"Downtown altitude sickness" La Paz by Assenczo
La Paz Travel Guide: 376 reviews and 882 photos
La Paz is struggling at least formally to receive this special recognition of being a capital of a nation – not that it matters, most of the people take it as a fact anyway. What it strikes the visitor with is not the stateliness of its boulevards, shi-shi shopping or cosmopolitan feel. It is not even the ritzy area so well emphasized by the city tours. What grabs your imagination is that favela living with the most perfect view. From your door step you can look DOWN upon the miserables in the city center and they on the other hand can lust after your precarious position and wonder whether you will be still there after the next year’s rainy season. Moreover, the rumour has it, the place is quite affordable.
The main plaza has a more “normal” appearance. The usual colonial outfit, brightly painted and generally in a very good shape. It is a lovely location for people watching and shoe shining as well. One of the most distinctive elements of La Paz is its shoe-shining boys inspired by ninja movies and wearing the respective balaclavas. How do they think this outfit facilitates their business is beyond me. Anyway, 1-2 bolivianos is a good investment after a gruelling day in the dusty back alleys of the Cordillera Real. You do not want to feel out of place in your hotel where only the ultimate boors would not have their shoes shining like a full moon over Illimani.
- Pros:Staggering location
- Cons:You do not want to look at details
- In a nutshell:Illimani vista plus soroche
Reviews (4)
Tomb contents
Things to Do
(2)
Plaza Murillo, La Paz’s Plaza de Armas, contains the Presidential Palace. Its neighbour is the Cathedral. Tucked away... more travel advice
First day fill-in
Things to Do
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A city tour is definitely not first on my list – as a matter of fact, it does not exist there. Or at least I thought so.... more travel advice
Flying high
Transportation
(1)
Fast, dramatic and scenic flight from Santiago to La Paz with one stop at Iquque is what LAN has to offer. I would take... more travel advice
Bolivia is the place to shop
Shopping
(1)
Buying the usual Andean fare of llama, pardone me, ALPACA products, is more economical in Bolivia than in Chile. Peru... more travel advice
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Comments (1)
Wow........ i love the city picture from the top!!!!!