Welcome back to La Paz and Bolivia, and let’s just say there’s a lot of magic in the air this time of year. Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and Ñatitas, all very different, yet surrounded by stories and myths that we’re diving deeper into today. And if you want to hear even more, tune in to last week’s podcast, where Daniel, also known as Cat Hat, shared some of La Paz’s most fascinating legends HERE

This time of year, there’s a lot happening in La Paz, and of course, at Café del Mundo too. We’re in full Halloween spirit with spooky coffee drinks and desserts. Over at Tambo, things take a more traditional turn as we learn about All Saints’ Day and Día de los Muertos through decorated tables, special food, and drinks.Together with Travel del Mundo, we’re out in the city exploring it all, truly seeing and feeling the real Bolivia during one of the most fascinating and lively times of the year.

If you’re here right now, congratulations, follow along and experience moments you’ll never forget. If not, tune in to the podcast to hear what’s going on, with more stories, travel tips, and ideas to help you plan a trip to La Paz at this magical time next year.

The Magic in the Air

La Paz changes during this week. The streets feel alive, a mix of celebration and quiet moments. As October turns into November, small mesas appear in doorways, and the air fills with the smell of flowers, incense, and frying buñuelos. Costumes, bread ladders, and sweet desserts all share the same streets. Three celebrations come together, Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and Ñatitas, creating a very special atmosphere.

For travelers, it’s a unique chance to see local traditions in action. One night is full of masks and music. The next morning, you might see families setting up beautiful altars. A few days later, the cemetery fills with people, flowers, and decorated skulls, all part of a living tradition. I always notice how joy and respect walk side by side during these days. Whether you join a tour, sit in a café, or simply wander, the city will draw you in.

Halloween — La Paz Style

Halloween hasn’t been part of Bolivia’s culture for very long. It arrived from abroad, but La Paz has made it its own, mixing the international party spirit with local beliefs, night legends, and a bit of mystery. It’s playful, creative, and a fun way to see how traditions can blend. The best places to experience it are spread across the city. Pura Pura forest becomes the main stage, with big outdoor celebrations and costumes everywhere. At the General Cemetery, there’s a Halloween trail that mixes spooky decorations with real local stories, a mix you don’t find many places in the world. And on El Prado, haunted houses pop up for a few nights, full of jump scares and local myths.

Hot tip: If you need a costume, head to Calle Illampu. You’ll find everything from simple masks to full outfits, face paint, wigs, and last-minute accessories.

For travelers, Halloween in La Paz is less polished than in big cities abroad, and that’s part of the charm. It’s lively, a little chaotic, and full of surprises. You might find yourself at a forest party one night and walking through a haunted house the next. The mix of modern Halloween and Andean night stories makes it feel unique.

All Saints’ Day — Altars, Food & Family

All Saints’ Day is one of the most meaningful celebrations of the week, and maybe also of the year. Families believe that the souls of their loved ones return home for 24 hours, so they prepare special altars called mesas to welcome them. It’s a mix of faith, memory, and everyday life that fills the city with flowers, music, and the smell of fresh bread.

Altars are usually decorated with ladders made of bread, sugar figurines, drinks, flowers, and the person’s favorite foods. Candles are lit early, and people gather to share food, stories, and time together. You’ll see mesas at homes, cemeteries, and even outside shops and restaurants. At Tambo, we set up a traditional mesa and share the meaning behind each element. Visitors can taste warm api and buñuelos, listen to explanations, and take part in the atmosphere in a respectful way. It’s not a show, it’s a living tradition that travelers are welcome to witness.

If you’d like to experience this more deeply, we offer a special All Saints’ Day Tour, starting at Tambo and continuing to local celebrations around the city. It’s a chance to see how the day is lived, not just observed from the outside.

Ñatitas — When Skulls Speak

The Day of the Ñatitas is one of the most surprising and powerful traditions for travelers to witness. Celebrated on November 8, it’s a day when families bring human skulls, called ñatitas, to the cemetery to decorate them with flowers, hats, and cigarettes, and to thank them for their protection. Many people keep these skulls in their homes all year, believing they bring luck, health, or guidance. On this day, the General Cemetery fills with music, incense, and thousands of people carrying decorated skulls. Some talk to their ñatita like an old friend, asking for help or sharing news. Others come just to watch and be part of the atmosphere. It’s not scary,it’s deeply personal, full of life, sound, and color.

We also offer a specially created Ñatitas Tour to help travelers experience this day with respect and truly understand its meaning. It starts at Tambo with a warm api and stories to set the scene. Then we take local transport to the cemetery, walk together through the celebration, and return for a traditional lunch to share impressions.

It’s an experience you’ll never forget, powerful, emotional, and deeply connected to understanding the Bolivian way of honoring life and death.

Tip: Go with an open mind. This day is very different from Halloween, it’s about trust, memory, and connection. Ask before taking photos, move gently through the crowd, and let the experience speak for itself.

Reflections, Tips & Invitations

Bolivia’s most magical week isn’t about big shows or staged events. It’s a mix of celebrations that locals live fully, and travelers are welcome to be part of if they come with curiosity and respect. Halloween brings the fun and creativity, All Saints’ Day opens a window into family traditions, and the Day of the Ñatitas shows a side of Bolivia that few expect.

If you want to join in, here are a few simple tips:

Dress warmly — evenings can get cold, especially during night walks.

Walk slowly — a lot of the beauty is in the small details.

Ask before taking photos — especially around altars and skulls.

Learn a few words - like caserita, yapita, and gracias — it goes a long way.

Keep an open mind — some traditions might surprise you, but they are real parts of people’s lives.

Explore Deeper

Join us out in the city on these special dates as we explore with local guides, share food, and experience the traditions as they truly unfold. From night legends to All Saints’ celebrations, it’s a chance to see what’s really happening, not just hear about it. And wherever you find yourself during Halloween, All Saints’ Day, or Ñatitas, download our free checklist to make sure you explore as much as possible and don’t miss the magic.

Café del Mundo is the perfect base to get tips, warm up with a coffee, or simply watch the city come alive around you. We’re also here to help you with any travel doubts. And if you’re not in La Paz right now, write to us for more info about the different events or any travel questions, we’re here to help.