5 Things to Do in La Paz Bolivia

La Paz sits in a valley surrounded by snow-capped Cordillera ranges of the Andes at 12,000 feet above sea level. Its airport, El Alto International Airport (LPB) is the highest airport in the world. Your flight into El Alto will take your breath away as you view the majestic mountains from the sky.

Currently, there are nine airlines serving La Paz. And Miami is the only city in the United States that offers non-stop flights to La Paz. La Paz Bolivia is definitely a city off the beaten track of the tourist routes in South America. It is not a city for everyone unless you are looking for an authentic and one-of-a-kind travel experience.

Here are Travelmath’s 5 things to do in La Paz Bolivia:

One: Ride the cable car

For just 3 bolivianos (about $0.44) one way, you can ride the highest cable car in the world with the Mi Teleferico System (My Cable Car) with the locals. And see how technology made life a little easier for the residents in the congested city of La Paz.

The red line will take you to El Alto for one of the best views of the city. To see more of La Paz, take the yellow and green lines as well. According to The Guardian, these three lines are able to transport 18,000 passengers an hour over nearly 11 kilometers (about 6.8 miles). Passengers are transported in between sleek modern terminals away from all the hustle and bustle of La Paz.

Two: View the city from Mirador Killi Killi

There are a few places to view La Paz but Mirador Killi Killi offers almost a 360-degree panoramic view of the city and the snow-capped mountains. The Mirador was an important base for Bolivia’s indigenous Aymara activist Tupak Katari. It was here that he laid siege to the city of La Paz in 1781 for six months.

Three: Plaza Murrillo

Plaza Murrillo is located in the center of La Paz. It has been the gathering place for political events and for the local festivities for centuries. The Plaza is surrounded by some of the most fascinating colonial buildings in La Paz including the Bolivian Government Palace known as Palacio Quemado (President’s official residence), the Cathedral, Palacio de los Condes de Arana (houses La Paz’s National Museum of Art), Grand Hotel Paris and the National Congress of Bolivia.

Locals and tourists usually sit at the steps to relax, people watch, feed the birds or buy a cup of colorful jelly or popular snacks like the saltenas (Bolivian empanadas) from the vendors.

Four: Calle Jaen

A few blocks from Plaza Murrillo is Calle Jaen. Calle Jaen is a cobbled stone colonial street in La Paz with restored old houses and museums. One of the houses is Casa de Murillo, Pedro Domingo Murrillo’s house, which has been converted into a museum with colonial art, musical instruments and items belonging to Bolivian nobles.

Some of the museums include Museo de lo Guerra de Pacifico, Museo de Metales Precioso and Museo del Oro (Gold Museum).

Five: Witches Market
Your trip would not be complete without a visit to the colorful Witches Market. When you observe what the locals sell at the market you will understand the beliefs and customs of Bolivia.

Every street in the Witches Market is filled with scents, alpaca sweaters, leg warmers, hats, llama fetuses, figurines, dried starfish and things you wouldn’t find in your local markets. Sometimes a witch doctor is at hand to anyone who fancies a “spiritual” encounter in Bolivia.

5 tips to help you plan your trip to La Paz Bolivia

1. Read 5 Reasons to Travel to Bolivia.
2. There is a $25 international departure tax and 15 Bolivianos domestic departure tax when you depart from El Alto International Airport. Both departure taxes must be paid in cash.
3. Some tourists experience altitude sickness when visiting La Paz. Take it easy when you arrive and drink plenty of water. Try to avoid alcohol during the first 24 hours.
4. Chewing coca leaves or brewing coca leaves with tea are common remedies use in Bolivia for altitude sickness. However, you cannot bring coca leaves back to the United States.
5. U.S. citizens are required to apply for a visitor visa. You can get it at the airport for $135 (cash) at La Paz airport or at the Bolivian consulates in the United States for $160. Find out more here.