La Paz, Bolivia: Choosing The Right Neighborhood To Live

La Paz, Bolivia, is a unique city that sits in a bowl-like depression in the Andes mountains at a dizzying altitude of 3,640 metres, making it the highest capital city in the world. It is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano and has a population of 755,732 residents as of 2024.

The city is divided into several neighbourhoods, each with its own distinct character and attractions. Here is an overview of some of the best areas to live in La Paz:

- Sopocachi: Known as the city's Bohemian Quarter, Sopocachi is popular among La Paz's young, wealthy, and trendy crowd. It boasts vibrant nightlife, with boisterous bars and clubs, chic cafes, and ritzy restaurants. It also has pretty plazas, pedestrian-friendly footpaths, and safe streets.

- Zona Centro (El Centro): This is the pulsing heart of La Paz, brimming with fast-paced city life and cultural attractions. It is home to museums, art galleries, and theatres, offering a deep dive into Bolivia's rich heritage. El Centro is also a popular area for backpackers due to its budget-friendly accommodation options and proximity to the city's main bus station.

- San Pedro: Located between El Centro and Sopocachi, San Pedro offers a glimpse into authentic Bolivian city life with its local markets, street art, and cultural attractions. It is famous for the unusual San Pedro Prison and is conveniently located close to El Alto International Airport.

- Zona Sur (San Miguel and Calacoto): These are the upscale neighbourhoods of La Paz, known for their serene environment, lush landscapes, and refined architecture. San Miguel is a shopper's paradise and a foodie's delight, while Calacoto offers spacious parks and contemporary facilities, making it ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

- Obrajes: Located in the quieter residential southern suburbs, Obrajes provides a peaceful retreat from the bustling city centre. It has milder temperatures and lush scenery, with local markets, boutique shops, and diverse dining options.

Each neighbourhood in La Paz offers a unique blend of culture, comfort, and charisma, making it an exciting and exotic destination to live in or visit.

Sopocachi: The city's Bohemian Quarter, with the best nightlife spots, restaurants, and pedestrian-friendly footpaths

Sopocachi is the city's Bohemian Quarter, with the best nightlife spots, restaurants, and pedestrian-friendly footpaths. The neighbourhood is relatively flat and easy to navigate on foot, so you won't struggle hiking uphill in the high-altitude air. It's also got the prettiest plazas and the safest streets.

Sopocachi has some of La Paz's best restaurants and nightspots. You can spend a few hours people-watching on Plaza Eduardo Avaroa, before heading up to the wonderful views from Montículo Park. The area is also home to Plaza Sucre, many shops, bars, and restaurants.

The neighbourhood is located in the 1st District (Cotahuma) and is probably one of the oldest residential neighbourhoods, just 10 minutes from the centre of the city. In recent years, there has been an important commercial expansion, mainly in the surroundings of Abaroa Square, one of the many squares and parks in the zone.

Sopocachi is also home to Plaza Eduardo Avaroa, one of the main residential and diplomatic areas of the city. It is home to some of the city's tallest buildings, such as Torre Girasoles and Torres del Poeta, and the only intelligent building in the country, known as Torre Azul. The neighbourhood is also populated with expensive offices, renowned restaurants, museums, and bookstores. Its Avenida Arce is the highest-priced street in the country and the one with the most upscale boutiques in Bolivia.

If you're looking for amazing nightlife, Sopocachi is the place to be. You'll find some amazing nightlife in this area. Te lo juro.

Go for a Ride on the Teleferico - This is the absolute best way to catch stunning views of the city, and it's easy to reach from this neighbourhood.

Watch a Female Wrestling Match - WWF-style "slog-a-thon" where burly Aymara women perform an array of death-defying acrobatic stunts. It’s silly, it's violent, and it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

Zona Centro: The cultural centre, popular with backpackers, with museums, art galleries, and theatres

Zona Centro, or the central district of La Paz, is the bustling cultural hub of the city. It is home to the main avenues of La Paz, where the offices of Bolivian banks and companies are located. This is where you will find La Paz's historic Old Town, full of museums, art galleries, hotels, and interesting stores.

At the heart of Zona Centro is the main square, Plaza Murillo, with the colourful La Paz Cathedral, the Palace of the Parliament, and the National Congress building. The area is steeped in history, with the Plaza and the historic centre being a must-see for tourists. The National Art Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Musical Instruments Museum are all located in this area. Calle Jaén, a remnant of the Spanish colonial quarter, is also located in Zona Centro. The cobbled alleyway is colourful and typical of Latin America, with its own singular charm.

Zona Centro is also a great place to stay if you are short on time and want to be close to the city's cultural, touristic, and historic highlights. The area is noisy, chaotic, and dirty, but it is a small price to pay for being in the heart of the action. Hotel Rosario, an old and quaint colonial-era courtyard hotel, is a great option for accommodation in this area.

Zona Centro is also where you will find the Mi Teleférico cable car, which offers unbeatable views of the city and is easy to access from this neighbourhood.

San Pedro: A local market hub, with street art, cultural attractions, and the famous San Pedro Prison

San Pedro is a great choice for those seeking an authentic Bolivian neighbourhood with easy access to the city. The area offers a vibrant local market hub, colourful street art, and a range of cultural attractions. It is conveniently located between El Centro and the popular Sopocachi neighbourhood.

The neighbourhood is home to the famous San Pedro Prison, the largest prison in La Paz. The prison has gained a reputation as a "society within itself", with inmates creating their own community, complete with jobs, accommodation, and even their families living with them. The prison has a fascinating and complex history, with a thriving illegal tourism trade that was eventually shut down by the government in 2009.

San Pedro offers a lively market scene, with the Rodriguez Market being one of the most popular and oldest in the city. The area is also known for its street art, with colourful murals and graffiti adorning the walls. For cultural attractions, the Plaza Sucre, also known as the "Plaza de San Pedro", is a lively square with shops, businesses, and auto repair shops. The nearby San Francisco Church and the Metropolitan Cathedral are also popular tourist destinations.

The neighbourhood has a range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hotels to private apartments. The Altus Hotel, located across from Plaza San Pedro, offers a great view of the neighbourhood's lively atmosphere. For those seeking a longer-term stay, the Almudena Apart Hotel in the nearby Sopocachi neighbourhood provides modern design and full kitchens.

San Miguel and Calacoto: The city's upscale neighbourhoods, with trendy boutiques, diverse eateries, and lush parks

San Miguel and Calacoto are the upscale neighbourhoods of La Paz, Bolivia. They are considered the safest parts of the city, with a range of good restaurants, shops, and cafes. San Miguel and Calacoto are also the city's most affluent areas, with a predominantly white and westernised population.

San Miguel is a trendy and sophisticated part of La Paz, with a variety of international cuisine, yuppies, and hipster cafes. It is accessible by the teleferico and has English-speaking residents. The area has a warmer climate than the city centre and is surrounded by hills and hiking trails. San Miguel is also home to St. Andrews School and the Devil's Tooth landmark. The neighbourhood is known for its oval-shaped road, Avenida Montenegro, which was once a horse-racing track.

Calacoto is one of the largest residential zones in La Paz due to the cost of houses and the services available. The population has a medium to high-income level and consists of Catholic white and mestizo people of middle to high socioeconomic status. The neighbourhood is located in the southern part of the city, about 15 kilometres from downtown La Paz.

Both San Miguel and Calacoto offer a different experience from the rest of La Paz, with a more modern and international vibe. They are ideal for those seeking a quieter and more comfortable stay, away from the chaos of the city centre.

Obrajes: A quiet, residential area in southern La Paz, with local markets, boutique shops, and Teleférico stations for easy city access

Obrajes is a quiet, residential area in southern La Paz, with a rich history and beautiful surroundings. The neighbourhood is known for its local markets, boutique shops, and easy access to the city centre via Teleférico stations.

History

Obrajes, officially La Villa Ingavi de Obrajes, was established in 1548, five years after La Paz. The name, which translates to "workshops" or "factory", comes from its early function as a textile manufacturing hub. During the colonial era, Obrajes was a centre of prosperous production, crafting textiles, carpentry, silverware, basketry, and pottery for La Paz and beyond.

In the centuries that followed, Obrajes maintained its industrial character, with textile production being particularly lucrative. The industry supplied cities in northern Argentina and southern Peru. However, with the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767, the industry declined, and the land was auctioned off, marking the end of Obrajes' industrial era.

Modern-Day Obrajes

In the early 20th century, Obrajes transitioned into a residential area, sparking the development of the Zona Sur (Southern Zone). By the 1950s, Obrajes had become a dynamic economic zone, relatively close to La Paz's city centre. Today, it is one of the largest districts in the city, known for its comfortable residences, educational institutions, and diplomatic residences.

Obrajes boasts a variety of urban amenities, including the Subalcaldía de la Zona Sur (Southern District Office), the San Antonio Plaza, the ADENALP Municipal Pool, the Plaza Italia (La Loba Square), and the Plaza 16 de Julio (La Exaltación Square, formerly Plaza N. Campero). The area is served by major avenues such as Avenida 14 de Septiembre and Avenida Hernando Siles, which connect to other key roads in the city.

Obrajes is also known for its beautiful natural surroundings, nestled in the Saillamilla Valley at a lower altitude than La Paz's city centre, offering a warmer climate. The area is characterised by red mountains, rivers, and historic houses.

Access to the City Centre

Obrajes provides easy access to La Paz's city centre via the Mi Teleférico cable car system. The neighbourhood is also accessible by road, with Avenida del Libertador turning into Avenida Hernando Siles, the main thoroughfare of Obrajes, which eventually leads to Avenida Roma in the Bella Vista area. Additionally, avenues such as Avenida 14 de Septiembre and Avenida Héctor Ormachea provide alternative routes to the neighbourhood.

Frequently asked questions