Location: La Paz
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8 Specialty Museums 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. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Museo Tambo Qirquincho
5. Museo de Metales Preciosos
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By lisalou1963
Loved this little museum on Calle Jaen, not just for its small collections of gold and silver, but they have a small room with amazing ceramics, some so unbelievably fine and delicate.
6. Museo de Coca
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 310 reviews
This museum is dedicated to Bolivia's controversial native crop.
Reviewed By Som8
A small museum but we spent 4 hours there as it is extremely informative. There is a booklet given with all the information that you need to know about coca. Me and my bf love it but we can also understand that this could be too heavy for those who want a museum tour that is not too heavy with information.
7. Museo Litoral Boliviano
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 6 reviews
8. Museo De Arte Antonio Paredes Candia
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