Heading to La Paz? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip:
TL;DR
- Perfect for: 2–3 days (add 1 for Death Road biking)
- Best for: Adventurers, urban explorers, altitude chasers, market-lovers
- Why visit: Colorful markets, wild cable cars, surreal landscapes—pure solo adventure energy
LA PAZ AT A GLANCE
- Population & size: ~900,000 people; high-altitude city at 3,650m (11,975 ft)
- History: Founded 1548; a rich blend of indigenous, colonial, and modern Bolivian culture
- Famous for: Dramatic Andes backdrop, bustling markets, cable cars, and witchy vibes
- Nickname: “The City of Peace”
- Solo vibe: Friendly and social, with a safe city core—great for chatty explorers
ESSENTIAL INFO
- 💰 Currency: Bolivian Boliviano (BOB)
- 🗣 Language: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara; English in tourist areas
- 🌦 Best time to visit: May–October (dry, clear, great for walking and outdoors)
- ✈️ From airport:
- Cheapest/Easy: Taxi ~BOB 130 (fixed price to center, 40 min)
- Also: Uber from BOB 10 (base + BOB 2/km), safe and cheap
- 🧳 Safety: Downtown & Malecón are safe; watch for pickpockets in crowded markets/buses
- 🎭 Cultural calendar tip: Go in July for Gran Poder Festival—dancing, parades, costumes galore
- 🎦 What to watch on the plane: “The Devil’s Miner” (insight into Bolivian spirit & scenery)
WHERE TO STAY (FOR SOLO TRAVELERS)
- 🛏️ Top hostel/hotel: Selina La Paz—boho, social, quick walk to everything, lots of solo travelers
- 🏘️ Best neighborhood: Sopocachi—laid-back, cafés and street art, close to nightlife & cable car
- 🧭 Alt neighborhood: San Francisco area—central, vibrant, right by markets and major sights
- 💸 Budget option: Loki Hostel—party vibe, cheap beds, fun rooftop, 10 min walk to city core
- Tip: Acclimatize! Aim for lower-altitude rooms and don’t race up stairs on day one
TRANSPORT & NAVIGATION
- 🚶♂️ Walkability: Central areas and markets are totally walkable (if you can handle hills!)
- 🚌 Buses: Cheap and everywhere (can be crowded); pay in cash, BOB 2–4 per ride
- 🚋 Cable car (Mi Teleférico): Bolivian must-do! BOB 3 per ride; scenic & cross-town trips
- 🚖 Taxis: Only take marked cars, negotiate or use meter—BOB 10 base, BOB 12–15/km
- 🚲 Bikes: Death Road tours only (not a city-of-bikes!); cable car up, walk down for fun
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO ALONE
- 🏛️ Must-see: Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas)—browse potions, charms, meet local healers, super safe & weirdly magical
- 🌿 Get outdoors: Valle de la Luna—30 mins away, crazy moon-like rocks, solo-friendly hiking
- 🧠 Oddball museum: Calle Jaén’s Museo de Metales Preciosos—historic treasures, rarely crowded, reflective escape
- 🧭 Explore: Sopocachi street-wander—mural-spotting, indie cafés, linger with a book or journal
- 🎨 Creative quiet time: Mirador Laikakota—panoramic selfie spot, best city view (pack a snack & chill)
- 🔀 Wildcard: Ride the entire Teleférico loop—7 segments, BOB 21 total, epic city-and-mountain views
WHAT TO SKIP
- ❌ Plaza Murillo: Beautiful but touristy, and can be crowded with protestors or police
- ❌ Generic city tours: They miss the local quirks and charm—do your own walking adventure instead
- ❌ San Pedro Prison “tours”: Unofficial, unsafe, and heavily discouraged (just buy the book!)
BIKING THE DEATH ROAD
- 🧗 Legendary ride: Death Road (Yungas Road) is world-famous for its dramatic cliffs and adrenaline
- 🚐 How it works: Bus ride to trailhead, gear up, start high—cycle 64 km of downhill twists with mountain views
- 👷♂️ Safety: Go with a reputable company—One Death Road tour is recommended
- 💸 Cost: Around $65–100 USD (includes equipment, guides, lunch, transport)
- 🥾 Fitness: For fit travelers only; not for the faint of heart!
- 👫 Social: Instant friends—most do it solo and bond over the wild ride and shared lunch
- 🏅 After: Bragging rights and epic photos—plus a bus back to La Paz, exhausted and thrilled
EATING & DRINKING
- 🧍♂️ Solo-friendly spot: Café del Mundo—traveler hub, global/Bolivian eats, easy to strike up a convo
- 🥃 Quiet pub/bar: The Highlander—cozy, local beers, meet expats or friendly bartenders
- 🍽️ Try these foods: Salteñas (at Paceña La Salteña); anticuchos and fricasé (Mercado Lanza stalls)
- 💸 Best cheap eats: Mercado Rodríguez—hearty soups, salteñas, BOB 7–15 meals
- 🥦 Veg/vegan: Ali Pacha—creative vegan, local ingredients, upscale but worth it
- 🍸 Cocktails: Diesel Nacional—steampunk décor, strange cocktails, conversation starter for solo nights
BEST OF LA PAZ IN 1 DAY – SOLO ITINERARY
- Sunrise: Walk Mirador Killi Killi—watch city wake beneath Illimani mountain
- Morning: Stroll Calle Jaén (colorful buildings & museums)
- Lunch: Feast at Mercado Lanza—sample local soups and salteñas
- Afternoon: Ride full Teleférico circuit (get off for photos as you please)
- Evening: People-watch in Plaza Avaroa/Sopocachi cafes
- Dinner: Try anticuchos at La Casa de Los Anticuchos
- Night: Settle into The Highlander for a drink & chat, or watch locals dance at a folklore venue
LOCAL TIPS & INSIDER WISDOM
- 🎉 Festival tip: Gran Poder (June/July)—city-wide parades & wild street parties
- 📍 Hidden gem: Bolívar Park—quiet, leafy, snack kiosks, chatty locals, perfect solo picnic spot
- 📷 Photo spot: Mirador Laikakota or top deck of the Red Line Teleférico
- 🧠 Etiquette: Greet with “Buenos días/tardes”; handshake common, take it slow at altitude!
- 🚩 Safety: Downtown and tourist areas are very safe; watch out for classic market pickpockets
- 👀 One last thing: Don’t leave without a mug of coca tea and dizzying views from a Teleférico gondola—La Paz will feel like another planet