La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, is a city rich in culture, history and natural beauty. Here are some suggestions of places you should visit if you travel to this city:
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Murillo Square
This is the main square of the city and is surrounded by important historical buildings.
Takes its name from the Bolivian revolutionary leader Pedro Domingo Murillo and is an emblematic place with great historical and political importance.
On the north side of the square is the Government Palace, also known as the Palacio Quemado, which is the official residence of the Bolivian president and the center of the country’s executive power. It is an imposing neoclassical building dating from the 19th century (photo).
On the east side of the plaza is the Catedral Metropolitana de La Paz, an imposing neo-Renaissance style church that is the main place of Catholic worship in the city. The cathedral is known for its beautiful architecture and decorative details. On the south side of the square is the Legislative Palace, which houses the National Congress of Bolivia. It is a neoclassical building with an impressive facade.
Walking around the square, you can’t help but think about its importance as it is the meeting point to celebrate or protest about political and social issues.



Jaén Street
A historic and picturesque street located in the center of the city, it is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and for housing several museums and places of cultural interest.
The street was one of the main commercial arteries of the city during colonial times. And today it retains much of its colonial charm.
Along Calle Jaén, you can find numerous colonial buildings now painted with vibrant colors and ornate balconies. Many of these buildings have been restored and converted into museums, art galleries, craft stores and restaurants. You will experience the pleasant sensation of stepping back in time.
One of the main attractions is the concentration of museums it houses. Among them is the Museo Casa de Murillo, which is the home where Bolivian revolutionary leader Pedro Domingo Murillo was born. Other museums on the street include the Museo de Instrumentos Musicales de Bolivia and the Museo del Litoral Boliviano. These museums display historical artifacts, artwork, musical instruments and documents related to Bolivian history and culture.
Calle Jaén is also known for its cultural events and festivals held throughout the year. During these occasions, the street is filled with live music, folkloric dances and traditional food stalls, giving visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Bolivian culture.

La Paz Cable Car
It is a cable transportation system that connects different areas of the city of La Paz, Bolivia. It is one of the highest and most extensive urban cable cars in the world and has become a popular and efficient means of transportation for residents and visitors to the city.
It consists of several lines that cross the mountains and valleys surrounding the city. If you are interested in enjoying panoramic views, we especially recommend the red line.
The cabins are safe and comfortable and the system is well maintained and supervised to ensure passenger safety.
In addition to being a means of transportation, the La Paz Cable Car has also had a positive impact on urban mobility and the quality of life of residents. It has reduced traffic congestion in the city and shortened travel times between different parts of La Paz.

Witches Market
Located in the old town, this is a traditional market where you will find all kinds of products related to traditional medicine and Andean magic.
Known locally as “Mercado de Hechicería y Medicina Tradicional”, it is located on Linares Street, in downtown La Paz, and is composed of a series of stalls and stores where vendors offer a variety of products related to witchcraft and ancestral medicine. Here you can find items such as medicinal herbs, amulets, tonics, potions, incense, stuffed llama fetuses (yes, we prefer not to put pictures), animal bones, herbs for rituals, traditional remedies and various objects used in the practice of divination and shamanism.
In addition to the products, the market also hosts the “yatiris” or “curanderas”, women who practice traditional medicine and offer coca leaf reading services and purification and protection rituals. Visitors have the opportunity to participate in these rituals and consultations, in which the yatiris offer advice and predictions based on their ancestral knowledge.
You will also find more conventional products, such as handicrafts, clothing and souvenirs typical of Bolivia, so it is not limited exclusively to items related to witchcraft and traditional medicine.


Killi Killi Viewpoint
From this viewpoint, located in the Miraflores neighborhood, you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of La Paz and the surrounding mountains. It is especially beautiful at sunset.
To get to the Killi Killi viewpoint, you can access it through a road or by a steep staircase. Once at the top, there is an observation platform from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of La Paz and its buildings, streets, surrounding mountains and the majestic Illimani, the emblematic mountain of the region.

National Museum of Archeology
It is located in the Tiwanaku Palace which was declared a National Monument in 1990.
In it you can appreciate archaeological pieces of cultures from all over Bolivia, among them the Tiwanaku, Chiripa, Mollo, Inka and eastern Bolivian cultures. Especially interesting is that you can see one of the latest additions to the museum: 30 pieces of archaeological pottery from Pariti Island found in 2004 on Pariti Island in Lake Titicaca with pieces designed with puma heads, mammals, condors, snakes and with figures of half human and half animal beings whose existence was unknown, dating between 900 and 1200 AD.

General Cemetery
Although it may sound unusual, the General Cemetery of La Paz is an interesting historical and architectural site. Here you will see elaborate mausoleums, sculptures and murals.
Located in the foothills of the Irpavi hill, it covers a large area and houses a large number of tombs, mausoleums and monuments with different architectural and artistic styles.
What makes it fascinating is the unique mixture of diverse traditions and religious beliefs. Some tombs are true works of art, with detailed sculptures and reliefs depicting different religious or cultural symbols and motifs.
The cemetery is also known for its colorful festivals and traditions, especially during the celebration of All Souls’ Day (November 2), when families come to visit the graves of their loved ones, decorating them with flowers, candles and offerings. During this holiday, the General Cemetery fills with life and activity, creating a unique and moving atmosphere.

Valley of the Moon
If you want to enjoy a surreal landscape, from La Paza you only have to go 10 kilometers to find these unique rock formations. You can walk the trails and enjoy the panoramic views.
The scenery is breathtaking, with mounds and pillars of rock creating a maze of natural formations. These earth and stone structures vary in size and shape, and offer a wide range of colors due to the minerals present in the earth, such as iron oxide and copper. Sunlight constantly changes the tones and shades in the valley, adding even more beauty to its appearance.
You can explore trails and viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the landscape. And also walk among the rock formations and thus appreciate up close the textures and the strange configuration of this unique place.

The road of death
It is the “La Paz – Coroico” road, which has earned its name due to its reputation as one of the most dangerous and deadly roads in the world.
The Road of Death was built in the 1930s during the Chaco War and, being approximately 80 kilometers long, its narrowness, lack of protective barriers and the presence of steep cliffs along the road make it an extremely dangerous route.
However, despite its deadly reputation, the road remains a popular tourist attraction due to its scenic beauty and the thrill experienced by bikers who venture along it on mountain bikes. You can take guided mountain bike tours. These are full-day excursions usually with an overnight stay in Coroico.
As a new road has been built to largely replace the Camino de la Muerte, traffic has been greatly reduced and consequently the risk of accidents.

YOU CAN ALSO VISIT…

Tiwanaku
From La Paz there are buses that leave every half hour from José María Asín street (in the area of the La Paz cemetery). The duration of the trip is 1.30 hours. Of course, there are also organized excursions to this archaeological site.
La Paz is a city that offers unique experiences and among them is to taste its delicious local cuisine, such as Chairo, a soup prepared with chuño, lamb meat, soaked chalona, potato, carrot, onion, beans, corn, grass, wuacataya, oregano and salt to taste, and Plato Paceño, which combines corn, potato, beans and cheese and accompanied with spicy sauce.
All illustrations on this site are courtesy of Pictographic.