Overview
Take a trip to La Paz on your Bolivia Vacation
Surrounded by the high Altiplano mountains, La Paz, on a Bolivia vacation, is situated in a “bowl” in western Bolivia. While the official capital of Bolivia is Sucre, La Paz is often considered the “de facto capital” as it hosts more governmental departments.
Originally founded by Spanish conquistadors on a Native American settlement in 1548, La Paz was later moved to its present spot in the valley of Chuquiago Marka. Initially prosperous as a result of the gold found in the area, the settlement remained steady due to its location on the main trade route between Lima and Potosí. Spain greatly controlled the city, imposing religion and lifestyles on the local people until Bolivian independence was granted in 1825.
Today La Paz remains a growing and exciting city. Bolivia’s largest city, La Paz is a centre for commerce, finance and industry. It has also proven to be an important cultural hub hosting several colonial cathedrals as well as hundreds of museums. Its location, a valley on top of the Bolivian plateau, provides stunning beauty and landscapes as well as its famously high altitude (3,660 m). While it may take time to acclimatize to such an altitude, there is much to do in this vibrant and unique city on a Bolivia vacation.
At a Glance
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Bolivian Boliviano (BOB)What do the experts say?
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La Paz at dusk
The Congress Building
One of La Paz’s Plaza icon locations, Plaza Mur...
La Paz Tours
Illimani towers over the city
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