Your First Day in La Paz: What to Do After You Arrive

Some travelers arrive in La Paz from another Bolivian city, or from a neighbouring country like Peru, normally with some altitude already in your backpack. You might fly in from another South American country, perhaps without the altitude but with that South American feeling in your luggage. Or maybe, and this is the one that excites me the most, you arrive directly from your home country. Bam, straight into La Paz. Let the adventure begin!

I love the look on the faces of this last group: the ones who have just arrived and are having their first morning of a brand-new adventure. They look excited but also a little overwhelmed. Everything is new, everything is different and, even if you arrived with some kind of plan, maybe it doesn't feel exactly right for the moment.

However you're feeling and wherever you're arriving from, I thought I'd share a few tips to help you get started. Maybe you're sitting at a table in Café del Mundo right now. Here in Bolivia, it's 9:00 in the morning, but where you've come from, it might already be lunchtime or late afternoon. So you order a pasta and a beer and slowly start planning the first day of your adventure.

Here are a few small tips, ideas and fun things to do.

Welcome to La Paz!

Your first day in La Paz

Arriving in La Paz is the beginning of an adventure unlike any other. Outside, minibuses call out their routes while cable cars move quietly above the rooftops. Mountains appear between the buildings, making it clear that this is no ordinary city.

Even if you're short on time, begin your first day calmly. Find something good to eat, drink some water and give your body a little time to adjust to the altitude. Look at a map and make a plan, but leave space for that plan to change.

Walk through the colourful streets around Sagárnaga and explore the markets at your own pace. Stop whenever something catches your attention, it might be a tiny shop, an unfamiliar flavour or an unexpected view. Take a cable-car ride and watch the enormous city unfold below you. Try your first Bolivian dish, even if you're not completely sure what everything on the menu means.

Talk to other travelers and ask locals what's happening in La Paz that day. If you feel tired, rest without worrying that you're missing out. The mountains, busy markets and early-morning adventures will still be there tomorrow.

For now, simply enjoy the feeling that your journey in La Paz has begun.

Five tips for your first day in La Paz

1. Take the altitude seriously

Drink plenty of water, eat something light and walk more slowly than usual. Avoid alcohol, heavy meals and strenuous exercise while your body adjusts. If you want the full picture, read our guide to altitude in La Paz.

2. Get the practical things sorted

Exchange a small amount of money, get a local SIM or activate an eSIM, and download an offline map. Save the address of your accommodation and keep some small change with you.

3. Explore the historic centre

Start around Sagárnaga and walk through the Witches' Market, Calle Linares and Plaza San Francisco. The streets are steep, so take your time and stop whenever you need to. If you only have 24 hours, follow our one day in La Paz itinerary.

4. Ride the cable car

Choose one or two lines and enjoy the city from above. The Purple Line is a good first ride, with impressive views over La Paz and the surrounding mountains. Timetables and fares are on the official Mi Teleférico site.

5. Check what's happening today

La Paz has football matches, concerts, cultural events, live music and traditional dance throughout the week. Check the TravelZine, ask a local at Café del Mundo or visit a free Travel Talk before making your plans.

A little help for your first days in La Paz

Your first days in La Paz do not need to feel confusing or rushed. Take your time, stay curious and let the city surprise you little by little.

If you would like some extra help when you arrive, our Travel del Mundo Welcome Packages include practical local information, maps and recommendations. They can be delivered directly to your hotel, hostel or apartment in La Paz. Discover our Welcome to La Paz Packages and start your adventure feeling a little more prepared.