At 4,100 meters above sea level is La Paz, the highest capital city in the world. As soon as you land in Bolivian lands, altitude sickness will likely hit you as soon as you get off the airplane. Due to its altitude, it’s a cold area, and unlike other Bolivian cities after 6:00 pm, it gets dark pretty early. La Paz is actually made from the nearby cities: “La Paz” and “El Alto.” Both cities are connected thanks to the La Paz cable car.
Wherever you may be, there are no great differences between both cities, just some change in altitude (La Paz is higher) and, that La Paz Airport is located in El Alto. This city needs to be visited when taking a trip to South America, and this guide will assist you in making the most of your time in the Bolivian capital.
Brief History
La Paz, Bolivia, founded in 1548 by Spanish conquistadors, is nestled in a valley surrounded by the Andes mountains. It was once a colonial stronghold and was vital to Bolivia's struggle for independence in the 1800s.
Currently acting as the capital, La Paz provides a culture and architecture that combines elements of indigenous and colonial influences. It is a distinctive tourism destination because of its breathtaking views from its high altitude location.
How to Get There
From the US
You can find flights from Miami to La Paz with American Airlines. Additionally, AVIANCA, United Airlines, TACA, and LAN provide options for traveling from Washington to La Paz.
From Europe
You can easily catch regular flights from Madrid (Barajas) to El Alto International Airport in La Paz with Aerolineas Argentinas. If you're coming from other European cities like Rome, Amsterdam, London, or Berlin, you can still reach La Paz. Just keep in mind that these flights happen less often and may include a stopover in another city along the way.
By bus
The main bus terminal in La Paz city is located on Av. Ismael Montes, near the upper end of the Prado. Keep in mind that buses arriving from Lake Titicaca (the route for entering overland from Puno, Peru) terminate in a plaza near the City Cemetery farther to the west.
Buses leaving La Paz usually stop in El Alto to pick up more passengers. It sometimes takes almost an hour until you leave the city.
- Seven hours by bus from Cochabamba
- Around three hours by bus from Oruro
To reach La Paz city from Peru, there are daily buses that travel by Juliaca and Puno to Copacabana to finally arrive at La Paz city.
Greenhouse Bolivia is a cozy spot just 3 km from the heart of La Paz and the lovely Central Urban Park. This charming 2-star accommodation ensures your safety with 24-hour security and offers currency exchange services for your convenience. This hostel is also close to the stunning Andean Summits, and you can enjoy a bite at Tgf Coffee or Sarawi Bistro, both just 600 meters from us.
With 25 welcoming rooms, you'll find warm lighting, bedside reading lamps, and comfortable headboard lights to help you relax after a day of adventure. Each morning, we serve a delicious breakfast in our restaurant. You can also savor mouthwatering Italian dishes at our traditional French restaurant.
Loki Hostel is a 15-minute stroll from the heart of La Paz and only an 8-minute walk from the charming Calle Sagárnaga. You’ll find us conveniently located near the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore, as well as the beautiful Basilica of San Francisco. Loki Hostel offers 63 cozy rooms for you to relax in after a day of exploring. If you are arriving by air, La Paz Airport is about 10 km away, making your journey to us easy.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat, you can enjoy delicious meals at Restaurant Laza and La Berlusca, both just a short 350 meters away. Plus, Montículo Park is just around the corner for a lovely outdoor experience.
Casa Mia Boutique Hotel: This 3-star hotel is one of the most fanciest in the city, just a short 5-minute stroll from the beautiful Japanese Garden. Casa Mia offers 6 cozy rooms with lovely views of the garden, where you can enjoy free WiFi in our common areas.
If you love culture, you’ll find the Solón House Museum only 6 km away and the Coca Museum 7 km away. Plus, you can reach Plaza España in about 15 minutes by car. Casa Mia is conveniently located 20 km from La Paz Airport.
The rooms come equipped with flat-screen TVs featuring satellite channels and minibars to make your stay comfortable. Each bathroom is fitted with a bidet, toilet, and bathtub, along with hairdryers and fresh bath towels for your convenience.
Every morning, you’ll try a delicious continental breakfast to start your day off right. If you're looking for a bite to eat, the popular Central American restaurant, El Rodeo, is just a 5-minute walk away.
Activities
Cable Cars: La Paz installed cable cars as public transportation in 2014. We recommend this option to take in the scenery and have fun. La Paz cablecar is quite cheap, costing around less than a dollar per ride. Gorgeous views of La Paz may be had by taking the red line from Estación Teleférico Central to Estación 16 de Julio.
You'll explore Bolivia's largest cemetery, Cementerio General, and get a glimpse of the neighboring poor neighborhoods, the main problem Bolivia faces now. The cable car operates from 6 am to 11 pm Monday through Saturday and from 7 am to 9 pm on Sunday. It has 10 lines and 30 stations.
Mercado de las Brujas: This little market is the most instragammable attraction not only in the capital but also whole of Bolivia. It’s worth taking a walk around this market filled with small local stores. You can get a glimpse of Bolivian beliefs and traditions by wandering through this market.
Plaza Murillo: The presidential palace and Congress, which houses the two legislative institutions of Bolivia, are located in the middle of the political scene in the country. Congress is known for its bidirectional clock, which has hands that move counterclockwise. The change was made in 2014 to symbolize a shift in political awareness among Bolivians.
You'll also see the Wiphala, a seven-colored checkerboard flag that is a holy symbol of the Andean indigenous peoples. Every hue has a meaning of its own; for example, the color red stands for the earth. The Wiphala is a well-known emblem that may be found in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia even if its origins are not completely clear.
Jaen Street: This vibrant and picturesque street is full of museums, cafes, shops, etc. It seems like a typical European street. Visitors can take in the vibrant and historic relics of a bygone period while strolling around La Paz's charming Jaen Street, one of the city's more peaceful and traffic-free laneways.
We hope you can have a great time in La Paz! Remember that Viagens Machu Picchu can help you to arrange your trip to the highest capital in the world!
