La Paz and the altiplano holidays
La Paz and the altiplano at a glance
Drive across the flat, windswept plains of the altiplano and you’ll be taken by surprise when the road delivers you to the lip of a broad canyon, brimming with the colourful, closely-packed buildings of La Paz Bolivia.
The city has a compact historic centre with quirky street markets fanning out in every direction, alongside modern boulevards lined with cool bars and ice cream parlours, where Aymara women shuffle past in traditional ponchos and bowler hats.
Beyond the capital, Altiplano Bolivia unfolds into windswept plains, traditional communities and archaeological sites, with shimmering Lake Titicaca Bolivia not far away. It’s a landscape that offers a genuine window into Andean Bolivia and the country’s history, while also acting as a gateway to many of Bolivia’s best-known attractions.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to La Paz and the altiplano
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Combining indigenous culture, breathtaking Andean landscapes and fascinating history, La Paz and the Altiplano offer one of South America’s most distinctive travel experiences.
When to visit La Paz and the altiplano
The high-altitude climate means temperatures remain relatively cool throughout the year, while rainfall patterns vary seasonally.
This is the best time to visit La Paz and the altiplano, as there is plentiful sunshine and radiant blue skies. Temperatures are particularly chilly during these winter months, but there is little chance of rain. July – August see the most international visitors, so May and September are better options if you prefer a quieter visit. In May or June each year, the exuberant celebrations of the Fiesta del Gran Poder in La Paz feature street parades and thousands of dancers in colourful costumes.
Summer in La Paz brings increased rainfall, particularly from December – March. With an average of 21 rainy days, January is the wettest month. Humidity is also higher at this time and there is less chance of clear skies. In January the city is flooded with intricate miniature items for sale in the Feria de Alasitas, in honour of the god of abundance Ekeko.
Feria de Alasitas (last week of January): A fascinating festival held in La Paz, where countless stalls sell all manner of miniature items which Bolivians purchase to appease Ekeko, the household god of abundance
Top Things to do in La Paz and the altiplano
There’s a compelling mix of culture, history and natural beauty to explore here, from wandering La Paz’s street markets to venturing out to the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku on the altiplano.
Take on Bolivia’s top trek: an adventurous journey across kaleidoscopic extremes of landscape and terrain.
Take a guided tour of the world’s highest capital city, visiting the notorious Witches’ Market. Some excursions include a visit to the contorted rocks of the Valley of the Moon.
Explore the extraordinary ruins of a wealthy ancient capital, an important precursor to the later Inca empire.
Accommodation in La Paz and the altiplano
Accommodation ranges from boutique hotels in the capital to lodges and guesthouses scattered across the highlands, many of them placing you within easy reach of the region’s cultural attractions and scenic landscapes.
Well-established and popular colonial hotel, offering excellent value and no shortage of charm – one of our all-time favourite budget options.
Popular hotel of an uncommonly high standard for Bolivia, offering spacious, self-contained suites which combine a sense of independence with all the advantages of a quality hotel.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to La Paz and the altiplano
Group La Paz and the altiplano Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Andean Flamingo: Andes laid bare
Places visited: Lima · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · La Paz and the altiplano · Uyuni salt flats · Atacama Desert · Santiago and the vineyards
17 days from £5,636
Condor: Peru in depth
Places visited: Lima · Arequipa and Colca Canyon · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · La Paz and the altiplano · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · The Peruvian Amazon (south)
20 days from £3,851
Hummingbird: Ocean to ocean
Places visited: Rio de Janeiro · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Buenos Aires · Sucre and Potosi · La Paz and the altiplano · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Lima
21 days from £5,861
Jacana: Crossing the continent
Places visited: Lima · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · La Paz and the altiplano · Asuncion and the heartland · Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side · Iguazu Falls – Brazilian Side · Rio de Janeiro
19 days from £4,583
Pato Andino: Panorama of the Andes
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Salta · Atacama Desert · Uyuni salt flats · La Paz and the altiplano · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Lima
20 days from £5,222
Tailor-Made La Paz and the altiplano Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Active Peru and Bolivia: trekking Andean peaks to tropical rainforest
Places visited: Lima · Cusco · Machu Picchu · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · La Paz and the altiplano
17 days from £4,140
Discover Bolivia and northwest Argentina
Places visited: Buenos Aires · Salta · Uyuni salt flats · Sucre and Potosi · La Paz and the altiplano
14 days from £4,800
Signature Andes: Highlands of Peru, Bolivia and Chile
Places visited: Lima · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Cusco · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · La Paz and the altiplano · Uyuni salt flats · Atacama Desert · Santiago and the vineyards
16 days from £5,510
Signature Bolivia: The final frontier
Places visited: La Paz and the altiplano · Uyuni salt flats · Sucre and Potosi · Santa Cruz and the Oriente
15 days from £4,800
FAQs about visiting La Paz and the altiplano
La Paz and the altiplano is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When's the best time to visit La Paz and the Andean altiplano?
The weather can be a critical factor: the city looks its colourful best in the sunlight Apr-Oct, in Dec-Jan it can be dull and chilly at this altitude (3,500-3,800m).
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What's the official language of La Paz and Andean altiplano?
Spanish.
- How do I get local currency in La Paz and Andean altiplano?
Peso Boliviano. Notes in local currency and in some cases US dollars can be withdrawn from the many ATMs in prominent avenues eg Bolivian National Bank and Banco Mercantil de Santa Cruz.; there are many money exchanges (casas de cambio) and banks which exchange US dollars. (a few accept euros or sterling but the rate may be poor).
When withdrawing money from an ATM using a debit card, you are offered a choice of account type from which to make your withdrawal: select ‘credit card’ (ie NOT Current account or Savings Account options).
- What's the time difference between La Paz and UK?
GMT -4 hours.
- What places combine well with La Paz and Andean altiplano?
A visit to Lake Titicaca, 122 km and a couple of hour’s drive away; Coroico (70km) in the semi-tropical Yungas over an icy Andean pass: get there by scenic road, cycle or hike; Sucre, Bolivia’s southern colonial second city accessible by air in an hour; the silver and tin mines of Potosí, prosperous key city in imperial times, 2-3 hrs drive from Sucre; the salt lakes of Uyuni, close to the Chilean border.
- How do I get to La Paz and Bolivian altiplano?
Average flight time is 16 hours. There are no direct flights from the UK to Bolivia; routes to La Paz involve a change of plane in Amsterdam, Paris or Madrid and Lima, Peru; or a change of plane via the USA.
- What is La Paz famous for?
La Paz is known for its dramatic mountain setting, indigenous culture, colourful markets and status as Bolivia’s administrative capital.
- Is La Paz worth visiting?
Yes, it’s one of South America’s most distinctive cities and a gateway to many of Bolivia’s highlights.
- What is the Altiplano?
The Altiplano is a vast high-altitude plateau that stretches across parts of Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Argentina.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.