When I first arrived at La Paz with a paranoid jet lag-induced haze, I really didn’t know what to think. My mind darted everywhere, just like my eyes, from the colours and busy streets to the smell of gas and dusty air. It was one of those “totos.” “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.”
But it was inspiring everything at the same time.
La Paz is a city unlike anything else in the world. There’s so much going on at once, so if you do, you’re never really sure how you can put your fingers or “put your fingers down.” It’s confused in the best way.
First timer la path
First of all, you will notice a lack of oxygen in the air. Walking a few meters of hill, you already start huffing and puffing. I’m sure you suddenly leaned down at a fitness level, but don’t be afraid. It’s just a severe disease. I’d be happy if I could shake it off in a day or two, but I’m not going to do too much exercise in the first few days here just to be safe. Plus, taxis are cheaper for just two dollars a pop to reach almost anywhere in town. As a warning, The city is over 3,500m above sea level!
A city is essentially a huge hole in the Earth. So it’s a hill. And many of them.
More than 835,000 people live in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia.
La Paz is notoriously unsafe for tourists and tourists. However, if you keep an eye on what you bring and stay in a bright, populated area, you don’t have to run into trouble. I would not recommend walking around after the darkness, but I snuck out on one or two missions to grab the food, but I had no issues as a solo female traveler.
What shall we do?
Be sure to find the perspective of “Mirador” and look at La Paz from above. It’s truly an eye view.
Bikes on Death Road have become a very popular activity and while not for heartfelt people, it is a huge challenge.
Road trips to Moon Valley are also popular, retreating around 200 Bolivianos for taxi fares and round trips.
There’s so much to see in this eclectic city, so don’t forget to throw away the map and get lost in the many alleys and madly steep streets of La Paz.
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