Exploring La Paz, Bolivia: A Traveler's Dream Itinerary

La Paz, Bolivia's de-facto capital, is a bustling city nestled in the Andes mountains. It is a unique blend of the modern and the traditional, with its colourful cable car system and bowler-hatted cholitas (indigenous women). Here is a list of must-see places in La Paz:

- Mi Teleférico: La Paz's cable car system offers stunning views of the city and is a great way to get around.

- Mercado de Las Brujas (Witches' Market): A famous market that sells folkloric items such as preserved llama fetuses.

- Calle Jaén: The most well-preserved colonial street in La Paz, lined with beautiful 18th-century colonial homes and ornate balconies. It is also home to several museums.

- San Francisco Basilica: A 16th-century church that combines Catholic and indigenous elements in its architecture.

- Sopocachi Neighbourhood: A trendy neighbourhood with a mix of traditional and modern buildings and colourful murals. It is known for its restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops.

- Cementerio General (Central Cemetery): A unique cemetery with large, vibrant murals. It is the final resting place of many prominent Bolivians.

- Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley): A stunning geological formation with bizarre rock formations and surreal colours located just outside of La Paz.

- El Alto: The vibrant and fast-growing city that is home to the La Paz airport. It is known for its eccentric architecture, bustling markets, and cholita wrestling matches.

- La Paz Golf Club: The highest grassy golf course in the world at 3,342 meters above sea level.

Moon Valley

The Valle de la Luna, or Valley of the Moon, is a geological formation located about 10 kilometres away from the urban centre of La Paz, Bolivia. It is a protected area that belongs to the district of Mallasa. The valley was formed due to erosion consuming the upper part of a mountain made of clay soil. The erosion has, over the centuries, built a spectacular and unusual landscape of white chimneys.

The Valley of the Moon is said to have been named by Neil Armstrong, who believed it greatly resembled the craters he saw on his trip to the moon. The local people of La Paz then took advantage of the name and transformed the place into a tourist attraction.

The Valley of the Moon is a museum of stalagmites and a pure, hard desert with a formation similar to the one in the Valle de Animas. The landscape is a result of erosion from water and wind. The valley is also rich in minerals, with coloured striations in the rocks of purple, brown, orange, and red.

There are two circular trails in the Valley of the Moon, with the longer trail taking around 45 minutes to complete and the shorter trail taking 15 minutes. Devil's Point, the most spectacular viewpoint, is towards the end of the longer trail.

The Valley of the Moon is one of the most visited places in La Paz and is a must-see for anyone visiting the city.

Calle Jaén

The Museums

• Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas: This museum contains art and photos, as well as ceramic figurine dioramas of old La Paz. Visitors can see a representation of akulliko, the hour of coca-chewing, the festivities surrounding St John the Baptist's Day, and the hanging of revolutionary leader Pedro Domingo Murillo in 1810. The museum also displays colonial artefacts and colourful dolls wearing traditional costumes. There is also a pleasant cafe on-site.
• Museo de Metales Preciosos: Also known as the Gold Museum, this museum houses four salons of pre-Columbian silver, gold and copper works and pieces from Tiwanaku.
• Museo del Litoral: This museum consists mainly of historical maps that defend Bolivia's claims to Antofagasta and Chile's Segunda Región.
• Casa de Murillo: Once the home of Pedro Domingo Murillo, a leader in the La Paz Revolution of 17 July 1809, this museum displays collections of colonial art, furniture, and household items of glass and silver that once belonged to Bolivian aristocracy.
• Museo de Instrumentos Musicales: A must-see for musicians, this museum displays all possible versions of the charango (a traditional Bolivian instrument).

Other Attractions

In addition to the museums, Calle Jaén also offers:

• A range of unpretentious bars and restaurants, including Soho, a popular spot for writers, poets and artists.
• A "bohemian" feel and tranquil, traffic-free lane-ways.
• Legends and ghost stories, including the story of "La Dama de Blanco" or the "Lady in White", a beautiful woman in a white dress who is said to haunt the street at night.

Mi Teleférico

The cable car system was constructed to address issues with the public transit system, which was struggling to cope with growing user demands. The neighbouring cities of La Paz and El Alto are separated by a steep slope, and prior to Mi Teleférico, travel between the two was challenging and time-consuming. The cable car system has improved connectivity and reduced travel costs between the cities.

Riding the Mi Teleférico cable cars is an affordable and convenient way to get around La Paz, with each ride costing only a few Bolivianos. The system covers a large area, with lines extending over 30 kilometres. The cable cars provide stunning views of the city and its surrounding mountains, including Illimani and Huayna Potosi.

The system has been recognised for its sustainability and innovative design, winning a Latam Smart City Award in the category of "Sustainable urban development and mobility" in 2018. It is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting La Paz, offering both functional transport and a unique sightseeing experience.

Plaza Murillo

The plaza was designed in 1558 by Juan Gutiérrez Paniagua and was originally named Plaza Mayor. It was renamed Plaza de Armas during the colonial period and then 16 July Plaza in 1902, in honour of Pedro Murillo, an important figure in Bolivia's war of independence who was captured and hanged by Spanish troops in 1810.

On one side of the plaza is the Cathedral of La Paz, also known as the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz. The cathedral dates from 1835 and features an imposing neoclassical facade and stained-glass work. Next door is the Presidential Palace, also known as the Palacio Quemado (Burned Palace), which is the official residence of the President of Bolivia. Opposite the palace stands a statue dedicated to President Villarroel.

Across from the cathedral is the Palacio de los Condes de Arana, an 18th-century building that is now home to La Paz's National Museum of Art. The museum features work by Bolivian sculptor Marina Núñez del Prado and a gallery dedicated to Melchor Pérez Holguín, a master of Andean colonial art.

Facing the Government Palace and Cathedral is the Grand Hotel París, which opened in 1911 and was the first movie house in Bolivia.

Across from the Palace is the National Congress of Bolivia, a versatile building that has been used as a jail, a university, and a convent.

La Paz Golf Club

The club has the highest championship golf course in the world, sitting at 3,342 meters above sea level. It is an exclusive club for the rich of La Paz, and while it is expensive even for Europeans, it is worth the money. The course is incredibly well-kept, with gardeners tending the lawns and sweeping the dry leaves off the greens. The altitude helps you hit the ball further, and the course is very forgiving of your game's shortcomings.

The club also provides a certificate for playing at the world's highest golf course. It is closed on Mondays.

The cost for green fees is 600BS, 200BS for rental clubs, and 120BS for a caddy. Weekday rates for tourists are 400 BOB (almost $60 USD), while weekend and holiday rates go up to 560 BOB (about $83 USD). You will need to book your tee time in advance.

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