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What to see in La Paz in 2 days | Itinerary + Map
La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia and the country's most internationally recognized city. While not architecturally beautiful, it captivates travelers who venture to explore it. Its location in a mountainous region and extremely high population density make the city's layout seem almost surreal. Some neighborhoods are even above 4.000 meters in altitude. And instead of a subway, there's a network of cable cars for getting around.
So that you too can enjoy the city as we did in this article We're sharing the best things to see in La Paz in 2 days.
How to get to to La Paz
For many, La Paz is the first stop on their journey through Bolivia. El Alto Airport has good international connections, especially with neighboring countries, where layovers are common when traveling from Europe. It can also be the last stop, using its airport to leave Bolivia and return home.
How to get to La Paz from Spain
The main drawback of flying to Bolivia is that there are very few direct flights from Spain. To get to La Paz, it's most common to have a layover in Bogotá or Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
How to get to La Paz from Cochabamba
Cochabamba is a very important city, with a good airport and not far from La Paz, so many people stop there before heading to La Paz. The fastest way to get to La Paz from Cochabamba is by plane on a domestic flight, while the cheapest way is by bus; the ticket costs around 110 bolivianos and the journey takes 8 hours.
How to get to La Paz from Uyuni
From Uyuni, there are several overnight buses that go to La Paz. The journey takes between 9 and 10 hours, and the ticket costs between 110 and 160 bolivianos depending on the company.
How to get to La Paz from Sucre
Sucre is another of Bolivia's most important cities and has a direct air connection with La Paz, although flights are often slow. carOn the other hand, the overnight bus journey, which lasts about 11 hours, costs only 180 bolivianos.
Where to stay in La Paz
La Paz is a very large city, but the best area to stay if you are visiting as a tourist is in the surrounding areas. from the historic centerThere you'll find options for every budget. Staying in this area is the best decision because it will allow you to get around on foot and be close to all the places to see in La Paz that we'll talk about in this article. Below you can see some accommodation recommendations:
| Hotel | Description | Price 2 pax | Nota | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Diamante Azul | Affordable, breakfast included and centrally located | 21-23 € | 8.5/10 | See hotel |
| Stone Courtyard Hotel | Elegant, spacious room and good breakfast | 57-64 € | 8.9/10 | See hotel |
| Hostal La Posada De La Abuela | Friendly staff and breakfast included | 27-30 € | 8.4/10 | See hotel |
What to see in La Paz in 2 days
For us, this city stood out not so much for its monuments and historical buildings, but for its curious layout, the surrounding landscape, and the strong Andean cultural presence that you'll see in its streets. Not to mention the huge number of activities you can do in the surrounding area.
Map with places to see in La Paz in 2 days
We're sharing a map that will help you locatecar much better where each of the things we recommend you see in La Paz in 2 days is located.
First day
On this first day, we recommend you calmly explore the historic center and take a route using the cable cars of the city. If you have just arrived in the country, avoid adding too many plans to the same day and don't do anything that might involve a lot of physical effort, as the most important thing is to prevent altitude sickness.
Basilica of San Francisco
This is possibly the most important historical building and a notable landmark of the city. It is located in the heart of La Paz, next to a large, lively plaza with shoe shiners, money changers, and street vendors. Its construction dates back to the 16th century and features a mestizo Baroque style, with many gilded details inside.
Just to the right of the basilica's main entrance is the entrance to the San Francisco Museum, which allows you to explore the convent's rooms and courtyards. There is an entrance fee of 20 BOB, and photography is not permitted inside.
Witches Market
El Witches Market It's one of the most popular and unique areas you can see in La Paz. Located just steps from the Basilica of San Francisco, primarily on Linares and Jiménez streets, though it truly encompasses the entire area. If you're interested in activities like... carWhether you're planning a trek through death or a mountaineering route, take advantage of your visit to the Witches' Market to go to Sagárnaga Street, where most tourist agencies are concentrated.
This street market is primarily dedicated to traditional esoteric products in Andean cultureAt their stalls, you'll find a wide variety of objects for use in rituals or with medicinal properties. One of the most striking items is the dried llama fetus, used as an offering to Pachamama to ensure protection and good fortune, for example, when building a house. Even if you're not interested in the topic, you'll find something to admire. We recommend you go into one of the shops in the area To see the large number of amulets, potions or objects to attract luck that they sell, there is absolutely everything, it is curious and fun.
Besides esoteric objects, at the Witches' Market you can also find Andean handicraftsItems like alpaca wool textiles, musical instruments, and jewelry are perfect for taking home an authentic souvenir of Bolivia. The best month to visit is August, when Pachamama is celebrated and locals come here to buy their offerings.
La Paz Cable Cars
For us one of the things that fascinated us most in La Paz It's the network of cable cars they have to connect different parts of the city. Due to the area's topography, they can't build subways or trains, as is common in large cities, and traffic is so heavy that shared buses and vans aren't very efficient. But they've found an original solution that not only allows you to get around the city cheaply, but also to enjoy it from above.
The different cable car lines are interconnected, so you can take a tour to "fly" over the city. The cable car stop closest to the Witches' Market is called Obelisk, on the purple line. From there, you could start a tour connecting with the silver and red or yellow lines; there are really many options. We think it's a dream plan for your first day in La Paz if you still You're not acclimatized to the altitude.
Murillo Square
Plaza Murillo is one of the most important places to see in La Paz, both for its historical value and its current relevance. The main buildings of Bolivian political power are concentrated here: the burnt palace (seat of the Executive and presidential residence), the National Congress (today the Plurinational Legislative Assembly) and the Catedral Metropolitana.
You cancarI came to this plaza to admire the imposing buildings that surround it and sit on one of its benches to observe daily life in La Paz. Many families, tourists, politicians, students, and others pass through here. It's also one of the most common places for demonstrations and social protests.
Killi Killi Lookout
The Killi Killi viewpoint is one of the most popular panoramic spots in La Paz and an ideal place to appreciate the city's unique layout. It's located on a hill not far from Plaza Murillo, and we recommend arriving by taxi or shared van, although you can also walk.
From the top of this hill you get a View of 360 degrees From La Paz, you can see the colonial domes of the city center, the cable car lines crisscrossing the sky, and, on a clear day, the snow-capped Andean peaks. It's a very photogenic place, especially at sunset.
Second day
On your second day you can decide between continuing to do city tourism and continue getting to know the best things to see in La Paz or if you prefer to do some activity in the surroundings.
Rodríguez Market
You can start your day with a stroll through the Rodríguez Market, a traditional market that stretches across several streets. One thing that really surprised us about La Paz is that People still wear traditional clothing And this market is one of the best examples.
Chualluma neighborhood
The Chualluma neighborhood is one of the most photogenic places in La Paz. This neighborhood, which was originally a marginalized area with some insecurity, has undergone a remarkable transformation thanks to the project Chualluma Macro Muralby Bolivian artist Knorke Leaf. 18.000 square meters of facades and staircases were renovated and painted to completely change the look of this neighborhood and turn it into a colorful and attractive place.
The murals, for the most part, They pay homage to the cholitasIndigenous women from the highlands are depicted in various daily activities. Beyond its artistic value, the initiative has had a positive impact on the community, improving safety and promoting tourism.
The best way to get there is with the red line of the cable car Take the train to Cementerio station and then a taxi or shared van to the neighborhood. If you don't have much time, you can see the murals from the air using the red line.
El Alto Market: the largest in Bolivia
With the same red line that takes you to the murals of Chualluma you can reach the city of El AltoAlthough it is literally next to La Paz, It is an independent city, with its own municipal government and one of the cities with the highest economic growth in Bolivia.
One of El Alto's biggest attractions is its gigantic market which is celebrated every Thursdays and SundaysIt is considered one of the largest in South America and the world. It occupies dozens of city blocks and you can find absolutely everything there: from vegetables, clothing, appliances, tires, spare parts for anything, animals, antiques and street food.
It's not a market designed for tourists, but for locals who do their daily shopping there. But just like at the Rodriguez Market, that's what makes it so interesting; you can mingle with the locals and see what their daily lives are like.
Cholita wrestlers, the most curious thing to see in La Paz
If you visit La Paz, you can't miss one of Bolivia's most curious spectacles, the cholita fightersThis event is celebrated almost daily in various locations around the city, although the most popular one takes place every Sunday in the October 12 Sports Center from El Alto. These are wrestling-style matches but starring indigenous Aymara women in their traditional skirts and braids.
Although it's hard to believe given their outfits, the cholita wrestlers combine acrobatic movements, humor, and even social commentary in their performances. Beyond entertainment, this show has become asymbol of female empowermentbreaking stereotypes and highlighting the strength of indigenous women in a male-dominated spectacle.
The fights are usually held in the afternoon and You can buy your ticket directly at the venuewhich includes a drink, popcorn, and a small souvenir. There are also tour agencies that offer transportation and admission includedHowever, if you go on your own, getting there is easy with the purple cable car, getting off at the Faro Murillo Station.
One-day plans at outskirts of La Paz
Many people travel to Bolivia for its natural beauty and aren't particularly interested in exploring its cities. If you're one of those people, you're in luck, because there are plenty of interesting things to do around La Paz, both cultural and adventure-oriented. While there's a lot to see in La Paz itself, for us, the best part is the natural beauty of its surroundings.
Valle de la Luna
The Valley of the Moon is one of the more typical and simple excursions that can be done from La Paz. This valley is located just 10 kilometers from the city center, in Mallasa. This landscape of clay formations sculpted by erosion transports you to another world. The trails are very easy, even if you're not acclimatized, and thanks to its proximity, it's a perfect plan if you want to get out of the city without spending hours on public transport.
The visit can be done independently by public transport towards the village of Mallasa or also with organized groups They pick you up at your hotel in La Paz. The tour within the valley is done on foot and There are two routes available.There's a short 15-minute walk and a slightly longer one, about 45 minutes, which crosses the canyons and reaches several viewpoints. It's an ideal excursion to spend a whole morning or afternoon.
Highway of Death
If you're looking for an adrenaline-filled experience in La Paz, the downhill bike ride through the "Camino de la Muerte" It's one of the most exciting activities you can do. This tour, which lasts almost all day, starts early in the morning and takes you from the heights of the Andes to the Yungas rainforest, descending more than 3.600 meters over approximately 64 km.
Tours can be easily booked at tourist agencies in the Sagárnaga StreetIn the heart of La Paz, this is an ideal activity for cycling enthusiasts or those seeking adventure amidst breathtaking scenery. While expert cycling experience isn't required, a good level of physical fitness is recommended.
Sun Island and Copacabana
If on your second day in La Paz you prefer to get away from the city and visit a much quieter natural environment with a lot of history, an excursion to the Sun `s Island It's an excellent option. It's a long trip, but there's guided day trips that go as far as CopacabanaOn the shores of Lake Titicaca, you'll take a boat to this sacred island of the Incas, where you can explore peaceful trails, visit archaeological ruins, and enjoy spectacular scenery.
Austria Peak
The hike to Pico Austria (5.320 m) is one of the most spectacular day treks near La Paz, perfect for those who want to experience high-altitude mountaineering without technical equipment. The trail is usually snow-free during the dry season and doesn't require technical gear, but it is essential to be prepared. well acclimatized to the altitude and accustomed to mountain hikingbecause the effects of the altitude of over 5.000 meters are felt during the ascent. The views from the summit are breathtaking. glacial lakes and the entire Cordillera RealIt is a full-day excursion that can be done with the same tourist agencies on Sagarnaga Street.
That concludes our recommendations for what to see in La Paz in two days, a city we really enjoyed for its cultural influence and all the things to do in the surrounding area. If you have any questions or recommendations, please leave them in the comments! Don't miss the rest of our guides about Bolivia and if you want you can follow our adventures on social media.
