Things 10 things to do in La Paz
1. Cholita wrestling
Ladies of La Paz get mean and wrestle every Sunday afternoon.
It’s best to get a taxi to and from the neighbourhood – read more in Kat’s blog.
2. Witches’ market
The ‘chifleras’ or witches are on Calle Linares, close to the main downtown centre of La Paz.
Here you will find everything from herbal Viagra to dried llama foetuses (buried under new houses for good luck) to cat claw ointments.
3. Valle de las Ánimas
A spectacular place to walk – think enormous spikes of stone with narrow valleys to walk between them. Head to the Ovejuyo part of the city, in the south, and walk for hours in this amazing valley.
4. Climb Huayna Potosí
Close to La Paz, this 6,000m+ mountain is fairly straightforward and can be tackled by experts and novices alike.
There are great views over La Paz, the Amazon and the Cordillera Real from the top.
Group tours are available to climb Huayna Potosí.
5. Traditional music
Head to Ojo de Agua bar for traditional music, live and direct. Only beer is served in this La Paz favourite.
6. The world’s most dangerous bike ride
A 3,600m / 11,800ft descent, 64km / 40 miles from high altiplano to warm tropics – this is a daring bike ride for any level of rider.
It’s about 90% downhill, with some flat parts and a few uphills, and takes a full day, with 4–5 hours in the saddle.
Start on dirt roads and then enter the muddy tropics, with 1,000m sheer drops on your path. Most of the cars and trucks that used to use this road now take a new route, so bikers can enjoy the trail even more.
7. Get high
Perfect for acclimatisation, take one of the two ‘high’ teleférico routes for breathtaking views, in more ways than one.
The cable cars are cheap (around 3 Bolivianos per ride) and the red or yellow routes both arrive at more than 4,000m. Perfect for acclimatising, offering great views over the city and out to the Cordillera Real.
8. Calle Jaén
Much of the colonial parts of La Paz have been destroyed or modernised, but Calle Jaén has kept to its roots.
Mysterious legends abound here, as well as museums and houses of interest. From the top of the street you’ll get a great shot of the street with the hills of the city in the background.
There are some hip coffee shops and restaurants here, and it’s a three-minute walk to Plaza Murillo, with the cathedral and palace.
9. More markets!
Take your pick. For real-life La Paz, go to Mercado Rodríguez (on Illampu with Rodríguez streets).
Want more? Then it’s Mercado 16 de Julio, which sprawls for many blocks from Plaza 16 de Julio, selling everything from animals to electronics. It can get busy.
10. Eat well – Gustu
Firmly behind the Bolivian gastronomic movement and recently voted into the Top 50 Latin America Restaurants.
Gustu also trains chefs, and if you like food and have time, you’ll love this place.
