El Alto

La Paz, Bolivia is one of the most interesting cities to visit.   It is not for the timid traveller, it is one of the highest elevated cities in the world and many that travel to La Paz suffer from altitude sickness.  Mostly European tourist visit.  Once you get adjusted, it is an amazing city.  The "witch market" is a great place to visit. You can find all sorts of charms from brining good luck to your house to enhancing virility and fertility.  The witches really do not care too much for tourists ogling their wares, as they do take their craft seriously.  The food is outstanding.  Mount Ilimani soup is one of my favorite dishes since it helps in combating the altitude, it is a nice broth with chicken, vegetables and some spicy peppers.  Another common item you will find being sold on the street are coca leaves, the locals chew the leaves as part of custom but they also say that it helps to relieve the altitude sickness!  You can also drink coca mate, a tea infused with coca leaves.  In short, if you are looking for an adventure, a different experience, La Paz is a great place to go.  

Cool city - very crowded valley FULL of houses Awesome as you come down into to the city or from the airport - see the whole city and shacks on the hills Explore all the little side streets in the city for various bargains - got a very interesting haircut for about 1USD Must get a tour and cycle the Death Road Downhill MTB ride from 4800m to 1200 m altitude Something like 64 kms distance Recommend El Solario - many companies doing it though

The sky bar at the Adventure Brew Hostel has the best view in South America (well, at least top 10!) There is a salad restaurant on Sagarnaga that sterylizes all its veggies with purified water. I think it was called 100% Natural or something. Anyways very tasty, very cheap, very filling, very healthy. Just what you have been craving!

become familar with the map and streets before you arrive. This way you know where you want to go in the taxi. Taxi hijacks do happen. I had no problems here but ran into a few people who did.

Amazing city, you cant miss El Mercado de las Brujas, or walk around san francisco square

Do not start your journey through South America in La Paz, but rather at a more low-lying destination. At 4k altitude, El Alto airport may offer a quick descent, but the air is so thin that many travellers feel weak for the first few days in La Paz, and it might be necessary to leave and seek lower altitudes very soon. Better to spend time working your way up slowly and enjoy the highlands of Bolivia when you've gotten accostumed to the hights.

Take the minibusses from La Paz to El Alto ond the early sunday morning. There you gonna be rewarded for get up early with an lively, colourful and busy market from the locals!

If you only do one thing in La Paz, do the "Death Road"; 64KM on mountain bikes, mostly downhill (with one short uphill stretch). You start at over 4000M and go down to 1000M on what is, according to the UN, one of the world's most dangerous roads. Its an incredible adrenaline rush; the views are some of the most spectacular in the world and I guarantee you'll remember it for the rest of your life. There are quite a few tour companies running this trip, but I'd recommend Gravity Bolivia, slightly more expensive but top notch Kona bikes and equipment and a really good meal at the bottom (you'll need it!).

La Paz is the main city in Bolivia. Tradicional and dangerous if you take a taxi at night.

El Alto is the Higest city of Bolivia, has a million habitants