La Paz
Bolivia
The world's highest capital, hung across a canyon in the Andes
Overview
La Paz sits in a canyon at over 3600 metres, with the satellite city of El Alto on the rim above and the snow peak of Illimani closing the southern horizon. Nothing about it is ordinary. Cable cars work as public transport, Aymara market women in bowler hats run whole sectors of commerce, and the altitude changes how your first week feels. It is the cheapest capital in South America by a wide margin, with a growing cafe and coworking scene and access to some of the continent's most extreme landscapes. The Amazon basin, the Altiplano and 6000 metre peaks are all within a day.
Why Expats Love It
Extremely low costs, a genuinely unique Andean urban culture and unmatched adventure access.
Must Dos
The essential, top gem experiences for the full tourist experience.
Mi Teleferico Cable Cars
Ten lines crossing the canyon, the best value scenic transport anywhere in the world.
Witches Market
Aymara ritual goods, herbal remedies and offerings to Pachamama in the old town.
Valle de la Luna
Eroded clay spires twenty minutes from the centre, easy to reach by minibus.
Death Road Descent
A 3500 metre mountain bike drop from the Altiplano into the Yungas jungle.
Plaza Murillo and Calle Jaen
The seat of government beside the best preserved colonial street in the city.
El Alto Sunday Market
One of the largest open air markets on earth, sprawling for kilometres on the rim.
Off the Beaten Path
Live like a local. Special, lesser known experiences for adventurers who want real local flavor.
Cholitas Wrestling
Aymara women in traditional dress in the ring in El Alto, a genuine local spectacle.
Muela del Diablo
A volcanic plug above Zona Sur with a half day hike and canyon views.
Tiwanaku
Pre Inca ruins with the Gate of the Sun, two hours west on the Altiplano.
Mercado Rodriguez
The produce market Paceno families actually use, best early on a Saturday.
Chacaltaya
A former ski resort at 5400 metres, now a road accessible viewpoint over the Cordillera Real.
Espacio Simon I Patino
A belle epoque tin baron mansion turned cultural centre in Sopocachi.
Cost of Living
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)
$210/mo
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)
$460/mo
Restaurant Meal
$4
Monthly Groceries
$160/mo
Monthly Transportation
$18/mo
Monthly Healthcare
$50/mo
Climate
Alpine subtropical highland, cool and dry with strong sun, a wet season from December to March
Best Time to Visit
May to October for dry sunny days and clear mountain views
Visa & Residency
Written for US citizens
Many nationalities enter visa free for 30 to 90 days, with extensions available up to 90 days per year. US citizens must buy a visa. Longer stays require a specific purpose visa processed through migration.
These notes assume a US passport. If you hold a different nationality, your visa options and timelines may vary. Always confirm current rules with the official embassy or consulate before you commit.
Safety
Fake police scams and unlicensed taxi robberies target foreigners. Altitude sickness is the most common actual problem, so ascend slowly and rest for two days.
Healthcare
Private clinics in Zona Sur are affordable and adequate for routine care. Serious cases are often flown to Santa Cruz or Chile, so evacuation insurance is important.
Culture & Lifestyle
Culture
Aymara and Quechua traditions run through daily life alongside Catholicism. Bargaining is normal, road blockades are a standard political tool, and coca leaf is legal and everywhere.
Lifestyle
Cable car commutes with mountain views, saltena mid mornings, early nights at altitude. Weekends mean Lake Titicaca, the Yungas cloud forest or Huayna Potosi.
Language
Spanish and Aymara, with limited English
Currency
Bolivian Boliviano (BOB)
Timezone
BOT (UTC-4)