To 3,600 Metres, and Beyond
La Paz, Bolivia
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
-
Tour snapshot
This La Paz tour hits all the right marks – captivating, scenic, and a little bit spooky. Journey through La Paz with a local to discover all the stories that make up this magical Bolivian city, from the inmates of San Pedro Prison, to the mysterious tales of The Witches Market, and the locals that live and work in highest capital city on Earth.
-
Highlights
- Discover the incredible city of La Paz with a local
- Learn all about the unique history behind San Pedro Prison, one of La Paz’s most famous landmarks
- Wander through the fascinating Witches Market, learning all about Bolivian myths, legends, and voodoo
- Take in the outstanding view over La Paz from a scenic viewpoint above the city
- Visit local La Paz food markets and learn about Bolivian cuisine
-
Schedule details
- Duration: 3 - 4 hours
- Meeting point:
Plaza Murillo main square, in front of the giant stone book statue.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.00 AM
- Ending point:
Plaza Murillo main square, in front of the giant stone book statue.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide and a traditional mid-morning snack.
Exclusions: Local transport fees, any drinks, coca leaf fortune telling at The Witches Market, tips / gratuities for your guide.
Your La Paz adventure will start in the very heart of this incredible city, at Plaza Murillo. There couldn’t be a more perfect backdrop for your introduction to Bolivia’s war, wealth, and nature, than the impressive architecture that surrounds you in this square. We’ll not only kick off your tour with plenty of insights, we’ll also make a stop here to try a traditional, tasty mid-morning Bolivian snack (because fun facts should always be accompanied by food, right?!).
As we move away from Plaza Murillo on this La Paz tour, we’ll head towards San Pedro Prison, an infamous La Paz landmark that is best seen from a local’s perspective. Your guide will give you the lowdown on what makes this prison so famous, and what makes it one of the most fascinating local stories in town.
We’ll stroll past the prison walls (don’t worry, it’s completely safe!) and then head towards several local markets, places where Bolivian culture really comes alive. Lean about the staple foods of Bolivia, such as the endless different types of Andean potatoes, produce that is worked into the local cuisine in all kinds of interesting ways. As we continue to tour La Paz, we’ll also head towards a local fruit market to taste freshly-picked organic fruit, sourced from every corner of Bolivia. Taste mouth-watering, flavourful fruit from the Bolivian Amazon rainforest, and try to guess their names!
Next up, we’ll hop into some public transport and journey up into the outer heights of La Paz. We’ll reach a spectacular scenic viewpoint, where you can see across the city of La Paz from above, and may well be the only foreigners in sight doing so. Take some unforgettable photos of this beautiful panorama, and enjoy the moment as you reflect on all the activity going on below you.
We’ll jump back in our transport, and journey down to the Witches Market, another classic La Paz neighbourhood. Here you can discover the myths and legends of Bolivia, from spooky voodoo to everything you need to know about the coca leaf. You’ll even find some very interesting Bolivian aphrodisiacs! Have your fortune told by a Shaman who specialises in coca leaf readings, and walk around these magical markets, finding all kinds of potions and odd cures.
On our way back to downtown, we’ll take a short stop off at another market, where locals buy their day-to-day goods. Here you can take in yet another snapshot of local life in La Paz, shop for some produce yourself, or perhaps buy some last minute souvenirs.
We’ll arrive back at Plaza Murillo between 12 and 1pm, depending on the traffic (which can be crazy in La Paz!) and the pace of our group.
-
Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide and a traditional mid-morning snack.
Exclusions: Local transport fees, any drinks, coca leaf fortune telling at The Witches Market, tips / gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: We recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers, such as a fleece for cooler hours. The weather is always unpredictable in La Paz, so bring a small umbrella or poncho in case of rain.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
-
Local contact
BACK TO TOP