La Paz Department Travel Guide – Attractions & Tours

Featured Lists

Departamento de La Paz: Essential Experiences

This collection explores the high-altitude landscapes and historical landmarks of Bolivia's La Paz department. It features the UNESCO-listed Tiwanaku archaeological site, home to the monolithic Sun Gate and the ruins of Pumapunku. In the city of La Paz, the list includes colonial-era structures like the Basilica of San Francisco and the museums of Calle Jaén. Natural highlights include the snow-capped peaks of Illimani and Huayna Potosí in the Cordillera Real, alongside panoramic viewpoints overlooking the city basin.

20 places

Giovo95 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Archaeological and Historical Sites

This collection spans the archaeological and architectural evolution of the La Paz region, from the monumental pre-Columbian stone carvings of the Tiwanaku culture to the neoclassical designs of the city’s modern era. Highlights include the intricate monoliths and astronomical gateways of the Altiplano, the labyrinthine Inca ruins on Isla del Sol, and the historic military and naval museums of the administrative capital. These sites provide insight into the indigenous empires, defensive fortifications, and industrial heritage that shaped western Bolivia.

20 places

This work is in the public domain in… / Public domain

Andean Peaks and Volcanoes

This collection highlights the high-altitude terrain of the Bolivian Andes, featuring a diverse array of stratovolcanoes and rugged peaks concentrated in the La Paz Department. Notable landmarks include the 5,762-meter Kunturiri volcano on the Chilean border and the Nevado Anallajsi stratovolcano. Many summits here, such as Jach'a Kunturiri and Wari Kunka, exceed 5,000 meters in elevation. These peaks, situated within provinces like José Manuel Pando and Loayza, offer a window into the geological forces that shaped the Altiplano and the high-desert landscapes of the Cordillera Occidental.

19 places

La Paz Department — Map

Climate & when to visit

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

15° (feels like 12°) · extremes 2°–18°
4° at night
22 rainy days
6 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
17°C · too cold to swim
UV index 13 · extreme

Typical weather in February

Poor

15° (feels like 11°) · extremes 2°–18°
4° at night
18 rainy days
7 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
17°C · too cold to swim
UV index 13 · extreme

Typical weather in March

Fair

15° (feels like 12°) · extremes 2°–18°
4° at night
17 rainy days
12 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
17°C · too cold to swim
UV index 12 · extreme

Typical weather in April

Fair

15° (feels like 12°) · extremes -1°–18°
3° at night
8 rainy days
20 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in May

Fair

15° (feels like 11°) · extremes -4°–17°
0° at night
3 rainy days
27 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in June

Fair

14° (feels like 10°) · extremes -5°–17°
-1° at night
2 rainy days
28 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
13°C · too cold to swim
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in July

Fair

14° (feels like 10°) · extremes -5°–17°
-1° at night
2 rainy days
29 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
12°C · too cold to swim
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in August

Fair

15° (feels like 11°) · extremes -5°–18°
0° at night
2 rainy days
28 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
12°C · too cold to swim
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in September

Fair

15° (feels like 12°) · extremes -3°–19°
2° at night
6 rainy days
21 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
13°C · too cold to swim
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in October

Fair

16° (feels like 12°) · extremes -1°–20°
3° at night
9 rainy days
19 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 13 · extreme

Typical weather in November

Good

17° (feels like 13°) · extremes 0°–20°
4° at night
10 rainy days
16 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
17°C · too cold to swim
UV index 13 · extreme

Typical weather in December

Fair

16° (feels like 12°) · extremes 2°–19°
4° at night
18 rainy days
9 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
17°C · too cold to swim
UV index 13 · extreme

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2); NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency: Bolivian Boliviano BOB · Card payments · Cash preferred
Emergency numbers: 911
Electricity: Type A / Type C
230 V · 50 Hz

Languages: Aymara, Spanish, Guarani, Quechua
Tap water: Not safe to drink
Driving side: Right
Calling code: +591

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Tours & Activities

Related destinations

Bolivia El Alto La Paz Nor Yungas Province Copacabana Área Natural de Manejo Integrado Madidi Cordillera Real Cordillera Apolobamba Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture

Other Destinations

Santa Cruz Department Cochabamba Department Potosi Department Oruro Tarija Sucre Municipality

La Paz Department

Featured Lists

Departamento de La Paz: Essential Experiences

Archaeological and Historical Sites

Andean Peaks and Volcanoes

La Paz Department — Map

Climate & when to visit

Typical weather in January

Typical weather in February

Typical weather in March

Typical weather in April

Typical weather in May

Typical weather in June

Typical weather in July

Typical weather in August

Typical weather in September

Typical weather in October

Typical weather in November

Typical weather in December

Practical information

Tours & Activities

La Paz Department – Add to Your Trip

Related destinations

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