AI estimate Updated Mar 22, 2026 About guide entries
Essentials
- City
- La Paz, Pedro Domingo Murillo, Bolivia
- Population
- Approximately 816,000 (City center), 2.2 million (Metro area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-45 Mbps via Tigo or Entel fiber; LTE is reliable in Sopocachi
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 6.91 BOB (Official rate), 1 EUR ≈ 7.50 BOB. Cash is king.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use bottled water (Approx. 10 BOB for 2L)
- Power
- 220V/115V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A & C sockets
- SIM Card
- Entel (Best coverage) or Tigo. 2GB data pack approx. 50 BOB ($7 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Nacional de Bolivia (BNB), Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz; Revolut works at most ATMs
- Accommodation
- Modern apartments in Sopocachi or San Miguel (South Zone); Airbnb prices range $600-$900/mo
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial. Large supermarkets and restaurants in Sopocachi accept cards; markets are cash only
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local Facebook groups like 'Alquileres La Paz'
- Budget Accommodation
- Loki Hostel (Calle Loayza), Wild Rover (Calle Comercio). Approx. $10-15 USD/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Casco Viejo (Historic Center) near Plaza Murillo and the Witch's Market
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sopocachi (Bohemian, safe, walkable) or Achumani/San Miguel (Lush, lower altitude)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- 360 Workplace (Sopocachi, Calle Belisario Salinas) - Day pass approx. 100 BOB ($14 USD)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Writer's Coffee (Calle Comercio) or Typica (San Miguel branch) - Excellent Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- FuckUp Nights La Paz and Startup Weekend Bolivia events at local universities
- Social Events for Expats
- Mundo Lingo La Paz (Language exchange) at English Pub or Diesel Nacional
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Yango (Very cheap) and Uber; InDrive for negotiated rates
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not recommended due to steep hills; some rentals available at Huayna Potosí tours
- Best Beach Nearby
- Copacabana (Lake Titicaca), 3.5 hours away via bus (25 BOB)
- Top Regional Airline
- Boliviana de Aviación (BoA)
- Top International Airline
- LATAM, Avianca, Copa Airlines
- Highway Access
- Route 1 (Autopista La Paz-El Alto) connects the city to the Altiplano
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal Terrestre La Paz (Calle Uruguay) for buses; Mi Teleférico system for urban transit
- Public Transport Passes
- Tarjeta Mi Teleférico (3 BOB for the card, 3 BOB per ride). Essential for commuting.
- Regional Travel
- Night buses to Uyuni (100-150 BOB) or flights to Santa Cruz (500 BOB)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Arco Iris (Villa Fátima) or Clínica Alemana (Sopocachi)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Espacio Sagrado (Sopocachi) - Classes approx. 50 BOB
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Megatlon (San Miguel) or Energym (Sopocachi). Monthly approx. 350-500 BOB
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Real (Sopocachi) - Approx. 10 BOB per kilo wash and dry
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa (Widely used and efficient)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Salteñas from 'El Patio' (Breakfast meat pastries) - Approx. 8 BOB each
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Lupinitos (Sopocachi) or Namaste (Calle Saavedra)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pastelería Micheline (Various locations) for Milhojas
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Rodriguez (Fresh produce) or Mercado Lanza
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Facebook Marketplace and Tumomo.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Hipermaxi online delivery or PedidosYa Markets
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle Belisario Salinas in Sopocachi
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Boliviana Nacional (Paceña) or craft beer at 'Sajama Brewing Co'
- Wine Bars
- Hallwright’s (Sopocachi) - Specialized in Bolivian high-altitude wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Anticuchos (Beef heart skewers) found at Plaza Avaroa after dark
- Popular International Cuisine
- Gustu (Calle 10 Achumani) - Fine dining, Ranked among top in Latin America
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna) and Mi Teleférico lines
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Nacional de Arte (Calle Comercio) and Museo de la Coca
- Historical Sites
- Plaza Murillo and the Basilica of San Francisco
- Religious Sites
- Basílica de San Francisco (18th-century baroque architecture)
- Annual Events
- Gran Poder (Religious parade in June); Alasitas Festival (January)
- Cultural Districts
- Sagarnaga Street (Tourist/Artisan district)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Municipal Alberto Saavedra Pérez
- Local Markets
- The Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas) for ritual items
- Music Scene
- Folkloric Peñas (music bars) like 'Huari' (Calle Sagarnaga)
- Street Art
- Calle Sanjines and Chualluma (The colorful neighborhood project)
- Cooking Classes
- Gustu Lab or cooking tours via 'Bolivian Cook' in Sopocachi
- Art Galleries
- MAM (Museo de Arte Moderno) and Merida Romero Art Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio Quemado (The old Government Palace)
- Local Heritage
- Cholita Wresting (El Alto) – a unique display of Aymara cultural identity
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Muela del Diablo (Devil’s Tooth) for hiking and panoramic views
- National Parks Nearby
- Cotapata National Park (Death Road/Yungas access)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Cycle 'The Death Road' (North Yungas Road) starting from La Cumbre
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador Killi Killi (Best 360-degree city view)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Auquisamaña Forest Park in the South Zone
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Valle de las Ánimas (Spirits' Valley) - Camping required
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos de Bolivia (Defunct) -> Use DHL La Paz for international shipping
- Tech Repair Services
- Centro Comercial El Choique (Specialized in electronics and repairs)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club de Tenis La Paz (Florida district)
- Language Classes
- ABC Spanish School (Calle Goitia) - Approx 70 BOB/hour
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal (Calle Mexico) - Quiet and historic
- Community Centers
- Casa de la Cultura Franz Tamayo
- Gaming Lounges
- Lan Centers in El Alto; VR Zone in San Miguel
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Gambling is restricted; small bingo halls exist but official casinos are rare
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $44,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $34,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,050 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $63,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $48,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $950 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $76,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $60,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (IUE - Impuesto a las Utilidades de las Empresas)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 12.5% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Territorial basis (Only income sourced within Bolivia is taxed for individuals)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 13% (RC-IVA)
- VAT
- 13% (Included in the price in Bolivia)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual tax based on a municipal valuation table
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% Municipal Transfer Tax (IMT)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, zero tax on foreign-sourced income makes it highly attractive
About these guide entries
- Method
- AI estimate
- Last updated
- Mar 22, 2026
- Generated by
- Model not recorded
- Last changed
- None yet
Generated by an AI model without cited sources and not yet checked by research. A research pass replaces these values with sourced ones, compared with similar cities.