El Alto

Understand

La Paz was established in 1548, and is in the Andes. Altitude of the city ranges from about above sea level in El Alto (where the airport is located) to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. It is the highest national capital in the world.

The sight from the air as you fly into La Paz is incredible. First, you see the sprawling shantytowns of El Alto, slowly giving way to the sight of La Paz, clinging tenuously to the sides of what looks like a large gash in the earth. thumb|right|250px|Bolivian Palace of Government in La Paz.

Get around

Public transport in La Paz is largely underdeveloped compared to its counterparts in Europe and East Asia, or even other South American cities. Due to narrow streets driving is not recommended. Most of the time, a taxi is often preferred.thumb|200px|Colonial buildings on Calle Jaen

See

thumb|The Witches Market in La Paz 300px|thumbnail|Street market in El Alto The Thursday & Sunday Market in El Alto or Feria de 16 de Julio. A huge market held in El Alto every Thursday and Sunday. This mostly Aymara market is one of the world's biggest, and a person can find just about anything. The latest software and DVDs are practically free as are high quality used clothes, jackets, sweaters and everything else imaginable. The market is an attraction in itself – you can buy stuff, see people, eat local food. For newbies, stick to the railroad tracks starting at the ceja and ending at Plaza Ballivian. Do not bring anything valuable (like camera or iPhone) and keep your money (except small bills like 10's) inside your clothing. Bring sunblock. Expats living in Bolivia are known to enjoy the bargains available in order to furnish their houses, to dress their kids, and to buy plants for their gardens. To get there, take the red cable car line from to . It helps to be there early on the market days, at 10 o'clock you might already encounter a very long waiting line. It might be worthwhile waiting because the view from the cable car over the city is spectacular and even if the line looks like you have to wait for hours, it might be only half an hour. Buy your ticket first (Bs. 3) and then get in the line. You might encounter a second, shorter line for people that own a prepaid card (tarjeta) to pay for the cable car ride. Alternatively, take one of the hundreds of shared taxis…

Do

Take it easy on your first day in La Paz if you arrive from low altitude. Even if you feel fine, resting and walking slowly will help. Try not to eat too much, at least the first day or so. And sleep as much as you can.

Visit tourist information services at the Plaza Estudiantes or Prado, they will tell you a lot about what you can do in and around La Paz.

thumb|El Alto from cable car, mountains in the background The Self-guided Public Transport Tour. The best way to see the real La Paz is to jump on and off public transport minibuses and micros at random, go to the end of the line, turn around and jump off at any place that looks interesting. There is no way to get lost and each jump on and off costs about US$0.15. Buy fruit and so on along the way and talk to people in the peripheral zones. Inexpensive, quite safe, and you will see the most fascinating things imaginable. Add cable cars to your tour to make your impressions even more memorable - you won't forget the breathtaking view of El Alto with mountains in the background, or the change of perspective when entering La Paz from El Alto.

Buy

thumb|250px|Handicrafts market in Santa Cruz street in La Paz.

Drink

Try a glass of mocochinchi from street vendors.

Local law prohibits serving alcohol after 04:00. There are a number of speakeasies defying this.

Sleep

If you do not want to pay for a bed, you can pass a night in loco along Calle Sagarnaga or Calle Illampu. These streets are merged into fairs and museums, so are full of people all day long. Be sure to inspect your room before signing the register.

Stay safe

The plain-clothed police officer scam seems to be popular (but seldom) in La Paz. Read all about it under Bolivia#Stay safe and be aware. In crowded areas be careful for pickpockets and bagslashers. A common trick is that one person spills something on your clothes and, while you or he wipes it off, another person lifts your wallet or slashes your bag. Be vigilant when checking into a hotel or hostel. Keep a hand on all your bags and belongings at all times. Acting as if they work for the hotel, opportunist thieves will create a diversion and snatch the nearest unattended bag. El Alto is one of the most dangerous cities in Bolivia; if you decide to go there, avoid bringing valuables. Theft is the most common crime, so keep your things close to your body and in sight. Locals advise to keep your backpack in front of you to protect your things. Nevertheless, during the day, all you have to fear is pickpockets, and El Alto bus station and Río Seco are fine to be used. Generally, if you feel you are in a dodgy situation, just simply walk away as soon as you can and try to vanish in the crowds. There have been several cases of violent muggings in taxis. Take only Radio Cabs (they will have the telephone number and their call centre listed above the cab). The taxis, or Gypsy Cabs, have no boarding above the taxi and have taxi written on the side and are dangerous to take at night, as many of the drivers are paid to drive tourists to specific locations for muggings. Be especially car…

Stay healthy

Travelers to La Paz often become ill the moment they arrive in the city. Why? La Paz is above sea level, the highest capital city in the world. People with ailing hearts or bronchial problems are warned to stay away, and even those in perfect health usually cannot avoid some illness resulting from the altitude.

The altitude of La Paz is well within the zone where altitude sickness could be a problem, especially for those arriving from at or near sea level – just spending a day or two at an intermediate elevation may not be enough. It's highly recommended that you read Altitude sickness, have adequate travel insurance, familiarize yourself with the symptoms of altitude sickness, and inform your physician to what elevation you will be traveling (up to 4,000 m (13,000 ft) for La Paz, and 6,000 m (20,000 ft) if you want to climb Huayna Potosi). On your first night in La Paz you are likely to find difficulty in breathing and wake up panting for breath. Mate de Coca (Coca Leaf tea) is a popular Andean remedy, however studies have not corroborated its benefits. There are some medicines that have confirmed effects ("soroche-pills" are sold at any pharmacy; they may help). In any case, take it easy when walking around town and if you are young and healthy don't be lured into a false sense of security. Marathon runners can get altitude sickness while those far less healthy can have few symptoms.

Despite being near the equator, it does occasionally snow a little in La Paz du…

Go next

thumb|250 px|Lake Titicaca with the Andes at the background, 35 km. away from La Paz

The most popular day trips from La Paz are to Tiwanaku, Chacaltaya, and Lake Titicaca, though the latter (especially Copacabana) is pushing it a bit in terms of time and worthy of a trip.

Tiwanaku – 72 km from the La Paz City. Once there, you can visit the Lithic and Ceramic Museum, then you can visit the archeological site of Tiwanaku and its major ceremonial centers, which are: the Pyramid of Akapana, Semi Underground Temple of Kalasasaya, and the Puerta del Sol. At the end of your visit you can taste a typical lunch place. Laja – A little town on the road to Tiwanaku (10 Bs.; you can go there from La Paz and then take another minivan to Tiwanaku), original location of La Paz. Has big and nice church (open on Sundays during mass). In Laja, buy some local bread - it's specific and tasty. Chacaltaya – You can walk for about two hours, then see a beautiful landscape with mountains of the Cordillera Real and may also take fantastic photos. Depending on the snow conditions it may or it may not possible to reach the summit hut. Salar de Uyuni – The salt flats can be visited as part of a 2-day trip but worthy as a destination. Quime – Raunchy and friendly but sleepy mountain village surrounded by high mountains of the Cordillera Quimsa Cruz, with mines, waterfalls, native cloud forest and 31 Aimara indigenous communities. Lake Titicaca - The world's highest navigable lake. Go to Copacabana (chil…