All Saints’ Day in Bolivia: Experiencing Todos Santos in La Paz

Towards the end of October, you start to feel it: some big celebrations are coming up here in La Paz and across Bolivia.

And yes, some of you are probably thinking about Halloween. That is happening too! We’ll share the parties and happenings in our TravelZine. But today, I want to talk about another tradition you have the chance to experience while you’re here: Todos Santos, or All Saints’ Day.

I’ve written about it before, but every year I feel it deserves a little more attention. Because when you’re traveling through Bolivia, this is a beautiful opportunity to understand a little more about the country, its people and their relationship with those who have passed away.

And honestly, I feel a little sad when travelers are here during these days without knowing what is happening around them. It’s easy to walk past something when you don’t know what it means. But with a little understanding, curiosity and respect, that same moment can become one of the experiences you remember most from your trip.

You don’t need to understand everything. I certainly still have things to learn after all my years here. But knowing a little about what you’re seeing, and when to ask, listen or simply give people their space, makes a difference.

So today, I want to explain a little about Todos Santos in Bolivia, what this tradition means, and how you can experience it respectfully if you’re in La Paz during these days.

Todos Santos in Bolivia: A Time to Welcome Loved Ones Home

Imagine preparing a table for someone you love, choosing their favourite food and getting everything ready for their arrival, even though that person is no longer alive. This is at the heart of Todos Santos in Bolivia, when many families welcome back the souls of their loved ones from midday on November 1 until midday on November 2. Someone deeply missed is expected, and preparations are made with love.

The tradition brings together Andean beliefs and Catholic customs, with remembrance and family life meeting around the mesa, an offering table filled with flowers, bread, fruit, drinks and the deceased’s favourite dishes. Knowing this changes how you see those unusual bread figures on a market stall: behind each shape is a story, and behind each table is a family keeping someone’s memory close. Preparations begin before November arrives, as families gather ingredients, bake traditional breads and arrange their offerings.

On November 2, families gather at cemeteries, where flowers, prayers and sometimes music accompany the farewell. Alongside sadness, there is conversation, shared memory and the warmth of being together. Customs vary between regions, communities and families, giving this tradition many local and deeply personal expressions.

How to Experience Todos Santos in La Paz

Before November 1: Explore the markets

Visit Rodríguez Market and the surrounding streets, where families shop for ingredients, flowers and supplies for their offering tables.

Around Plaza San Francisco, look for seasonal bread and sweet stalls, with Todos Santos fairs held around the church in previous years. Explore the displays and, when vendors have a moment, ask about the shapes and their meanings. If you enjoy this side of La Paz, the Witches’ Market is just a short walk away.

What to look for:

• Tantawawas: Human-shaped breads, often decorated with small masks, representing the deceased.
• Bread ladders: Symbolic offerings that help souls travel between the living and the dead.
• Bread horses: Figures associated with the souls’ journey.
• Bizcochuelos: Light sponge cakes placed on offering tables.
• Suspiros: Small meringues whose name means “sighs.”
• Pasankalla: Sweet puffed corn included among the traditional treats.
• Flowers, fruit, food and drinks: Offerings that often include the deceased’s favourites.

Visit the Todos Santos table at Tambo

A few days before November 1, you can visit our Todos Santos table at Tambo Restaurant to see how it is arranged, discover the traditional offerings and ask about their meaning.

November 2: Visit the Cementerio General

Families gather at La Paz’s Cementerio General to remember their loved ones and bid farewell with flowers, prayers and sometimes music.

Expect crowds, busy surrounding streets and possible queues. Allow plenty of time, keep belongings secure and leave pathways clear.

You may encounter rezadores, who offer prayers for the deceased in exchange for food or small payments.

Observe respectfully, ask before photographing people or their offerings, and follow the family’s lead if invited to participate. Check opening hours and entry rules closer to the date.

A Little Curiosity, a Deeper Connection

I hope this has inspired you to explore this beautiful and meaningful tradition while you’re here in Bolivia. Sometimes, knowing just a little about what is happening around you opens the door to a completely different experience.

Walk through the markets, ask questions, taste something new and take time to listen. There is so much to discover when you give a place a little of your curiosity.

If you want more ideas for your days in La Paz and beyond, take a look at our self-guided itineraries and the Bolivia Adventure E-Book.

And if you’d like more stories, travel ideas and things to do while you’re here, subscribe to our newsletter, a little news and inspiration from our corner of La Paz.

Welcome to La Paz. I hope you leave with a few stories you never expected to find.