Flights to La Paz

From the airport

Official radio taxis wait outside arrivals, and minibuses run down into the city. El Alto airport lies at over 4,000 metres, so move slowly when you land and drink plenty of water. Sopocachi and the area around Calle Sagárnaga are popular places to stay, with cafés and easy access to the old centre. Expect headaches or breathlessness for the first day or two, and avoid heavy meals and alcohol at first.

Plazas, churches and markets

Plaza Murillo is the political heart, lined by the presidential palace, the cathedral and the legislative assembly. The stone Basilica of San Francisco has a carved facade mixing Spanish and Andean motifs, and visitors can climb to its roof. Uphill, the Witches' Market sells herbal remedies and offerings to Pachamama, while Calle Jaén is a cobbled colonial street lined with small museums. The National Ethnography and Folklore Museum displays textiles and masks from across the country.

Cable cars and viewpoints

Mi Teleférico, a network of urban cable car lines, connects the city with El Alto and gives wide views of the canyon and Illimani. In El Alto, a large Sunday and Thursday market fills the streets, and cholita wrestling shows draw crowds. To the south, the Moon Valley has clay spires and walking paths. Try salteñas, juicy baked pastries sold mid-morning, and api morado, a warm purple corn drink.

Day trips and timing

The ruins of Tiwanaku are about 90 minutes west, and Copacabana on Lake Titicaca is roughly four hours away. Experienced riders can join guided mountain bike trips down the old Yungas road. The dry months, from May to October, bring sunny days but nights near freezing. Afternoon rain is common from December to March, so pack layers year-round.

Planning a trip to La Paz? Call 020 7871 4545 and we'll find a connection that suits you.