With a perfect cone shaped, snow-capped peak standing proudly above the city, La Paz can easily be considered one of the most beautiful settings in the world for a city of its size. If the city doesn’t already leave you breathless, the altitude of 13,287 feet will. It is the highest capital city in the world. La Paz is actually two cities: El Alto that sits high on the alitplano and the center that sits more than 1000 feet below it. Nearly all tourist attractions and facilities sit in the center. Plaza Murillo is the main plaza in the city and hosts the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, and the Congresso Nacional. Plaza San Francisco is a lively plaza where many fairs and festivals are held. Much of it sits in the Indian quarter, where you will find many shops and restaurants with traditional goods and foods. Perhaps the most memorable sight is the Mercado de Brujas (or Witches Market). This outdoor street market sells every sort of superstitious idol, potion, or dried animal you could ever think of. As far as museums go, La Paz has the country’s best. Start with the Museo Nacional de Arqueologia, then move on to the Museo de Etnogrofia y folklore, the Museo Nacional de Arte, the Museo de la Coca, and the Casa Museo Marina Nunez del Prado.
The dining scene in La Paz is excellent, with choices ranging from the best in Bolivian food, Argentine steakhouses, and even French bistros. La Comedie is the best for eclectic French and French wine, La Casa de La Pacenos for the best in Bolivian fare, El Gaucho for steaks, Cevicheria El Pulp for Ceviche, and Mongo’s for burgers, beer, and a lively late night student crowd. The city has many good European style cafes such as Café Confiteria de La Paz, where businessman and politicians go for tea and pastries, Café Ciudad, which is open 24-hours and has excellent people watching on the Plaza de la Estudiantes, and Café Paris in the Gran Hotel Paris.
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