Getting to and From the Airport

El Alto International Airport is handily located a mere 10km from downtown La Paz. This makes the city extremely accessible from the airport, with a couple of options to choose from. The cheapest mode of transport between the airport and city is via the airport bus line, running every 15 minutes throughout the day and costing around $1.50. However, the bus will take much longer than alternative methods. The easiest and most convenient way to reach downtown La Paz is by using either a licensed taxi or an uber. Both of these tend to cost around $8-$10 and guarantee a smooth service directly to your accommodation within the city.

This action packed 72 hour itinerary showcases everything the world’s highest capital has to offer! La Paz is brimming with heaps of awesome activities, thrilling sights and epic experiences, you’d be a fool to not tick off every activity in this sensational city.

Things to Do

• Admire the extraordinary Valley of the Moon.
• Visit the Basilica of Saint Francis and head up to the roof.
• Explore and shop at the Witches Market.
• Ride the city’s cable car system (Mi Teleferico).
• Wander the streets of El Alto.

There’s no better way to kick off your first morning in La Paz than by venturing out to the extraordinary Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna). The valley is conveniently located just a 30 minute drive from the centre of La Paz, meaning it’s super easy to get to. It’s also not hard to see where the valley gets its name from, the landscape is honestly out of this world and gives visitors the opportunity to feel as though they’re walking on the surface of the moon. The valley was formed through thousands of years of erosion and is now home to dozens of trails winding between an exquisite labyrinth of sandstone spires and canyons.

After a morning on the moon, it’s time to head back towards the city and check out the awesome spots dotted around La Paz’s city centre. One of the most impressive buildings in all of Bolivia is the beautiful Basilica of Saint Francis, not only can you visit the Basilica, but you can also pay to head onto the roof, the perfect spot for soaking up exquisite views of the city.

Another highlight in downtown La Paz is the notorious Witches Market. This bustling and fascinating market is home to a number of wild and whacky stalls. Selling a wide range of weird and wonderful products, from authentic ritual ingredients to quirky and unusual souvenirs.

As the late afternoon rolls in it’s time to give those tired feet a well-deserved rest with a ride on the city’s world famous Mi Teleferico. Holding the crown as the largest cable car system in the world, the Mi Teleferico is comprised of 10 lines and 26 stations, transporting passengers all over the city. Taking a ride on the city’s cable cars is a sensational experience that you really can’t miss when visiting La Paz, I could have seriously travelled around on them for hours on end!

The cable cars seamlessly link the two cities of La Paz and El Alto, located directly adjacent to La Paz, the city of El Alto is perched on the hillside, beautifully overlooking the capital city from above. This area is also an extremely vibrant spot, jampacked with a wide selection of awesome bars, delicious restaurants and quirky cafes. It’s definitely worth spending some time to have a good mooch around up here before you hop aboard the cable car system to take you back down towards La Paz.

Things to Do

• Head out to the world’s highest lake, the spectacular Lake Titicaca.
• Board a boat to the islands of Sol & Luna.
• Unwind on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
• Catch a wild performance of Cholita Wrestling.

There’s no time to rest in La Paz, it’s straight up and out on day two as you take on a fabulous daytrip to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake on the planet! A number of buses depart daily from La Paz heading towards the small township of Copocabana, with a journey time of around three hours. Alternatively, you could opt to book a full day tour excursion to Lake Titicaca with return transport included.

The lake itself is a true geographical wonder, located a mind boggling 12,507 feet above sea level, this spectacular body of water stretches a phenomenal 120 miles, spanning across the border with Peru. It’s certainly a spot you’re not gonna want to miss that’s for sure.

There’s no better way to experience the lake than by jumping aboard a boat and sailing out across the crystal clear waters. A number of islands and beaches are conveniently scattered around the lake, making for perfect stops to get off the boat and explore. The locals that live on Titicaca have been settled here for generations and are honestly some of the most welcoming and friendly people you will ever meet.

After a full day exploring the lake and enduring two long bus journeys, it’s time to get back into the city and enjoy an experience you’re bound to never forget, a crazy Cholita Wrestling performance! With wrestlers fully kitted out in authentic costumes and hellbent on whipping spectators into a state of frenzy, it’s no wonder this is one of my favourite highlights in La Paz. I don’t want to give too much away though, you’ve gotta see this one with your own eyes!

Things to Do

• Head out on a mountain bike down the mighty Death Road.
• Witness a football match at one of the highest stadiums in the world.
• Check out the city’s craft beer scene.
• Party the night away in the city’s lively bars.

I’ve certainly saved the best of La Paz till last, with none other than my all time favourite travel experience to date! It’s time to grab yourself a mountain bike and hurtle down Bolivia’s ferocious Death Road! This one certainly isn’t for the fainthearted, but if you can manage to muster up the courage, I can guarantee you it’ll be one of the best experiences of your entire life. Zooming down Death Road at eyewatering speeds with a sheer drop of 1000 metres just to the left hand side of your shoulder is guaranteed to get your blood pumping like never before. Adrenaline junkies from all over the world travel to La Paz to take on Death Road and test their nerves to the absolute limit. Don’t worry It doesn’t have to be suuuper high octane though, you can definitely take the road at a steadier and calmer pace. You’ll also be accompanied by local experts, so you can rest assured you’re in capable hands. I opted to experience the insanity of Death Road alongside the awesome crew at Gravity Bolivia, a decision that I certainly don’t regret. On top of the adrenaline aspect of Death Road, you’ll also be surrounded by utterly remarkable scenery, honestly the landscape here is astonishingly breathtaking!

After your heart rate has returned back to normal and you’ve arrived back in the big city it’s time to catch an electric football match at one of the world’s highest stadiums, the Estadio Hernando Siles. This incredible stadium has the capacity to hold up to 41,000 spectators and is home to two of Bolivia’s biggest teams, Club Bolivar and The Strongest.

After a jampacked 72 hours the best way to finish off your time in La Paz is to dive into the city’s vibrant nightlife scene. I recommend starting the night off in Wild Rover’s lively hostel bar! The vibe here is super cool, drink plenty of shots, dance on top of the bar and meet tons of international travellers, what more could you possibly ask for! After the drinks have been flowing for a while, you’ll want to head out to some of the city’s pumping nightclubs. La Paz has a number of clubs dotted around the city, attracting both travellers and locals alike, meaning you’re always guaranteed to find a great crowd.