The city of La Paz is the highest capital in the world as it is located on the 3650 meters above sea level and is considered as one of the highest cities on Earth. Official name of this capital is Nuestra Señora de La Paz.

As Bolivia is a country with the highest percentage of the indigenous population in the South America, the Pachamama, which means Mother Earth. The city of La Paz carefully maintains unique traditions and culture of the country.

What to do and where to go in La Paz?

GONDOLA: LA PAZ

One of the best attractions that you can´t miss while visiting this capital is taking the Gondola up to the El Alto Region in La Paz. During the way to the top, you will have a chance to admire the best views of the city and its beautiful surrounding of the high mountains. Also, you will see very big central cemetery. The views of the city and the mountains are just spectacular so then, don´t forget to take your camera with you! Once arriving to the top, you will see huge flea market where locals sell their products and deal with their businesses, see below.

La Paz, El Alto Region

Every Sunday in the El Alto Region of La Paz, there is a typical flea market where you can find basically everything. They are selling clothes, fruits, vegetables, food and even handicrafts. Big Bolivian chaos but extremely interesting to see and discover. I ate there definitely one of the best cuisines while I was exploring Bolivia, it was stuffed potato and banana with vegetables prepared by local traditional Bolivian cook.

La Paz Music Fest

When I arrived to La Paz, I didn´t really know what to expect. Just after, I left the airport I already knew that I was going to love Bolivia. When I reached the city centre, I noticed a huge event with dancing parade. I was very lucky as it was a big music festival that takes place only once per year every August. There were dozens of dancers dancing and bands playing the music on the street, wearing traditional colourful clothes and enjoying an important festival. During the show, I was lucky to take some pictures with the dancers and try typical Bolivian food and beverages.

SUCUMBÉ: traditional liquor with milk from Bolivia

This drink is something very traditional in La Paz and you can try it only here. It is prepared with milk, cloves, cinnamon and Singani (Bolivian alcohol) and has to be consumed hot. The importance of consuming this drink is to combat cold evenings and nights in La Paz. I had a chance to try it during the music festival and I thoroughly enjoyed the taste.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES — Sucumbé served on the street in La Paz during the night music festival.

EL MERCADO DE LAS BRUJAS EN LA PAZ

Handicraft shopping in La Paz

There are a lot of really nice markets where you can get the most typical and traditional souvenir and gift from Bolivia. The most famous and visited by foreign travellers is ´´El Mercado de las brujas´´.

Llama fetuses ready to sell everywhere on the market?

While walking around the market, I noticed a hundred of llama fetuses ready for sale. Different shapes and age. I was wondering why do they sell it? It doesn´t even look nice.

I asked some sellers and they explained me the story.

According to ancestral beliefs, if a foetus of a llamas burnt under the earth where a new house will be built, then the fortune for this home is forecasted. Considering this belief, the largest of the foetus are used. I also asked why they use small foetus of the llama. Taking into consideration this Bolivian belief, in order to get a personal luck, you should burn small foetus with the addition of chewing coca leaves.

This market is really worth to visit, as all the stands are decorated with beautiful colourful handicrafts or handmade figures. In the country with the highest percentage of indigenous population, it all has an important meaning.

In each of the stalls of this market, you will find splendid fabrics, figures of handicrafts or the classic charangos (small Bolivian guitar). There are Amulets to seek fortune, small figurines of frogs for money, condors gives protection in travel, owl is the King of wisdom, turtles are to claim a long life or pumas are believed to find a new job. Also, Tarot Cards that you can throw right there. These are only some of the details that are never missing on the witch market.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

WHERE TO HEAD NEXT?

Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat located in Bolivia. The beautiful Uyuni takes 10.582 Km2 and it is a part of the Department of Potosi in the south-west Bolivia located at 3.650 meters above sea level. It is a must see while travelling to Bolivia, see here.