Let’s Take a Walk in La Paz
September 2025
Spring is Here!
Or at least, the spring month! September in La Paz is when you really start to feel it in the air, warmer days, sunshine, and that fresh energy that makes you want to be outside. Here in Bolivia, it’s also Friendship Month, so we’ll be celebrating not just spring but the joy of friends and connection too.
After a cold (but beautiful) winter, it’s time to stretch our legs. So today, I want us to go for a walk, not just anywhere, or like a more common city tour, but through some corners of La Paz that travelers often skip. Each of these areas has its own story, its own charm, and its own reason to be visited.
So put on your shoes, and let’s spend the day going uphill and downhill, tasting ice cream, sipping coffee, discovering culture, and stopping at viewpoints. And if you stick around until the end, we’ll see how these same areas transform at night , when the lights come on, the food changes, and another layer of magic covers the streets.
Good Morning from Café del Mundo
This is where I am right now, the same place where I record the podcast, chat with travelers, and help people discover the best of La Paz and Bolivia. We’re right here on Sagarnaga Street, one of the steepest streets in the city center. It’s a lively street filled with souvenir shops, travel agencies, cafés, and restaurants, always filled with life. It’s also the perfect starting point for today’s walking tour. And since I’m writing this blog post from here this morning, I thought, why not begin right at the café? If you have any questions or doubts along the way, just ask us. We even have traditional paper maps for you, if you prefer to explore the route the old-school (but very reliable) way.
Download our map to follow the walk.
You can also listen to our podcast for more stories, inspiration, and tips about this route.
Let’s Start the Walk to San Pedro
The Neighborhood Vibe
San Pedro is a lively neighborhood where everyday life and city go hand in hand. The plaza is a popular gathering spot, surrounded by small shops, cafés, and busy streets that connect to other parts of the city.
The area feels both calm and welcoming, with people passing by on their way to work, meeting friends, or simply enjoying the sunshine. It’s a place where you can sit on a bench, watch the movement around you, and feel a part of the center of La Paz.
Ice Cream & San Pedro Prison
Grab an ice cream at Splendid, one of the oldest ice cream shops in La Paz, known for natural flavors made from Bolivian fruits and ingredients. Then sit down in San Pedro Plaza, enjoy, and take in the atmosphere around San Pedro Prison.
This prison, in front of the plaza, is unlike most in the world. For years, it worked, and it still does, almost like a small town inside, with shops, food stalls, and even families living there. Inmates bought or rented their own cells, and the more money you had, the better your life inside. A couple of years ago, you could actually, as a traveler, do a tour inside the prison, at your own risk, but today it's forbidden.
Still, it’s fascinating to sit in the plaza across from it. The entrance is always busy with visitors, guards, and locals passing by. It’s a strange mix of a peaceful park and raw stories. And in this park, you might even meet a former prisoner, who will share his story about life on the inside. A real travel moment!
Welcome to Sopocachi
The Cultural Heart of the City
From San Pedro, it’s just a short walk to Sopocachi, one of the trendiest neighborhoods in La Paz. Popular with artists, students, and travelers, it has a young, cultural vibe.
Its streets are lined with cozy cafés, restaurants, small shops, and colorful street art. Music from the bars in the evenings, giving the whole area a creative, relaxed energy. Many locals consider Sopocachi the cultural heart of the city, where tradition and modern life mix.
At the center is Plaza Abaroa, a shady park where locals meet, vendors set up, and events happen, a perfect spot for another pause and look into everyday life.
Lunch Stop Ideas
Mi Chola – Cozy spot with a creative take on Bolivian flavors, blending local ingredients with a modern touch.
Manq’a – Traditional Bolivian dishes made with fresh produce from local farmers, supporting a social project that trains young people in gastronomy.
A View from El Montículo
After lunch, take a short uphill walk to Montículo Park, one of Sopocachi’s most charming viewpoints. With its trees, statues, small colonial chapel, and peaceful vibe, it’s a favorite for couples and families.
From here, you get a stunning view over La Paz with Illimani in the background. At sunset, the colors over the city make it even more magical.
Coffee & Cable Cars
Continue your walk for an afternoon coffee at Retro Café, a cozy stop before reaching the Yellow Line cable car station. From there:
Take the Yellow Line down to Obrajes and Libertador station
Switch to the Blue Line back toward El Prado station
Walk just 10 minutes back to Café del Mundo
And just like that, you’ve completed your perfect spring walk through La Paz.
Extra: Cultural Spots in Sopocachi
If you’re walking around Sopocachi and want to dive deeper into art and culture, don’t miss:
Galería de Sal – This gallery highlights the Salar de Uyuni through the work of one of Bolivia’s most famous artists, Gastón Ugalde. Known as the “Andean Warhol,” his pieces capture the beauty and colors of the salt flats in unforgettable ways. It can be a good idea to schedule your visit in advance to make the most of the experience.
Catch a Movie – Go for a cultural cinema experience at Cine Teatro Municipal (independent films and events) or Multicine (international films, often with Spanish subtitles).
Enjoy the Same Areas by Night
Exploring San Pedro and Sopocachi by night is something maybe even more magical, the whole vibe of the city changes. Places open up that you wouldn’t imagine in the day, and the barrios come alive with lights, music, and movement.
Around San Pedro Plaza, you’ll find street food stands, people gathering for snacks, and even one of the best sourdough pizzas in town, with drinks that are just bam.
From there, Sopocachi shows off its cultural side with trendy bars, hidden garage music spaces, dancing, live shows, and traditions blending together. It’s the perfect place to meet locals, try something different, and see the creative side of La Paz.
Nightlife Spots You Shouldn’t Miss
Diesel Nacional – A La Paz classic, decorated with car parts and retro touches. Strong drinks, cocktails, and a nostalgic 80s vibe.
Bestiario – Arty, bohemian bar with creative cocktails and a mix of locals and travelers.
Malegría – Colorful and lively, with Latin rhythms, good drinks, and lots of dancing, especially on Thursdays!.
Bonus: GOLD (San Pedro) – Casual, fun bar, night club on the weekends. Known for great beer, energy, and plenty of 80s music, perfect for ending your night.
Your Turn to Walk La Paz
That’s the walk, from interesting San Pedro to cultural Sopocachi, from ice cream in the sunshine to viewpoints and night vibes. Now it’s your turn to try it. You can download our free walking map and follow the route at your own pace, or stop by Café del Mundo and we’ll mark it out for you with tips and shortcuts.
And if you’re looking for even more ideas, don’t forget to check out our Inspiration Station, packed with info, stories, and travel sparks about La Paz and all of Bolivia. Ah, and also, for a great discount on our Night Bar Tour this month through these streets, write to us or subscribe to our newsletter.
Hope to see you here soon, shoes laced and ready for a new adventure.
