Is La Paz expensive to visit?
La Paz is a smaller destination that charms visitors with a variety of travel styles, expenditure habits, and budgetary considerations. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
La Paz has the potential to be expensive, but you can manage your budget by looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $23 ($b160) per day, mid-range travelers spend $57 ($b391) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $131 ($b901) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to La Paz.
Within South America, La Paz is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in South America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Medellin, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Recife.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is La Paz Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to La Paz?
The average La Paz trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these La Paz travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to La Paz cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to have realistic expectations for your travel budget. While many people assume they can travel to La Paz without spending much money, the reality is that most people are not comfortable traveling on an extremely low "shoestring" budget. Consider what you really enjoy doing when you are on vacation and how you've traveled in the past. Do you prefer resorts, vacation rentals, or hostels? Do you like to experience all of the activities, museums, and sights? Is dining out at delicious restaurants important to you? Your answers to these questions will affect your overall travel budget and itinerary.
Who are Budget Travelers?
You might consider yourself a budget traveler, but if you're not ready to give up some comforts, prepare to spend a lot more than the $23 per day that younger budget travelers manage.
Backpackers will usually stick to this shoestring budget by staying in hostel dorms, dining at the cheapest spots such as fast food places, using public transit, and mostly visiting free attractions.
Fortunately, there's plenty of hostels in La Paz, like Wild Rover La Paz, The Adventure Brew Hostel, and Greenhouse Bolivia. Here, you can score affordable dorm accommodation along with a vibrant social scene, though amenities may be lacking.
Could You Be an Average Traveler?
If you're traveling for leisure as a couple or family, you'll probably prefer a mid-range hotel, dine at well-known restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions that charge entry fees. It's common for visitors to La Paz to seek out the major attractions, museums, and significant landmarks. Remember, most activities come with a cost. Therefore, it's reasonable to anticipate that your daily budget will be around $57 per person, per day.
La Paz boasts a wide array of hotels and vacation rentals. When traveling with others, you can share accommodations with a partner, friend, or children, thus reducing your expenses. Families should prioritize hotels and restaurants that are geared toward kids. Casa de Piedra Hotel Boutique is an excellent family-friendly option, while Stannum Boutique Hotel & Spa is also superb. You can find additional family and couple-friendly hotels in our hotel guide for La Paz here.
Want to Experience a Luxurious Trip?
If you're looking for a high-end escape with every amenity and high-quality service, be prepared for daily expenses around $131. Staying in upscale hotels, enjoying meals at award-winning restaurants, indulging in lavish excursions, and utilizing taxis or private drivers in the destination will entail a more premium price tag. Many high-end visitors also prefer unique experiences such as Private City tour, Cable Car and Moon Valley - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in La Paz
In La Paz, hotel prices can be quite surprising. Higher-end hotels offer more amenities and luxury, but come at a higher price tag, especially during the peak season. Off-season prices average around $48, but in peak season, they can average around $90. Prices generally range from $25 to $166, and hostels remain the cheaper option. Booking early or traveling during the low season can save you money, and you might find special deals along the way.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in La Paz for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $32 ($b223). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $16 ($b111) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in La Paz? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in La Paz include:
- Camino Real Aparthotel Downtown starting at $90
- Hotel Rennova starting at $84
- Casa Grande Hotel starting at $131
- Casa de Piedra Hotel Boutique starting at $73
- Stannum Boutique Hotel & Spa starting at $109
If you plan your trip outside of and during the low or shoulder season, you'll find better accommodation rates and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in La Paz
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $9.41 ($b65) per person, per day, on local transportation in La Paz. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in La Paz is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$9.41
$b65
To get to La Paz, you can fly to the world’s highest international airport, El Alto International Airport. Most South American airlines serve El Alto Airport as well as local airlines. Most international flights will make a stop over in Santa Cruz to pick up or drop off passengers. American Airlines is currently the only U.S. carrier serving Bolivia, with one daily flight from Miami. If you are travelling by bus around Bolivia or from surrounding countries, the main bus terminal is in the Parque Urbano Central, near the upper end of the Prado and a 15-20 min walk from most hostels. Note that buses arriving from Lake Titicaca (the route for entering overland from Puno, Peru) and Sorata terminate at a square near the city cemetery farther to the west. Buses from Quime terminate in the El Alto bus terminal. There is no need to buy tickets upfront in one of the many travel agencies as they can often charge you more without being honest about the service they are selling. Show up a few hours before the scheduled departure at the terminal and buy your tickets there. Another option to go from La Paz to Cusco, Copacabana or Puno is to take one of the Bolivia Hop buses. Bolivia hop is a new company and appears to be well ran and very safe, allowing you to hop on or hop off at any of these places. Otherwise, if you are feeling courageous, hundreds of people cycle around Bolivia each year, passing through La Paz and discovering the rest of the country on their bike.
Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:
- Airport Transfer Out_night for $25 details
- Airport Transfer In_night for $47 details
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City for $68 details
How much does it cost to go to La Paz? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in La Paz will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Below, you'll find common transit prices in La Paz, gathered from real traveler experiences. These numbers offer a general sense of transportation expenses. It's important to note that your costs may vary depending on your transportation choice, with taxis and other hired vehicles usually costing significantly more than public transit.
Food Budget in La Paz
Food is a major reason many people explore new destinations, so don't skip the chance to try local delicacies.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in La Paz can vary significantly, the average cost of food in La Paz is $28 ($b198) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$28
$b198
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in La Paz is around $29 ($b198) per person, with previous travelers spending from $12 to $64. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in La Paz are as follows:
- Breakfast: $3 to $9
- Lunch: $4 to $11
- Dinner: $9 to $20
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $4
Bolivia is going under a gastronomic revolution with plenty of restaurants using only Bolivian ingredients. Vegeterian fine-dining restaurants are introduced with great success to the meat-loving capital. To fully experience the Pacenos life, eat in the street for less than USD$2. From tasty chorizo sandwiches to deep-fried pastries packed with meat or vegetables, discover the delicious Bolivian staple food.
Several hotels include breakfast with your stay, while others charge separately for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly depending on the hotel. Knowing this in advance can guide your budget decisions. It could be worth it for the tasty buffet available at the hotel, or you may wish to find a cheaper option at a local bakery or cafe.
Keep a water bottle handy instead of purchasing drinks everywhere. It's also better for the environment.
If you're considering a tour, double-check which meals are included in the package. There may be instances where you'll have to pay for your own meals, potentially stretching your budget.
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in La Paz. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Real Street Food Tour La Paz for $100 details
- Bolivian Cooking Class for $30 details
Typical prices for food in La Paz are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the food prices in La Paz. However, your individual costs will vary based on your travel style, selected restaurants, and the items that you order.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in La Paz
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in La Paz typically cost an average of $16 ($b109) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$16
$b109
La Paz has plenty of exciting sights to offer. Do not miss the Wrestling Cholitas on Sunday afternoons at the Multifuncional de la Ceja de El Alto (USD$8.50), where indigenous Aymara women, wrestle in petticoats and pigtails accompanied with strident music. Head to Latin America's largest open-air market, the Feria 16 de Julio. To get there, experience Mi Teleferico's red line, where you will get sensational views over the city skyscrapers, Cordillera Real and the ramshackle terracotta-coloured buildings that cover the upper slopes. Mi Teleferico, the world's longest and highest urban cable car network, is making it easier to get around the city. Visit the Mercado de las brujas, up from San Francisco Church, between Calle Jimenez and Linares, where you will find all manner of mysterious powders, potions and amulets linked to Andean beliefs and shamanic practices.
Walk around the Calle Jaen, the best-preserved colonial street in La Paz, home to a few new boutiques, galleries and five small museums that can be visited on a single ticket. The Museo de Instrumentos Musicales for ancient nose flutes and the Museo de Metales Preciosos for pre-Colombian gold. Museo del Litoral Boliviano has extraordinary historical maps, the Museo Casa Murillo presents interesting insights on colonial life and the Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas, where you can buy the ticket, displays the city's traditions. Another Museum worth visiting in La Paz is the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore (Musef), found in an 18th-century palace. The museum presents a collection of festival masks, Andean ceramics and intricate weavings, including chullos, the iconic knitted hats with earflaps and other fascinating objects in an attempt to give a colourful and contemporary overview of Bolivia's diverse cultures.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore La Paz. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Walking Tour on the Political History of La Paz Bolivia for $30 details
- Shared Full Day Tour Charquini Lagoon and Hiking for $30 details
- La Paz Foodie Tour with Cable Cars for $65 details
La Paz, Bolivia
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.