High on La Paz

We're usually not that much into big cities on our around the world traveling tours. However, every once in a while we pass a big city that we really enjoy. One of them is Bolivia's capital La Paz.

La Paz sits at an impressive altitude of around 3650 meters (12000 ft) in the heart of the Andes. The city is built on steep slopes, surrounded by dramatic mountains, with the snow-covered peak of Illimani often visible in the distance. The thin air takes some getting used to, so we found ourselves moving a bit slower than usual and chewing coca leaves to help with the adjustment (it really helps a lot). It’s a unique feeling to be so high up while exploring a bustling capital.

One of the most practical and enjoyable features of La Paz is the Mi Teleférico, the world’s longest urban cable car system. These colorful gondolas serve as regular public transport, carrying locals and visitors smoothly from one neighborhood to another high above the crowded streets. It’s an efficient way to get around and offers beautiful views of the city and the surrounding mountains. We enjoyed gliding over the red-brick rooftops in the morning light. A calm and scenic way to travel.

What struck us most is how much of La Paz feels like one big, lively market. Almost every street has stalls or small shops selling everything imaginable: fresh fruits and vegetables, potatoes of every shape and color, clothing, electronics, and even car parts lined up along entire blocks. The energy is constant but friendly, with vendors calling out and people bargaining in a relaxed rhythm. It’s a great place to wander, snack on street food, and soak up the everyday life of the city.

A particularly fascinating spot is the Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas) in the old town. Here, Aymara women in traditional bowler hats and colorful skirts sell herbal remedies, amulets, and symbolic items like dried llama fetuses, which are traditionally used for good luck and protection in Andean rituals. It’s an intriguing mix of culture, spirituality, and tourism.

For a change of pace, We wandered into the colorful artists’ neighborhoods, where bright murals cover many walls. These large, vibrant paintings often depict local people, Andean stories, and everyday scenes. The streets feel creative and alive, with a pleasant, laid-back atmosphere that invites you to slow down and look around.

In the evening, we enjoyed a small local bar. Many are cozy, welcoming and a perfect place to meet and chat with locals, sometimes accompanied by soft live music. A cold beer tastes especially good after a day at high altitude and the chance is high, that you end up dancing wildly with some local people.

An absolute highlight one shouldn't miss is Cholita Wrestling. In a lively arena, strong Aymara women dressed in traditional pollera skirts and bowler hats put on energetic wrestling matches. It’s a fun, theatrical show full of humor, audience participation, and impressive moves. The atmosphere is cheerful and entertaining without being over-the-top. It’s a unique Bolivian experience that leaves you smiling. We're both not really into wrestling, but this was a special and fun event we would visit again every time.

La Paz is a city of contrasts: steep and high-altitude, yet full of warmth, color, and daily life. It’s chaotic at times, but in a charming way. If you visit, take it easy with the altitude, enjoy the cable cars, explore the markets at your own pace, and don’t miss the chance to see the cholitas in action. It’s a memorable destination that feels truly different from anywhere else.