La Paz

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La Paz, the capital of the highest altitude in the world seems to be a moon crater. The city is located 4 km above sea level on the floor of a canyon that has only a hint of vegetation. Even oxygen is scarce. Fortunately, life and color of La Paz is found in its people and culture but not in its landscape.

We recommend finding a good place that allow to see the crowd just goes by: women with bowler hats (which are lopsided if they are single or overhead if they are married) and voluminous skirts, businessmen and politicians in the white shirt, soldiers armed with machine guns and beggars sleeping in a doorway.

People congregate around the splendid San Francisco church (whose construction began in 1549), with its fascinating mix of styles Hispanic and mestizo (Mix race).

Behind the church is located the Witches Market, where you can buy a strange hodgepodge of products, from amulets, potions, finely crafted silver jewelry, candies and llama fur coat.

La Paz also has a number of museums including the Museum Costumbrista Juan de Vargas, which contains some superb dioramas of the city and the Museum of Pre-Columbian Precious Metals, which houses three rooms very well laid out with silver, gold and copper which were built before the Spaniard conquest.

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Amazing Church and views in La Paz Bolivia

Mount Illimani (6460 m) rises over the city about 60 km to the east. It is considered the most famous summit in all Bolivia.

Most cheap accommodation and restaurants are in the area between the streets Manco Capac and the Prado. As for leisure activities, we can mention popular music, bars, several good discos and numerous cinemas. Because of the temperatures, often extremely low, it is essential to have warm clothing for the entire year.

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Village in the mountains La Paz Bolivia

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Tours and travel in La Paz Bolivia

Near La Paz lies the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), aptly named, it is a maze of ravines and pinnacles caused by erosion on the slope of the mountain. About 11 km east of the city is located the spectacular Zongo Valley. 50 km north of the city it is possible to see the peak of Huayna Potosi with its ice caves and turquoise lakes. The historical ceremonial center of Tiahuanaco is located 70km west of the city and it is considered the most important archaeological site in Bolivia.