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Guide to La Paz, Bolivia
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Click to go to Flight Prices for La Paz
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La Paz
The Bolivian capital, La Paz, is a South American city true to its roots, if there ever was one. Having developed over centuries into a compact metropolis surrounded (Or should we say protected?) by snowcapped peaks, La Paz is a location at the pinnacle of the global endeavor towards creating the perfect city. Here you will not find a large base for internet connectivity, and neither will you come across a massive downtown chock full of Microsoft-esque enterprises and towers with heights running at Petronas levels, but La Paz nonetheless carries a highly prized and very potent group of alluring characteristics: it's people. The residents of La Paz are among the most captivating, inviting, and truly happy city dwellers you're ever likely to encounter on your worldly travels. Walk along its streets and you're bound to get a wave and a hello in a minute's time. In fact, we wouldn't bet against an invitation for a midday meal! As many are quite well aware, South America has been for decades an essential part to the world's artistic circle - La Paz certainly does not sit shadowed among its neighbors in this field. The prevalence of cameras is astounding here. Everyone celebrates culture and the diversity of the populace in the capital, and you'd be hard pressed to track all events scheduled and spontaneous during a short or even long stay. It's simply best to allow La Paz to whisk you around as they see fit. Heck, it beats having to figure out an itinerary for yourself! Book your flight to La Paz today, and remember to bring well-fitting shoes, but more importantly, a smile.
When to go:
Your exploration of La Paz can be done just about any time of year. Shielded almost completely by Illimani (the tallest and specially sacred mountain in the region) and it's neighbors, the capital is only somewhat unpleasant at the height of winter (the northern hemisphere's summer), when daytime temperatures hover in the 60's and 70's (Fahrenheit) and roughly 10-20 degrees lower after dusk. Summers are hot, but with the city's activity at full-tilt, there's hardly time to reminisce about cooler climates. Take along a canteen for your daily adventure and shed layers if need be. Spring and autumn offer the best balance weather and crowdedness, though as a novice, a lightly packed La Paz will more or less seem like a heavily populated market-driven metropolis nonetheless.
Getting there and around:
In many instances, La Paz's exceptional traits belie the fact that it is a capital, home to millions of daily commuters and a considerably large flow of air travel, therefore a trip to El Alto Airport often makes for a newbie nightmare, particularly a time when the flight schedule is at its limits. When you've arrived at your hotel, a long flight would ordinarily grant you a bit of resting time. But landing when light still blankets the city makes it difficult to ignore the bustling environment, so if you can't pull yourself away from the street life, there's little else to do than become part of it. Taxis are everywhere if you're in need of a quick ride across town or a jaunt to a nearby district. Buses run on a surprisingly strict schedule, but considering La Paz's status, it'd be quite unusual to see the city flounder in the transit sector.
Attractions:
The most visited cultural site in La Paz - apart from it's central market - is the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Plaza, a grand home for hundreds of permanent and temporary pieces by domestic and international artists. The museum is host to its owner's (Herman Plaza) sculptures as well. Other notable works are paintings by Jose Rodriguez-Sanchez and Choi-Sung Man (world-renowned portrait artist).
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