Good to know
Good to Know
- Most museum admission fees are very modest (Bs. 8–25 or ~$0.82–$2.57 USD), making culture highly accessible. The Calle Jaén combination ticket is an especially good value for visiting four museums on one street.
- Plaza Murillo is the geographic and symbolic heart of the city, but it can become crowded or subject to political demonstrations; visit during daytime and be aware of ongoing events.
- Mi Teleférico cable car costs only Bs. 3 per ride (~$0.31 USD) and doubles as both local transport and a major tourist attraction—a scenic, affordable way to move between neighborhoods and experience dramatic views.
- The San Francisco Basilica's rooftop access is a highlight but visit on weekday mornings to minimize crowds.
- Calle Jaén is best explored in early evening when the colonial architecture is beautifully lit and the atmosphere is most atmospheric; combine it with nearby cafés and galleries for a full cultural evening.
- The Witches' Market is authentic and accessible in the city center (Calle Linares/Santa Cruz) but avoid the El Alto location without a knowledgeable guide due to cultural sensitivities.
- Valley of the Moon is a short, worthwhile day trip; visiting in late afternoon provides optimal lighting and cooler temperatures for exploration.
- Many museums have limited English descriptions; staff members are available to answer questions at key sites like the Coca Museum.
- La Paz's high altitude (3,650m / 11,975 feet) means consider acclimatization before visiting museums or walking extended distances; move slowly on foot.
Museums
National Museum of Art (Museo Nacional De Arte)
- Hours
- Tue-Fri: 9:30am-12:30pm & 3pm-7pm; Sat: 10am-5:30pm; Sun: 10am-1:30pm
- Qa Flag
- Admission price is nominal; temporary exhibitions are free. No photography permitted.
- Location
- Socabaya, Zona 2, city center
- Admission
- BOB 25
- Description
- One of the most esteemed museums in Latin America, housed in an 18th-century colonial mansion (Palacio Díez de Medina). Exhibits colonial paintings, contemporary Bolivian, Latin American, and international art.
Highlights
- Colonial religious paintings from the 16th-18th centuries
- Works by Melchor Pérez de Holguín and Gregorio Gamarra
- Contemporary Bolivian and Latin American art
- Three floors of exhibitions in an elegant restored mansion
Coca Museum (Museo De La Coca)
- Hours
- Mon-Sat: 10am-12:30pm & 1:30pm-7pm (closed Sundays)
- Location
- Calle Linares, city center
- Admission
- BOB 15
- Practical Tip
- Limited English explanations; a staff member is available to answer questions. Allow ~30-45 minutes.
- Description
- Small private museum (founded 1996) documenting the history, cultural significance, and traditional uses of the coca leaf in Andean culture. Includes exhibits on healing properties, soft drink production, and cocaine production history.
Highlights
- History of coca in Andean indigenous traditions
- Religious and medicinal significance in Bolivia
- Contrast between traditional uses and cocaine production
- Staff demonstrations on proper coca leaf chewing
- Café serving coca products (teas, coffees, juices, sweets)
Museum of Musical Instruments (Museo De Instrumentos Musicales)
- Hours
- Variable; included in Calle Jaén combination ticket
- Qa Flag
- Part of the Calle Jaén museum cluster with combined ticket option.
- Location
- Calle Jaén area
- Admission
- BOB 20
- Description
- Small museum with 2,000+ pieces representing musical instruments from pre-Hispanic times to the present, including panpipes, flutes, charango, and drums from all regions of Bolivia. Curated collection of instruments including works by composer Ernesto Cavour.
National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore (MUSEF)
- Location
- City center
- Practical Tip
- Photography is not permitted in most museums.
- Description
- One of South America's leading ethnography institutions, housed in an 18th-century colonial palace. Comprises 30,000 cultural assets including pre-Hispanic, colonial, and contemporary artifacts—masks, ceramics, textiles, and religious objects.
Highlights
- Masks and textile exhibits showcasing Bolivian traditions
- 3,000 years of textiles from various Andean cultures
- Pre-Columbian ceremonial objects
- Colonial-era religious artifacts
- Contemporary ethnographic materials
National Museum of Archaeology (Museo Nacional De Arqueología Tiwanaku)
- Location
- City center
- Practical Tip
- Pairs well with a visit to the Tiwanaku archaeological site (~2 hours from La Paz).
- Description
- Traces the history of Bolivia's indigenous tribes and cultures through artifacts dating back to 1500 BC. Exhibits ceramics, sculptures, textiles, and religious symbols from the Tiwanaku Empire, which lasted ~3,000 years.
Highlights
- Pre-Columbian artifacts from 1500 BC onward
- Tiwanaku Empire materials (oldest lasting culture after Egypt)
- Ceramics, sculptures, and textiles
- Religious and ceremonial objects
Museo De Litoral Boliviano (Museum of Bolivian Coastline)
- Hours
- Tue-Fri: 9:30am-12:30pm & 3pm-7pm; Sat-Sun: 9am-1pm
- Qa Flag
- Part of the Calle Jaén cluster; combination ticket available.
- Location
- Calle Jaén 789
- Admission
- BOB 20
- Description
- Documents Bolivia's war against Chile in the Pacific War, displaying historical maps, pictures, banners, portraits, flags, and weapons. Features a 'war room' covering key events and a 'living room' celebrating Bolivian heroes.
Museo Costumbrista Juan De Vargas (Folk Museum)
- Hours
- Included in Calle Jaén combination ticket
- Qa Flag
- Spanish-language primary; combination ticket available.
- Location
- Calle Jaén area
- Admission
- BOB 20
- Description
- Museum focused on local traditions, customs, and folklore of Bolivia. Displays figurines, costumes, and cultural artifacts representing different periods of daily life in La Paz.
Museo Casa De Murillo (Murillo House Museum)
- Hours
- Tue-Fri: 9:30am-12:30pm & 3pm-7pm; Sat-Sun: 9am-1pm
- Location
- Apolinar Jaén No. 790
- Admission
- BOB 20
- Practical Tip
- Part of the Calle Jaén cluster with combination ticket.
- Description
- Early 19th-century colonial house exhibiting belongings and memorabilia of Bolivian independence hero Pedro Domingo Murillo. Two floors with exhibition halls: furniture, presidents' items, crafts, colonial art gallery, conspiracy room, oratory, and bedroom.
Museo Del Oro (Gold Museum)
- Qa Flag
- Contains the famous Fuente Magna artifact (though images were restricted per visitor reviews).
- Location
- Calle Jaén area
- Admission
- BOB 20
- Description
- Houses an impressive collection of pre-Columbian gold and precious metal artifacts, including pectoral headbands, earmuffs, blankets, and clothing ornaments attributed to Inca culture.
Museo Tambo Quirquincho
- Hours
- Tue-Fri: 9am-12:30pm & 3pm-7pm; Sat-Sun: 9am-1pm
- Location
- City center
- Admission
- BOB 8.00
- Description
- Located in a former tambo (wayside market and inn), this museum houses frequently changing temporary art exhibitions.
Must See Sites
Basilica De San Francisco (San Francisco Church)
- Location
- Plaza San Francisco, city center
- Practical Tip
- Climb the rooftop for the best views; visit on weekday mornings to avoid crowds.
- Description
- A baroque-mestizo church built between the 16th and 18th centuries, showcasing intricate stone-carved façades blending Spanish and indigenous Bolivian artistic traditions. The bell tower and rooftop offer panoramic city views.
Highlights
- Baroque-mestizo architecture with carved stone detailing
- Rooftop access for panoramic city views
- Museum within the church displaying religious relics and art
- Adjacent convent with cloisters and gardens
Plaza Murillo
- Location
- City center
- Practical Tip
- Visit during daytime; the square can be crowded with protests during political events.
- Description
- La Paz's main historic square, surrounded by the Presidential Palace (Palacio Quemado), National Congress, and Cathedral Basilica. Center of political and cultural life.
Highlights
- Presidential Palace with colorful colonial architecture
- Cathedral Basilica with neoclassical design (built 1835)
- Statue of independence hero Pedro Domingo Murillo
- Active gathering place for locals and tourists
Calle Jaén (Jaén Street)
- Location
- City center, walking distance from Plaza Murillo
- Practical Tip
- Visit in early evening when colonial buildings are beautifully lit and atmosphere is most atmospheric.
- Description
- La Paz's best-preserved colonial street, featuring 16th-century colorful buildings with balconies, cobblestone pavements, and five museums clustered together. A pedestrian-only thoroughfare perfect for cafés, galleries, and cultural exploration.
Highlights
- Five museums on one street (combined ticket available)
- Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) with pre-Columbian precious metals
- Museo de Metales Preciosos (Museum of Precious Metals)
- Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas (local traditions and customs)
- Museo Casa de Murillo (independence hero exhibits)
- Museo de Litoral Boliviano (Pacific War history)
Witches' Market (Mercado De Las Brujas)
- Location
- Calle Linares and Santa Cruz, city center
- Practical Tip
- The market is touristy in the center but accessible. Visit early morning for most authentic experience. Do not attempt the El Alto Witches' Market without a guide.
- Description
- An iconic market selling traditional Andean items—herbs, amulets, dried llama fetuses (offerings to Pachamama), potions, and ritual ingredients used in indigenous ceremonies. Reflects deep Aymara cultural traditions.
Highlights
- Authentic indigenous spiritual items and offerings
- Traditional healers (yatiri) offering consultations
- Herbal remedies and medicinal plants
- Handwoven crafts and alpaca goods
Valley of the Moon (Valle De La Luna)
- Location
- ~5 km from La Paz (day trip)
- Practical Tip
- Visit late afternoon for magical light and cooler weather. Hire a guide for geological context and stories.
- Description
- A surreal natural landscape approximately 5 km from La Paz, featuring spire-shaped rock formations and hoodoos sculpted by wind and rain over millennia. Feels like an alien landscape.
Highlights
- Dramatic otherworldly rock formations
- Geological formations resembling ghosts and natural sculptures
- Short walking trails through surreal terrain
- Best visited in late afternoon for optimal lighting and cooler temperatures
Mi Teleférico (Cable Car System)
- Location
- Multiple stations throughout the city
- Cost Per Ride
- BOB 3.00
- Practical Tip
- Buy tickets at counter or ticket machine with cash. A ticket is required for each line transfer. A rechargeable card is also available for frequent users.
- Description
- The world's highest and longest urban cable car network, connecting El Alto (4,100 m) to central La Paz (3,500 m). A practical transport system and major tourist attraction offering spectacular aerial views of the city and surrounding Andean landscape.
Highlights
- Panoramic views of La Paz nestled in the Andes
- Multiple colored lines covering different routes
- Scenic vantage point of dramatic topography
- Used by both locals and tourists
Museum Passes And Tickets
General Notes
- Photography Policy
- Photography is not permitted in most museums; bring ID as some museums require you to sign a ledger.
- Free Admission Events
- The National Museum of Art and many other museums offer free admission during certain cultural events throughout the year.
Calle Jaen Combination Ticket
- Cost
- BOB 20
- Practical Tip
- Significantly more economical than individual tickets; museums can be visited in sequence.
- Description
- Single ticket providing access to four museums on Calle Jaén: Museo de Metales Preciosos, Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas, Museo de Litoral Boliviano, and Museum of Musical Instruments.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About La Paz
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.