Location: La Paz
Top Things to do in La Paz
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in La Paz That You Shouldn't Miss
Sitting in a valley in the Andes Mountains, La Paz is the city that touches the clouds. The de facto capital of Bolivia, and sitting between 3300 and 4100 meters above sea level, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world. Rich with 19th century churches, museums of artifacts from the pre-Conquest era, precarious overlooks, and colorful markets, La Paz is truly unique. The Witches’ Market, in the center of the city, sells charms and potions for Aymara rituals, as well as souvenirs.
Restaurants in La Paz
1. Urban Rush Bolivia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 487 reviews
2. Casa Museo Solon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Currently on display "Free Thinkers: Transformative Lines". A selection of drawings, paintings, altarpieces, engravings and fabrics by Walter Solón Romero Gonzales (1923-1999) based on continuous lines that appeal to the free interpretation of the viewer. The exhibition covers five spaces in the Museum: Between Lines (1968), Lighting Ideas (1969), After the Lost Warp (1976), Unfinished Altarpieces (1999) and Engravings Selection (1968 - 1985). On the third floor is the artist's studio with two unfinished murals: one about the history of the coca leaf and another about his life.
3. Iglesia de San Francisco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,011 reviews
This centuries-old church combines Spanish and native building styles.
Reviewed By 652pennyh - Umina Beach, Australia
The entry fee of 20 BOB is worth it. We had an informative guide take us through the museum, explaining the history of the Cathedral, paintings & St Francis along the way. The cloisters , garden & rooms we visited were very interesting & we got to go up onto the roof of the Cathedral for great views over the square & surrounds.
4. El Choro Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By Maps253757 - London, United Kingdom
El Choro Trek is a great do-it-yourself hike (please don’t take a tour guide/porters!). It is a beautiful (easy to follow) inca trail that takes you from the barren La Cumbre through the gorgeous jungle to Chairo. You will notice a rapid change in climate, vegetation and wildlife along the way. An absolute must when in Bolivia! You’ll start at La Cumbre (4725m), ascend to 4859m and thereafter descend about 3250m into the village of Chairo (total 57km). This demanding walk takes 3 days/2 nights to (comfortably) complete. Of great use is the Maps.me (offline) app to check the trailhead at La Cumbre and to monitor your progress along the way. This is how we did it: Day 1: La Cumbre to Cha’llapampa (7 hours) We made the choice to take a taxi from La Paz (centro historico) to La Cumbre as a taxi can drop you off slightly further along than a collectivo will. The trailhead is marked by statue of Christ (mirador la cumbre on maps.me). We got dropped off a little further (see attached photo, total 140Bs). However, a collectivo is obviously quite a bit cheaper. We started around 08.45am from our drop-off point. It started as a dirt road with a short ascend (30mins) to the peak (4859m). Our efforts were rewarded with a stunning view! Thereafter it’s mostly a descending path on day 1. Around 11.30am we reached Samana Bampa (3990m), where you have to registrer (free) and can buy some lunch/snacks/drinks. We got lucky as the shop was open and we had a tasty egg sandwich and a cup of tea (10bs for 2 people). At Chucura you again registrer and this is where you’ll have to pay trail maintenance fees (20Bs per person). There was also a small restaurant, but this was shut when we walked past. On day 1 we arrived at Cha’llapampa at 03.45pm and decided to camp there. It’s a basic campground right next to the river with a little shop (big beer (30Bs), water (20Bs), fizzy drinks, toiletpaper) and a “banõs”. Your tent will be covered by a little roof (don’t take the spot under the metal roof, as this can be noisy due to the wind/rain). Before the trek we had prepared for having to make our own simple one-pot meals on a little stove, which was a good thing as we weren’t able to get any main meals along the way. We wouldn’t recommend going much further than Cha’llapampa on day 1 as all the downhill trekking is quite challenging on your knees/feet and the next place to camp is quite far (choro villa loa). Day 1 takes +/- 7 hours. Day 2: Cha’llapampa to Bella Vista (8,5 hours) Started again at 08.45am. The trek descends further to Choro villa Loa, where we had a little break at a sheltered picnic table (around 11.15am) and bought some water from the shop. After you’ve crossed the river a little further than Choro Villa Loa the trek goes up-and-down with some fairly steep ascends and descends, all easily done and much easier than day 1. After the ascend to Buena Vista (Bella Vista and Bueno Vista are interchanged on different maps, Bueno Vista is the campsite you’ll come across first) we had lunch at this campsite (byo). At Buena Vista there is a campground and little shop. The locals were friendly enough but didn’t offer any food. We continued on past campsite San Franscisco 1&2 and after a steep ascend on inca trail “stairs” made it to campsite Bella Vista by 05.15pm (total 8,5 hours). This is a small but lovely campsite with a great couple helping us out. We set up for the night (tent is again covered which was great in the rainy jungle). There is again a little shop for some fruit/drinks (water 20Bs, Banana 2Bs, camping 10Bs). By now you are properly in the jungle and everything is/will get wet so bring a set of dry clothes if you would like to be a bit more comfortable. We wouldn’t recommend going all the way up to Sandillani as it is still quite an uphill trek from Bella Vista. Day 3: Bella Vista to Chairo (3,5-4hours) On the last day of the trek we luckily only had to do about 4 hours, which (with our sore joints and blisters) was plenty to be honest. When you finish the trek there is a little shop to your left where you can have a refreshing drink/snack in the sun and arrange your taxi. We took a taxi to Choroico for 150Bs (yes expensive but they have the monopoly on the route). (The next village is a fair few kilometers away if you are up for it) Choroico is >20km from Chairo. We were quite happy paying the 150Bs to get us straight to Choroico. At Choroico (2pm) we got dropped off at the main square and treated ourself to a well deserved pizza and beers at Nostre Italia (just what we needed) and sorted a collectivo from there back to La Paz out (20Bs per person, on the corner of the main square near Nostre Italia). We have had an amazing time and would highly recommend this trek. It is absolutely stunning & easily done on your own. We have only come across friendly locals and one group of 3 other tourists (doing the trek from Chairo to La Cumbre, brave!). This is a stunning trek not to be missed! Practical tips: 1. Get Maps.me app before you start off. Great to check your starting point (esp when it is snowy near the trailhead) and great to follow your progress as you go along. A phone on airplane mode got us quite far, otherwise bring a batterypack. Please see attached map for the trail. 2. Bring your own water for day 1. You can buy bottles of water along the way (or as other travelers have done get water from little streams). 3. Bring all your own food. We got lucky with lunch on day 1, but didn’t really get a chance to get main meals along the rest of the trek. Also, lots of snack shops were closed. We had bought all our food along Av. illampu in La Paz (2 pasta meals, chocolate, loads of cereal bars, nutty snacks and tea). It was great being able to have a cup if tea and some sugary nuts after a long day of hiking. 4. Bring your own toiletpaper for banõs naturales (better than the campsite banõs) 5. Gear: We got all our (good) outdoor gear from Andean Base Camp in La Paz. Please look at google maps beforehand to know exactly were it is as it is difficult to find (small yellow sign outside next to “frial carcineria dioni” through a metal door, in an apartment on the second floor, see attached photos). Its got most of the stuff you will need. We rented a tent, mattresses (15Bs for blow-up comfortable ones, 5Bs for thinner ones (price per day)), gas stove with lighter, pan, bowls, cups and cutlery. Total costs 190Bs for 3 days. We brought our own sleeping bag and sleeping bag liner (but you could prob rent those too to be honest). You pay in cash upfront and have to leave an ID card (driver’s license accepted), which will be returned to you upon return of the gear. 6. Bring clothes to keep you warm (downjacket, thermos, jumper) on first half of day 1 and also clothes suitable for in the jungle further along the trek. Bring a waterproof jacket and well-worn waterproof hiking boots. Don’t forget flipflops for the campsites. Furthermore: sun hat and sunglasses. 7. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent (deet) and a small first aid kit. We thoroughly appreciated having brought blister plasters for obvious reasons, diclofenac cream (for sore joints after day 1) and deep heat (for sore muscles). In La Paz we stayed a night before and a night after the trek at Hotel Rosario La Paz (Av. illampu 704), which was a lovely hotel. The hotel is on the same street as Andean Base Camp and the shops you can buy your food/water from. The hotel is happy to store the rest of your luggage whilst you are hiking (great!). All in all great hotel to book before and after the trek! Hope this review has helped you out a little. Have an awesome time!
5. Museum of Musical Instruments - Museo Instrumentos Musicales de Bolivia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 192 reviews
Especially fun for children, this museum lets them try playing the assortment of ancient instruments, all made from natural elements, like wood, bone, turtle shells and toucan beaks.
Reviewed By VG1302 - Blue Mountains, Australia
This museum is hands-down the best one on Calle Jaen! Even if you skip the other 4 located in this part of La Paz and visit just this one, it is time well spent. There are musical instruments from Bolivia, the rest of South America and all around the world. They are all displayed in different rooms. There were flutes made out of palm straw, bamboo, condor bones, condor feathers and what not! There was a huge and unique collection of guitars made out of armadillo and turtle shells. To make things a bit more interesting, there is a room which is full of miniature depictions of all these instruments. There is an interesting map of Bolivia and South America showing where all the different musical instruments originated. Then there is also depicted this fascination of the Amazonian tribes to decorate their musical instruments with nuts, seeds and feathers. Similar to Larco Museo in Lima, there were depictions on pottery of people playing instruments and even flutes showing erotic depictions which I thought was unique to this museum. The entry ticket to this museum is separate from the other 4 museums. This one costs Bs. 5 per person. From memory, they are closed during lunch hours. This is a must visit museum if visiting La Paz! Highly recommended.
6. National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 299 reviews
The museum has among its exhibitions, a collection of textiles, hats and pottery from the different regions of Bolivia. The higlights are for sure the masks display and the feather art collection. Finally, you can see a basketry, coins and metals exhibitions.
Reviewed By WeakKneeTraveler - Singapore, Singapore
This museum has a very good exhibit of traditional accessories such as masks, hats, etc. Recommended to visit to understand a very essential part of the Bolivian culture. There is also a mini cafe in the museum which serves really nice hot chocolate.
7. Muela del Diablo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By O602SYamyb
You can drive up or hike, just be aware some taxi drivers may not take you to the very top or come all the way up to pick you back up. Once you get to the base you can climb all the way to the very top which makes you feel like an extreme rock climber when really you're just mildly terrified of falling to your demise. If you go at night, you can make a fire with your friends and tell ghost stories and see the lights of La Paz. 10/10 would most likely recommend. I would suggest not going by yourself though because there can sometimes be creepers up there. Just be aware.
8. Museo de Textiles Andinos Bolivianos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
The Museum exhibits a broad variety of textiles and clothing from the Bolivian Andes, which allow visitors to appreciate the richness and experience the magic of understanding a weaving by reading in its colors and figures the stories and myths of women and men, and their cultures.
Reviewed By Chinapjs - Washington DC, United States
Beautiful private small museum focusing on social and cultural nature of indigenous textiles. Some beautiful pieces and great explainations (all in Spanish). Very friendly person in charge. Set high on top of La Paz so there are some great photo ops nearby too. Take a taxi and arrange for taxi to stay as you only need about twenty minutes. Cost is about $2.20 per person. Nice gift shop too. If you like indigenous textiles this is a must visit.
9. Mi Teleferico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,153 reviews
Reviewed By Voyagearoundtheworld - Berlin, Germany
For the locals it is an efficient public transport system, for visitors it is one of the best ways to discover La Paz from above. You get to see things that you would never be able to see when walking or driving around the city. Great views everywhere. The views from El Alto down to the La Paz city valley is one of a kind and simply breathtaking. Don't miss a Teleferico ride in La Paz.
10. Mirador Killi Killi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 587 reviews
Reviewed By mateusz_dominik - London, United Kingdom
If you're into sunsets and city views that is the place to be. Very accessible (taxi from centre 10BS, walk 15mins from Plaza del Armas) and offering 360 degree view of La Paz. Worth it!
