La Paz – The Pride of Bolivia

The city of La Paz is the administrative capital of the South American nation of Bolivia. Secondly, the city also is the headquarters of the La Paz Department. The city also has another unique distinction of being the highest capital city in the world.

The city is surrounded by the huge Altiplano range and as the city climbs the hills, it reaches up to 4,100 meters above the sea level. Once you have scaled the heights, you can view snow-covered Illimani.

The city of La Paz has a population of 877,363 people. The city when clubbed together with the neighboring El Alto and Viacha becomes the most populous among urban areas of Bolivia and this entire region is more popularly known as Metro La Paz and the population swells to around 2.3 million residents.

La Paz is a cultural center of the nation. The city is known for its unique marketplaces located in and around the city. Besides, the city is home to hundreds of museums and churches.

Let’s go through some of the La Paz Bolivia tourist attractions

Presidential Palace:
This monument is also known locally as Palacio Quemado, which when translated into a simpler form means Burnt Palace. The reason behind this name is due to the fact of the repeated fires which hit the building in the past.

Cathedral of San Francisco:
This Cathedral is frequented by devotees in huge numbers as the body of the saint is buried here.

Casa de Pedro Domingo Murillo:
This house has on display a large series of textiles, furniture and art forms from the colonial era.

Museo Costumbrista:
This museum is all about life in the early 19th century. One can view beautiful ceramic dolls in traditional costumes.

Museo Nacional de Arqueología:
This museum displays exhibits of the Tiawanaku culture.

Museo del Litoral:
This museum signifies the 1879 war, which Bolivia lost to Chile and in the process the coast went to the neighboring country.

Museo del Oro:
The museum is full of pre-Conquest works, which are made of copper, silver and gold.

Museo de Etnografía y Folklore:
This huge house was built in the late 18th century and signifies the art and customs of the Chipayas and Ayoreos ethnic groups.

Museo del Charango:
This museum is located in Calle Linares and is all about charangos and other native instruments.

Museo de Historia Natural:
This museum lays emphasis on the nation’s botany, zoology, paleontology, geology and paleontology.

Casa Museo Marina Nuñez del Prado:
Here you can enjoy noted Bolivian artist Marina Nuñez del Prado’s sculptures.

Museo Nacional de Arte:
This building was constructed in 1775 and was actually a palace at that time. In the present day, the museum is home to works from Marina Nuñez del Prado and Melchor Perez de Holguín.

Mercado de Brujas:
When translated into simpler terms, it means Witches market. However, the place is not about holy or evil spirits though, it’s all about the sale of merchandises from herbs to remedies used in the Aymara traditions.

Besides, the city is also famous for various annual events and festivals. Let’s go through some of more popular festivities in brief.

Feria de Alasitas:
This is an annual fair and celebrated on January 24 in order to honor the god known as Ekeko.

Virgen de Copacabana:
The blessed Virgen de Copacabana – Our Lady of Copacabana is the patron saint of the nation. Every year on February 2 a feast is celebrated in honor of the patron.

Listed below are some of the other La Paz Bolivia festivals along with dates.

May 1: The feast of San José Obrero

May 3: The feast of Señor de la Santa Cruz

May 13: The feast of Virgen de Fátima

May 14: San Isidro, Labrador

May 17: Señor de la Sentencia

June 13: San Antonio de Padua

June 24: San Juan Bautista

June 29: San Pedro Apóstol

October 7: Virgen del Rosario (El Rosario)

The city also boasts of the best educational institutes and universities. Some of the more popular ones are Universidad Privada Boliviana, Universidad Privada Franz Tamayo, Universidad Privada San Francisco de Asis and Universidad La Salle.

The city also houses some of the biggest soccer clubs in Bolivia such as La Paz F.C. and Club Bolivar.

Listed below are some of the questions which may be on your mind

How do I reach La Paz?

The city has a very prominent international airport. The El Alto International Airport is some 14 miles south west of La Paz. You need to enter the city by flying into this airport. This airport is ranked as one of the largest in the world and boasts of the best facilities for its passengers.

Once, in the city you may hire a private cab to take you to the various places of interest. Alternatively, the cheaper option will be to rely on the public transportation system of the city which is quite reliable.

You can also enter La Paz via train from the neighboring nations of Argentina and Chile via the Oruro.

Where do I stay during my La Paz trip?

The city of La Paz has accommodation facilities available aplenty. Some of the major landmarks of the city are Residencial Rosario Hotel, Ritz All Suites Hotel?, Hotel Europa, Hostal Naira Hotel?, El Dorado Hotel, Presidente Hotel?, Camino Real Royal Suites Hotel, Hotel Calacoto, Radisson Plaza Hotel? and Hotel El Consulado.

When is the best time to visit La Paz?

The best time to visit Bolivia’s second capital city is during the months of May to July. The weather during this period is ideal for a visit and it is just a little bit cold and dry. One should avoid the place in the November-April period as it rains very heavily during this period, besides the general conditions are really harsh at this time.

In conclusion, La Paz is an ultra modern city and boasts of the best facilities to its residents and visitors. The city has it all and I can only assure you that you will have a wonderful time in the city on your next visit. So, what are you waiting for, just go ahead and plan that all important trip to La Paz.