Exploring Bolivia's Route 36: A Guide To Finding It

Route 36 in Bolivia is an illegal after-hours lounge in La Paz, Bolivia, and is considered the world's first cocaine bar. The bar constantly changes its location, which is spread via word of mouth, as cocaine is illegal in Bolivia. The only way to get to Route 36 Bar is by cab. The location of the bar can be found by asking a cab driver, as they seem to have all the inside information.

Route 36 is a cocaine bar in La Paz, Bolivia

Route 36 is an illegal, pop-up lounge bar in La Paz, Bolivia, known for being the world's first and only cocaine bar. The bar has no fixed address, changing its location every few weeks to avoid complaints from nearby residents and business owners. Its existence is spread through word-of-mouth and obscure travel websites, and it primarily caters to foreign tourists.

To find Route 36, one must rely on La Paz's taxi network. Taxi drivers are in the know and can take patrons to the bar's current location. The bar is difficult to identify from the outside, with no obvious signage, and is often housed in nondescript buildings. However, two men typically stand outside, frisking customers before allowing them to enter.

Once inside, patrons find themselves in a dimly lit room with tables and a bar. They can order cocaine by the gram, served on a metal or silver platter with a straw for snorting. The cocaine is of above-average quality and is cheaper than black market prices elsewhere in the world. The bar also serves cocktails and other drinks.

Route 36 has been able to operate for over a decade due to corruption and the bribery of law enforcement officials. It is a unique and notorious destination for drug tourists visiting Bolivia, offering a glimpse into the world of illegal drug use and the local cocaine trade.

The bar changes its location every few weeks to avoid complaints from nearby businesses and residents

Route 36 is an illegal after-hours lounge in La Paz, Bolivia. It is considered the world's first cocaine bar. While cocaine is illegal in Bolivia, it is still accessible due to political corruption and the affordability of locally produced cocaine. As a result, Route 36 has become a popular destination for drug tourists. The bar's existence is spread through travel websites and word-of-mouth promotion.

To avoid complaints from nearby businesses and residents, Route 36 changes its location every few weeks or months. The bar's address is not available online, and even if someone finds out its current location, it will soon relocate. This strategy helps the bar stay in operation and avoid police intervention. The only way to find Route 36 is through La Paz's cab driver information network. Cab drivers seem to have all the inside information and are the only ones who can take you to the bar.

The bar is located in a dilapidated building, with a metal curtain and a dark and dusty stairwell. It has a clandestine and squat-like appearance, with purple neon lights and windows covered in large Scotch tape. The atmosphere is moist and filled with smoke, with music ranging from commercial electro to reaggaton. The clientele is mostly tourists, with few to no Bolivians in sight. The bar has a €5 entry fee, and a gram of cocaine costs around €15.

Route 36 is a unique and secretive destination that attracts tourists from all over the world. Its constantly changing location adds to its allure and helps it maintain its operations despite the illegal nature of its primary offering.

It is illegal in Bolivia, but political corruption and affordable locally-produced cocaine have made it popular

Route 36 in La Paz, Bolivia, is known as the world's first cocaine bar. It is illegal, but due to political corruption and the affordability of locally produced cocaine, it has become a popular destination for thousands of drug tourists each year.

Cocaine is an addictive stimulant derived from the coca plant, which is readily available and can be legally sold and used for food, tea, and medicine in Bolivia. While the majority of coca production is intended for legal consumption, a certain percentage does find its way into the cocaine market. Bolivia is one of the largest producers of coca in the world, after Colombia and Peru.

The location of Route 36 is kept secret, and it changes every few weeks or months to avoid complaints from nearby businesses or residents and to stay ahead of the authorities. The bar can only be found through word-of-mouth information, typically from taxi drivers in La Paz, who seem to have inside information about its location.

The clientele of Route 36 is mostly tourists looking for cheap highs and thrills. The bar charges an entry fee of around €5, and a gram of cocaine costs approximately €15. The cocaine is said to be exceptionally pure, although some patrons have disputed this claim.

The popularity of Route 36 and cocaine tourism in Bolivia can be attributed to the country's political corruption and the affordability of locally produced cocaine. While cocaine is illegal in Bolivia, the bar stays in operation by paying off the police and constantly changing its location.

The bar is known to be frequented by tourists and rarely by Bolivians

Route 36 is an illegal pop-up lounge bar in La Paz, Bolivia, that is known for serving cocaine. The bar is famous among tourists and is considered a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, it is rarely frequented by Bolivians.

The bar is difficult to find as it does not have a fixed address and changes its location every few weeks to avoid complaints from locals and authorities. To find it, one must rely on word-of-mouth information or ask a local taxi driver, who usually has the inside information.

Once you arrive at Route 36, you will likely find a mix of tourists from various countries, but rarely any Bolivians. The bar has a unique atmosphere, with purple neon lights, faded decorations, and sofas with cigarette burns. The cocaine is served by the gram on a silver platter, along with the cocktail of your choice. It is known for its purity and affordability, costing around €15 (£13) per gram.

The existence of Route 36 can be attributed to political corruption and the affordability of locally produced cocaine. While cocaine is illegal in Bolivia, the bar has managed to stay in operation due to its constantly changing locations and the corruption that allows it to continue operating.

The clientele of Route 36 is almost exclusively tourists, and the bar has become a popular destination for drug tourism. The bar's location and existence are spread through travel websites and word-of-mouth promotion. Visitors to the bar often share their experiences, describing the interior as more akin to a cheap brothel than a party place.

It is said that the best way to find the bar is to ask a cab driver

Route 36 is a bar in La Paz, Bolivia, that exclusively serves cocaine. It is illegal and constantly changes its location, which it spreads via word of mouth. It is said that the best way to find the bar is to ask a cab driver.

La Paz's cab driver information network is said to know all the inside information. It is also said that the drivers would rather take you around the city than tell you they don't know. So, it is best to find a driver who seems sure of himself, like I did with Ernesto.

To enter the bar, you will have to pay an entrance fee. The fee varies, but it is usually around 50 Bolivianos, which is about 5 Euros. Once inside, you can purchase cocaine by the gram, which is brought to you on a metal tray with a straw to snort it with. The cocaine is renowned for its purity, and the prices per gram vary from source to source, but it is much cheaper than anywhere else in the world.

The bar constantly changes its location to avoid complaints from neighbours and to avoid being shut down by the police. It is a tourist destination, and you are unlikely to find any Bolivians inside. The dress code is mostly fake llama wool sweaters with ethnic motifs. The bar has a dance floor, and the music alternates between commercial electro and reggaeton.

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