La Paz, Bolivia: Guide to the World’s Highest Capital (2026)
The world’s highest administrative capital — top things to do, the cable-car network, altitude tips, day trips, and how to get around.
arrow_back Back to Bolivia GuideLa Paz is unlike any other capital. It spills down a canyon at around 3,650 metres, with the sprawling city of El Alto on the rim above and snow-capped Illimani watching over it all. It is the highest administrative capital in the world, and one of South America’s most striking cities to arrive into.
On this page
- Quick answer
- About La Paz
- Top things to do
- Riding Mi Teleferico
- Day trips from La Paz
- Where to stay
- Food and markets
- Altitude and health
- Getting there and around
- FAQs
Quick answer
La Paz is the world’s highest administrative capital (about 3,650 metres) and Bolivia’s seat of government, while Sucre is the constitutional capital. Give it two to three days: ride the Mi Teleferico cable cars, explore the markets and colonial centre, and take a day trip such as Tiwanaku or the Death Road. Go easy on the altitude for the first day.
About La Paz
The city fills a dramatic bowl carved into the Altiplano, so streets rise and fall steeply and the views change block by block. Wealthier neighbourhoods sit lower, where the air is thicker; El Alto, above the rim, is higher and home to the main airport. La Paz is the seat of government, but Sucre remains Bolivia’s constitutional capital — a split worth knowing before you arrive.
Top things to do
- Mi Teleferico — ride the cable cars for the best views of the city and El Alto (more below).
- Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas) — stalls selling traditional remedies, herbs and Aymara ritual items.
- Plaza San Francisco and the San Francisco Church — the busy heart of the old town.
- Plaza Murillo — the main square, ringed by the government palace and cathedral.
- Calle Jaen — a preserved colonial lane of small museums and cafes.
- Cholita wrestling — a theatrical local spectacle, usually in El Alto.
Riding Mi Teleferico
La Paz’s cable-car network is one of the largest and highest in the world, built to connect the city with El Alto across the steep terrain. For locals it is everyday transport; for visitors it is a cheap and unforgettable way to take in the city, especially the Red and Yellow lines up to El Alto for the panorama over the whole basin.
Day trips from La Paz
- Tiwanaku — the pre-Inca ruins about 70 kilometres west, an easy half or full day.
- North Yungas (Death) Road — the famous downhill cycling route from the highlands into the Yungas.
- Valle de la Luna — eroded clay spires on the city’s southern edge.
- Lake Titicaca and Copacabana — the sacred lake and its lakeside town, a longer day or overnight.
La Paz is also the usual base for reaching the Salar de Uyuni salt flats further south.
Where to stay
Where you base yourself shapes the trip. Backpackers and first-timers usually head for the streets around Sagarnaga and the San Francisco church, walking distance from the witches’ market, tour agencies and cheap eats. For a quieter, more local feel with good restaurants and cafes, Sopocachi is a favourite with visitors who want to slow down. If comfort and modern hotels matter more than being central, the affluent Zona Sur sits lower and warmer than the centre, which some people find easier on arrival at altitude. Wherever you stay, a room with heating is worth paying for, as nights are cold year-round.
Food and markets
La Paz eats well at every price. Street stalls sell salteñas, the juicy mid-morning pastry locals queue for, along with grilled anticuchos in the evening, while sit-down restaurants range from hearty Bolivian classics to some of the most inventive cooking in South America. The markets are half the experience: the Mercado Rodriguez overflows with produce, and the Mercado de las Brujas, the witches’ market, sells the herbs, charms and offerings tied to Andean tradition. For a deeper look at what to order, see our guide to Bolivian food.
Altitude and health
Arriving straight into 3,650 metres affects most people. Rest on your first day, drink water, go light on food and alcohol, and try coca tea, which locals use for the altitude. Give yourself time before any strenuous activity, and see a doctor before travelling if you have heart or lung conditions.
Beyond the moonscape of Valle de la Luna on the city’s edge, several bigger trips are within reach. Lake Titicaca and the town of Copacabana make a classic overnight, with boats out to the Isla del Sol, the legendary birthplace of the Inca. Thrill-seekers ride the so-called Death Road, a dramatic descent by mountain bike from the highlands down into the green Yungas, ending near the warm town of Coroico, which is also a relaxing stop in its own right.
Getting there and around
Flights land at El Alto International Airport, one of the highest international airports in the world, a short drive above the city. Getting around, the cable cars and cheap minibuses cover most of the city, and taxis are inexpensive — agree the fare first or use a booked ride. For the wider country, see our Bolivia travel guide.
La Paz is generally safe for visitors who take normal city precautions. Use registered radio taxis or a ride app rather than hailing cabs on the street at night, keep valuables out of sight in crowded markets and on busy minibuses, and only book tours, especially the Death Road, through established operators with good safety records.
Frequently asked questions
How high is La Paz?
The city centre sits at about 3,650 metres, and its neighbourhoods climb from around 3,200 metres in the south to over 4,000 metres in El Alto on the rim above. That makes La Paz the highest administrative capital in the world.
Is La Paz or Sucre the capital of Bolivia?
Both, in a sense. La Paz is the seat of government and where the president and congress sit, while Sucre is the constitutional capital and home of the judiciary. Most day-to-day government happens in La Paz.
How do you handle the altitude in La Paz?
Take it easy on your first day, drink plenty of water, avoid heavy meals and alcohol at first, and try the local coca tea. If you are flying in from sea level, build in a slow start rather than a big hike or party on day one.
What is Mi Teleferico?
It is La Paz’s cable-car network, one of the largest and highest urban cable-car systems in the world. Locals use it as everyday transport between La Paz and El Alto, and for visitors it doubles as a cheap, spectacular way to see the city from above.
What are the best day trips from La Paz?
The classics are the Tiwanaku ruins, the Valle de la Luna rock formations, cycling the North Yungas (Death) Road, and heading to Lake Titicaca and Copacabana. Chacaltaya and the Cholita wrestling shows are popular add-ons.
How many days do you need in La Paz?
Two to three days is enough to see the central sights, ride the cable cars, and fit in a day trip such as Tiwanaku or the Death Road, while still allowing time to acclimatise to the altitude.