La Paz, the seat of Bolivia’s government, fills a canyon in the Altiplano below Illimani, with its center at about 3,650 m (11,975 ft). The city spreads over more than 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of elevation, from the southern districts at around 3,020 m (9,908 ft) up to the El Alto plateau at 4,000 m (13,123 ft), linked by a network of urban cable cars. To visit La Paz is to walk the colonial center and the Witches’ Market, ride the cable cars over the city and head out to Tiwanaku or Lake Titicaca. Here is what to see, how to handle the altitude, where to stay, safety and the climate month by month.
For the rest of your trip: our Bolivia travel guide, the best time to visit Bolivia, the map of Bolivia and, on the Peruvian side, our page on Lake Titicaca.
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La Paz: key facts
- Altitude: about 3,650 m (11,975 ft) in the center, 4,000 m (13,123 ft) in El Alto, home to the international airport
- Dry season: May to September, under 25 mm (1.0 in) of rain a month; January is the wettest month
- Cold nights: 3 to 5 °C (37 to 41 °F) on average from May to August at Laikakota Park (SENAMHI)
- Entry: no visa for US or UK citizens for short tourist stays; make sure your passport is stamped on entry (GOV.UK)
What to see in La Paz: the highlights
The colonial center: San Francisco, Plaza Murillo, Calle Jaén
The historic core holds the main colonial-era landmarks: the San Francisco church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Plaza Murillo and Calle Jaén. The streets are steep: at this altitude, walk slowly and take breaks.
The Witches’ Market
In the tourist district, the Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas) sells herbs, remedies and ritual objects from the Aymara tradition, still very present in La Paz.
Mi Teleférico cable cars
Opened in 2014, the Mi Teleférico network links La Paz and El Alto; Wikipedia lists eight lines in service and describes it as the longest and highest urban cable car network in the world. It is the best way to grasp the city’s geography, from the bottom of the canyon to the rim of the Altiplano, with Illimani in the background. The operator’s official website did not load when we checked: confirm fares and hours locally.
El Alto
A former suburb that became a city in its own right in 1985, El Alto spreads across the Altiplano above the bowl. Its large market, the Feria, draws visitors: it is a crowded place, and the UK FCDO notes that petty crime is common in crowded areas and that thieves work in teams to distract their victims (GOV.UK, updated 22 September 2026). Leave valuables at your hotel.
The southern districts and Sopocachi
Further down the canyon, the districts become more residential and the altitude drops: Sopocachi, a historic district that has become more affluent, then the Zona Sur (Florida, La Rinconada, Achumani), which goes down to about 3,020 m (9,908 ft) in Aranjuez. A few hundred meters lower than the center, it helps for the first nights. The UK FCDO reports several incidents in the Cementerio General and Sopocachi areas: stay alert there.
Day trips: Tiwanaku and Lake Titicaca
The pre-Columbian site of Tiwanaku, near Lake Titicaca, is one of the largest archaeological sites in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lake Titicaca, with Copacabana and Isla del Sol, is the other major excursion. The UK FCDO warns that boats on Lake Titicaca are often very basic: check that life jackets are provided. Between Copacabana and La Paz, take a direct bus (GOV.UK), arrive in daylight if possible and buy tickets at the bus terminal (U.S. Department of State).
Itinerary: La Paz in 3 days
- Day 1: arrival, rest and a short, easy stroll in the center.
- Day 2: colonial center, Calle Jaén and the Witches’ Market; cable car ride late in the day.
- Day 3: day trip to Tiwanaku, or El Alto and its Feria on market days; then on to Lake Titicaca.
Altitude: what to know
- The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 22 September 2026) lists altitude sickness as a risk in parts of Bolivia, including La Paz and the Salar de Uyuni, and refers travelers to TravelHealthPro.
- The U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated May 7, 2026) warns that high altitude may harm you whatever your fitness: if you develop a severe headache, weakness, vomiting, shortness of breath at rest, cough, chest tightness or unsteadiness, descend to a lower altitude right away and consider seeking medical attention.
- Sun protection matters on the Altiplano: high-factor sunscreen, a hat, long sleeves and good sunglasses.
What this means: flying into El Alto puts you at about 4,000 m (13,123 ft) straight away. Plan at least two very quiet days, consider sleeping in the lower southern districts, or arrive by road from a lower city. See a doctor before you leave, especially if you have a medical condition or are traveling with young children or while pregnant; see also our guide to altitude sickness.
Where to stay in La Paz
The center, around San Francisco, is convenient for sightseeing and tour agencies. Sopocachi is more residential, with cafés and restaurants. The lower Zona Sur can help during the first days of acclimatization. Check that your room is heated: nights stay cool all year and drop to around 3 °C (37 °F) in July.
Getting there: El Alto airport and getting around
El Alto International Airport, at over 4,000 m (13,123 ft), is described by Wikipedia as the highest international airport in the world; oxygen is available for travelers who feel unwell. To get down into the city, the UK FCDO advises ordering radio taxis by phone (they display the company’s name and phone number on the roof), checking for a registration sticker on the windscreen and not getting into a taxi already carrying other passengers; it reports an increase in robberies of taxi passengers in La Paz (GOV.UK, updated 22 September 2026). The U.S. Department of State also recommends radio taxis and not traveling alone late at night.
Book your transfer
A transfer booked through your hotel or an agency saves you looking for a taxi on arrival, when the altitude often leaves you tired. Before booking, check the total price and currency, the meeting point, the waiting time included if your flight is late and how the driver will identify himself. At taxi stands and bus terminals, ignore anyone offering help and watch your belongings (GOV.UK). Fuel shortages can reduce bus services between cities and public transport in La Paz (GOV.UK).
When to go to La Paz: month-by-month climate
At this altitude, temperatures change little over the year but a lot between day and night; the real difference between the seasons is the rain. The table combines the official normals of Bolivia’s weather service with our own calculations.
| Month | High °C (°F) | Low °C (°F) | Rain mm (in) | Rainy days | Day/night range (°C) | Sunrise / sunset on the 15th | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18.5 (65) | 7.4 (45) | 126 (5.0) | 21.3 | 11.1 | 6:11 am / 7:11 pm | 13 h 00 |
| February | 18.7 (66) | 7.3 (45) | 81 (3.2) | 17.0 | 11.4 | 6:27 am / 7:05 pm | 12 h 37 |
| March | 18.9 (66) | 7.2 (45) | 68 (2.7) | 15.4 | 11.7 | 6:35 am / 6:47 pm | 12 h 12 |
| April | 19.2 (67) | 6.3 (43) | 27 (1.1) | 8.6 | 12.9 | 6:40 am / 6:24 pm | 11 h 43 |
| May | 19.1 (66) | 4.6 (40) | 9 (0.4) | 3.5 | 14.5 | 6:48 am / 6:09 pm | 11 h 21 |
| June | 17.8 (64) | 3.3 (38) | 8 (0.3) | 2.2 | 14.5 | 6:58 am / 6:07 pm | 11 h 09 |
| July | 17.4 (63) | 2.8 (37) | 5 (0.2) | 2.1 | 14.6 | 7:01 am / 6:15 pm | 11 h 14 |
| August | 18.4 (65) | 3.7 (39) | 12 (0.5) | 3.9 | 14.7 | 6:50 am / 6:23 pm | 11 h 33 |
| September | 19.0 (66) | 4.8 (41) | 24 (0.9) | 6.7 | 14.2 | 6:28 am / 6:27 pm | 12 h 00 |
| October | 19.8 (68) | 6.2 (43) | 38 (1.5) | 10.7 | 13.6 | 6:04 am / 6:32 pm | 12 h 27 |
| November | 20.4 (69) | 7.0 (45) | 44 (1.7) | 11.4 | 13.4 | 5:50 am / 6:43 pm | 12 h 53 |
| December | 20.0 (68) | 7.5 (46) | 82 (3.2) | 16.1 | 12.5 | 5:54 am / 7:00 pm | 13 h 06 |
How to read it: from May to August, it rains on 4 days a month at most and the day/night range reaches 14.6 °C in July: mild sunny days, nights close to 3 °C (37 °F). From December to March, the rainy season brings 16 to 21 rainy days a month, often in the afternoon. September and October are a good compromise: little rain, slightly less cold nights. Daylight ranges from 11 h 09 (June) to 13 h 06 (December). Forest fires are common in the dry season (May to October) in southern and eastern Bolivia and can affect air quality as far as La Paz (GOV.UK).
To compare with the Uyuni salt flat or the Yungas, see our page on the best time to visit Bolivia.
Entry requirements, health and safety
US citizens
According to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated May 7, 2026), US citizens do not need a visa to visit Bolivia for tourism and business. You need a passport with at least six months’ validity remaining, the address of your stay in Bolivia and an International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination, especially if traveling to tropical areas of the country.
UK citizens
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK foreign travel advice, updated 22 September 2026), you can visit Bolivia for up to 90 days without a visa within a one-year period. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after arrival and have at least two blank pages. Make sure you get an entry stamp, or you will pay a fine when you leave. A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk.
- Protests and roadblocks: a State of Emergency has been declared in Bolivia; keep away from protests and roadblocks and never try to cross them (GOV.UK). The U.S. Department of State advises carrying extra food, water and warm clothing on road trips, as roadblocks can strand you for several days.
- Crime in La Paz: petty crime is common in central La Paz, on buses and in crowded areas (GOV.UK). Express kidnappings, in which tourists are robbed and forced to withdraw money, occur infrequently in La Paz (U.S. Department of State): use only radio taxis.
- Areas to avoid: the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department, far from La Paz.
- Emergencies: police 110; the National Tourism Police offers free assistance in English, La Paz office 800-14-0081 (U.S. Department of State).
Checked on 26 October 2026; check again before you travel. See also our travel vaccinations guide.
Staying connected
An eSIM installed before you leave lets you call a radio taxi or follow your route as soon as you land. Check that your phone is compatible and that coverage includes Bolivia: see our travel eSIM guide.
If you… then…
| If you… | Then… |
|---|---|
| Fly in directly from sea level | Plan two quiet days and talk to your doctor before you leave |
| Travel with young children | Ask your doctor about high altitude before booking |
| Want the most reliable weather | Aim for May to September, the dry season |
| Dislike the cold | Choose October-November and heated accommodation, ideally in the south of the city |
| Take a taxi | Only a radio taxi ordered by phone, never one hailed in the street |
| Continue to Peru | Go via Lake Titicaca and check border formalities with the State Department or GOV.UK |
Frequently asked questions
What is the altitude of La Paz?
About 3,650 m (11,975 ft) in the center; the city ranges from about 3,020 m (9,908 ft) in the southern districts to 4,000 m (13,123 ft) in El Alto, where the airport is.
How many days should you spend in La Paz?
Two to three days, including at least one quiet day on arrival to acclimatize, then a trip to Tiwanaku or Lake Titicaca.
How can you avoid altitude sickness in La Paz?
Take it easy for the first days, drink regularly and see a doctor before you leave. The U.S. Department of State advises descending right away if you develop severe symptoms such as a bad headache, vomiting or shortness of breath at rest.
When is the best time to visit La Paz?
May to September, the dry season, with under 25 mm (1.0 in) of rain a month (SENAMHI 1981-2010 normals). Nights are then at their coldest.
Is La Paz dangerous?
Petty crime is common in the center, on buses and in crowded areas, and taxi robberies have increased (GOV.UK). Use radio taxis, keep valuables out of sight and stay away from protests and roadblocks.
Do you need a visa for Bolivia?
Not for tourism: US citizens need no visa (travel.state.gov) and UK citizens can stay up to 90 days without one (GOV.UK). Make sure your passport is stamped on entry.
Our sources
- U.S. Department of State, Bolivia country information (travel.state.gov, last updated May 7, 2026), read on 26 October 2026
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Bolivia (GOV.UK, updated 22 September 2026), read on 26 October 2026
- Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (SENAMHI): 1981-2010 normals for the La Paz Laikakota Park station, as reproduced by Wikipedia
- Wikipedia articles « La Paz » (geography, landmarks, Mi Teleférico, airport) and « Tiwanaku »
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of La Paz (15th of each month, year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
