La Paz lies in an Andean valley surrounded by imposing mountains and stretches across altitudes of 3,200 to 4,100 meters above sea level. This lets you decide how to balance your time between the city and other destinations.
City Views and Valle de la Luna
Mi Teleférico connects higher- and lower-lying districts of La Paz and offers aerial views of the city. If you take the altitude into account when planning your trip, you’ll find two specific aspects of urban transport here: the connection between districts at different elevations and views of La Paz from above.
Nearby is Valle de la Luna. Spanning around 44.2 hectares, its clay rock formations include obelisks, channels, erosion gullies, and craters. The “sapo de la abundancia” is also located in the Valle, about a 20-minute walk away. There is a level area with log seats and a small fountain with a toad sculpture. The distinctive rock formations and the seating area are different aspects of this excursion destination.
Nature and Activities in the Municipality
Other activity options can be found in the municipality of La Paz. In the Mallasa Macrodistrict, there is an adventure area with activities such as rock climbing and rappelling. Mallasa’s wildlife includes viscachas and bats, among other animals, which can be observed in their natural environment.
At Parque Nacional Mallasa, also known as Valle de Sol, activities include outdoor walks and bike rides. Along with the options in Mallasa, this offers a range of interests: exercise, time outdoors, and wildlife watching.
More Destinations in the Department of La Paz
Further afield in the Department of La Paz is Parque Nacional y Área Natural de Manejo Integrado Cotapata. By road, the protected area can be reached via the La Paz–Coroico highway or through the Río Huarinilla valley. You can travel by bus to Coroico or La Cumbre; from there, a trekking route continues to the village of El Chairo. The pre-Columbian El Choro trail can be used as a walking route to access the protected area. As trail conditions and access logistics may change, check them before planning your trip.
Cotapata is suitable for environmental education and tourism due to its ecological, scenic, and archaeological features. One route there is the Camino Chairo–Socosani: it continues from Puente Inca en Chairo and runs along the lower slope of Cerro Nogalani to the ruins of Socosani. Along the route, you can see old agricultural terraces, retaining walls, and paved paths.
Another cultural highlight in the department is Tiwanaku. The site lies near the southern shore of Lake Titicaca on the Altiplano, at an elevation of 3,850 meters, in Ingavi Province. The ancient city was built mainly of adobe; most of it is now covered by the modern settlement. The region therefore offers both landscape and route considerations, as well as an archaeological site with a distinct relationship to the present-day settlement.
When looking for hotels in La Paz, you can first decide whether to focus on the city and its altitudes or include other destinations in the department. Several access options are listed for Cotapata; for El Choro, you should also check trail conditions and access logistics.
Discover more destinations: Calacoto, Comunidad Challapampa, Huancané, Mecapaca, Chulumani, Tiawanacu, Comunidad Yumani, Huatajata
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