Category: Tips and Advice

Things To Do Around La Paz, Bolivia

On By ticketsboliviaIn La Paz, Tips and Advice, Tourism in Bolivia5 Comments
View of La Paz

Updated: 11 June 2020

La Paz, Bolivia is a city where travelers often stop briefly coming from Machu Picchu or Perú and heading to the Salar of Uyuni (or vice versa) in general. A necessary stop which can also be too short considering all the attractions the city and its surroundings have to offer. Here we’ll look at some of the popular activities and some of the lesser known ones that one can do in and around the city of La Paz for those travellers that are passing through and don’t have too much time to visit everything La Paz has to offer.

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Walk around the city

Recommended time: 1 to 2 days

La Paz is relatively easy to navigate by foot due to its size, most places can be walked to but the steep streets and altitude can make it hard to catch your breath. It is however, well worth it to see the city by foot and to get lost in winding alleyways and colonial streets. One of the most charming colonial streets in La Paz is Calle Jaen. The narrow cobblestone street has several colorful buildings dating back to the 18th century, and is home to many small museums, shops and restaurants. You can also walk to one of the many lookouts around the city: the Mirador Killi Killi and Mirador Laikakota are the most popular ones offering panoramic views of the city.

To get a real feel of the city and historic center, including its museums and lookouts, it’s good to count 2 days to explore the whole city while adjusting to the altitude.

Mi Teleférico: La Paz’s Cable Car System

Recommended time:  A couple of hours

For the best views of La Paz, and an original and more relaxing way to discover the city, hop on the teleférico. The cable car system is La Paz’s new transport system and counts now 8 lines with 2 more planned. Views are spectacular and give you an idea how never-ending and growing the city is.

Everybody has their favorite lines, ours are:

  • The silver one, on the edge of El Alto is particularly spectacular.
  • The blue one, over El Alto gives you a close look to the cholets (neo-andean buildings) and the fair on Thursdays and Sundays.
  • The red one connects El Alto to the center and goes above the general cemetery, providing beautiful views of this small city within the city and its giant murals.
  • The orange line shows a different part of town, joining the center to Plaza Villaroel.
  • The green line goes to the south zone of the city and really gives an idea of how far south the city is spreading, one can really see the differences between neighborhoods.

To circle around the city in cable-car, count a couple of hours. The journey is well worth- it. Don’t skip El Alto as it has the best views of the Cordillera Real and shows a whole different aspect of Bolivia. All the lines are now connected. A teleférico journey costs 3 bolivianos, with every connection being an additional 2 bolivianos.

Death Road

Death Road on bycicle

Recommended time: 1 day

One of the most popular activities for those spending some time in La Paz, and who are looking for a thrilling adventure, is the bike ride along what used to be one of the world’s most dangerous roads. The ride starts up in the mountain and takes you down into the Yungas, a semi-tropical area offering a vibrant contrast to the cold and snowy peaks.

Riding down the Death Road takes the whole day and can be strenuous. Make sure to book with a safe and reputable company. Reliable companies to do this are Gravity and Barracuda. Make sure to check reviews and ask fellow travelers about their experience.

Tiwanaku

Tiwanaku

Recommended time: 1 day

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, Tiwanaku is an ancient archaeological site named after one of the most important civilizations prior to the Inca Empire. Tiwanaku is about 2 hours from La Paz and makes for a pleasant short day-trip crossing the Altiplano. You can book a bus to Tiwanaku with Tickets Bolivia or take a public transport from the General Cemetery going to Desaguadero.

Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)

Recommended time: Half a day

The Moon Valley is just a short ride out of La Paz on the way to Mallasa. The landscape has  been formed as a result of erosion and has a surreal, unique feel. The walk around the rugged landscape can take up to an hour. You can reach Mallasa by public transport or taxi from the center of La Paz.

Micros and minibuses will have a sign saying either Mallasa or Mallasilla. You can grab one from the center of town on Avenida Perez or from Calle 8 de Calacato in the south. Entrance is 15 bolivianos for foreigners (3 bolivianos for Bolivian nationals).

Valle de la Luna

Huayna Potosi

Recommended time : 2 to 3 days

Huayna Potosi is the most popular mountain to climb in Bolivia, it is only 25 km north of La Paz in the Cordillera Real, and can be climbed by (acclimatized) beginners. The climb can be done in two or three days. The peak is at 6,088 meters above sea level.

It is highly recommendable to spend at least 3-6 days adjusting to the altitude in La Paz prior to climbing Huayna Potosi. People attempting the climb should also be healthy and physically fit. Whilst experience is not required to climb Huayna Potosi, underestimating the mountain by not properly acclimatizing or skipping the training day when you’re not an experienced climber, can not only prevent you from reaching the summit but can be life threatening.

Tour agencies offer 2 or 3-day hikes, we recommend choosing the longer hike up as acclimatization is essential in order to reach the peak.

Huayna Potosi

Cementerio General La Paz

Recommended time: 1 to 2 hours

Spread over the equivalent of 15 city blocks, the predominant sites are rows of individual concrete compartments, each set in structures over four stories high with building facades painted with colorful murals. For an authentic cultural experience visit on November 2, the Day of the Dead, when the whole city goes to the cemetery to celebrate the lives of those who are no longer around. Relatives organize parties, lunches, and family gatherings in front of their loved ones, and even play songs to the dead.

The red cable-car line has a stop there which makes it easy to access.

Visit the neighbouring city: El Alto

Recommended time: Half a day, on Thursday and Sunday

One of the fastest growing cities in Bolivia and the second largest city in Bolivia, El Alto is popular for it’s open air market, the Feria 16 de Julio which takes place on Thursdays and Sundays. There you can find everything from furniture to clothes and car parts. You can easily access the feria by teleférico. On these days, you can also attend there a Cholita wrestling match.

Chacaltaya

Recommended time: Half a day

The glacier on Chacaltaya served as Bolivia’s only ski resort at over 5,300 meters above sea level. It was the world’s highest lift-served ski area and the northernmost in South America. The mountain is also popular with amateur mountaineers, as the road stops only 200 meters from the summit. Some tour agencies offer trips there, which will give you the opportunity to walk up the path and reach the peak at 5,421 meters above sea level.

Chacaltaya

Lake Titicaca

Recommended time: 2 to 3 days

The town of Copacabana, on the shore of Lake Titicaca, is only 3-4 hours away from La Paz and is an easy weekend trip. From Copacabana you can access the Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna. You can book a bus to and from Copacabana with Tickets Bolivia.

Also check this blog post about that to do when there.

Lake Titicaca

Muela del Diablo

Recommended time: 4 to 8 hours

An iconic feature of the La Paz landscape, Muela del Diablo (or Devil’s Molar), situated at 3,852 meters above sea level, is a great tourist attraction ideal for hiking and soaking in spectacular views of La Paz and the valley.

The walk up to the Muela from the Pedregal neighborhood south of La Paz can take up to 2 hours, you can also access the Muela from Jupapina on the other side of the valley. If you do choose the later option be aware that it is a full day hike, taking around 6 hours to walk between Pedregal and Mallasa. Make sure to bring plenty of water, snacks and sun/wind protection.

To get there by public transport, take a minibus to Los Pinos/Pedregal from the center of the city on Avenida 6 de Agosto or in the south of the city.

Valle de las Animas/Palca Canyon

Recommended time: 1 day

Just a short distance to the east of the largest city of Bolivia La Paz is another natural wonder – the Palca canyon. Here you can admire the imposing rock towers and enjoy the stunning scenery and views of the Illimani.

You can access the valley with public transport from the city or organize a tour with a travel company. Entrance to the area is free and you can easily hike from the Valle de las Animas to the Palca Canyon in 2-3 hours.

Los Yungas

Takesi

Recommended time: 2 days

One of the most impressive Inca trails in the Andes, Takesi is a 40 kilometer road linking the vast Altiplano plateau with the sub-tropical Yungas. Used by the Incas as a communication and transport link, Takesi remains one of the finest remaining paved roads in the region. Starting in the town of Ventilla at a height of 3,200 meters, the road rises to 4,640 meters before descending to 2,200 meters. One of the easiest Inca treks in Bolivia, the Takesi trail, while still demanding, is mostly downhill, and can be done in 2 days.

The best ways to travel in Bolivia: by bus, train and plane

On By ticketsboliviaIn Bolivia Bus Travel, Bus travel south america, Tips and AdviceLeave a comment

Updated December 2019

Travel Bolivia by bus

The most popular and easiest way to travel in Bolivia is by bus. Because of the country’s size and road conditions it can take over 7 hours to do less than 400 kilometers. Tickets can be purchased the very same day directly at the bus terminal but for travelers coming from abroad and trying to plan ahead their journey, it is now possible to book in advance online bus tickets with Tickets Bolivia.

Traveling in Bolivia is generally safe but can be quite unreliable, especially during the rainy season and public holidays. Some buses are not necessarily well-maintained, causing discomfort, breakdowns and delays and there are reports of drunk drivers. For this reason it is essential to travel with the safest and most reliable bus companies.

Also when booking a bus, travelers will have a choice of seats: Bus normal, Bus Semi-Cama or Bus Cama (sometimes referred to as Bus Leito). Normal buses don’t usually have toilets on boards and don’t really offer much leg space. Semi-Cama buses usually recline up to 140°, have 4 rows of seats, heating but not necessarily toilets. Cama buses should recline up to 170°, have 3 rows of seats, toilets on board, heating and AC.

It’s also important to know that roadblocks, marches, protests and special days can affect your journey. Roadblocks can last a few hours but sometimes it can last up to a few days. In these cases there is not much the bus driver can do, and one must just be patient if no other alternative is provided.

TIPS

  • Always bring layers. The best bus companies usually have blankets for passengers, but temperatures in the Bolivian altiplano can be very cold, especially in July-August, and, if the heating doesn’t work, it can go as low as -15°C at night.
  • Bring snacks and water: Long distance buses always stop at least once, and some companies let vendors jump in the bus to sell snacks but it’s better to come prepared in case of any unexpected delay.
  • Where to seat: The back of the bus is the bumpiest and some roads are not paved. If you are prone to travel-sickness, better to avoid it and stay in the front of middle of the bus.
  • Plugs and WiFi: Even if advertised, it’s extremely unlikely that buses have WiFi, as most of the countryside doesn’t have phone service and very few buses in Bolivia are equipped with USB or plugs.

IMPORTANT: Bus terminals in Bolivia will ask passengers to pay for a small terminal tax called usually: Uso de Terminal. It usually costs Bs 2-2,50 and needs to purchased before boarding the bus. That fee is not included in your bus ticket.

For the best and most reliable bus companies, book your bus online here with Tickets Bolivia.

Travel Bolivia by train

If you plan to travel to Bolivia, one of the safest and most comfortable options is to do it by train. It’s also an efficient way to connect to one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations: the Salar de Uyuni.

Traveling by train offers many advantages. It’s a comfortable and environment-friendly, and it can help avoid road blockades and other issues that may arise with bus travel. There are two train companies in Bolivia which offer train service: Ferroviaria Andina in the west of the country and Ferroviaria Oriental who covers routes from Santa Cruz to Puerto Quijarro and Yacuiba.

The most popular train route is from Oruro to Villazon, which goes via Uyuni:

1Expreso del SurOruro – Uyuni

Uyuni – Villazon

Tues/Fri 14:30 Hrs

Tues/Fri 21:40 Hrs

2Villazon – Uyuni

Uyuni – Oruro

Wed/Sat 15:30 Hrs

Wed/Sat 23:50 Hrs

3Wara Wara del SurOruro – Uyuni

Uyuni – Villazon

Wed/Sun 19:00 Hrs

Mon/Thu 2:50 Hrs

4Villazon – Uyuni

Uyuni – Oruro

Mon/Thu 15:30 Hr

Tue/Fri 1:45 Hrs

  • For the most up-to-date information on routes and schedule of Ferroviaria Andina visit http://www.fca.com.bo/
  • For the most up-to-date information on routes and schedule of Ferroviaria Oriental visit  http://www.fo.com.bo

TIPS

  • Make sure to be at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure.
  • Train tickets are in high demand all year long, but especially in the months of July-August and December-February. Book in advance in order to guarantee your trip!
  • Buy your tickets online right here: https://www.ticketsbolivia.com/
  • The Uyuni-Villazon section of the railway is currently under repair but a bimodal service (Bus+Train) will be made available from 15 December 2018 to 30 January 2019. The full service will reopen later in 2019.

Travel Bolivia by plane

The fastest way to travel in Bolivia is by plane. There are three Bolivian airlines that cover most cities in the territory:

Others

It is possible to rent a car to travel; prices for one-day rental start at USD 50-100.

You can also take local minibuses for trips under 4 hours but be aware that they don’t follow a schedule and leave when they are full. These minibuses don’t usually leave from the main bus terminal and have alternate departure points throughout the city. They make regular stops to pick and drop passengers along the way.

Bolivia Entry Requirements: A Complete Guide

On By ticketsboliviaIn Bolivia visa, Tips and Advice, Tourism in Bolivia3 Comments

*Enter the following link to see updated information on entry requirements post Covid-19: /2022/08/12/here-are-the-necessary-requirements-to-enter-bolivia/

Lake Titicaca at the Bolivia-Peru border. By Jonathan Lewis via Wikimedia Commons

Bolivia is a beautiful, diverse and surprising country. There you can visit the Uyuni Salt Flats, the Amazon rain forest, travel across Lake Titicaca, hike in the Cordillera Real and much more. Here you will find all the information you need regarding entry into the country and visa requirements.

Visa Requirements

First of all, you will need a valid passport for ID. Countries which you can travel to and from Bolivia with only a national ID are Colombia, Peru, Ecuador (CAN – Andean Community) and Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay (MERCOSUR).

All business travelers and persons wishing to stay longer than 90 days per calendar year must obtain a visa in advance. Please note that migration officers at the border stamp passports for 30 days and that if you want to stay longer you will need to get it extended before leaving the country. This can be done at one of the Dirección general de migración offices (Directorate General of Immigration).

Tourists who overstay, or who forget to extend their 30-day visa will have to pay, upon leaving the country, a daily fee of about 25 bolivianos (about $3.70 USD).

Regarding tourist or visitor visa requirements, countries are divided in three groups: (the list of countries in groups can be found here. Please note that this list can be subject to change)

GROUP 1 and nationals of MERCOSUR and CAN (Andean Community):

Passport holders from any of these countries do not require a visa or need to pay any kind of fee upon entering Bolivia as tourists (if you’re traveling for business or studies please see below). The only requirement is that you present a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months. You will have the right to stay in the country 90 days per calendar year (but will initially receive 30 days which can be extended).

GROUP 2:

Passport holders from any of these countries need to apply for a visa either at a Bolivian embassy or directly at the border. Obtaining a visa at the Bolivian embassy in advance is free of charge, however if you opt to get your visa at the border, a $95 USD fee will apply.

Tourist Visa for citizens of the countries in Group II, have an admission period of 30 days after the date of entry. The admission period may be extended at the offices of the Directorate General of Immigration.

GROUP 3:

Passport holders from countries in group 3 will need to apply for a visa prior to their arrival in Bolivia. Tourist Visa for citizens of the countries in Group 3, have an admission period of 30 days after the date of entry. The admission period may be extended at the offices of the Directorate General of Immigration.

The Cost of a Tourist Visa is $30.00 USD. Processing time is 3-5 weeks.

EXCEPTION: US CITIZENS

US citizens require a tourist visa to enter Bolivia. Americans can apply for a visa either at a Bolivian embassy or consulate, or at the border.

The tourist visa for US citizens is valid for 10 years from the date of issue and the admission period per year is 90 days. A US citizen tourist visa holder will be able to use the visa for up to 3 each year.

The cost for the visa is $160 USD.

The process for US citizens and list of documents required is explained in more detail here and here.

OTHER TYPES OF VISA

If you need to stay in Bolivia for more than 90 days in a calendar year or if the purpose of your visit is not tourism then you will have to apply to the corresponding visa. Check with your local Bolivian embassy or consulate what the requirements are and allow for 3-5 weeks for them to process.

Crossing Borders

  • Sometimes you will be asked to present a return ticket or a proof that you will be leaving the country. Some airlines might not let you board without one or you may have to show it a the border.
  • Make sure you have your certificate of yellow fever vaccinations: It’s a country entry requirement. The government of Bolivia requires proof of yellow fever vaccination, especially if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever. Your yellow fever certificate may be asked when entering the country. The Ministry of Health of Bolivia also states that all travelers visiting yellow fever risk areas must carry proof of yellow fever vaccination. Risk areas are: the Oriente Boliviano, Beni, Chaco and the Amazon rain forest.
  • If you are flying to Bolivia and landing in La Paz, be aware of the altitude as the airport is at 4,000 meters above sea level. You may experience a headache, dizziness and other symptoms related to the altitude. If these don’t disappear after a few day or become too severe, go to a clinic and/or descend to a lower altitude.

And now enjoy your stay in Bolivia! With TicketsBolivia.com you can book ahead your bus and train tickets within Bolivia and to neighboring countries.