By air
El Alto International (LPB), ~15 km by road
South America · Bolivia
La Paz, Bolivia
A city in a canyon with cable cars overhead
Getting there
Best time to visit
May to October — dry and sunny
Don't miss
Plaza Murillo
The Witches' Market
Valle de la Luna
Mirador Killi Killi
Things to do
Riding the cable cars
Exploring the markets
Day trips to Lake Titicaca and Tiwanaku
Where to eat
What to pack
Warm layers, sunscreen, lip balm for the altitude
A quieter corner
Calle Jaén, a colonial lane of small museums
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit La Paz?
May to October — dry and sunny. What to pack: Warm layers, sunscreen, lip balm for the altitude.
How do I get to La Paz?
Fly into El Alto International (LPB), ~15 km by road.
What is there to do in La Paz?
Riding the cable cars, exploring the markets, day trips to Lake Titicaca and Tiwanaku. A quieter find: Calle Jaén, a colonial lane of small museums.
What should I eat in La Paz?
Salteñas for breakfast, api with fried pastel and anticuchos from street stalls.
About La Paz
- Mountains
Where it is
La Paz is the seat of government of Bolivia, filling a deep canyon on the Altiplano at about 3,600 metres, with the snow peak of Illimani above it.
History
The Spanish founded La Paz in 1548 on a route between the silver mines of Potosí and the coast. It grew into Bolivia's main political and commercial city, and since 2014 the Mi Teleférico cable car network has linked its neighbourhoods with El Alto on the plateau above.
People
Paceños speak Spanish and Aymara, and the markets are run largely by Aymara women, many in bowler hats and layered skirts.
Known for
- Cable cars across the city
- Markets selling Andean herbs and charms
- Views of Illimani
- Aymara culture
Did you know?
Mi Teleférico is one of the longest urban cable car networks in the world and is used as everyday public transport.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.