Tiawanacu brings together the Spiritual and Political Center of the Tiwanaku Culture, tourist murals throughout the town, and craft experiences in the associated community. When planning, it helps to distinguish between the archaeological center, the murals, and the community-based activities. This lets you focus your stay on the UNESCO World Heritage site or add ceramic and textile arts.
Tiwanaku Culture and World Heritage
Since 2000, the Spiritual and Political Center of the Tiwanaku Culture has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its outstanding universal value includes the design and architectural mastery of the temples, as well as monumental statuary. Temple design and statues therefore represent different aspects of the cultural heritage. The relationship between the ancient city and the present-day town is also relevant: the ancient city of Tiwanaku was built primarily from adobe bricks, and most of it is covered by the modern town.
Murals throughout the town
Tourist murals can be found on building facades around Tiwanaku’s main square. Other named locations include the AsociaciĂłn Lechera, the Truffi bus stop, the MĂstico Ancestral handicraft workshop, and the Centro de InterpretaciĂłn de la Cultura Tiwanaku. In terms of subject matter, this focus on the townscape differs from the temple and statuary art of the center: the murals add another cultural perspective to your stay.
Walk to the community and experience local crafts
In the associated community, you can walk with a local guide from the Kalasasaya archaeological site to the Ayllu Kasa Achuta community. Check with a local guide in advance to see whether this walk is available on your travel dates.
The “El arte de los Qalawawas” experience includes ceramics and textile arts. A master ceramicist shows visitors how to make their own piece featuring Tiwanaku Culture motifs; women artisans from the community demonstrate textile arts and invite visitors to spin and weave on a traditional loom. The experience ranges from watching to taking part yourself. If you would like to include hands-on crafts in your trip plans, check in advance whether the activity is offered on your travel dates.
Nighttime visit and travel season
From 2017 onward, a nighttime visit to the archaeological site was offered during the dry season from May to December. The ceremonial temples of Kalasasaya and Templete Semisubterráneo, as well as archaeological objects, were illuminated. Check in advance whether this visit is offered on your travel dates.
Location within the wider destination of La Paz
Within the wider destination of La Paz, Tiwanaku lies near the southern shore of Lake Titicaca in the Altiplano, at an elevation of 3,850 m, in Ingavi Province in the Department of La Paz. This information places Tiawanacu geographically and situates it within the wider destination of La Paz.
Discover more destinations: Chulumani, Comunidad Challapampa, Calacoto, Huatajata, Comunidad Yumani, Mecapaca, Huancané, La Paz
Go to the wider travel overview: La Paz.
