City GuidesSouth America

Ultimate Itinerary For 3 Days In La Paz, Bolivia 2026

La Paz, Bolivia at night

Sat in a bowl surrounded by snow-capped mountains and at an elevation higher than Mt. Fuji, La Paz is like no other… Bolivia’s capital attracts intrepid explorers looking to experience the vivid colour and texture of life in the world’s highest capital.

If that sounds like you then you’re in the right place. In this blog I’m sharing my tried and tested itinerary for the best three days in La Paz. From the must-see sights, best cable car routes and epic tours, to the best places to eat, drink and stay, I cover it all. Along with my inside tips for what to pack and how to prepare for your trip.

Read on from the top for all the details or use the options below to jump to the sections you’re most interested in. Let’s dive in!

  1. Is La Paz worth visiting & is three days enough?
  2. How to get to La Paz
  3. How to get around La Paz safely
  4. When to go
  5. Day 1: Explore the city by cable car, take a tour of the witches market & learn about culture
  6. Day 2: Cycle the world’s most dangerous road or explore the lunar valley
  7. Day 3: Enjoy panoramic views, learn about indigenous folklore & shop local handicrafts
  8. Best places to eat & drink
  9. Best places to stay
  10. What to pack & know before you go
  11. How much a trip to La Paz costs

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links, so if you do make a purchase through them I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

La Paz at a glance:

Is La Paz worth visiting & is three days enough?

Bolivian dancers

First things first, you might be wondering if a visit to the world’s highest capital is actually worth it. For me, it’s a big YES! La Paz is still a little off the main tourist route and remains an underrated hub of culture, history and mind-blowing views. You can truly get a flavour for local life and there’s nowhere else like it in the world!

But the fact it’s more of a hidden gem can be both a blessing and a challenge… While you’ll escape the crowds and have some incredible authentic experiences, fewer tourists mean the infrastructure for travellers isn’t as well developed and you won’t find as many international brands. For seasoned travellers, that’s often great news but if you’re newer to travelling a want a little more support then consider visiting neighbours like Peru or Argentina first to find your feet.

When it comes to how long you need in La Paz, I’d recommend three days to see the major sights and soak up the culture. It’s a relatively big city with a lot to offer so take your time to explore. Of course you could spend longer but I wouldn’t recommend cutting your trip much shorter as you need a little time to adjust to the high altitude too.

More Bolivia travel guides:

How to get to La Paz

Now you know if La Paz is the right destination for you, your next question is probably how to get there. The good news is La Paz is generally really easy to get to, either directly by flying into La Paz or through land borders with neighbouring countries. You can also easily reach it from other parts of Bolivia like we did. Here’s a little more detail…

By air: Flying into La Paz is definitely the easiest and quickest option if you’re coming from outside South America or from further away on the continent. The main international airport is El Alto (LPB) which is just eight miles west of La Paz city centre.

By bus: If you’re travelling from neighbouring countries or within Bolivia, the cheapest option is definitely to take a bus. We caught a bus up from the Uyuni salt flats to La Paz that was excellent. A really comfortable bus, snacks and drinks during the ride and very safe and secure. We booked with Todo Turismo at their office in Uyuni but you can also buy tickets online through BusBud here.

If you’re coming from Peru, I’d really recommend taking Peru Hop and Bolivia Hop. It’s a great service connecting key sights in Peru into Bolivia and stopping in La Paz. They have a range of different passes and ticket options depending on your route and for the ease, quality and safety I think it’s worth spending a little more than you would on public buses. It also means you don’t need to worry about figuring out border crossings on your own – they make sure everyone is safely and quickly across.

If you’re travelling from Brazil, Argentina or Paraguay, the bus journeys can be a little bit more complicated and long but you can generally find tickets for most routes on BusBud.

How to get around La Paz safely

When it comes to getting around the city safely, there’s a few options. The most fun and often quickest way is to take to the sky in a cable car. The cable car network covers most of the city and is an incredible way to get around on a budget. Most one way tickets only cost about 3 Bolivianos (about £0.33) and is perfectly safe. You can also buy a circular ticket that’s actually a brilliant way to see the city – but more on that later!

Another option is to take buses. You’ll spot the multicoloured school bus style trucks around the city known as micros. They run along designated routes with regular stops and will display the end destination in the front window. To get on, you usually need to flag them down and most short journeys only cost 1 Boliviano (about £0.10). These are generally very safe, just keep a close eye on your belongings.

Lastly, the easiest and quickest option is to grab a taxi. Just make sure you only get in an official radio taxi. Radio taxis will usually have a big taxi sign on the top of the car and be set up with a meter. Just make sure you agree a price for your journey before you set off as often the price will get inflated for tourists.

You’ll also see regular vehicles with just a sticker in the front window that says ‘taxi’. These are just individuals who are making a bit of extra cash offering a taxi service. While many of these will be perfectly safe, some criminal gangs do use them as opportunities to rob or kidnap tourists so play it safe and only ride in a radio taxi.

Another good option is to ask your hotel or hostel to book you a taxi which we did on a few occasions. Many hotels will have a regular taxi on standby so you can trust you’re in good hands.

When to go

Just before we get into the full itinerary, it’s worth looking at the best time of year to visit La Paz. As you can see from the table below, La Paz is not a hot destination and even in the height of summer the temperature rarely gets above 20°C. Instead, the average high temperature stays pretty similar throughout the year.

What does change is the temperature at night which drops below zero in winter and the amount of rain which peaks from December to February. With that in mind, to avoid the worst of the wet season I’d recommend travelling between May and September. While the weather does cool off more in June and July the days will still be comfortable and sunny – perfect conditions for exploring!

MonthAverage High TemperatureAverage Low TemperatureAverage Number of Rainy Days
January17°C7°C15 days
February17°C7°C12 days
March17°C6°C11 days
April18°C4°C6 days
May18°C1°C2 days
June17°C-1°C1 days
July17°C-1°C1 days
August17°C0°C2 days
September18°C2°C4 days
October19°C4°C8 days
November19°C5°C8 days
December19°C6°C12 days
Source: NOAA

Day 1: Explore the city by cable car, take a tour of the witches market & watch a Cholitas wrestling show

On your first day in the capital, get your bearings by taking to the sky and learning about La Paz from a local. Here’s what I’d recommend…

Get your bearings on a city walking tour

La Paz City Centre, Bolivia

Start your morning with a walking tour. I truly believe a walking tour is the best way to see a city and La Paz is no different. With a local guiding you around the must-see spots in town you’ll learn a whole lot about the people, the culture and the history in a short time. I found the political history and insights into the current government particularly interesting as well as infamous San Pedro prison in the centre of town which is self-governed. Yes, you read that right – the prison manages itself!

If you fancy something a little different, you can also find Red Cap’s Cholet tour which takes you up into El Alto to learn more about the colourful Andean buildings known as Cholets. Or learn more about the underbelly of the city on an extreme tour with GuruWalk – find their full list of options here!

Explore sprawling Mercado Rodríguez

Markets in La Paz, Bolivia

Next up is the first of many La Paz icons – the city’s main market. This is a maze of sights, sounds, smells and flavours with stalls owned and run entirely by Bolivian women. Look out for fresh trout from Lake Titiccaca and incredible colourful varieties of Andean potatoes. There’s a lot to see so take your time exploring and observing how close the relationship with sellers and their regular buyers is, often giving them discounts or extra free produce.

Mercado Rodríguez is open from 6am – 8pm every day and set along a couple of streets so it’s completely free to wander. Lots of walking tours will also take you through the market and explain more about the produce and customs too.

Wander the infamous Witches Market (El Mercado de las Brujas)

Witches Market, La Paz, Bolivia

Your next stop is another market that’s very popular for very different reasons. This is El Mercado de las Brujas which translates to the witches market but this isn’t your broomstick riding, pointed hat wearing kind of witch. Everything sold on these streets is for herbal and folk medicines or offerings for the Aymará world.

But some of those ingredients and products can be a little unusual. One of the most surprising sights is llama foetuses – these are buried in the foundations of new houses as an offering to the goddess Pachamama. You’ll also see dried toucan beaks, dried frogs, armadillos, small statues and lots of different medicinal plants. You might also spot yatiris (traditional healers) who wear distinctive dark hats, carry coca pouches containing talismans and offer to tell fortunes by reading the way coca leaves land.

Again, many walking tours will also take you through the market and explain more of the meaning and mystic behind each of the items on sale. Just be respectful when taking photos as this is a more sacred space. If in doubt ask permission politely but be prepared sellers or yatiris may say no.

Soar above the city on cable cars (Mi Teleférico)

Cable cars over La Paz, Bolivia

After a morning touring the streets, it’s time to take to the sky. One of my absolute favourite things to do in La Paz is ride the Teleférico – you get incredible views, a little break from the hustle and bustle, and it’s incredibly affordable. Unlike cable cars in the Alps, these are an everyday form of transport for residents and as such tickets are priced accordingly.

Completed in 2019, there are 26 stations along 10 different routes which are known by their colours i.e. the green line, orange line etc. You can explore as much or as little of the lines as you like but for the best introduction to Mi Teleférico I’d recommend buying a circular ticket which allows you to ride on 6 lines (orange, red, silver, yellow, light blue and white) and end back where you started. You can pick the route up from any station on those lines and ask for a circular ticket at the ticket office.

Cheer at a Cholitas wrestling match

Cholitas Wrestling, La Paz, Bolivia

In the evening, consider experiencing a newer part of Bolivian culture… wrestling! Except this isn’t your usual wresting, here in the higher hills of El Alto only traditional women known as Cholitas wrestle each other in fantastically theatrical displays.

The practice started in the early 2000s inspired by the Mexican lucha libre style of wrestling and served as an outlet for women who had experienced domestic abuse. Wrestling was seen as a way to reclaim some of their power while letting off stress and frustration.

Day 2: Cycle the world’s most dangerous road or explore the lunar valley

On your second day, head just outside the city to see one of two marvels: the world’s most dangerous road or the incredible moon valley. As both of these options are full day trips I’d recommend picking just one. If it’s a dose of adrenaline you’re after then the death road cycle is a must-do. Or for a more serene experience with geological wonders then head to the moon valley for some beautiful hiking. Here’s what you need to know…

Cycle the incredible death road

Death Road, La Paz, Bolivia

If you haven’t heard of the death road before, you’re probably thinking “why on earth would I want to cycle along a road that dangerous?!”. Thankfully (but also sadly) the road didn’t earn its name from bicycle accidents (although they do happen), instead the winding high altitude pass was particularly risky for cars and vans.

The 64km Yungas Road links La Paz with the mountainous Yungas region and drops 3,000m which makes for some very steep sections. That combined with the fact that in many places it’s not wide enough for two way traffic meant that up until the late 1990s every year it claimed 200-300 lives.

Thankfully since then the number has significantly dropped as it was closed to bus and truck traffic and has become a bit of a mecca for adrenaline seekers. Today, there are a number of very good bike tour providers who take intrepid explorers down the mostly downhill route for epic views, sheer drops and a whole lot of history.

You can book the exact 5* bike tour my husband took here. As you’ll see from their other reviews – this is a well-loved tour and the highlight of many trips!

Hike in incredible Moon Valley

Valley de la Luna, La Paz, Bolivia

For a more serene experience, spend your day at Valle de la Luna just 10km outside of central La Paz. It’s a landscape of stalagmites, sandstone chimneys and craters that was actually named by Neil Armstrong himself.

It was formed as the mountain above eroded and wind, rain and snow shaped the sandstone and clay into unusual shapes. There are two circular trails you can walk to explore the park – one takes about 45 minutes and ends at the most famous viewpoint, Devil’s Point. The other is a shorter route which takes about 15 minutes.

Entrance is 15 Bolivianos (about £1.70) and you can get there by yourself with public transport and a taxi. Just pick up the green line and ride it all the way to the end then get a taxi or minibus over to Moon Valley. You could also get a taxi straight from the city centre but of course that will cost more.

Alternatively, if you’d rather take a guided tour, you can book a really well reviewed option through GetYourGuide here.

Day 3: Enjoy panoramic views, learn about indigenous folklore & shop local handicrafts

On your final day in the capital, spend it soaking up the views and exploring famous Calle Sagàrnaga. Here’s what I’d recommend…

Climb Killi Killi mirador for panoramic views

Killi Killi Viewpoint, La Paz, Bolivia

In the morning set your sights on scaling Killi Killi. It was once used by the indigenous people of Bolivia as a look out and headquarters to monitor the Spanish settlement of La Paz and plan an uprising to reclaim the city.

Today, it’s known as one of the best viewpoints in the captial and while it may only be a relatively small hill, at altitude it feels more like climbing a mountain. So take your time on the steep stairs and rest at the top enjoying the panoramic views. You can also get a taxi to the top if you don’t fancy the stairs!

Visit Plaza San Francisco & enter the basilica

Plaza San Francisco, La Paz, Bolivia

From there, head back towards the centre of town via Plaza San Francisco. Here you’ll find the stone basilica built in 1548 by the Catholic church in honour of Francis of Assisi. The design of the church and many of the sculptures and carving sought to bring the three main cultures of the time together: Tiwanaku, Inca and modern Aymará. Which is why you’ll see a lot more references to nature and wildlife than in a traditional Catholic church.

The basilica is open every day from 6:30am – 11:30pm and you can enter the main body of the church for free. Just be mindful of services taking place and note that no photos are allowed. To learn more about the place, enter the museum next door where you can join a guided tour and get access to the pretty garden and rooftop for a small fee.

Learn about culture at the National Museum of Ethnography & Folklore

Ethnography Museum, La Paz, Bolivia
Image: Kent MacElwee

A short walk from the basilica, you’ll find one of the best museums in the city. This is the fascinating Museum of Ethnography & Folklore which houses textiles, pottery and unique artefacts from across Bolivia. While there’s a lot to see, one of my favourite exhibits was the range of costumes and masks used for various festivals and celebrations. Each has such a unique story and they’re so vibrant and lifelike.

Shop for handmade souvenirs on famous Calle Sagàrnaga

Calle Sagàrnaga, La Paz, Bolivia

In the afternoon, stroll across from the museum to the colourful Calle Sagàrnaga. Here you’ll find an entire world of bright Andean textiles, handwoven scarves, alpaca jumpers, leather goods and more. Take a leisurely wander down the streets and stop along the way to pick up memories of La Paz. Just don’t forget to haggle – but more on that later!

Best places to eat & drink

To fuel your three day adventure in La Paz, here are the best coffee shops, cafés and restaurants…

HB Bronze Coffee Bar $

We’re kicking things off with my favourite place in the city – HB Bronze. This is actually one of two sister restaurants (the other being below) and they’re both on this list for a reason – they’re brilliant! Set within cosy old world library style buildings, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the street outside and sit back to enjoy a barista quality coffee.

They also serve a selection of tasty cakes and sweet treats as well as a simple lunch and dinner menu. The staff are also incredibly welcoming and friendly and you could easily spend hours just relaxing in the space. We loved this place so much we actually came back three times!

The Writer’s Coffee $

As I mentioned, The Writer’s Coffee is the equally lovely sister of HB Bronze but set closer into the centre of town. As this is in a more prime location it does get a little busier but the quality of the coffee and food is just as good.

Head here for excellent people watching, a cosy atmosphere and easy stop between sights in the historic centre!

For more coffee shop recommendations, find my full list of the 8 best coffee shops in La Paz here.

The Carrot Tree Centro $

If you’re looking for a great breakfast, choose The Carrot Tree. Set in the upper level of the building looking out over the city, you can treat yourself to pancakes, porridge, brunch platters and more for very reasonable prices. It’s the perfect spot to start the day and fuel up with their generous portions.

Oliva Restaurant $

For lunch, Oliva’s gets 5* reviews for a reason… With a beautiful balcony overlooking Calle Sagàrnaga, you can dine on deliciously fresh pasta, salad, meat and fish dishes in the heart of the city. The owners prioritise quality ingredients and excellent service which comes through in the flavours and atmosphere of the place. It’s not one to miss!

Bolivian Popular Food $$

For dinner, sample traditional Bolivian dishes with a modern twist at Bolivian Popular Food. Not only does this place serve fine dining quality food at very reasonable prices but the name doesn’t lie – it’s popular! So get here early to secure a table and enjoy their meal of the week – focused on seasonal local ingredients.

Ali Pacha $$

For the best vegetarian and vegan dishes, choose Ali Pacha. They offer multi course menus with drinks pairings for a more luxurious experience or á la carte options for quicker meals. Again, the quality of the service and food here is excellent so you know you won’t be disappointed.

Best places to stay

Now let’s talk accommodation, here are my top choices for a great nights sleep in La Paz for every budget…

Iskay Boutique Hostel, La Paz, Bolivia

For travellers on a tight budget, choose Iskay Boutique Hostel. Their dorm rooms are really clean, fresh and spacious and start at just £12 per night. They also have a range of private rooms for excellent prices that get rave reviews.

The location is also fantastic, in the heart of the historic centre close to the witches market and other key sights so getting around the city is a breeze. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, they also have an on-site restaurant and rooftop bar that’s perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring.

Mitru Express, La Paz, Bolivia
Image: Booking.com

For a little more luxury, choose Mitru Express. This is where we stayed for four nights and it was brilliant. The hotel only opened in the last couple of years and was designed to be super modern, sleek and fresh which is exactly what you get. The bedrooms are so comfortable, spacious and spotlessly clean, the en suite bathrooms are beautiful and the view of the city is incredible.

At the top of the building you have a panoramic restaurant where they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with sweeping views across the city. It’s especially pretty at night when La Paz is lit up against the mountains. I also liked heading up there for a little afternoon coffee to write my travel journal and take it all in!

Overall this is a fantastic value hotel where you can really relax. Especially if you’re coming from a multi-day trip across Uyuni Salt Flats or a mountain trek – this is the small treat you need!

Plus, the staff are super friendly and helpful so all round it’s a 10/10 from me!

Atix Hotel, La Paz, Bolivia
Image: Booking.com

For ultimate luxury, in a more residential neighbourhood just south of the city centre you’ll find Atix Hotel. The space has been beautifully designed to blend classic Andean art and style with a modern and fresh feel.

Relax in a sumptuous suite, swim lengths in the infinity pool or feast on delicious dishes in their fine dining restaurant – Atix has it all. Plus, while it might be in a quieter spot outside of the city, it’s really well connected with a cable car stop just a short walk away. By taking the green line you can get back into the city in minutes.

What to pack & know before you go

If you’re visiting La Paz or any part of Bolivia for the first time, there are a few things to note for the best experience. Here are my top tips (some learned the hard way) for travelling this lesser visited gem…

Prepare for the altitude: Firstly, I know I’ve mentioned it many times in this blog but basically all of Bolivia is HIGH. Especially if you’re flying straight into La Paz from a lower altitude region or country, you’ll feel the difference immediately. At 3,650m (nearly 12,000ft) there’s less oxygen in the air and your body is going to take time to adjust. It’s likely you’ll feel more breathless, climbing hills and stairs will be a challenge and you might get some headaches. But there are things you can do to help prepare your body and reduce your chances of getting altitude sickness.

Disclaimer – I am not a doctor, these are just things I’ve researched and found helped while travelling at high altitude. If you feel very unwell or have symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) during your trip then seek medical help as soon as you can.

  • Stay hydrated at higher altitudes your body works harder and loses water faster which is why it’s key to drink more water than you normally do to prevent dehydration. The easiest way to remember is to always carry your water bottle or a hydration vest and take frequent sips. Unfortunately the tap water in Bolivia isn’t safe to drink so we would buy five litre bottles of water from the supermarkets to fill up our bottles.
  • Avoid alcohol – similarly, alcohol acts as a diuretic and will dehydrate you faster so avoid drinking much more than a couple of light beers if you can.
  • Consider taking Diamox – for extra help acclimatising I found taking Diamox (Acetazolamide) a few days before and during my time at high altitude great. I didn’t experience any headaches and felt less tired. I bought a pack of tablets from my local travel clinic before my trip and they’re not expensive. I take them on every high altitude trip now!
  • Drink coca tea – a local remedy is supposed to be coca leaf tea which you’ll often be offered or you can order in cafés. The locals will chew the leaves directly for a mild stimulating effect and support with altitude.
  • Travel from a mid-altitude city – if you can, the best way to travel to La Paz is by gradually increasing altitude. For instance by spending time in Peru before you travel and catching a bus or flying from Cusco where the altitude is similar.
  • Take it easy – lastly, as much as you can try to give your body time to acclimatise by avoiding strenuous activity. Especially if you plan on doing hiking or climbing in higher altitudes from La Paz, save some time for more relaxed days. My itinerary above is designed to balance easier activities with a little challenge.

Stay safe in the sun: At altitude, not only is the air thinner but the UV is stronger. Meaning that even on cloudy days you’re still at risk of sun burn and damage to your eyes. So don’t forget your SPF, sunglasses and a hat for extra protection against the rays. Especially if you’re out in more remote areas!

Pack warm layers: As I mentioned earlier on, the temperatures in La Paz can also really dip. So make sure you have enough warm layers to stay toasty during your travels. I’d recommend a great base layer set, light t-shirts and tops and then a packable jacket you can stow during the day and layer up as the temperatures cool. You’ll also be thankful for a buff to protect your face on super chilly days!

Carry some cash: Many smaller shops and vendors don’t take card payments so make sure you have at least a small amount of Bolivianos in cash to get by. It’s also worth noting we had trouble getting cash out at ATMs – many were broken, had errors or rejected our cards. So if you can I’d recommend getting a slightly larger amount of Bolivianos before you travel or at the airport for peace of mind. Also always try to use official ATMs within banks. These are usually inside the bank itself or a side room and are usually guarded or monitored for security.

A little Spanish goes a long way: Like most of South America, don’t expect everything to be in English or English to be widely spoken in all parts of Bolivia. You’ll find getting around the city, ordering food and drink, and asking for help a lot easier with even a little basic Spanish. Plus, I think wherever you travel, making an effort to speak the local language is really appreciated and will help you engage more with local people. It’s also particularly helpful for the next point…

Don’t be afraid to haggle: When you’re shopping for souvenirs local sellers will expect you to ask for the best price so have a little fun with it and use it as an opportunity to engage more with local people. This is where you can really put your Spanish numbers to the test! Just remember that once you’ve agreed a price, you will have to make a purchase so only engage in haggling over items you actually want!

Only take photos of people with permission: Generally, local people don’t like to be photographed in Bolivia and who can blame them!? If someone was taking photos of me in my town I wouldn’t like it either so just bear this in mind and be respectful. If you do want to take a photo of a market stall, ask the owners permission first but be prepared that they may say no unless you provide a small financial incentive. If you don’t, you might be asked for money afterwards! If you really want a shot with a traditional Cholita, you’ll often see women in traditional clothes walking the city with small or baby llamas who make money by posing for photos with tourists. So if that’s the kind of shot you want, that’s a great option which supports local people.

Do your research: Lastly, the best thing you can do is read read read! Especially when it comes to activities, routes and areas off the beaten track. Read the experiences of other travellers, read reviews and educate yourself on the customs, people and culture of Bolivia. So you know how to embrace the experience and most importantly – how to stay safe.

How much a trip to La Paz costs

That just leaves one final question – how much should I budget for my trip to the world’s highest capital? The good news is La Paz and wider Bolivia is an incredible value travel destination and you get a lot for your money. With that in mind, you could spend as little as £100 including budget accommodation, food and cheaper activities in three days.

If you want to treat yourself to a hotel upgrade, more expensive dining experiences and take on the death road cycle, expect to spend £200 or more.

There we have it – that’s my ultimate itinerary for an unforgettable time in La Paz. I hope you enjoy your travels here as much as I did and if you have any questions about visiting La Paz or other parts of Bolivia, drop them in the comments box below and I’ll do my best to help. Happy travelling!

More Bolivia guides + tips

Find the best accommodation in La Paz and beyond with Booking.com. Plus, the more you use the platform, the more they reward you with discounts and free breakfasts – a great way to save!

For the best guided experiences in Bolivia, I’d really recommend GetYourGuide. You can find their full range of La Paz tours here.

Discover Hostelworld for the best reviewed spots in La Paz and across Bolivia.

To make sure you still have mobile data for maps and other travel essentials, discover the easiest eSIMs from Airalo. I’ve used them all over the world for easy connection. Discover their affordable Bolivia plans here.

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