Hidden La Paz
Places That Keep Surprising You
JUNE 2025
Hello and welcome back to a new blog post from Café del Mundo in La Paz, Bolivia! I hope you have your fav cup with you, filled with something delicious, and I hope you’re in some kind of mood to get inspired, because today we’re going to talk about hidden gems around La Paz.
I started this blog post working on hidden places around Bolivia, but there’s just so much to explore, so today we’re focusing on La Paz and its surroundings.
A Quick Update
But first, let me catch you up on life around here! We've been busy at Café del Mundo and Travel del Mundo with all the activities June had to offer, dance parties, traditional Aymara New Year celebrations, amazing soccer, and one of my favorites: San Juan, the coldest night of the year, celebrated with family, friends, hot dogs, bonfires, and warm drinks!
I hope you were here and joined us for some of these events!
Now July is rolling in, maybe a bit calmer, but since it’s the month of La Paz, you can count on plenty of new things happening from now on.
Travel del Mundo just launched a brand new tour that’s got everyone talking (hint: it involves good drinks, street night food, and great stories). Get the first details in our newsletter and enjoy a cool first discount if you’re quick!
👉 Subscribe for more info and travel inspiration
Ah, and the weather in La Paz? Still sunny but chilly, perfect for exploring!
Why We Keep Exploring
Now, let’s go back to the hidden gems of La Paz! Believe me, there are many, and they keep surprising me almost every time I go out to explore. Some are so tucked away that even locals don’t know they exist.
During the pandemic, when we couldn’t travel far, we started exploring the city more and that’s when many of these hidden spots were re-discovered.
Hidden Treasures in La Paz
La Paz isn’t just a city you visit, it’s a city you feel. And if you look closely, you’ll notice that around almost every corner, there’s a small treasure waiting for you. A peaceful moment, a surprising detail, or a place that shows you something real, raw, and unforgettable. Here are three places inside the city that are easy to miss but great when you find them — and they’ve definitely become part of my top 3 hidden spots in La Paz:
1. The Botanical Garden – A Pause in the Middle of the City
Looking for a moment of calm? Head to the Botanical Garden in Miraflores. It’s not huge, but it’s full of green, sunshine, and space to breathe. Pack some snacks or buy a salteña on the way and enjoy a laid-back picnic surrounded by native plants, birds, and peace. A perfect break when the city gets a bit too intense.
2. Cementerio General – A Different Kind of Storytelling
This is not just a cemetery, it’s a piece of Bolivian culture. People are buried in wall-like tombs, and families decorate the small windows with their loved ones' favorite things: football jerseys, Coca-Cola bottles, stuffed animals, handwritten notes. It’s touching, colorful, and emotional. You’ll also find powerful murals and street art all around the cemetery walls. Don’t leave without trying the traditional cinnamon ice cream just outside the gate, it’s part of the experience.
3. The Markets – Where the Real La Paz Comes Alive
The markets aren’t exactly hidden, but they hold the soul of the city, if you go to the right ones. Skip the tourist stands and dive into the local sections. Talk to the women selling fruit, ask about their favorite ingredients, try a freshly made api con pastel, or a fresh bakade ljauchas. It's a bit messy but its where you’ll understand the real rhythm of La Paz.
Hidden Treasures around La Paz
As if the city itself wasn’t surprising enough, just outside La Paz you’ll find some of the most unreal landscapes in South America. Think moon valleys, icy lagoons, deep canyons, and mountain views that leave you speechless. And the best part? Many of these places are just a short ride away. Here are three of my favorites:
Valle de las Ánimas + Alaxpacha Viewpoint – A Hike into Another World
It looks like something from another planet. The “Valley of the Souls” is filled with strange rock towers formed by wind and time. There’s an optional hike up to Mirador Alaxpacha, where you’ll stand at 4,600 meters with panoramic views over La Paz, Illimani, and the endless Andean landscape. It’s raw, quiet, and absolutely stunning.
Even better? Go for a sunset walk. As the sun drops behind the mountains, the whole valley lights up in orange and gold, with the city far below and the peaks glowing around you. A truly unforgettable experience.
Cañón de Palca – Wild Views and No Crowds
Not far from Valle de las Ánimas lies this wide, dramatic canyon that feels like a secret lost in time. With towering rock walls, scattered boulders, hidden caves, and a small riverbed running through it, Cañón de Palca invites you to slow down.. The silence here is powerful, just the wind, birds, and the crunch of your footsteps.
Start your walk in a peaceful little village and follow the trail into the canyon. Bring snacks, water, and good shoes, it’s easy to spend several hours just wandering, climbing, and watching the changing colors of the rocks as the sun moves across the sky. It’s nature, adventure, and calm all in one.
Charquini & the Emerald Lagoon – A Short Hike to the Ice
If you want to feel like you’re on top of the world (without needing climbing experience), head to Charquini. This glacier sits at over 5,000 meters, but the hike to the lagoon is surprisingly accessible. The reward? An emerald colored lake with perfect glacier reflections, fresh mountain air, and some of the most stunning photos you’ll take in Bolivia. Just don’t forget layers, it gets seriously cold up there!
On the way, make a quick stop at Cementerio de Milluni, a hauntingly beautiful graveyard high in the mountains. Surrounded by silence, old crosses, and a backdrop of snow-covered peaks, it adds a quiet, reflective moment to the journey, one of those places where the landscape and history feel deeply connected.
Before You Go…
Download this freebie with even more hidden gems in and around the city!
Hope you got inspired to visit some of these places while in La Paz. Also, don’t miss this week’s podcast for more travel inspiration, fun stories, and tips about these hidden spots, listen here!
Got any questions? Feel free to write to us, or even better, pass by Café del Mundo and say hi!
And don’t forget: every Tuesday and Friday at 11am, we’re in the lounge for our Travel Talk where we share ideas, answer your travel questions, and help you plan your next adventure.
