Welcome Back to the City of La Paz

We’re getting closer to the end of October, and here in La Paz that means the night stories and myths start coming alive. Some are scary, some less so, but all of them carry a deep weight of belief.

When I first arrived in La Paz, I took these tales a bit lightly, ghostly figures in the streets, souls wandering in cemeteries, mountains with voices. But the longer you live in a place, the more you see small, real examples that make you think a bit different. A neighbor who swears she saw the light of a soul leaving a house. A bus driver who avoids a certain corner at night. A friend who leaves an offering without question, just respect.

Over time, your feelings shift. Maybe you don’t believe with the same intensity as someone born and raised in La Paz, but you start giving them more weight. You carry the stories with you, and you give them space. Some things that once sounded crazy, today, maybe not so much.

Discover the Magic of the Night

We’re in a super exciting time of the year here in La Paz, and there’s so much happening all around. In this week’s podcast, we talk with Daniel, also known as Cat Hat, a fantastic guide and storyteller who shares the myths and legends of the city. Listen HERE.

Together with Daniel, we’ve created two unique experiences to help you make the most of this special season: one focused on All Saints’ Day, and the other on what I’d say is one of the wildest traditions I’ve ever seen here, Ñatitas, the Day of the Skulls. These are unforgettable adventures, mixing food, stories, photo moments, and the chance to experience living traditions up close. More info.

Legends in the Shadows

La Paz changes when night falls. Rodríguez Market closes, the movement on the streets slows, and people start heading home. Night workers come out, and the cable cars light up the sky as they glide across the city. Everything feels different, for some calmer, for others a bit more uncertain, but La Paz definitely gets more magical.

In the more quiet part of the day, old stories seem to move through the air. Walk closer to the rivers and locals might warn you about La Llorona, the crying woman who wanders in search of her lost children. Here in the Andes, she appears as a cholita, her wails through the night. Stroll down Jaén Street in the city center after dark and you might hear what locals describe as the cries of people who suffered during war and turbulent times, reminders of what once happened there.

According to Andean traditions, the mountains themselves come alive after sunset. Illimani and its “brothers” are seen as protectors, but also as powerful spirits who can punish anyone who crosses without respect. Even today, taxi drivers may tell you not to whistle in the dark, because it could call spirits you don’t want to meet. And abuelas still remind their grandchildren to be home before the night winds rise — that’s when the souls begin to wander.

La Paz at night isn’t just a city with lights and shadows. It’s a living place where myths breathe, and stories remain woven into everyday life.

Myths Travelers Create

Every traveler in La Paz seems to leave with a story, and sometimes those stories grow into myths of their own. One of the most famous begins at La Cumbre, where the ride down the legendary Death Road starts. The myth says it all begins at the haunted lake nearby, a place where locals whisper about lost souls that still live in the cold water. From there, travelers strap on helmets and ride bikes down what’s often called “the world’s most dangerous road”. The crashes, the close calls, and the breathtaking views all turn into stories retold in hostel bars, each one a little darker or more daring than the last.

Then comes the altitude hangover. Locals laugh at it, but backpackers swear it’s real: pounding headaches, wild dreams, and the feeling that one beer hits like five. Science explains some of it, thin air and dehydration, but the rest has become part of the La Paz stories.

In the hostels, myths grow quickly. A bag lost on a night bus becomes a ghost tale. A stranger met at a viewpoint feels unforgettable, as if they were meant to appear only in that moment. Beneath it all are the rumors of hidden tunnels stretching under the city, and the mysterious stories of travelers who once visited San Pedro prison, part truth, part fantasy, and completely irresistible to imagine at night.

The best part is that every traveler adds a new line to these stories. Whether it’s a midnight walk, a wild ride down Death Road, or a night of strange dreams at high altitude, La Paz takes it all in and sends it back out as legend.

Things to Do After Dark in La Paz – To Feel the Magic

Nights here aren’t for hiding in your hostel. When the sun sets, the city shifts, stories surface, whispers travel through the streets, and everyday life takes on a different rhythm. Here are a few simple ways to experience it, any time of the year:

Ride the Cable Cars at Night — Watch the valley light up beneath you.

Stroll Down Jaén Street — Move slowly and let the old walls speak.

Warm Up With Late-Night Api and Buñuelos — Sweet, hot, and perfect for night wandering.

Chat With a Taxi Driver — Their stories often tell a different side of the city.

Watch the City From a Viewpoint — Killi Killi or Montículo offer a perspective that stays with you.

If you want to stretch the night a little longer, head to one of the city’s bars. There are plenty of great spots tucked away in the center. Stop by Café del Mundo and we’ll point you to the right place for the kind of evening you’re after.

And if you’re looking for a deeper experience, come by Travel del Mundo. We’ll share routes, tips, and ideas to make your night walks unforgettable. For special dates, we also have unique experiences waiting for you.

La Paz at Night Tells Its Own Story

This time of year, the city’s myths feel especially close, they’re everywhere once the streets grow quiet. Night becomes part of your journey: a chance to connect with people, culture, and the rhythm of the place.

La Paz after dark isn’t just scenery; it’s a storyteller inviting you in. Walk through legendary streets, viewpoints, and parks, and let the city’s night stories shape your own experience.

Download the freebie and head out after dark. Check out our TravelZine to keep up with what’s happening in the city during these special nights