La Paz sits in a canyon bowl on the Altiplano, with the snow-covered Illimani overlooking it and the city spilling up the surrounding hillsides. The historic centre is dense and steep, the cable car network links the valley floor to the upper neighbourhoods and to El Alto, and the airport lies up on the Altiplano to the west. Expect thin air, sudden slopes and a lot of walking between levels.
For a visitor, the practical question is which part of the valley to base yourself in. The tourist core clusters around the streets below the Prado, Sopocachi and Miraflores sit at different elevations with different characters, and the Zona Sur lies lower and further out. This guide covers the areas the sources describe, what each suits, and how the price bands differ.
Best areas to stay in La Paz
1. The Sagárnaga and Illampu area (historic centre)
This is the backpacker heart of La Paz, where Calle Sagárnaga and Calle Illampu run into each other and fill with fairs, markets and museums. It is busy with people all day long, and it puts you within walking distance of the bars, restaurants, museums and the city's main events.
It suits first-time visitors and budget travellers who want to be in the middle of things on foot. Accommodation here runs from cheap backpacker places to simple budget hotels, and the area is a short walk from Plaza Murillo and the San Francisco Church. Because the streets are steep and the nights can be loud, inspect your room before you commit, and ask for one away from the bar if you want to sleep.
2. Sopocachi
Sopocachi is described as a district close to numerous nice restaurants, with accommodation that sits in the mid-range bracket. It is a calmer, more residential base than the market streets, and it is well placed for eating out in the evening.
It suits travellers who have seen the main sights and want a quieter base with good food nearby, as well as couples and longer stays. Expect mid-range hotels and apartments rather than dorm beds. It is not the backpacker core, so you will rely on walking or transport to reach the Sagárnaga and Illampu area and the central sights.
3. The central area around the Prado and Plaza Murillo
The downtown core follows the Prado, the tree-lined central section of the city's main thoroughfare. This is where the government buildings, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Plaza Murillo sit, and it is the most central place to base yourself for sightseeing.
It suits visitors who want the landmarks on their doorstep and a range of accommodation from budget to mid-range. The area is central and well connected, and it is a short walk from the Sagárnaga and Illampu market streets. Being in the middle of the city means city noise, so choose your room with that in mind.
4. Miraflores
Miraflores lies a few blocks from the stadium and is described as outside the normal central tourist area. Accommodation here is basic and secure, with a courtyard and places to wash and dry clothing.
It suits travellers who want fewer other visitors around and are happy to trade proximity to the tourist sights for a more local feel. If you want to be by the tourist attractions, this is not the area for you. Expect to use transport to reach the centre.
5. Around the bus terminal
The area near the bus terminal has budget accommodation, including places directly across from the terminal and others a short walk away. One hostel in this part of town is noted as good for the bus terminal but a bit off for other things.
It suits travellers arriving or leaving by night bus, or those passing through quickly, and budget travellers watching costs. The trade-off is distance from the main sights and the market streets, so you will be relying on transport for most of your sightseeing.
6. Zona Sur
The Zona Sur is the lower, more affluent part of the city, southwest of the Prado, where the sources place a spacious apartment option in the mid-range bracket. It is further from the historic centre than the other areas listed here.
It suits families, groups and longer stays that want space and a quieter residential setting, and travellers who do not mind commuting to the centre. Because it sits lower in the valley, it is away from the main tourist circuit, so plan on using transport to reach the sights.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: dorm beds and simple private rooms in the Sagárnaga and Illampu area and around the bus terminal, often with shared bathrooms, hot showers, free breakfast and internet, and sometimes a kitchen. Some places are basic and not as clean as you might expect, and a few have no lockers, so check before you commit.
- Mid-range: private doubles with private bathrooms, cable TV, wifi and breakfast, in the central area, Sopocachi and the Zona Sur. Some include a garden courtyard or a restaurant and cafe on site.
- Splurge: the sources describe historic hotels in the centre of the city with views, and higher-priced doubles with breakfast buffets. This band is thinner in La Paz than in many cities, so book early if you want it.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself in the Sagárnaga and Illampu area. It puts you within walking distance of the markets, museums, bars and restaurants, and close to the central sights around Plaza Murillo and the San Francisco Church. It also has the widest choice of accommodation, from budget beds upward, which makes it the easiest place to land on a first trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sagárnaga and Illampu area noisy?
It can be. The streets are full of people all day long, and some rooms sit close to bars. Ask for a room away from the bar, and inspect the room before you sign the register.
Where should I stay if I arrive by night bus?
The area around the bus terminal has budget accommodation, including places across from the terminal. It is convenient for the bus but a bit off for the main sights, so it works best for a short stay or a quick onward connection.
Which area is best if I want fewer other travellers around?
Miraflores, a few blocks from the stadium, is outside the normal central tourist area. The sources note that if you want to be by the tourist sights, this is not the area for you.
Do I need to worry about the altitude when choosing an area?
The city sits at roughly 3,650 m, and the geography is marked by social differences, with more affluent residents in the lower central areas southwest of the Prado and lower-income residents in the surrounding hills. Staying lower in the valley, such as in the Zona Sur, means less climbing on foot, but it is further from the historic centre.
Compare live prices for the area you choose with the booking tools on this page before you commit.