What to do in La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia?
La Paz , the city that touches the sky, is a good description. Perched well above sea level, La Paz is in a bowl surrounded by the altiplano . The city, as it grows, climbs the hills at altitudes ranging from 3000 to 4100 m. Illimani, a summit with three peaks always covered with snow and majestic, overlooks the administrative capital of the Bolivia . Not as often visited as other South American cities, La Paz offers many things to do, including a very present indigenous culture.
Here. 10 visits that you should not miss during your stay in La Paz :
1. Mercado de las brujas (the witch market)
Flickr – Darinka Maja
South America is famous for its markets but not so much like witch market La Paz. The Mercardo de Hechecería or Mercado de las brujas is an outdoor market whose aisles are lined with stands held by cholitas traditionally dressed: melon and jupon hat. We find everything, herbal medicines with superstitious objects and bibelots. Each stall overflows with objects that are important in the traditional Aymara culture. You will be surprised to find things like fetus of lamas mummified suspended on the stalls. The Aymaras believe that if you enter under your home, it is a powerful way to bring blessing to your new home and offer your family good health. Not sure the customs say so much...
The Aymaras are the natives of Bolivia, which according to some estimates have been living here for 2000 years. The current president, Evo Morales, came from a poor Aymara family and became the indigenous leader of Bolivia.
2. Revisit the colonial past of La Paz in Calle Jaén
Flickr – Gatol fotografia
Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace) was founded by the Spanish conquistadors in 1548 on the site of a native colony. The architectural heritage of Spanish is still very present in the Calle Jaén , a pedestrian street preserved in the heart of La Paz. The narrow and paved street is beautiful with its buildings with colourful facades, lanterns and wrought iron balconies. Several museums are located along the street, including Museo Nacional de Arte which presents works from the colonial period to the contemporary era, and Museo de Litoral which exposes him to the Pacific War (1879-1884), which caused Bolivia to lose its access to the peaceful coast. We also find him. Museo de Instrumentos Musicales (or Museo del Charango).
3. La Place Murillo (Plaza Murillo)
Wikimedia - Elemaki
In the heart of La Paz, la Plaza Murillo is the central square of the city. The place is dominated by a huge Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and the National Congress. The Plaza Murillo is populated by statues of historical figures from all times of Bolivia’s history, including a statue of Pedro Domingo Murillo, whose square bears the name. Place Murillo is one of the best places in the city to mingle with the population or snack a famous empanada boliviana that we call here a Salteña Some kind of slip.
4. Encourage cholitas in combat
Flickr – José Fernandes Jr.
Meeting in the suburbs of La Paz El Alto to attend a fight cholitas . Violent indeed, these cholas fights (chola means campagnarde, peasant, and is pejorative) attract more and more people. These fights are assimilated to the Bolivian free Lucha or Mexican . In the Centro Multifuncional del Alto women dressed in traditional Aymara and Quechua outfits wrestling. The fighting takes place on Sunday with, in general, the best time around 5pm. An excellent idea if you want to immerse yourself in local culture.
5. La Vallée de la Lune (Valle de la Luna)
Flickr – Leonora Enking
Valle de la Luna is only a 10 km short ride from the centre of La Paz, and is worth the trip. Visit the surrounding area to see an extraordinary landscape caused by the natural process of erosion in the mountainous and desert area southwest of La Paz. For thousands of years, the elements have carved the clay in pillars of strange shape of various colors, with scary formations that give the valley its name. There are giant stalagmites, shredded gorges and a set of trails that snake through this park. Take a good pair of walking shoes and follow the trails to see the valley from all its angles, and even have a wonderful view of La Paz in clear weather.
6. The El Alto market
Flickr – cliff hellis
El Alto is sometimes described as a whole city and sometimes as a suburb of La Paz. What is certain, however, is that El Alto has the largest concentration of indigenous peoples in Latin America: among them the Aymaras, which represent 76%. Every Thursday and Sunday, Plaza Ballivián turns into a simply huge market, with stands selling such a wide range of products that it is easier to make a list of things that you don’t want to buy. The Aymaras of Altiplano still speak their mother tongue and wear traditional outfits. Thus a visit to El Alto market is a great cultural experience, as well as the possibility of great purchases. However, some say that this place is not secure.
7. Admire La Paz from the Mirador Kili kili
Flickr – Manuel Menal
One of the best things to see in La Paz is La Paz herself. The city is spectacular when you admire it from above. Long used as a window both by the army and revolutionaries in the history of Bolivia, the point of view Kili Kili (or Killi Killi) offers the best view over the whole city. To take your breath back after going up (it’s free), nothing like a 360° view of La Paz and its surroundings.
8. Explore the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku – the City of the Sun
Flickr – Cata Bravo
At about 1h30 or 2h in La Paz, the pre-incas ruins of Tiwanaku rest at more than 3,800 meters above sea level. Researchers consider Tiwanaku (also known as Tihuanaco) as one of the most important pre-incasing civilizations in this region. The empire of which Tiwanaku was the capital flourished from the year 300 to 1000 of our era.
9. The Museo de la Coca (Musée de la Coca
Flickr – Carlos Vieira
It is one of the most intriguing museums in La Paz and thus one of the most visited. Discover the history of the coca plant, its medicinal use and its religious significance in the ancient Andean cultures, its prohibition by the Catholic Church, to the daily concerns of today. The museum is an interesting way to spend an afternoon in La Paz, and you can be sure to give yourself something to think about during a long journey to another destination of your Bolivian adventure. For another unusual museum, you can visit Museo Nacional de Etnografia y Folklore .
10. For the wildest, go see the Route des Yungas or Route de la Mort
Wikimedia - Warren H
She was the most dangerous road in the world (by the number of deaths), the "Road of Death" (El Camino de la Muerte) is now reserved for veterans. The road descends close to 3600 meters of elevation to the city of Coroico. You will find travel agencies to get there on the Calle Sagarnaga .
La Paz : go, stay
Attention, prices of flights to La Paz can vary greatly. From France, it can vary between 900 and 1700€! It is from August to October and from January to March that flights are the cheapest. To find your flight, compare prices and companies on Skyscanner .
To stay in La Paz, you have the choice between several neighbourhoods : from the historic center to the very steep Zona Sur, the city is full of feet to the ground! Everything depends of course on what you are looking for while staying in the capital. To find a cheap hotel in La Paz, you can always search this Compare hotels who will offer you the best offers of the moment.
Loading comments ...