La Paz

From snowcapped highlands to cloud-shrouded rainforest, the city of La Paz, Lake Titicaca and the ancient site of Tiwanaku all come together here.

La Paz Department lies in northwestern Bolivia, bordering Peru and Chile, with terrain that descends from the Altiplano and the snowy peaks of the Cordillera Real to the Yungas cloud forest and the Amazon lowlands. The departmental capital, La Paz, is the seat of government, built in a canyon, and its cable car system offers views over the whole city. On the shores of Lake Titicaca are Copacabana and Isla del Sol, the Tiwanaku ruins are a World Heritage Site, and the Yungas mountain road and the Cordillera Real attract cyclists and climbers. The dry season from May to October is the best time to visit. The gateway is El Alto International Airport; newcomers should be mindful of altitude sickness.

Destinations

• La Paz City
• Copacabana & Isla del Sol
• Coroico & the Yungas
• Rurrenabaque (Madidi National Park)

Itineraries

• La Paz, Isla del Sol, and Yungas – Centering on La Paz, head west to Lake Titicaca, and descend east to Yungas for cycling and relaxation
• Bolivia Classic Highlands Panorama – From La Paz to Isla del Sol, then via the White City and Silver City to Uyuni and the high-altitude lagoons
• Madidi Rainforest and Yacuma Pampas – Fly to Rurrenabaque for an Amazon combination of rainforest lodges and wetland birdwatching and pink dolphin spotting
• Peru & Bolivia Highlands Highlights – From Machu Picchu across Lake Titicaca to La Paz and the Uyuni Salt Flats