"BOLIVIA, POOR COUNTRY WITH A BIG HEART" La Paz by Orkaena

La Paz Travel Guide: 376 reviews and 882 photos

Inti Illimani, the guardian of La Paz - La Paz

SURROUNDED BY GIANTS

La Paz (Bolivia capital city) is sited at 3.800 meters. The air is very thinny and simply breath is a big effort.
So, when you arrive to El Alto airport...well... 4.200 meters... the door of the plane cabin is opened and you feel like someone hang a 2 tons stone on your neck and over your chest, wonderful headache, and you beg someone shoot you.
Don't worry, this very kind people help you to carry the baggages and dispatch you straight to the hotel, 400 meters below.
No difference? Well, youre right, not too much.
Need help?.
Just Drink "mate de coca", every hotel of the city offers this natural infusion for free. In 15 minutes you'll be OK again.
If it dont work, theyll give you a splendid bottle of oxygen with the mask and the doctor included... :-)))
Yap, now you are in good shape (for a short time, believe me) pick up your head (if the head still there) and take a look around you. Ahh! Have you seen mountains like this before?
Yess, this is the Inti Illimani, marvelous. And magic.

COME ON, WE WAIT FOR YOUR BEST EFFORT

Have you seen?... forget it

Of course there are some places to visit in the city of La Paz, anyway, most of the interesting sites are outside the city.
But... wait a minute. Strongly recommended a visit to La Luna, unique and bizarre pub downtown the city. Just ask the concierge or the bellboy.
Amazing experience. Exotic night. Unforgettable people. Formidable drinks. Dancing, friends, you know.
Wow! Sunrise is here now! Time flies.
Ok, pay the bill (is not expensive) pick up the rests of your body, try to find the exit and go ahead, once in the street pick up your head (still there?) again and take a look to the west. no no no, the west is not on the floor.
Ok, be strong, the pride of your country deserve it.
Ah! What a pleasure, not too much air but clean... Have you seen mountains like that floating in a sky like this?
Hey!! You!!... dont sleep when I talk to you!!
Well, well, the ambulance is arriving in a minute.

SUDDENLY, THE ANGEL

The angel

I was trying to find the street to my hotel , and just in the corner suddenly he appears in front of me.
No more than one meter height, he was looking at me like if I was transparent. His beautiful black eyes with an unexplainable expression.
Sorry. The pic is the best explanation. Never knew his name, I only know he is an angel. A sad one.

Last visit to La Paz: Jun 2000
Intro Updated Feb 18, 2005
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Reviews (8)

RED AGAINST BLUE Favorites (1)

Walking randomly around the shore of the Titikaka Lake you'll find this beautiful red flowers invading the air with... more travel advice

HOUSES Local Customs (2)

As I told you about boats in my previous tip, the same is about houses. They live in houses with a very singular... more travel advice

SAILING WISDOM Local Customs (2)

The locals sails the Titikaka Lake with the same boats design and construction than a thousand years ago, and without... more travel advice

FLYING TO THE ALTIPLANO Transportation (1)

We flew to La Paz with the Lloyd Aereo Boliviano, the main bolivian airline with flights from/to all Southamérica,... more travel advice

Nightlife (1)
Las noches en La luna
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Comments (11)

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Stephen-KarenConn Dec 21, 2006 at 5:03 PM

The boats and houses at Lake Titikaka are amazing. Very interesting page.
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orlikins Jul 10, 2006 at 3:03 PM

amazing pics! :)
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Ken_Weaver Mar 17, 2006 at 7:54 PM

Me gustan tus fotographias y comentarios de La Paz. Quiero visitar a lago de Titicaca tambien!
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marcelo15 Sep 2, 2005 at 4:25 PM

hola compadre, los tips que pusiste de la paz estan excelentes...creo que el pub La luna que fuiste esta en la calle ILLAMPU...La verdad no fui ahi nunca pero seguro que la proxima me voy ahi y te confirmo...
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magdaki Nov 23, 2004 at 12:43 PM

!hola Carlos! me encanta tu modo de escribir.. pero que paso con la puerta de la luna?
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mtncorg Nov 11, 2004 at 11:20 AM

Bolivia is another 'high' South American gem!
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Irine_29 Sep 15, 2004 at 4:30 AM

very sad angel :-(
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Hosell Sep 13, 2004 at 5:50 PM

Una pagina y fotos geniales sobre todo los impresionantes paisajes de montaña,decididamente tengo que ir a Suramerica!!!!! :-)
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littlesam1 Aug 12, 2004 at 7:39 AM

Another fascinating page. The picture of the child on the first page just touches your soul. Great work.
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Lariumboy May 16, 2004 at 1:30 AM

Hey Carlos, you are right about the trout. I ate it twice a day while staying in Copa Cabana. Buen Provecho! Esteban