Getting Around La Paz Like a Local:
Your Guide to the City’s Most Fun Transport Options
August 2025
A new blog post is here, and today I want to talk about something that can be a bit confusing… until you get the hang of it, then it's really cool: getting around La Paz using local transport.
A while ago, we created a Travel Game at Café del Mundo, and making it was such a fun process. The idea is simple: you take a card, and it gives you a little challenge. It’s for anyone, whether you’re traveling or at home, to step outside your normal routine, discover new corners, explore different places, and be more open to new encounters.
When we were creating the game, we brainstormed all kinds of fun tasks, things to do and explore that you might not normally think of. Because we created the game in La Paz, it has a bit of a La Paz focus, but the game can be played anywhere. Many of the ideas kept circling back to local transport, there’s so much you can discover just by hopping on one. You don’t even need a plan; just follow the road, meet the locals, see neighborhoods you might never have visited otherwise, and stop at a cute spot you notice through the window for an ice cream… or maybe an exotic lunch.
So today we are going through the most common ones here in La Paz, choose a favorite or choose all of them. In the podcast of this week we are trying some of them out, through a race so, tune in….
Getting Around La Paz: Chaos, Color, and Cable Cars
La Paz isn’t just a city you visit, it’s a city you move through, and how you get around is part of the adventure. From old buses painted in bright colors to the beautiful ride of the cable cars over the rooftops, transport here will take you everywhere, from busy markets in El Alto to quiet neighborhoods squeezed into the hills. Each option has its own charm: some race through the streets, others take their time, stopping for anyone who waves them down. Most run from early morning until late at night, so you can explore at almost any hour. Once you figure it all out, it’s like having a key to the city, every route becomes a new way to see La Paz from a different angle.
Micros – A Real Old Cultural Ride
If you want to see La Paz at its most traditional, hop on a micro. These big, old buses, many originally imported from other South American countries, have been adapted locally over the decades. They’re painted in bright colors, with the route number and main stops hand-painted across the front, often surrounded by stickers, religious images, or personal decorations in the windows. You’ll find them most in El Alto, where they’ve been the top transport since the 1970s. They’re the slowest way to get around, but also the cheapest, and the ride is full of life: vendors hopping on to sell snacks, music playing from the driver’s radio, and neighbors catching up on the day’s news. The buses are old, so expect a bumpy, journey in all kinds of weather. To get on, wave from the side of the road; to get off, just call out a loud “¡Bajo!” and they’ll stop wherever it’s safe. The ride is around 2 bolivianos.
Minibuses – Quick and Common
If micros are the older giants, minibuses are the smaller vans that move through the city a bit faster. Most are painted with a large route sign in the front window showing their start and end points. In the past, there was always a cobrador calling out destinations and collecting fares, but nowadays you often have to pay more attention to the sign yourself. They cost around 2.5 bolivianos, slightly more than a micro, and are one of the most common ways to get around central La Paz. They can get crowded during busy hours, so it’s good to be ready to hop in quickly.
Just like with micros, you stretch out your arm once you’ve found your destination on the front sign. Locals can also help you figure out where to stand so you can find your right minibus faster. When you want to get off, just call out loudly and they’ll stop almost exactly where you want to.
Taxi Tip
If you want a private ride but at a lower cost than hailing a taxi on the street, download InDrive or Yango. Both apps let you set or agree on a fare before starting the trip, which can save you money and avoid misunderstandings.
PumaKatari – The Modern City Bus
The PumaKatari is La Paz’s modern public bus system, big yellow buses that run on fixed routes with fixed stops (paradas fijas). They were introduced in 2014 to bring a more organized, reliable option to the city’s transport network. At first, it wasn’t easy: many minibus drivers complained that the new buses would take away passengers, and the PumaKatari quickly became popular for its comfort, safety, and set schedules. Each bus has a clear route map, electronic payment options, and trained staff, making it a very different experience from the more informal micros and minibuses.
The downside? Because the stops and starting points are fixed, you might have to walk a bit, not always ideal at high altitude, especially if you’re in a hurry or carrying heavy bags. That’s one reason many locals still choose minibuses, which can drop you closer to your exact destination. Still, if your route matches, the PumaKatari is one of the easiest and most comfortable ways to get around La Paz.
Teleféricos – The Coolest Ride in South America
La Paz’s cable car system, the Teleféricos, isn’t just public transport, it’s one of the coolest ways to move around any city in South America. Opened in 2014 and still expanding, the network connects different parts of La Paz and El Alto with a scenic ride above the streets. For locals, it’s an efficient, affordable way to skip traffic; for travelers, it’s a must-do experience. Each line is color coded, with stations clearly marked and tickets costing just a few bolivianos.
The views are incredible: you’ll glide over markets, football fields, rooftops, and mountain backdrops, seeing the city from angles you’d never get on the ground. It’s also safe, clean, and runs from early morning until late at night.
Tip: ride at sunset for golden light over the mountains, or in the evening when the city lights look amazing. Whether you’re using it to get somewhere or just for fun, the Teleféricos are real La Paz magic.
Trufis – Shared Taxis with Set Routes
Trufis are shared taxis, usually regular cars or small vans, that run on fixed routes. They’re cheaper than taking a private taxi but faster than micros or minibuses because they carry fewer passengers and make fewer stops. You simply hop in, pay when you get in, and ride until you reach your stop. They leave when they’re full, usually four passengers, and often have a small sign in the front window showing their route. This makes them a good choice when you want to get somewhere quickly without paying full taxi prices. To get off, just let the driver know in advance so they can pull over at a safe spot.
If you want more tips on how to explore La Paz like a local through its colorful transports, download our little Mini Transport Challenge here. It’s a fun way to turn every ride into an adventure.
The Inspiration Station
For more inspiration, travel tips, and local insights, check out the Inspiration Station. It’s your go-to spot for little stories, handy advice, and fresh ideas to make your travels even better.
And as always, we’d love to hear your own transport adventures. Write to us, or better yet, come by Café del Mundo for a coffee and a chat. Who knows, your story might inspire our next journey.
