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About La Paz
La Paz hits different the moment you land — at 13,323 feet above sea level, the airport (actually in El Alto) is the highest international airport in the world, and the city itself sits in a dramatic bowl canyon that will stop you cold the first time you see it. Millions of red-brick buildings cascade down steep hillsides, cable cars slice through thin air overhead, and the markets never really close. This is not a polished tourist destination. It's a working Andean capital of 2 million people who are going about their lives, and that rawness is exactly what makes it extraordinary for travelers willing to lean in.
For Americans, La Paz is one of the best-value cities in the Western Hemisphere — your dollar stretches absurdly far here. A solid sit-down lunch with a soup course, main, and drink costs under $3 at a local restaurant. The Teleférico cable car system, one of the largest urban gondola networks in the world, costs about $0.50 per ride and gives you aerial views that would cost hundreds at a ski resort back home. The city's Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas) on Calle Melchor Jiménez sells everything from dried llama fetuses to herbal cures, and it's completely authentic — locals actually buy this stuff. The Valle de la Luna, a surreal moonscape of eroded clay spires, is 30 minutes from downtown and feels like another planet.
The altitude is the real wildcard. Most Americans feel at least some symptoms — headache, shortness of breath, fatigue — for the first 24-48 hours. The local remedy is coca tea, which is legal in Bolivia, genuinely effective, and served everywhere. Drink it constantly, avoid alcohol on day one, and don't try to hike anything serious until day three. Once you acclimatize, you'll have full energy and can tackle day trips to the Moon Valley, the Chacaltaya ski slope ruins, or the incredible Mercado Rodriguez. La Paz is also the logical jumping-off point for the Uyuni Salt Flats, Tiwanaku ruins, Lake Titicaca, and the Death Road bike descent — arguably the most adrenaline-efficient country in South America.
Flights to La Paz almost always connect through Bogotá (Avianca), Lima (LATAM), or Miami (American Airlines via various hubs). There are no nonstop flights from US cities. The connection through Bogotá is often cheapest and fastest from the East Coast. Prices on Wildly regularly show round trips in the $500-800 range from Miami or New York with one stop, and if you set an alert, deals in the $400s do appear — especially in shoulder months like March-April or October.
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Track La Paz flights →Airport to City: How to Get There
El Alto International Airport (LPB) sits in El Alto at 13,323 feet — 1,300 feet above La Paz proper. Option 1: Official airport taxi counters inside arrivals sell fixed-rate tickets to La Paz neighborhoods for 80-120 BOB ($12-17 USD) depending on destination — buy inside, not from touts. Journey is 30-45 minutes depending on traffic on the autopista. Option 2: The Teleférico (cable car) Rojo/Red line connects El Alto to La Paz for just 3.50 BOB ($0.50) but requires a short taxi from the terminal to the nearest Teleférico station (10-15 BOB) — best for budget travelers who aren't exhausted and aren't carrying massive bags. Option 3: Mini-bus combis run from El Alto to various La Paz neighborhoods for about 2-4 BOB but are crowded, confusing, and brutal on day-one altitude — skip this option on arrival.
Neighborhoods & Where to Stay
La Paz's most livable neighborhood for travelers — tree-lined streets, the best restaurant scene in the city (try Ali Pacha for upscale Bolivian vegetarian or Gustu for world-class New Nordic Bolivian fusion), and walkable to the Prado boulevard. Most mid-range boutique hotels cluster here and safety is notably better than the center. Taxis from Sopocachi to Plaza Murillo run about 15-20 BOB.
Residential and calmer than Sopocachi, Miraflores is where upper-middle-class paceños actually live. Fewer tourists, more authentic neighborhood markets, and proximity to the Estadio Hernando Siles. Good option for travelers who want local immersion — Airbnbs are plentiful and cheaper here than Sopocachi.
The wealthy southern suburbs sit at a lower altitude (around 10,800 feet) making breathing meaningfully easier — a genuine perk for altitude-sensitive travelers. The Radisson and Casa Grande hotels are here, along with the city's upscale malls and international restaurants. The catch: it's a 20-30 minute taxi ride from the historic center and Teleférico access is limited. Taxis to Plaza Murillo cost 40-60 BOB.
Backpacker central, centered around the infamous San Pedro Prison (which no longer offers inmate tours but remains a cultural landmark). Sagárnaga Street — the gringo trail — runs through here with hostels from $8-15/night, tour agencies selling Death Road and Uyuni trips, and budget restaurants everywhere. Loki Hostel and Adventure Brew Hostel are the most social options.
Technically a separate city above La Paz, but the Teleférico connects them seamlessly. El Alto's Sunday market (Feria 16 de Julio) is one of the largest open-air markets in South America — electronics, clothing, food, livestock — spread over many city blocks. Worth a morning trip even if you don't buy anything. Don't bring valuables or your main camera.
Daily Budget: What to Expect
$8-12 dorm bed at Adventure Brew Hostel or Loki, $6 for two almuerzo set lunches, $3 breakfast at market stall, $5 Teleférico rides and local transport, $9 one paid attraction or beer at a bar
$35-50 private room at Atix Hotel or Casa Fusion, $15 sit-down lunch at Mercado Lanza, $20 dinner at a Sopocachi restaurant like Pronto, $10 taxis, $15 one guided activity or museum entrance fees
$120-150 at Casa Grande Hotel in Calacoto or Stannum Boutique Hotel, $30 dinner at Gustu (Bolivia's most acclaimed restaurant), $20 cocktails, $20 private driver half-day, $20 premium guided tour
What to Eat in La Paz
Salteñas — Bolivia's version of the empanada but juicier and messier, eaten as a morning snack before 11am (after that, they're gone). The best in La Paz are at Salteñería El Patio on Calle Potosí. Budget 6-8 BOB each. Do not eat them at a tourist restaurant — find a local joint with a line out front.
Almuerzo del día at Mercado Lanza — the central market's upstairs food hall serves a three-course lunch (soup, main, juice) for about 20-25 BOB ($3). The main is usually a meat stew with rice, potatoes, and chuño (freeze-dried potato). Arrive between noon and 1pm for freshest food.
Chairo soup — a thick Andean stew made with chuño, lamb or beef, wheat, and vegetables. It's La Paz's signature dish, hearty at altitude, and costs about 15-20 BOB at any traditional restaurant. Particularly restorative if your stomach is unsettled from altitude.
Tucumanas at night markets — fried dough pockets stuffed with potato, chicken, egg, and olive, sold by street vendors in the evening around Plaza San Francisco for 5-8 BOB each. The oil is always suspiciously hot, which is probably why travelers rarely have problems eating them.
Api with pastel at any market breakfast — Bolivian hot purple corn drink (api morado) served with a deep-fried pastry (pastel) dusted in powdered sugar. It costs 10 BOB total, it's warming at altitude, and it's one of those food experiences you'll remember for years. Find it at Mercado Rodriguez early morning.
Flying from the US to La Paz
Airlines & Routes
- →American Airlines via Miami or Dallas to La Paz (usually connecting via Bogotá on Avianca codeshare)
- →Avianca via Bogotá BOG (most frequent connection, often cheapest from East Coast)
- →LATAM via Lima LIM (good option from West Coast cities, often competitive pricing)
- →Copa Airlines via Panama City PTY (solid option from the South and Midwest)
- →Gol via São Paulo GRU (cheapest sometimes but very long routing)
Flight Duration
Safety Tips
La Paz is navigable but requires alertness. Express kidnappings (taxi scams where you're taken to an ATM by fake cab drivers) are the main serious threat — always use apps like InDriver or Uber, or have your hotel call a trusted radio taxi. Never hail a cab off the street, especially at night, and never get into a taxi that already has passengers. The historic center around Plaza Murillo is generally safe in daylight but gets sketchy after dark — travel by taxi after 9pm. The Witches' Market and Sagárnaga Street see active pickpocketing; use a crossbody bag worn in front and leave your passport locked at the hotel (carry a photo copy). El Alto's Sunday market is high-risk for theft — go with a local guide or experienced traveler and carry only small bills. The Zona Sur is the safest area at night. Altitude sickness is a real medical concern: if you develop severe headache, confusion, or inability to walk straight, descend immediately and seek medical help — these are signs of serious altitude illness, not just tiredness.
Buy your Uyuni Salt Flats tour in La Paz instead of Uyuni itself — you'll pay the same or less, get to vet the agency in person, and skip the scammy tout pressure in Uyuni town. Specifically, look at Red Cap Travel or Gravity Bolivia on Sagárnaga Street, both of which have well-maintained 4WD vehicles and English-speaking guides. Also: the Teleférico Mi Teleférico day pass costs 30 BOB ($4.30) and lets you ride all 10 lines unlimited — buy it at any station and spend half a day riding the entire network for the most spectacular low-cost city views you'll find anywhere in South America.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do US citizens need a visa to visit La Paz?
Visa requirements for Bolivia vary. US citizens should check the latest entry requirements with the US State Department before booking.
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