La Paz

Travel Guide

La Paz showing a city
Plaza Murillo which includes bird life and a square or plaza as well as a large group of people
Plaza San Francisco featuring street scenes
Plaza Murillo showing heritage architecture, a city and night scenes
Plaza Murillo featuring a church or cathedral, interior views and heritage architecture
Aymara rituals, colonial architecture and modern nightlife, combined with markets and museums you won’t find anywhere else, make this Bolivia’s cultural capital.

In the Old City of La Paz, with its colonial heritage and ancient customs, you may feel like you have stepped back in time. The indigenous Bolivians still wear handwoven costumes and bowler hats, but the modern city dwellers also embrace new comforts  and trends from all over the world. Visitors are often surprised to find a good mix of interesting restaurants, bars and art museums.

La Paz is officially called La Ciudad de Nuestra Señora de la Paz (The City of Our Lady of the Peace). The regular street protests remind visitors that La Paz is the seat of government of Bolivia, but its constitutional capital is Sucre.

With the El Alto International Airport at 13,313 feet (4,058 meters) above sea level, La Paz can literally take your breath away. Acclimatize before walking to the many attractions in the steep inner-city streets, otherwise take a taxi or shared “mini bus.”

Start in the city’s historical heart, Plaza Murillo, to admire the Presidential Palace, Cathedral Murillo and National Museum of Art.

In Calle Jaén, a cobblestoned street, small museums display Bolivia’s rich culture. Find gold and silver artifacts in the Museo de Metales Preciosos and discover Latin American sounds at the Museo de Instrumentos Musicales. Nearby is the Museo de la Coca, displaying the traditional uses of the coca plant. At the Witches’ Market, indigenous Aymara women sell herbal remedies and curious offerings.

Enjoy street performances and handicraft shopping on Plaza San Francisco and climb the clock tower of the San Francisco Church. It overlooks Calle Sagárnaga, the city’s long-time travelers’ hub. To enjoy panoramic views, get a taxi to Mirador Laikakota. See how the more affluent lower city is overshadowed by slums clinging to the mountain slopes.

La Paz is the gateway to the snowcapped Illimani mountain, ragged peaks in the Valle de la Luna, almost impenetrable jungle of the Amazon Basin, shimmering salt flats of Uyuni and the mystical islands of Lake Titicaca.

Where to stay in La Paz

Plaza Murillo showing heritage architecture, a city and night scenes

Downtown La Paz

Shopping, churches, and mountain views highlight some notable features of Downtown La Paz. Make a stop by Estadio Hernando Siles or Teatro al Aire Libre while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Teatro al Aire Libre Cable Car Station or Plaza Triangular Cable Car Station to get around town.

Downtown La Paz
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Sopocachi

Theaters, restaurants, and shopping are just a few things travelers like about Sopocachi. Sights like Plaza Abaroa and Parque del Monticulo are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater La Paz area at Sopocachi Cable Car Station.

Sopocachi
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Macrodistrito Sur

If you're spending time in Macrodistrito Sur, check out sights like Irpavi Cable Car Station or San Miguel Arcángel Church and hop on the metro to see more the city at Obrajes Cable Car Station or Alto Obrajes Cable Car Station.

Macrodistrito Sur
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San Jorge

While you're in San Jorge, take in top sights like Multicine entertainment center and jump on the metro at San Jorge Cable Car Station to see more of the city.

San Jorge
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San Pedro

While you're in San Pedro, take in top sights like Plaza del Estudiante and jump on the metro at Edificio Correos Cable Car Station to see more of the city.

San Pedro
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Miraflores

While you're in Miraflores, take in top sights like Estadio Hernando Siles or Museum of the National Revolution, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Monumento a Busch Cable Car Station or Héroes de la Revolución Cable Car Station.

Miraflores
Ritz Apart Hotel

Ritz Apart Hotel

4.5 out of 5
Plaza Isabel La Catolica Nro. 2478, La Paz
The price is P6,558 per night from Aug 16 to Aug 17
P6,558
P6,558 total
Aug 16 - Aug 17
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in La Paz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (237 reviews)
"Room was an apartment with bedroom, living area, dining area and kitchen. Bed was comfortable and everything was spotless. Breakfast was included and had a decent variety of food. We also liked the restaurant in the hotel. There was a mall with a grocery store about three buildings away. A lot of ..."

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Ritz Apart Hotel
Hotel Sagarnaga

Hotel Sagarnaga

3.5 out of 5
Sagarnaga 326 Zona Rosario, La Paz
The price is P2,893 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
P2,893
P2,893 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in La Paz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.8/10 Good! (360 reviews)
"We had a lovely time there! However there are no heaters in the rooms so you will be a bit cold. Also there is a window at the top of the door that lets the light in from the hall 24/7. Extremely warm and helpful staff."

Reviewed on Jun 5, 2025

Hotel Sagarnaga
 Mitru Express

Mitru Express

3.5 out of 5
Casimiro Corrales N 1013, Zona Miraflores, La Paz
The price is P4,439 per night from Aug 8 to Aug 9
P4,439
P4,439 total
Aug 8 - Aug 9
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in La Paz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (188 reviews)
"The hotel was clean and well-maintained. The view was amazing from my room and especially from the restaurant. Food and restaurant service was great."

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2025

Mitru Express
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ritz Apart Hotel

Ritz Apart Hotel

4.5 out of 5
Plaza Isabel La Catolica Nro. 2478, La Paz
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in La Paz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (237 reviews)
"Room was an apartment with bedroom, living area, dining area and kitchen. Bed was comfortable and everything was spotless. Breakfast was included and had a decent variety of food. We also liked the restaurant in the hotel. There was a mall with a grocery store about three buildings away. A lot of ..."

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Ritz Apart Hotel
Caserita Apart

Caserita Apart

2.5 out of 5
1063 Rosendo Gutierrez, La Paz, Departamento de La Paz
Stay at this apartment in La Paz. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Solon House Museum and Parque del Monticulo are located ...
Caserita Apart
Fratelli Aparthotel

Fratelli Aparthotel

3 out of 5
C. GABRIEL RENE MORENO N 1080 SAN MIGUEL, La Paz, MURILLO
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in La Paz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Galería PURO and El Bosque ...
Fratelli Aparthotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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