How to Fall for La Paz
(Even If You Don’t at First)
july 2025
Welcome back to another week, and another blog post! This time, I want to share five small but powerful reasons to experience La Paz a little differently. Ways to see the city more deeply, so you don’t leave with just that “I didn’t really get it” feeling. Because let’s be honest, not everyone does get La Paz right away.
This isn’t a city that fits into all travel expectations. It’s not always easy. It’s not always Instagram-perfect. But it is very real, full of stories, contrasts, challenges, beauty, and soul.
La Paz isn’t about ticking off sights or taking the perfect photo. It’s about how you meet the city. Are you rushing through, or are you stopping to listen, taste, ask, and understand? That’s when La Paz starts to open up. That’s when it shifts from chaotic to meaningful and from confusing to unforgettable.
And if you want to dive even deeper, don’t miss this week’s podcast episode, where I share more stories, reflections, and reasons why this wild, beautiful city might just steal your corazón, if you let it.
Café News!
Before we dive into the blog, I just want to share some weekly updates from Café del Mundo, and today, I’m extra excited! Just in time for the celebrations of La Paz, we’re launching our brand-new Night Tour, and I absolutely love it.
La Paz turns into a whole different story when darkness sweeps over the city, and trust me, it’s a good story. Other legends come alive, the streets change mood, and places light up that you might not even notice during the day. Being part of this night rhythm gives you a deeper connection to the city.
The idea? To explore La Paz through local bars, delicious drinks, street food, myths, stories, and even some traditional dancing, for the bold ones! It’s a journey full of flavors, surprises, and nighttime magic.
And if you’re not subscribed to our newsletter yet, now’s the time! Subscribe today to get the best deal on our brand-new Night Tour and be the first to hear about new adventures, travel tips, blog posts, and special surprises from Café del Mundo and Travel del Mundo.
👉 [Join the travel circle here] — we save the best for our people.
If You Want To Feel Real La Paz Magic, Read This
As I’ve mentioned before, and as I hear all the time when I talk to travelers, La Paz often brings out strong reactions. It’s usually one or the other: you love it, or… you really don’t. But here’s the thing: we all travel differently. We all carry our own expectations, pace, and ways of connecting with a place.
And I’ve seen it so many times, people who didn’t quite “get” La Paz at first, but slowly changed their minds after a little guidance, some context, and a few special moments. That’s exactly what we try to share at Café del Mundo and through Travel del Mundo, not just where to go, but how to experience it. With a bit of curiosity, a more open perspective, and a few insider tips, this city can turn into something truly unforgettable.
When I talk to travelers, most are amazed by this place. But today, I want to pause on the voices that weren’t. The ones who didn’t feel the connection, who maybe only saw the surface. I get it, some things here can be intense, unexpected, or hard to understand at first.
So after hundreds of travel chats, I’ve picked out the five most common reasons travelers feel confused or disconnected in La Paz. And that’s exactly why I’m writing this: to give you a little insight, some perspective shifts, and maybe help you see what this city is really about, once you go just a bit deeper.
It’s full of stories and myths
In La Paz, traditions run deep, and they’re not always what you expect. You might see llama fetuses, skulls with names, or people offering coca leaves to the earth. At first glance, it can feel strange or even uncomfortable.
➡️ But here’s the truth:
These aren’t scary things. They’re part of powerful spiritual beliefs that have existed for centuries, honoring Pachamama (Mother Earth), asking for protection, or saying thank you.
🌱 How to meet it:
Ask questions. Go with a guide. Listen to the stories behind the objects. When you understand the meaning, the market transforms, from strange to deeply sacred.
La Paz has a loud, chaotic, beautiful soul
From 3 AM, the city is already in motion, street vendors setting up, buses honking, life happening at full speed. It can feel overwhelming, even exhausting.
➡️ But look again:
That chaos is movement. It’s people working hard, showing up early, surviving, thriving. The city pulses with energy,not carelessness.
🌱 How to meet it:
Slow your own pace. Find rhythm in the noise. Sit in a market and just watch. You’ll start to see purpose in the madness, and maybe even fall in love with it.
The food is both surprising and comforting
You won’t always find flashy presentation or fancy menus here. But what you’ll find instead is deep comfort, food made by hand, often with hours of preparation, passed down for generations.
➡️ Every dish tells a story:
From soups to street snacks, Bolivian food connects you to family traditions, agricultural cycles, and local identity.
🌱 How to meet it:
Try what the locals eat. Go to busy lunch spots. Ask what someone’s favorite dish is — and why. Suddenly, that simple plate becomes something much richer.
People are proud, kind, and sometimes shy
You might not be greeted with a wide smile or small talk. Friendships aren’t instant here, they grow slowly, with respect and time.
➡️ But when they open up, they really open up:
You’ll find warmth, humor, and deep generosity behind the quietness.
🌱 How to meet it:
Approach gently. Greet people properly. Take your time, especially in markets or family-run places. A few kind words and they might lead to a beautiful conversation.
Yes, the altitude is real
At nearly 3,600 meters (12,000 feet), La Paz can hit you hard. Shortness of breath, headaches, and even dizziness are common. It’s easy to feel frustrated or think the city isn’t for you.
➡️ But here’s the thing:
It’s not you, it’s the altitude. And once you adjust, everything gets easier. The air gets clearer. The views get better.
🌱 How to meet it:
Take it slow. Drink coca tea. Rest on day one. Let your body adjust before rushing into hikes or long walks. And remember, this challenge is part of what makes your experience here so unique and unforgettable.
Not Always Easy, but Always Worth It
So yes, La Paz can feel black and white at first. You either love it or you don’t. But there’s so much more in between,if you know where to look, or if someone helps you see it. This city is full of layers, contrasts, and surprises. And sometimes, all it takes is a bit of context to shift your whole perspective.
La Paz isn’t always easy. But if you give it time, and if you stay open, it has a way of changing the way you see things. And that, for me, is exactly what travel is all about.
If you want to know what’s going on in La Paz this week, don’t forget to check out our Travel Zine, full of weekly tips, ideas, and updates. You can also subscribe to get a free eBook about Bolivia and access some of our best travel deals. And if you have questions about your trip, feel free to write to us anytime,or simply stop by Café del Mundo and say hi.
We’ll be here, waiting for you.
