Death Road Bike Ride
Descend 3,500 metres from the Andes into jungle.
Overview
Why visit La Paz
Founded in 1548 in a deep Andean canyon, La Paz is the seat of Bolivia's government and, at over 3,600 metres, the highest capital city on Earth. The valley walls rise so steeply that Mi Teleférico — the world's largest urban cable-car network — became the main public transport.
The city is as strange as it is spectacular. The Witches' Market sells dried llama fetuses and charms for Pachamama rituals, the Moon Valley's eroded spires look lunar, and Sunday afternoons bring cholita wrestling — indigenous women in bowler hats fighting for the crowd.
The old centre keeps colonial churches, the curve of Jaén Street's museums and the towering San Francisco basilica. Adventures radiate outward: biking the 'Death Road' down the Yungas, climbing 6,000-metre Huayna Potosí, or crossing to Copacabana and Lake Titicaca.
Things to do
Top things to book in La Paz
Popular tours and tickets. Compare prices and book ahead to skip the lines.
Cable Car & City Tour
Ride Mi Teleférico over the canyon neighbourhoods.
Moon Valley & Witches' Market
Lunar clay spires and the city's strangest market.
Lake Titicaca Day Trip
Visit the world's highest navigable lake and its islands.
Plan your trip
Compare prices for La Paz
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Fun facts
Things you didn't know about La Paz
- 01
The Highest Capital
La Paz's government quarter sits at 3,640 metres — visitors feel the thin air on arrival.
- 02
Cable-Car Commuting
Mi Teleférico is the world's longest urban cable-car system, with 10 lines strung across the canyon.
- 03
A Market Of Magic
The Witches' Market sells charms, herbs and dried llama fetuses buried under homes for good fortune.
- 04
The Death Road
The Yungas Road was once called the world's most dangerous — now it's a bucket-list downhill bike ride.
- 05
Wrestling Cholitas
Indigenous women in traditional skirts and bowler hats wrestle in a Sunday spectacle.
- 06
A Moon On Earth
Valle de la Luna's clay spires were said to be named by Neil Armstrong himself.
- 07
A City In A Bowl
The canyon setting means El Alto's airport, at 4,000 metres, is one of the world's highest.
- 08
The Oldest Street
Calle Jaén preserves colonial houses now turned into small museums.
- 09
Indigenous Pride
La Paz is a centre of Aymara culture — cholita fashion shows now celebrate the traditional dress.
- 10
Salar Gateway
Almost every traveller heading to the Uyuni salt flats passes through La Paz.
Random La Paz fact
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FAQ
Quick answers about La Paz
Where is La Paz located?
La Paz is in Bolivia, in South America.
What is the population of La Paz?
The greater La Paz area is home to about 1,900,000 people.
What is La Paz famous for?
The world's highest seat of government fills a canyon at 3,600 metres, where cable cars float over brick neighbourhoods, cholita wrestlers perform and the Witches' Market sells llama fetuses for luck.
Keep exploring
All South America citiesMore cities in South America
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