Where to Stay in La Paz, Bolivia
Are you wondering where to stay in La Paz, Bolivia?
Here’s everything you need to know about where to stay in Bolivia’s (sort of) capital city!
La Paz holds the distinction of being the highest-altitude capital city in the world… except for the fact that it’s not really Bolivia’s capital! The constitutional capital of Bolivia is Sucre, but La Paz is known for being the administrative capital of the country. So technically, Bolivia has two capitals.
I spent a week in La Paz and found it to be a great city. It’s definitely worth visiting for at least a few days before continuing on to another destination in Bolivia like the epic Uyuni Salt Flats.
Here are some of the best things to do in La Paz:
- Ride the cable cars, La Paz’s extremely scenic and unique form of public transportation. There are 10 different rides, and tickets are only 3 bolivianos (~$0.45 USD) per trip.
- Take a free walking tour from Red Cap Tours to get acquainted with the city.
- Or take a guided private tour of La Paz to hit up all the highlights.
- Visit the Witches’ Market (Mercado de Las Brujas) where you can find exotic potions and remedies including dried frogs and llama fetuses, or get your fortune told by a witch doctor.
- Hike the surreal landscapes of the Valley of the Moon just outside the city.
- Join a Death Road cycling tour and experience extreme mountain biking on this popular day trip which takes you down Bolivia’s infamous Death Road. This tour is for adrenaline junkies only!
- Stroll down Calle Jaen, a colorful cobblestone street dating back to colonial times.
- Take a day trip to Copacabana on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.
How many days should I Stay in La PAz?
I would recommend spending at least three full days in La Paz if you can. You can use one of those days to do a day trip like the Death Road cycling tour or hiking in the Valley of the Moon.
Also, be aware that some people experience altitude sickness in La Paz! The city is at nearly 12,000 feet, and it’s very hilly and steep. Even if you don’t get altitude sickness, you might find yourself out of breath more when walking around the city (I know that I did!) I recommend drinking lots of water and packing Advil in case you experience headaches, the most common symptom of mild altitude sickness.
Best Places to Stay in La Paz
La Paz is a large city and fairly spread out, but it’s easy to get around via the cable car system, which is truly one of the coolest forms of public transportation I’ve seen anywhere in the world!
The best neighborhoods to stay in La Paz are Zona Centro and Sopocachi. These are two centrally located neighborhoods that offer easy access to La Paz’s tourist destinations, as well as restaurants and nightlife. Personally, I stayed in the Sopocachi neighborhood but went to Zona Centro a lot.
Zona Sur is also a cool area to stay in and is known for being the most luxurious and high-end neighborhood in La Paz. However, it’s located further out and not walkable to the city center. If you’re only in La Paz for a couple of days, this might not be the best place to stay since it’s not as convenient.
Here are my top picks for the best places to stay in La Paz:
- Best luxury hotel: Atix Hotel
- Best mid-range hotel: Mitru Express Hotel
- Best budget hotel: Selina La Paz
- Best hostel: Wild Rover La Paz
And here’s a full breakdown of where to stay in La Paz:
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Ritz Apart Hotel
No, it’s not exactly the Ritz-Carlton, but Ritz Apart Hotel is still one of the nicest places to stay in the central part of La Paz. This luxury hotel is a good value and includes free breakfast each morning.
It’s located in the trendy Sopocachi neighborhood, and within a thirty-minute walk or a short cable car ride to the Witches’ Market, Plaza Murillo, and other popular destinations in La Paz.
Atix Hotel
Atix Hotel is one of the most incredible luxury hotels in La Paz. Located in the chic, high-end Zona Sur neighborhood, you can reach the historic center of the city by cable car.
This hotel offers swanky guest rooms, a magnificent indoor swimming pool with views of the city, and a fitness center. Guests are greeted with a free welcome drink, and breakfast is included each morning.
Mitru Express Hotel
If you’re looking for a great mid-range hotel in La Paz, look no further than Mitru Express Hotel. This affordable and centrally located hotel is very modern and clean. Guests will enjoy bright and airy rooms with luxurious touches. A free breakfast is also included every morning during your stay.
Just a 10-minute walk from Plaza Murillo, this hotel has an excellent location in the historic center of La Paz. It’s also a short walk to the Killi Killi Mirador, a lookout with great views over the city.
Patio de Piedra Hotel Boutique
Patio de Piedra Hotel Boutique is a mid-range hotel in a great location in La Paz. This hotel has a warm, cozy feeling to it and is located in a historic colonial house with many lovely touches.
The hotel offers free breakfast. It’s very conveniently located to the bus station in La Paz, and just a short walk away from the Witches’ Market, museums, churches, and other attractions in the historic center.
Selina La Paz
This is where I stayed in La Paz, and I would recommend it for budget travelers who want to stay somewhere on the nicer end. I’ve stayed at various Selina locations in Latin America, and some have more of a party vibe, but the Selina La Paz did not. Guests can choose from private rooms or dorm rooms.
Selina La Paz is located in the bohemian Sopocachi neighborhood, which is home to lots of great restaurants. It’s also just a short walk away from the sights of the historic center of the city.
Wild Rover La Paz
If you are looking for more of a party hostel, then Wild Rover is the place to stay. While I did not stay here, I met several people who did, and they all enjoyed the atmosphere but said it’s definitely a noisy place to stay. Wild Rover has a lively bar and hosts various social events throughout the week.
It’s in a great location in the historic center of the city. I also highly recommend booking with Altitude Travel, the travel agency at Wild Rover, if you are planning to do the Death Road cycling tour. They are the top-rated tour company and have the best guides and nicer, safer gear and bikes than other companies.
The Adventure Brew Hostel
Another budget-friendly option in La Paz is The Adventure Brew Hostel. This conveniently located hostel is right next to the bus station in La Paz, so you won’t have to go far for onward travel. It’s also just a short walk to the Witches’ Market, Plaza Murillo, and other popular areas in the historic center.
This hotel offers common areas with plenty of space to hang out and relax or play a game of ping-pong or pool. There’s also a rooftop terrace and bar. Private rooms and dorms are available.
Where to Stay in La Paz
This guide showed you where to stay in La Paz, Bolivia.
To recap, my top three picks for where to stay are:
- Best luxury hotel: Atix Hotel
- Best mid-range hotel: Mitru Express Hotel
- Best budget hotel: Selina La Paz
- Best hostel: Wild Rover La Paz
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in La Paz!
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