What currency is used in La Paz?

La Paz uses the Boliviano (BOB).

What is the emergency number in La Paz?

In La Paz, call 110 for police, 118 for an ambulance (165 is also listed for medical emergencies in La Paz), 119 for the fire service.

How much does a day in La Paz cost?

Roughly $20-35 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $50-90 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in La Paz?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in La Paz without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

La Paz travel guide

Bolivia

At around 3,600 metres, La Paz fills a deep canyon with the snowcapped Illimani above it. Its busy markets, cable cars and steep streets give it a character all its own.

Essentials

Language: Spanish, alongside Aymara and other indigenous languages; English is limited outside guesthouses and tour agencies
Currency: Boliviano (BOB)
Plugs: Types A and C; 230 V in most places, though some older La Paz buildings still run on 115 V, so check before plugging in
Emergency number: 110 for police, 118 for an ambulance (165 is also listed for medical emergencies in La Paz), 119 for the fire service
Tipping: Not expected in simple places; around 10% in sit-down restaurants and a small tip for guides is appreciated.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $20-35, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $50-90, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in La Paz

Sopocachi: a leafy, residential area with cafés, restaurants and a relaxed pace.
Calle Sagárnaga area: close to the centre, with the Witches' Market and many guesthouses.
El Alto: the city on the plateau above, home to a huge market on Thursdays and Sundays.

Getting around La Paz

Mi Teleférico, the cable car network, links many parts of the city and El Alto with great views. Minibuses and taxis fill the gaps; use radio taxis or apps rather than hailing on the street.

Best time to visit La Paz

May to October, the dry season, with sunny days and very cold nights.

Top things to do in La Paz

Ride several Mi Teleférico lines end to end for views over the canyon and up to El Alto
Watch the cholitas luchadoras, wrestling shows by women in traditional dress, usually held in El Alto on Sundays
Walk among the eroded clay spires of the Valle de la Luna on the southern edge of the city
Visit the Museo Nacional de Etnografía y Folklore for textiles and masks from across Bolivia
Climb to the Killi Killi viewpoint for a view across the whole city to Illimani

What to eat in La Paz

Salteña: a juicy baked pastry of meat and gravy, eaten mid-morning
Api con pastel: a hot, spiced purple corn drink with a fried cheese pastry
Anticuchos: skewers of grilled beef heart with potatoes and peanut sauce, sold from evening street stalls
Trucha: trout from Lake Titicaca, usually fried and served with rice and potatoes

Day trips from La Paz

Tiwanaku: the ruins of a pre-Inca civilisation, about an hour and a half to two hours by road
Lake Titicaca and Copacabana: a lakeside town with boats to Isla del Sol, around four hours by bus, best as an overnight trip
The Yungas Road: a full-day downhill mountain bike ride from the high Andes into the cloud forest, only with a well-reviewed operator

Local etiquette

Always ask before photographing people, particularly women in traditional dress at markets, and expect some to say no. Bargain politely and with a smile, and remember that small sums matter to the sellers.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs from Entel, Tigo and Viva are sold with a passport at operator shops, eSIM options are more limited, and Wi-Fi in guesthouses can be slow.

Staying safe

Altitude is the main health risk, so ascend gently and seek medical help if headaches or breathlessness get worse. Use radio taxis or apps rather than hailing cars on the street, be wary of anyone claiming to be a plain-clothes police officer, and expect road blockades or protests to disrupt travel at times.

A local tip

Take your first day or two slowly, drinking plenty of water, before any hiking or late nights at altitude.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in La Paz on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in La Paz for advice. We are new here, so if you live in La Paz, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about La Paz

What currency is used in La Paz?: La Paz uses the Boliviano (BOB).
What is the emergency number in La Paz?: In La Paz, call 110 for police, 118 for an ambulance (165 is also listed for medical emergencies in La Paz), 119 for the fire service.
When is the best time to visit La Paz?: May to October, the dry season, with sunny days and very cold nights.
How much does a day in La Paz cost?: Roughly $20-35 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $50-90 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in La Paz?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in La Paz without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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