Sagarnaga Street, just south of Plaza San Francisco, is La Paz' main tourist strip. It's mainly a market street with artesano and souvenir stores, but you'll also find budget hostels, tour and travel agencies, cafes, and lots and lots of backpackers. Don't be suckered by the roving sellers of "trilobite-in-a-rock".
The Witches' Market (Mercado de Hechiceria or Mercado de las Brujas) is on Calle Linares between Sagarnaga and Santa Cruz. Vendors sell llama fetuses and dried frogs for Aymara rituals, as well as soapstone figurines and aphrodisiac formulas. This street is also the best place to pick up a charango or other Bolivian musical instrument.
The Mercado Negro ("Black Market"), though not very clandestine, is quite comprehensive, selling clothing, household items, liquor, and other products in its many blocks.
Eloy Salmon Shops on this street sell cheap electronics.
Calle Jaen is one of the few places in the city with preserved colonial buildings, currently housing several interesting museums.
Plaza Murillo contains government buildings and the city cathedral.
The Valle de La Luna - surreal, weathered rock. Just outside the city. Take a local bus to Massalla (Bs2.30) or a taxi (Bs 35) or join a tour. The entrance to the park is located next to the flags and costs Bs15.
The Thursday & Sunday Market in El Alto -A huge market held in El Alto every Thursday and Sunday with great bargains including vintage clothing, antiques, everyday goods, etc.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about La Paz (Bolivia)
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in La Paz (Bolivia) - updated Apr 2024
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La Paz (Bolivia) Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
