LA PAZ

Located 3,610 meter above sea level, is known as the most important Andean cities and it is the main entrance to Bolivia. It almost rises as the feet of the majestic Illimani. At first sight it looks like a moon crater, for the light and color are not found in its strange landscape, but in its people and rich culture.

Although the capital city of Bolivia is Sucre, the government seat which centralizes a big part of the financial and public administration activities is found in La Paz. It possesses unique topographic characteristics, steep streets and wide avenues; it is a unique metropolis, were modernity and ancientness mix through ethnical diversity and its people’s culture.

La Paz is also the starting point to get to know one of the only countries in the world which conserves its identity and the same time offers wonderful landscapes: ranges plateaus, lakes, jungles, colonial cities and spring valleys. Bolivia seems to live in another historical period and in a world worth of dignity and exuberance.

Main attractions

The historical center of the city, maintains its unmistakable air of seniority, in its antique colonial buildings and churches, and its main style of baroque like Museo Nacional de Arte, Museo de Etnografía y Folklore.

In 1831 the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de La Paz, was built. It is located in the main square of La Paz, the Plaza Murillo. It is built with a neoclassic style and the façade is divided into two bodies. It also counts with a sacrum art museum.

The convent and temple of San Francisco dates since 1549. Though it was destroyed by a snowstorm in the XVIIth century, it was restored; however these restorations are not completed yet. Its baroque façade was constructed towards the year 1790 and its tower in 1885. The inside has a baroque style also, which was finished in 1753, after 40 years of work. Its retable is famous for its delicate weft, done in golden bread. The church also counts with a picture gallery which presents a famous art collection of the Renaissance, mannerists, baroque, mestizo, and neoclassic.

Sagárnaga Street, near San Francisco Church, if plenty of stores and galleries, where we can found many handcraft in wood, silver and leather.

Linares Street where we can fount the  Witch market, in the old part of the city around the San Francisco church, you will find more specific sales in the middle of colonial streets The Fair carries the name “the Witch Street” because in it you can find traditional curative products of the Callawaya culture.

Night Activities

Just minutes from downtown La Paz can be made to the following locations:

Valle de la Luna, one of the most popular places for tourists from around the world that lies just 15 Km. The erosion in the ground for thousands of years created an amazing landscape that will give you the feeling of being in a spot where the lunar gravity is present.

Valley of the Animas, another superb site, located approximately 20 km. from the city center, has a variety of places to photograph, such as giant obelisks of earth and rock formed by erosion of thousands of years. In this place you'll enjoy the scenery of the snowy Illimani, Mururata quiet and natural environment, which is ideal for hiking.

Mallasa, located south of the city, with a variety of unique natural environments with colored hills, lunar-type landscape, grassy areas in which there are some elegant private condominiums.

Chacaltaya located in the Cordillera de los Andes has an average elevation of 5300 meters above sea level 30 km. from the city of La Paz from where you can see spectacular scenery of snow, lakes and plateau especially between the months of April through October in accessing vehicle in a time of two hours.

Pampalarama Lagoon, just 20 km. from the city center of La Paz, through a winding and picturesque road, one arrives at the hostel community at the foot of a blue lagoon and surrounded by mountains where you can perform a variety of recreational activities like hiking, climbing, fishing, hikes boating and hiking

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