Things to do in  La Paz

Yes, La Paz is worth visiting. Many travelers pass through quickly, but La Paz offers vibrant markets, unique historic sites, and the country’s finest museums. These include the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore, the Museum of Musical Instruments, the Museum of Precious Metals, and the National Museum of Art.

With an altitude that reaches 13,250 feet (4,100 meters), La Paz is famous as the world’s highest capital city. Streets here climb through neighborhoods so steep that the easiest way to get around is by cable car, a network that is used by everyone from tourists to commuters.

Explore the historic center, whose highlights include the Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas), Presidential Palace, San Francisco Church (Basilica de San Francisco), and Calle Jaen museums. La Paz also has some of Bolivia’s best dining, whether you’re snacking on a pastel de queso or visiting top end farm-to-table restaurants.

Head to the Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna), a natural area whose walking trails run through an eroded landscape of clay formations. A short distance away is the small municipal zoo (Zoológico Municipal) featuring rescued animals including many Andean natives such as jaguars, pumas, llamas, and alpacas.

La Paz has a top altitude of 13,250 feet (4,100 meters), with low-oxygen air that leaves some visitors short of breath. Other altitude sickness symptoms include headaches, nausea, insomnia, and fatigue. To minimize the impact of the altitude, try walking slowly, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding alcohol.

Visit La Paz in late January or early February to experience the Feria de Alasitas, among the city’s most colorful festivals. This month-long celebration has Aymara roots, and participants buy and gift miniature items — such as mini cars, cell phones, and houses — that have been blessed by priests and shamans.