La Paz Travel Guide

Don't forget to take good shoes: there is no horizontal street in La Paz :)

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.  

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!).