Trip highlights
- 1Mi Teleférico cable car network
- 2Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas)
- 3Valle de la Luna
- 4Death Road mountain biking
- 5Plaza Murillo and San Francisco Church
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
Photos: Unsplash
Language preparation
15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & Witches' Market
Friday, May 14
Est. spend
$95
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrival at El Alto and transfer down to La Paz
El Alto International Airport to La Paz
Land at El Alto International Airport, one of the world's highest, and descend by road into the La Paz basin.
El Alto sits above 4,000m — move slowly and drink coca leaf tea to help with altitude.
☀️ Afternoon
Mercado de las Brujas (Witches' Market)
Calle Linares, La Paz
Browse stalls selling dried llama fetuses, herbal remedies, and amulets used in Aymara rituals for luck and protection.
Shopkeepers are happy to explain the symbolism behind items — just ask politely.
🌙 Evening
Plaza Murillo at sunset
Plaza Murillo, La Paz
Visit the political heart of Bolivia, home to the Presidential Palace, Congress, and the cathedral, busy with pigeons and street vendors.
Police photographers here will print instant photos with the palace backdrop for a small fee.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Bolivian · $5
Mercado Lanza food court
Bolivian · $6
Gustu
Bolivian fine dining · $35 · Splurge meal, optional cheaper alternative available
Mi Teleférico & City Views
Saturday, May 15
Est. spend
$55
per person
🌅 Morning
Mi Teleférico Red Line
Mi Teleférico Red Line, La Paz
Ride one of the world's largest urban cable car networks from La Paz up to El Alto, taking in panoramic views of the city bowl and surrounding peaks.
Sit on the right side heading up for the best views of downtown La Paz below.
☀️ Afternoon
El Alto Sunday-style market browsing
El Alto, La Paz
Wander the sprawling market stalls of El Alto, a working-class indigenous city perched above La Paz, for textiles and local snacks.
Bring small bills — vendors rarely have change for large notes.
🌙 Evening
San Francisco Church and Sagarnaga Street
Calle Sagarnaga, La Paz
Visit the colonial baroque church before browsing the tourist-friendly artisan street nearby for alpaca wool goods.
Alpaca sweaters here are cheaper than in airport shops — compare a few stalls before buying.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Bolivian · $5
El Alto market stalls
Bolivian street food · $5
La Cueva
Bolivian · $12
Valle de la Luna & Local Cuisine
Sunday, May 16
Est. spend
$78
per person
🌅 Morning
Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)
Valle de la Luna, Mallasa, La Paz
Walk the eroded clay and sandstone canyons just outside La Paz, sculpted into otherworldly spires and gullies.
Wear sturdy shoes — the marked trail involves some uneven scrambling.
☀️ Afternoon
Mallasa Zoo and lunch in the valley
Mallasa, La Paz
Relax in the warmer, lower-altitude district of Mallasa with lunch at a local family-run restaurant.
Mallasa sits lower than central La Paz, so it's noticeably warmer — a good midday break from altitude.
🌙 Evening
Peña folk music show
Peña venue, La Paz
Watch a traditional Andean folk music and dance performance featuring panpipes and charango guitars.
Dinner is often included in the ticket price — ask when booking.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Bolivian · $5
Mallasa family restaurant
Bolivian · $10
Peña dinner show
Bolivian · $0 · Included in show ticket
Death Road Biking & Departure
Monday, May 17
Est. spend
$135
per person
🌅 Morning
Death Road (Yungas Road) mountain bike descent
North Yungas Road, near La Paz
Bike nearly 3,500 meters of elevation drop from the Andean highlands down to the lush Yungas jungle on the infamous former main highway.
Book with an operator that provides full-suspension bikes and a support vehicle for safety.
☀️ Afternoon
Coroico relaxation and lunch
Coroico, Yungas region
Recover with a swimming pool break and lunch in the warm jungle town of Coroico at the bottom of the descent.
Most Death Road tours include a buffet lunch and pool access in Coroico — confirm when booking.
🌙 Evening
Return to La Paz and departure
Coroico to El Alto International Airport
Drive back up to La Paz, shower off the day's dust, and transfer to El Alto Airport for departure.
The return drive can take longer than expected on weekends — build in buffer time before your flight.
🍽️ Meals
Pre-ride breakfast
Bolivian · $5
Coroico buffet lunch
Bolivian · $0 · Included in Death Road tour price
Airport quick dinner
Bolivian · $8
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
May to October is the dry season, with clear skies ideal for cable car views and the Death Road descent; November to April brings rain and slicker mountain roads.
🛂 Visas
US citizens require a visa obtainable on arrival or in advance with a fee; UK, EU, and most other nationalities can enter visa-free for up to 90 days — check current requirements before travel as Bolivia applies reciprocity-based visa rules.
💱 Currency
The Bolivian boliviano (BOB) is the local currency; US dollars can be exchanged easily in La Paz but are rarely accepted directly for purchases, so withdraw bolivianos from ATMs in the city center.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 110
ambulance: 118
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- La Paz sits above 3,600 meters — drink coca leaf tea, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol on your first day
- Carry your passport at all times, as ID checks are occasionally requested by police
- Bargaining is expected and welcomed at the Witches' Market and most street stalls
- Sundays are quieter in the city center as many shops close, making it a good day for the Valle de la Luna or Teleférico rides
- Coca leaves are legal and commonly chewed locally to help with altitude — they are not the same as cocaine and are sold openly in markets
One thing worth not skipping
A 4-day trip to La Paz, Bolivia without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
Comprehensive cover for 150+ adventure activities, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and baggage. Recommended for most travellers.
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