La Paz

Where Altitude Meets Adventure and Culture

La Paz stands high in the Andes at over eleven thousand feet above sea level making it the highest capital city in the world. The city spreads across deep valleys with steep streets and colorful markets where vendors sell fresh produce alongside handmade crafts. Colonial churches sit beside modern cafes, creating a mix of old traditions and new life. Visitors experience crisp mountain air, vibrant street music and friendly locals who share stories over coca tea. La Paz offers a clear view of changing weather patterns throughout the year with sunny mornings turning into cool evenings.

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City in Bolivia

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.5

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	5

Read details

3/5

English is moderately spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and by tour guides. However, basic Spanish phrases are useful, as English is not widely spoken in local markets and by older generations.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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La Paz Summary

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Dramatic for mountain scenery and markets. Ride cable cars over the city, explore colorful markets, visit museums and take trips to nearby valleys and peaks.

Place score

6.6

Best at:

Mountains

Street food

Markets

Large cities

Local cuisine

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

💻 8

Digital Nomads

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Bolivia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type C Type A: Type C: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Bolivian Boliviano (BOB) £1 ≈ BOB 15.88
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Bolivia, particularly in larger cities, but cash is still widely used, especially in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Bolivia, but leaving 10% in restaurants and small tips for taxi drivers or hotel staff is appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not common in Bolivia and is not widely accepted outside of private spaces or licensed establishments.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated smoking areas and licensed establishments but is prohibited in most indoor public spaces.

Dia del Trabajo (Labour Day) (May)	Expect some business closures and public celebrations.
Carnival (February)	Expect lively celebrations, street parties, and crowded events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 118 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Cabify, Uber
Other:	Bolivia offers a range of natural attractions, including the Uyuni salt flats, the Amazon rainforest, and the high-altitude city of La Paz.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for La Paz, Bolivia

🌦️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

🌥️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Oct. - Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Rainy season December to March: landslides and road closures possible, and cable cars and mountain trips can be disrupted

Gran Poder festival takes place in late May or early June, with a huge parade and heavy street closures

Altitude of 3,600 to 4,000 metres: allow one or two days to acclimatise on arrival

Don't miss

🚡 Ride the Mi Teleférico cable car for breathtaking city views
🧙‍♀️ Explore the Witches' Market for unique local crafts
🌙 Visit Valle de la Luna for surreal rock formations
⛪ Tour the Basilica de San Francisco and rooftop views
🚵‍♂️ Bike down the famous Death Road for an adventure
🚤 Take a day trip to Lake Titicaca and meet Aymara locals

You've been here?

Why travel to La Paz?

La Paz offers a mix of adventure and culture. You can explore winding streets filled with Andean traditions, take the world’s highest urban cable car or venture into nature on the infamous Death Road. The altitude can be a challenge, so acclimatization is important.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Plaza Murillo
2 Basílica de San Francisco
3 Moon Valley
4 Mirador Killi Killi
5 Museo de la Coca

🎡Places for activities

1 Urban Rush
2 Urban Rush
3 Empresa Estatal de Transporte por Cable Mi Teleférico
4 Cholitas Wrestling
5 Red Cap Walking Tours

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Parque Nacional Cotapata
2 North Yungas Road
3 Mountain Illimani
4 Valle de las ánimas
5 Moon Valley

🛍️Shopping

1 Mercado Rodriguez
2 Calle Linares
3 Mercado Lanza

🎈Events

Gran Poder Festival
Feria de Alasitas
La Paz Day (July 16)
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Aymara New Year
Carnaval de La Paz
Diablada Dance Festival
Independence Day (August 6)
Winter Solstice Celebrations
Festival of San Juan

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Acclimatize slowly. Highest capital city at 3,650 meters elevation.
Ride the cable cars Mi Teleférico for stunning aerial views over the valley and city.
Explore Witches' Market for potions, herbs, llama fetuses and Andean spiritual offerings.
Walk colorful Calle Jaén street lined with colonial houses, museums and lively street art.

How to travel to La Paz

El Alto International Airport (LPB) is the main gateway, with connections to major cities in South America and beyond. Buses connect La Paz to other Bolivian cities and nearby countries. Land borders with Peru and Chile offer overland travel options.

Access summary

From El Alto Airport (LPB): Taxi or airport bus, usually 30–50 minutes.
From Uyuni: Overnight buses commonly 9–11 hours to La Paz.
From Cusco: Direct international buses generally 13–15 hours via border.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in La Paz

Accommodation ranges from budget hostels to mid-range hotels and a few upscale options. The historic center and Sopocachi are popular areas to stay, offering both convenience and charm.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Sagarnaga

8.5

Madero Hotel & Suites

Hotel Las Brisas Centro

Casa Fusion Hotel Boutique

9.0

Anami Hotel Boutique

9.6

Explore more accommodations

How to get around La Paz

La Paz has a unique cable car system (Mi Teleférico) connecting different areas with stunning views. Taxis and minibuses are also common, though traffic can be hectic. Walking is a good option in the central areas, but be prepared for steep hills.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-64 %

Daily expenses in La Paz are around 64% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-44 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to BOB) is 44% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is a lot cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£26	£56	£162
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£11	£30	£75
🍝 Food per day	£14	£23	£70
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£3	£17

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£6.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.90
🍟 Fast food combo	£5.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.40
☕ Cappuccino	£2.30
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.22
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£11
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.42

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£25
🤧 Cold medication	£3.30
💇 Basic haircut	£6.50

Safety information overview

General safety

La Paz is generally safe, but tourists should stay vigilant in crowded areas and avoid showing valuables. Petty theft can occur, especially in markets and on public transport.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities vary. Larger hospitals in La Paz are equipped for emergencies, but rural care is limited. Be cautious with food and water and consider altitude sickness medication.

Accessibility

La Paz's steep and uneven streets can be challenging for those with mobility issues. The cable car system is accessible, but many older buildings and markets may not be.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Always opt for bottled or filtered water. Avoid ice in drinks unless you are sure of its source. Carrying a reusable bottle with a filter is recommended.