guided mountain-bike tour.

Afternoon: Explore Sopocachi, A leafy, bohemian district with cafés, restaurants, bars and a local arts scene.

Evening: Visit Valle de la Luna. Walk the eroded clay spires of the 'Moon Valley' on the city's edge.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Wander the El Alto market. Experience one of South America's largest and most chaotic street markets.

Afternoon: Explore Zona Sur, The lower, warmer, wealthier southern zone with modern malls and restaurants.

Evening: Day-trip to Tiwanaku. Explore the pre-Inca ruins of this ancient Andean civilisation.

Best neighbourhoods

Centro / San Francisco: The bustling heart around the basilica, with markets, museums and colonial streets.
Sopocachi: A leafy, bohemian district with cafés, restaurants, bars and a local arts scene.
Zona Sur: The lower, warmer, wealthier southern zone with modern malls and restaurants.
El Alto: The vast city on the rim above La Paz, home to the huge Thursday and Sunday markets.
Mercado de las Brujas area: The famous Witches' Market quarter selling herbs, talismans and Andean curiosities.

Must-do experiences

Ride the Mi Teleférico cable cars: Glide over the city on the world's highest urban cable-car network for incredible views.
Explore the Witches' Market: Browse Aymara herbal remedies, amulets and ritual offerings in the Mercado de las Brujas.
Cycle the Death Road: Descend the famous Yungas Road from highlands to jungle on a guided mountain-bike tour.
Visit Valle de la Luna: Walk the eroded clay spires of the 'Moon Valley' on the city's edge.
Wander the El Alto market: Experience one of South America's largest and most chaotic street markets.
Day-trip to Tiwanaku: Explore the pre-Inca ruins of this ancient Andean civilisation.

Hidden gems

Sunset views over the canyon from the Killi Killi viewpoint.
Cholita wrestling matches in El Alto on weekends.
Riding the full network of colour-coded teleférico lines just for the views.
Hearty street-side api con pastel from market stalls on a cold morning.

Daily budget

$30 to $80 USD per day.

What to eat

Salteñas, the juicy Bolivian breakfast empanadas
Api con pastel (warm purple-corn drink with fried pastry)
Pique a lo macho, a hearty beef-and-fries platter
Fresh trucha (trout) from nearby Lake Titicaca

Getting around

La Paz's standout transport is Mi Teleférico, an extensive, cheap and scenic cable-car network that links the city with El Alto and is often the fastest way around given the steep terrain and traffic. Minibuses and shared taxis (trufis) cover set routes inexpensively but can be confusing for newcomers. Regular taxis and ride apps are affordable, agree fares or use an app, and are the easiest option for door-to-door trips. Walking is rewarding but tiring at altitude given the steep hills, so pace yourself. For day trips to the Death Road, Tiwanaku or Lake Titicaca, book a tour or hire a driver.

Safety

La Paz is reasonably safe for travellers who stay alert. Petty theft and pickpocketing occur in crowded markets, bus terminals and on public transport, so keep valuables secure and discreet. Use registered radio taxis or ride apps rather than hailing unmarked cars on the street, especially at night, to avoid 'express kidnapping' scams. The bigger health concern is altitude: at 3,600 metres, take it slow for the first day or two, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol initially, and consider coca tea or medication for soroche (altitude sickness). Demonstrations and road blockades happen periodically, so check local news.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in La Paz?

Three to four days is a good amount. Your first day should be gentle to adjust to the altitude, exploring the central markets, the San Francisco basilica and riding the teleférico for views. A second day covers the Witches' Market, museums and Valle de la Luna or the El Alto market. A third and fourth day are ideal for big excursions like cycling the Death Road, visiting the Tiwanaku ruins, or a trip to Lake Titicaca and Copacabana. Building in acclimatisation time is essential, so don't pack the first day too tightly.

How high is La Paz and will I get altitude sickness?

La Paz sits at around 3,600 metres (11,800 feet), and El Alto above it is even higher at about 4,150 metres, making this the world's highest capital. Many visitors feel some effects of altitude, headaches, breathlessness, fatigue or nausea, especially in the first day or two. To minimise soroche, take it easy on arrival, stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol and heavy meals initially, and drink coca tea, which locals swear by. If you're flying in from sea level, schedule a relaxed first day. Those with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor before travelling.

When is the best time to visit La Paz?

The dry season from May to October is the best time to visit, with clear skies, sunny days and the most reliable conditions for sightseeing and day trips like the Death Road and Lake Titicaca. Nights are cold year-round at this altitude, so pack warm layers. The wet season (November to March) brings frequent afternoon rain, cloud and occasional disruptions, though the landscapes are greener and crowds smaller. June and July are peak winter, cold but bright. For the best balance of good weather and accessible excursions, aim for the May-to-October dry months.

What is the Mi Teleférico cable car?

Mi Teleférico is La Paz's remarkable urban cable-car system, the highest and one of the largest in the world. With multiple colour-coded lines, it connects La Paz with El Alto and various neighbourhoods, soaring over the canyon city and offering spectacular aerial views of the rooftops, streets and surrounding Andes. Built to ease the city's steep geography and traffic, it doubles as both essential public transport and a sightseeing attraction. Rides are very cheap, and travellers often spend an afternoon hopping between lines purely for the views. It's a must-do and the smartest way to get around.

Is the Death Road worth doing from La Paz?

Yes, for adventurous travellers the Death Road (the Yungas Road) is a highlight. Once notorious as the world's most dangerous road, the original route is now largely used by mountain-bikers descending from around 4,650 metres in the chilly highlands down to about 1,200 metres in the warm, humid Yungas jungle, a dramatic 60-plus-kilometre ride with stunning scenery. Reputable operators provide quality bikes, safety gear and support vehicles, which is essential, so choose a well-reviewed company rather than the cheapest. It's a thrilling full-day trip, but it does carry real risk, so safety and a good guide matter most.

Can you visit Lake Titicaca from La Paz?

Yes, Lake Titicaca is one of the most popular trips from La Paz. The lakeside town of Copacabana is about three to four hours away by bus or car, and from there you can take a boat to the sacred Isla del Sol, the legendary birthplace of the Inca civilisation, with its ruins, terraces and panoramic Andean views. You can do Copacabana as a long day trip, but staying overnight, especially on Isla del Sol, is far more rewarding. The world's highest navigable lake, at around 3,800 metres, is a serene, spiritual contrast to the chaos of La Paz.

Is La Paz good for solo travellers?

Yes, La Paz is popular with backpackers and solo travellers, with plenty of budget hostels, cheap food, and group tours to the Death Road, Tiwanaku and Lake Titicaca that make it easy to meet people. The city is affordable and full of character. That said, it demands more awareness than some destinations: manage the altitude carefully, keep valuables secure in crowded markets and on transport, and use registered taxis or ride apps at night. Solo female travellers should take standard precautions. With sensible care, independent travellers find La Paz one of the most rewarding and memorable stops in South America.

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