La Paz Attractions
"City Attractions in La Paz, Bolivia"
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There are many things to do and see within the city of La Paz. If you are a first time visitor of La Paz, Bolivia, then a city tour is a great way to see La Paz's main attractions. If you are looking for attractions just outside the city of La Paz, such as Lake Titicaca or Tiwanaku, see also:
Attractions near La Paz, Bolivia
The list of things to do in the city of La Paz is broken down into five different categories: Sightseeing, Museums, Markets, Recreation and Nightlife. See below for all of the attractions in the city of La Paz, Bolivia.
Sightseeing
La Paz City ToursCity tours of La Paz are offered by numerous companies in a half-day or full-day tour and stop at some of La Paz's main sights and attractions. City tours are offered either in the morning or afternoon and are typically offered on a double-decker bus where you can also sit up on a open-air-top.
El PradoEl Prado is the main street in the city of La Paz. Here you can walk down this street to get the vibe of the city. You'll find many hotels, restaurants and street vendors along this street.
Calle JaenOne of La Paz's few remaining colonial streets. Here you can spend a half-day strolling along the historic street of Calle Jaen and enjoy its charming cobblestone street,
museums and cathedrals.
Plaza MurilloThis plaza is home to a number of historic and government buildings, including the Presidential Palace, the Congress Building and a neoclassical cathedral.
Presidential Palace (Palacio Presidencial)Located on the south-end of Plaza Murillo this is where the president of Bolivia resides. It was built in 1852 and is also known as the "Burnt House" after it was damaged by fire in 1875 during one of Bolivia's violent revolutions.
Plaza San Francisco One of the liveliest plazas in La Paz that is full of activity and vibrant street markets near it. On the plaza sits Iglesia de San Francisco, which was originally constructed in 1549, but crumbled under a heavy snowfall. The church was than rebuilt in 1750.
Mirador Parque LaikakotaThis park contains fabulous 360° views of the city of La Paz and is a great place to take photos. It is a relaxing place to sit and enjoy the views of the city and it also has a childrens park and food stands.
Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) is a maze of canyons and pinnacles that have been eroded by wind and rain. Moon Valley offers amazing sights that seem from another world. It is located about 6 miles (10Km) south of La Paz's city center. Many companies that offer
La Paz city tours stop over here.
La Paz ZooLocated near Valle de la Luna, this is the world's highest zoo. It has a number of animals that are native to Bolivia including llamas, alpaca, foxes, pumas, jaguars, condors, vultures, monkeys, parrots and snakes. The zoo is open daily from 10am-6pm.
Coca Museum (Museo de Coca)A popular museum among tourists, this museum details the history and significance of the coca leaf & plant. It covers coca use among the indigenous people of the Andes and moves on to coca use today, including production of cocaine to its effects on humans.
Archeological Museum (Museo de Arqueologia)This is a good museum to go for an overview of Tiwananku before you set out on a trip to the
Tiwanaku Ruins. The museum is set in a building that has been designed to look like the pre-Columbian temple found at Tiwanaku. It features many findings from the Tiwanaku and Inca cultures.
See the Top Museums in La Paz, Bolivia
There are dozens of markets in the city of La Paz where you can find just about anything you are looking for. There is an artisians' market, flower market, black market, witchcraft market, several food markets and many other types.
Read about the Top Markets in La Paz, Bolivia
Mercado de los Brujos (Witches Market) is popular tourist attraction in La Paz. This famous market hosts a crowded line of bizarre shops. It is like stepping into a Harry Potter movie where you'll find magic spells, sorcery, potions and see real life witches.
Mercado Negro (Black Market) is along Calle Graneros and Eloy Salmon in La Paz. There you'll find pirated DVDs and CDs. Knockoff apparel such as Nike and Louis Vuttion purses. You'll find electronics, household items and coca leaves to chew on. And Anything else you can think of you'll probably find it there.
Recreation Activities
Hiking
Muela del Diablo (Devil's Molar)This is a prominent peak in the south of La Paz. It is a massive volcanic outcrop that makes a great hiking spot to spend a half-day or a full-day. It takes about an hour from Zona Sur to hike up the trail to the foot of Devil's Molar.
Chiarkota LakeLago Chiarkota is great for hikers and backpackers. This is a natural lake where you can hike to enjoy the scenery of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Hanging at almost 5,000m the lake can be visited as a day trip from La Paz.
Valley of the SpiritsAlso known as Canyon de Palca or Valle de Animas, is a deep canyon that was carved by Rio Palca centuries ago.
Climbing - Climbing in Bolivia
For those into climbing, the Andes Mountains of Bolivia offer many places for climbing. There are climbs ranging from easy to difficult. There are many tour companies that offer climbing adventures that are highly skilled.
See the Top Places for Climbing in Bolivia
Huayna PotosiThis is a mountain with an elevation of 6,088 meters (19,974 ft). The mountain is located about 25 km (15 miles) north of La Paz. Climbing the mountain of Huayna Potosi is very popular and is one of the world's most visited "6000ers" (mountain peaks over 6000 meters).
Condoriri Mountain PeaksCondoriri is group of mountain peaks in the Cordillera Real mountain range in the Bolivian Andes of South America. It is popular to climb among mountain climbers that offer amazing views & photos.
Mount Illimani Mount Illimani has an elevation of 6,438 meters (21,122 ft), making it the highest mountain in the Cordillera Real mountain range of the Andes. Mount Illimani is the prominent peak that that dominates the skyline over the city of La Paz.
Skiing
Chacaltaya Ski Resort is famous for having the world's highest ski resort, at an altitude that leaves most skiers gasping for breath. Due to the disapperance of the glacier skiing is limited. However, the Chacaltaya does offer some amazing views and is worth the hike whether or not you plan to ski.
Golfing
La Paz Golf ClubTry golfing at the World's Highest golf course, where a well-hit shot will travel several meters farther than at sea level.
Nightlife
Within the city center of La Paz there are many good bars, pubs, restaurants and clubs that you can go for a good night out.
For a more upscale nightspot go over to the middle-class suburb of Sopocachi on Avenida 20 de Octubre. There you can find a variety of bars, nightclubs, discos and many of which have live music.
Read about the Nightlife in La Paz, Bolivia
