10 FUN & EXCITING Things to do in La Paz, Bolivia

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Looking for the top activities in La Paz, Bolivia? You’re in the right spot!

La Paz is a massive city, and so there are heaps of things to do. You might feel a little lost when thinking about how to use your time, especially if you’re using it as a launch point for further travels. But after spending time here ourselves, we wouldn’t recommend rushing through La Paz!

If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure, some unique history, tasty food, and friendly locals, you’ll love La Paz. I put together this guide to help you pick out the best of the best things to do so you can maximize your time and enjoy the highest city in the world (really!).

Best Things to do in La Paz, Bolivia

1. Ride the Death Road

The Death Road (or Yungas Road) is considered to be the most dangerous road in the world and you can actually ride a mountain bike down it (if you have the guts!). This experience has over 2,500 5-star reviews (see them here!), so it’s an easy first pick for the best things to do in La Paz!

This was once used as a “highway” of sorts, but after many vehicles tumbling over the sudden cliffs, they built a new, less dangerous road. It is now just used for mountain bike tours and is much safer! However, there is still risk involved and tourists have died while biking here. Our personal experience was that it could be as dangerous or safe as you make it. Sure, sheer cliff edges are dropping down hundreds of meters, but the road is wide enough for a car to drive, so it isn’t a hard path to stay on.

The biggest piece of advice we have is to book with a reputable company like this exact Death Road tour we took. It came highly recommended and while you can find cheaper tours available, I wouldn’t necessarily trust them. The last thing you want is your brakes failing you!

I (Bailey) was actually really nervous about this experience. I honestly didn’t even want to do it, but I also have a serious case of FOMO so when Daniel and our friend Liam signed up, I did too.

The tour we chose has great quality bikes and all the safety equipment included. The guides are also really experienced and help ease your nerves. There’s no pressure to speed down the road and in fact, because of my nerves, I took it slow.

The full-day tour departs La Paz to drive to the start of the trail. What’s great is that pick-up is super early (6 am) so you make it to the trail before a lot of other tours which means the narrow road is less crowded, which is ideal if you’re a little nervous like me!

The first half of the trail is not dangerous and gives you the chance to practice on the bike and get comfortable. The last hour or so is a lot steeper and that’s where the craziness begins. Don’t worry though, when you complete the trail, lunch is included so you can relax and talk about the adventure and look at the photos the guides snapped along the way! There’s also a stop at a nearby hotel where you can shower and hang around the pool before heading back to the city.

For all this, the tour ranges from $125-$168 USD per person depending on the bike you choose when booking. This is one of those exhilarating experiences that La Paz is known for. My advice is to book this tour online and then just go for it!

Book this top-rated tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.

2. Day trip to Sun Island and Copacabana

The beautiful Sun Island, also known as Isla del Sol, is one of the sacred Bolivian Islands in Lake Titicaca. It is thought to be the birthplace of the sun and the Inca empire. The town of Copacabana is the launch point to reach the island, and we really enjoyed exploring it too.

The Island of the Sun has Inca ruins to explore as well as a fountain believed to offer eternal youth! We loved hiking around the island and meeting the roaming llamas along the way. Don’t forget your comfy shoes as there are no vehicles on the island and there are over 200 stone steps to reach the fountain! 

It’s about 3 hours to reach Copacabana, and you’ll need a boat to get to Sun Island, so taking this full-day tour is definitely the way to go. This tour takes off around 7 am and breaks up the drive with scenic viewpoints and even a ferry ride before reaching Copacabana. Once you’re here, you’ll have about an hour of free time to explore on your own!

Then it’s off to Sun Island! The boat ride over is incredibly scenic, but the ruins were easily the highlight of the island! Having a local guide explain the history and significance is really worthwhile, as you can learn so much more than visiting on your own. The views from the island were really incredible too – I couldn’t believe how beautiful Bolivia is!

This tour includes hotel pickup/drop off and transportation, your boat rides, and a local guide. It doesn’t include lunch or a small fee for the Sun Island community, so bring some cash with you. It is $45 USD per person and is a full day, so we think this is a good price for a day trip!

Book this tour with over 350 5-star reviews here, before spots fill up!

3. Ride the Gondola (Mi Teleférico)

This might seem like a very normal thing to do, I mean, in many cities around the world (especially those with mountains) riding a gondola up to a viewpoint is common.

The gondolas in La Paz, Bolivia known as Mi Teleférico are different though. They make up the biggest network of public transit cable cars in the entire world! Yup, these gondolas that were built in 2014 are the longest and highest cable car system transporting hundreds of thousands of people every day.

Since the city is built in a valley and the majority of the population lives on the surrounding hills, the gondolas are critical for people to get around. But it’s not just the locals who love it, we found that it’s a great way to get around and see the city from above!

At the top, you can get out of the station and go for a little walk to enjoy the view. This area isn’t super safe (and you shouldn’t visit after dark) but it is okay to go for a little wander during the daytime.

If you want to maximize your time in the city, this 2-hour gondola tour in La Paz is your best bet. Not only is it your gondola tour, but it’s an entire city tour! It’s under $10 USD (including your gondola ticket) and you’ll get to see the best viewpoints in the city.

It starts on the ground in La Paz where you’ll tour some of the main sights like the Witches’ Market and San Franciso Church before hopping on the cable cars to visit the El Alto district.

Riding the gondola is one of the best things to do in La Paz, and also one of the coolest. The views are incredible and the sheer size of the city is epic to see with your own eyes from up above.

Remember, this gondola is public transport, so if you don’t want to be squished into a car or waiting in line to get on, don’t go during peak hours in the morning or afternoon. This tour is available at 11 am or 3 pm, and while you’ll miss peak times on both – I’d recommend the 11 am!

This tour is popular with over 450 positive reviews – reserve your spot here not to miss out!

4. Via Ferrata

If you are an adrenaline junkie, you’re going to absolutely love via ferrata! This is basically like a mountain obstacle course where you’ll be following metal rungs on a mountain – via ferrata translates to “Iron Path” in English.

This via ferrata course is the second-highest in the whole world at a staggering 3,000 meters (almost 10,000 feet) above sea level! It’s located in the Yungas Valley of La Paz and is the only place you can try via ferrata in Bolivia. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience and was one of the best activities we did in Bolivia. 

The circuit here has six different activities, all perfect for thrill seekers. You’ll descend by abseiling down the cliff front, walk over the very wobbly Tibetan Bridge, climb up with help from metal steps and ropes, take a ride on the world’s highest zip line, and try out the free fall rope swing! 

The rope swing at the end was definitely the highlight for me, even though it was absolutely terrifying! Don’t worry though, everything feels very safe and their expert guides are there to help you every step of the way. 

This Verticle Route Via Ferrata tour is $90 USD per person including pick up from La Paz. It is a private tour, but you’ll need a minimum of four people to book, so grab some adrenaline-seeking friends and book your adventure!

Check availability and secure this thrilling tour here!

5. Laguna Esmeralda 

If finding hidden gems while traveling in Bolivia is high on your priority list, you won’t want to miss Laguna Esmeralda! It’s only a couple of hours from the city of La Paz – so don’t get it confused with the Laguna Esmeralda in Patagonia! 

Getting here is a bit of a journey, so it’s best to hop on a tour of the area so you don’t get lost! On this full-day private tour, you’ll start with a two-hour drive out of La Paz with some epic stops along the way including the Laguna Colorada with its famous red waters!

After arriving on the slopes of the Glacier Charquini, it’s time for a 1-hour hike to one of the most beautiful lagoons I’ve seen in this area. The hike isn’t too strenuous and the picturesque views everywhere you look are worth the tired feet!

Once you arrive, Laguna Esmeralda is quite the sight with its bright emerald color and glacier backdrop. It’s far too cold to swim in (some of it even freezes over in the winter months) but is truly a beautiful stop. You’ll spend an hour here to soak in the views and eat some snacks before the hike back.

The tour includes all the transportation from your hotel in La Paz, trekking poles for the hike (these come in handy!), a guide, and snacks/drinks. It’s only $30 USD for this full-day private tour to a remote lagoon, which is one of the best deals I’ve found for a private tour!

Reserve this tour now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you take off.

6. 3-day Huayna Potosí hike from La Paz

La Paz is the world’s highest major city sitting at about 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) above sea level. While that is already very high, if you want to get even higher you can explore the nearby mountains with some high-altitude hiking.

There are a few day hikes here, but if you’re looking for a real challenge, look to Huayna Potosi. This 3-day hiking tour makes conquering the 6,000-meter (nearly 20,000-foot) summit easier, as you have an expert guide to lead the way and provide a lot of support.

It may sound daunting, but this actually isn’t a very technical climb, making it doable for travelers who aren’t avid mountaineers. There are pre-established base camps and the tour takes care of all food, and climbing equipment, and includes a guide to ensure your safety! We’ve done a handful of multiday treks in South America and have loved everyone – so don’t miss out on this opportunity!

Climbing to such high altitudes is really a unique experience, and the incredible views make this activity from La Paz one of the best! Sure, it might seem a little crazy to knowingly put yourself through this struggle, but once it’s over you’ll feel accomplished and will have earned a beer that evening.

This 3-day, 2-night tour is $327 USD, which is a great price for this epic experience.

Check availability and book this tour before you go here!

7. Go on a food, beer, and wine tour

In my opinion, the only way to improve a regular city tour is to throw in food, wine, and beer! This gourmet food tour is a fantastic way to discover the vibrant food scene in La Paz – so arrive hungry!

You’ll meet up at San Francisco Church before exploring the local market of Mercado Lanza with your guide. This is where I love having a local guide – they know all the best spots to try yummy treats and won’t get lost in the market!

After you’re done at the market, you’ll head to some of La Paz’s best restaurants to try some Bolivian classics, mix up your own custom cocktail, and try some South American wines and beers. By the end of the evening, you’ll be totally stuffed!

The tour is only $32 USD including all the food and drinks. It’s a small group, so you’re not lost in a crowd and you might even come away with a couple of new friends! If eating your way through La Paz is in your plans, make sure to book a spot on this food tour.

Book your spot here and get FREE cancellation options.

8. Tiwanaku Archeological site

You cannot visit Bolivia without exploring some of the incredible historic sites! Tiwanaku is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its role in Andean pre-Hispanic civilization which gave birth to the Incas. This was a thriving city between 400-900 AD and the remnants of structures like the Pyramid of Akapana and an ancient observatory really took me back in time.

This tour of the Tiwanaku Archaeological Ruins takes you on a deep dive into the ancient history here. You’ll get to see both the main ruins along the museums here which contain a lot of information and artifacts showing the importance of the temples and civilizations. 

While this archaeological site might not be as impressive as a lot of the others we have visited around the world, we did find the museums and learning from our guide absolutely fascinating! Because so much of this ancient site has yet to be uncovered, a guide really helps you learn more about the history and what you’re seeing.

After visiting the Tiwankaku Ruins, you’ll visit Lake Titicaca for lunch with a view! This lake is seriously beautiful, so I love that this tour includes a few hours to enjoy the scenery.

This private tour includes transportation from La Paz, all admission fees, lunch, and a bilingual guide for $190 USD. It’s a full-day tour and you’ll learn a lot, so we think it’s well worth the cost!

Book this private tour here to get your preferred date!

9. La Paz city walking tour

Taking a walking tour is one of the best ways to explore and immerse yourself in a new location, and we try to do them as much as possible during our travels! If you take one early in your trip, it’s also a great way to make friends and spot some places you might like to visit during your stay.  

This La Paz walking tour is only $5 USD for 2.5 hours, so it’s a great cheap activity and a fantastic way to learn about the city.

The La Paz City Tour is run twice a day at 10 am and 2 pm and the meeting point is Plaza San Pedro. Thanks to the tour guides’ bright red hats and I Heart La Paz T-shirts, you can’t miss them!

From the Plaza, the tour takes you to the bustling Rodriguez Street Market, the incredible Witches Market, over to San Francisco Church, then to the center of the city Plaza Murrillo, and finishes at a traditional Bolivian restaurant where you can have a drink and some food with the friends you’ve made along the way! 

We were lucky enough to have a great bunch of people on our tour and we all found the guides really helpful. We definitely wouldn’t have learned as much about and seen so much of La Paz without taking this tour! 

This tour is popular so I recommend booking your spot in advance here!

10. Visit Valle de las Animas and Valle de la Luna

There are some out-of-this-world rock formations just outside of La Paz. Visiting both on this full-day tour is a great way to spend a day in La Paz!

This tour is unique because it takes off before sunrise so you can see the first light at the stunning Valle de Animas. This area is 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) of sprawling rock formations – some people compare it to Modor for our Lord of the Rings fans out there. So you can imagine how beautiful the sunrise is here! The tour provides a box breakfast as if this experience could get any better!

Next, you’ll explore the Valley of the Moon or Valle de la Luna. It apparently gets its name from Neil Armstrong as he says the appearance resembles the kind of craters he saw on his trip to the moon. 

The interesting formations come from erosion on top of the mountain, mainly from winds and rain. Because of this, we did find it quite unsteady to walk around so do watch your step when you are wandering about! 

This tour also takes you to The Witches Market, to some epic viewpoints, and includes riding the cable cars around the city. Honestly, this is one of the best ways to experience La Paz! It is $165 USD per person for a full day of exploration.

Book this tour here and get flexible payment and cancellation options.

Where to Stay in La Paz, Bolivia

To explore La Paz, Bolivia properly, you’ll need somewhere central and comfortable to stay. Below are my suggestions for where to stay in La Paz based on my own experience and what I’ve heard personally from others!

Luxury – $$$

Hotel Europa is easily the best place to stay in La Paz, Bolivia! You’ll find rooms with a sofa, fridge, balcony, and spa bathtubs. There is also a heated pool, dry sauna, and fitness center onsite.

They have impeccable reviews and to me, the hotel is really reasonably priced starting at $140 USD per night considering it’s a 5-star hotel! You can book Hotel Europa online in advance on Booking.com

Mid-range – $$

When it comes to location, Las Brisas is an excellent pick! This hotel is right in the center of La Paz, so you have easy access to the main sights. There’s a lovely rooftop patio area and the daily free breakfast is fabulous with great views of the city while you eat!

The rooms are basic, but clean and comfortable. It’s also really budget-friendly for the location at $30-$60 USD per night depending on the room you choose. You can secure your room at Las Brisas on Booking.com.

Budget – $

There are quite a few backpacker hostels around La Paz, but a lot of them aren’t very nice. Selina is a well-known name for hostels around the world and the Selina La Paz is a great option if you’re backpacking on a budget.

The rooms are nice and clean and most of the main attractions in La Paz are within walking distance. A huge plus for us was the great co-working space with reliable internet – something that can be harder to find in La Paz!

A bed in a dorm goes for about $10 USD or there are private rooms under $50 USD. You can check for the best rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.

Thanks for reading!

Hopefully, this blog has inspired your inner adventurer and you’ll cross a few of these activities off your La Paz bucket list. Honestly, La Paz is a unique, wild city, and once you visit for yourself you’ll understand exactly what I mean. To me, it is easily one of the best cities in Latin America!

Of course, if you have any questions or anything to add, be sure to comment below. If you found this blog helpful, I’m sure you’ll enjoy our other Bolivia travel blogs or even just a few related ones below:

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