Things to Do in La Paz: Our 10 Top Highlights

Our La Paz Sights Map

To give you a better overview of where the top attractions in La Paz are located, we’ve marked them all on a map for you.

Top 10 Highlights in La Paz, Bolivia

Here are the best things to do in La Paz. You can easily cover all of them in three days. For more tips on La Paz, check out our Bolivia travel tips.

Cable Cars

The cable cars are absolutely iconic when it comes to things to do in La Paz. The city has elevation differences of up to 1,000 meters, and the Teleféricos have become an essential mode of transportation.

Running since 2014, the network now spans 10 lines that connect you to many parts of the city.

From the gondolas, you also get a breathtaking view — you can take in the entire city at a glance.

A ticket costs 3 Bolivianos. If you transfer between lines, it’s a little more. You can find full details about the routes on the Teleféricos website.

Guided cable car tour to La Paz Cemetery and El Alto

Mercado de las Brujas

At the so-called Witches’ Market, you’ll find all kinds of typical Bolivian goods: souvenirs made from colorful Bolivian fabrics, alpaca wool clothing, instruments, and coca leaves. There are also herbs, stones, and — believe it or not — mummified llama fetuses. All things that serve the traditional customs of Bolivians.

A visit to La Paz simply isn’t complete without strolling down Witches’ Alley and soaking it all in. You’re sure to find a souvenir or two here.

The Mercado de las Brujas is located behind the well-known San Francisco Cathedral in the city center.

Mirador Killi Killi

The Killi Killi viewpoint sits above the city center and offers a spectacular panorama over the city. From up here, you really start to grasp how far La Paz stretches and how it has spread out between the mountains.

In the background, the 6,439-meter peak of Illimani towers over the scene — if you’re here at sunset, the snow-covered summit looks like it’s glowing.

You can reach the viewpoint on foot, but it’s seriously strenuous. Taking a bus or taxi is much more comfortable.

Feria El Alto

The city of El Alto sits right next to La Paz, but about 1,000 meters higher up. A day trip there is especially worthwhile on a Thursday or Sunday, when the enormous Feria El Alto market takes place.

It’s one of the largest markets in South America, and you can buy just about anything here for next to nothing.

If you don’t have much room in your luggage, use the market as an opportunity to explore Bolivian cuisine instead. A traditional plate costs just around 10 Bolivianos.

What we also love: freshly squeezed juices are available all over the market for just 1–2 Bolivianos.

Plaza Mayor de San Francisco

Plaza San Francisco is one of the main squares in La Paz. Here you’ll find the San Francisco Church, which you can visit free of charge.

You can also stop by the Lanza Market nearby — not particularly spectacular, but it serves up some really delicious fresh juices.

The square itself frequently hosts gatherings of locals — ranging from protests to live music. There’s always something happening here.

By the way, the square’s name has nothing to do with the city of San Francisco on the West Coast of the USA. The only thing they have in common is that both are named after Saint Francis of Assisi.

Plaza Murillo

Another significant square worth visiting is Plaza Murillo — and honestly, we find it a little nicer than Plaza San Francisco. This is where the seat of Bolivia’s government is located, which is incidentally the highest-altitude seat of government in the entire world.

At Plaza Murillo you’ll find the old Government Palace and the new government building, which is genuinely ugly. Far more attractive is the cathedral that also faces the square.

It’s a great spot to rest on the steps for a while — walking around La Paz on foot is really exhausting at this altitude. Just watch out: the square is packed with pigeons.

Museo de la Coca

Almost every resident of La Paz chews coca leaves daily or drinks coca tea. Before you start worrying: the plant doesn’t really have much to do with cocaine. It’s a tried-and-true remedy for altitude sickness and an integral part of the culture here.

That’s why La Paz has its own Coca Museum. You’ll learn everything you need to know about coca leaves, and admission is just 15 Bolivianos. The museum is very small, so you won’t need to set aside much time for it.

Heads up: Don’t even think about bringing coca back home in any form — it’s illegal in most countries, including across Europe and North America.

San Pedro Prison

San Pedro Prison isn’t a classic La Paz attraction, but the story behind it is simply too bizarre to leave off this list.

The prison sits right in the middle of the city near Plaza Sucre and is arguably the most unusual jail in the world. It functions more like its own little city, complete with stalls and restaurants.

Yes, children actually live here, leaving during the day to go to school. The hierarchy inside San Pedro is mind-boggling: those with money sleep in the “good cells,” and those without don’t.

For a long time, tourists could even take a tour inside the prison. That’s no longer possible today.

On a city tour of La Paz, however, you usually pass by the prison and learn more about its notorious history.

La Paz city tour

Mercado Rodriguez

Not far from the Witches’ Market, you’ll find Mercado Rodriguez.

It’s mainly a food market — fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, spices, and much more. It’s really worth wandering through and picking up a few things — everything is cheap anyway.

Mercado Rodriguez is open every day, though most stalls start packing up in the afternoon.

Cholitas Wrestling

One of La Paz’s more unusual traditions is Cholitas Wrestling — a theatrical wrestling show in El Alto where women from indigenous groups fight against men, depicting domestic violence in a dramatic performance.

Shows take place on Thursday and Sunday afternoons. We’d strongly recommend booking a tour rather than going on your own — El Alto is not safe for tourists after dark, and a tour gives you a safe ride back to your hotel.

You can book tours at travel agencies all over La Paz.

Day Trips from La Paz

There’s plenty to see around La Paz as well. Some great spots make for perfect day trips, while other highlights deserve a few extra days.

Valle de la Luna

Valle de la Luna means Moon Valley in English — and it really does look like another planet. These strange rock formations are only about 12 kilometers from La Paz, and you can walk through the valley and take some seriously great photos.

The rocks were shaped over millions of years by varying weather conditions into what they are today.

Admission costs 15 Bolivianos. You can get there from La Paz by bus or taxi.

By the way: An alternative to Valle de la Luna is Valle de las Animas. It looks very similar and is equally worth a visit.

Death Road to the Yungas

If you’re after a real adrenaline rush, the Death Road delivers. Don’t worry — the adventure isn’t quite as extreme as the name suggests. It used to be considered the most dangerous road in the world, and many fatal accidents happened along this stretch.

Today the road is safer, and mountain bike tours run daily, taking you 65 kilometers down the Death Road from La Paz into the Yungas valleys.

For most of the ride, you’re cycling alongside a nearly vertical drop of about 700 meters. A thrill is guaranteed — and so are breathtaking views.

Mountain bike tour on the Death Road

Tiwanaku

Tiwanaku is an ancient ruined city located between La Paz and Lake Titicaca. The Tiwanaku culture is considered an ancestor of the Inca and dates back to around 1,000 BC — though what exactly stood here back then, nobody really knows.

The Sun Gate is still very well preserved and is one of the standout highlights of the site.

Admission costs 100 Bolivianos. You can get there from La Paz by bus or book a guided tour.

Salar de Uyuni

• Getting there: Bus
• Length of stay: 1–5 days

The Salar de Uyuni is the top sight in Bolivia, bar none, and it’s not actually that close to La Paz. Nevertheless, most tourists book their tour to the salt flat from here.

It’s a pure natural spectacle, and the photo opportunities in the Salar de Uyuni are unlike anything else. We recommend booking a three-day tour through the salt flat — that way you’ll discover not only the Salar itself but also stunning lagoons, flamingos, and volcanoes in the surrounding area.

Salar de Uyuni day tour with round-trip travel from La Paz

Salar de Uyuni three-day tour with round-trip travel to La Paz

We’ve written a dedicated article on the Salar de Uyuni with all the important tips about the salt flat:

Copacabana and Lake Titicaca

• Getting there: Bus
• Length of stay: 1–3 days

You’ve probably heard of Lake Titicaca before. The famous lake with the funny name sits at around 4,000 meters above sea level and is only about 150 kilometers from La Paz.

It straddles the border between Bolivia and Peru, which is why it’s also one of the most beautiful places to visit in Peru.

The most popular tourist town on the Bolivian side is Copacabana — not to be confused with the famous beach in Rio de Janeiro. The highlight near Copacabana is Isla del Sol, which has a truly unique landscape.

Day trip to Copacabana and Isla del Sol from La Paz

Rurrenabaque in the Amazon

• Getting there: Plane or bus
• Length of stay: 2–4 days

When you’re strolling through the streets of La Paz at 3,600 meters in the middle of absolute dryness, you’d never guess that Amazon tours are also easily accessible from the city.

The go-to starting point for the rainforest is Rurrenabaque. The town is about 420 kilometers from La Paz and can be reached by plane or bus.

In Rurrenabaque, many different tours into the Amazon are offered, giving you a fascinating look at the natural landscape and the lives of the indigenous peoples.

Huayna Potosi

• Getting there: Tour bus
• Length of stay: 2–3 days

For hiking enthusiasts, Huayna Potosi is a must. Here you have the chance to summit a peak over 6,000 meters high.

This is definitely only for experienced mountaineers — even with a guide. The ascent is very strenuous and at times quite challenging due to the altitude.

Tours to Huayna Potosi typically last two or three days, with overnight stays at base camps. All equipment is included — things like crampons and a warm sleeping bag. You’ll get all the details when you book.

Hotel Tips for La Paz

We recommend booking your accommodation in La Paz near Plaza San Francisco. That puts you close to the most important things to do in La Paz, and the bus terminal won’t be far either.

Our Top 3 Hotels in La Paz:

Practical Tips for La Paz

Now you know the best highlights and our hotel recommendations for La Paz. Here are a few more useful things to know before you go.

Altitude in La Paz

The elevation differences in La Paz are significant. The city center around Plaza San Francisco sits at around 3,600 meters above sea level, while El Alto is at over 4,000 meters.

If your body isn’t used to these altitudes, you can quickly suffer from altitude sickness — especially if you’re traveling directly from a destination near sea level.

We’d strongly recommend acclimatizing gradually by spending a few days beforehand in Cochabamba (2,500 meters), Sucre (2,800 meters), or Arequipa in Peru (2,300 meters).

Getting to La Paz

The most popular way to get to La Paz is by plane. There are no direct flights from most Western countries, so count on at least one layover. From most countries in South America, there are good connections.

Your best bet is to check Skyscanner for the best connections. Domestic flights within Bolivia, which usually cost around 50–100 euros, will also show up there.

The airport in La Paz is Aeropuerto Internacional El Alto. From there, you can get into the city by taxi, minibus, or public bus.

Public buses cost 5 Bolivianos, must be paid in cash, and will take you to the city center. Taxis and private transfers are more comfortable and faster.

Private airport transfer in La Paz

Alternatively, you can travel to La Paz by bus. Overnight buses in Bolivia are very comfortable and affordable, though the rides are long. Popular routes to La Paz include those from Puno in Peru, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, and Sucre.

Bus tickets are best purchased directly at the terminals or on ticketsbolivia.com.bo.

Getting Around La Paz

Traffic in La Paz is fairly chaotic and hard to navigate. The easiest way to get around is by cable car. You go to the station, buy your ticket at the counter, tell them which station you’re heading to, pay, and hop in the gondola — it’s similar to riding the subway in other cities.

If you want to take a bus, ask at your accommodation which one to take and where it departs from. There are no proper stops or timetables. Each bus displays the neighborhood or district where it’s headed.

For example, when we wanted to get to Valle de la Luna, our hotel told us to take a bus labeled “Mallasa” departing from Plaza San Francisco. So we headed there, kept an eye out, and hopped on when it arrived.

You pay in cash when you get off — usually around 2 Bolivianos per ride. So always keep a few coins on you.