La Paz Getting there & around

Getting around

Public transport

Micro and minibus

La Paz’s sputtering and smoke-spewing micros, the older three-quarter sized buses, mock the law of gravity and defy the principles of brake and transmission mechanics as they grind up and down the city’s steep hills. They charge US$0.15 for a trip. Minibuses service most places as well, for a slightly higher cost. In addition to a route number or letter, micros plainly display their destination and route on a signboard posted in the front window. Minibuses usually have a young tout screaming the stops. You can simply wave both down anywhere except for near policed intersections.

Trufi

Trufis are shared cars that ply set routes. Destinations are identified on placards on the roof or windscreen. They charge US$0.20 around town, US$0.80 to the airport and US$0.40 to Zona Sur.

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Bus & tram

To/from the bus terminals

The main bus terminal is 1km uphill from the center. Micros marked ‘Prado’ and ‘Av Arce’ pass the main tourist areas but are usually too crowded to accommodate swollen rucksacks. If walking, snake your way down to the main drag, Av Ismael Montes, and keep descending for 15 minutes to the center.

Micros and minibuses run to the cemetery district constantly from the center. Catch them on Av Santa Cruz or grab micro No 2 along Av Yanacocha. Heading into the city from the cemetery by day you can catch micros along Av Baptista. At night take a radio taxi. Don’t accept a ride from anyone who approaches you.

You can reach Villa Fátima by micro or minibus from the Prado or Av Camacho. It’s about 1km uphill from Plaza Gualberto Villarroel.

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Car & motorcycle

Driving the steep, winding, one-way streets of La Paz may be intimidating for the uninitiated, but for longer day trips into the immediate hinterlands, you could consider renting a car (but hiring a driver is probably easier and just as economical).

Avis (211-1870; www.avis.com.bo; office 101, Edificio Tango, Sanchez Lima, Zona Sur)

Kolla Motors (241-9141; www.kollamotors.com; Gutiérrez 502)

Hertz (249-4921; www.hertzbolivia.com; Colombia 539)

International Rent-a-Car (244-1906; Zuazo 1942)

Petita Rent-a-Car (242-0329; www.rentacarpetita.com; Valentin Abecia 2031, Sopocachi Alto) Swiss-owned and specializing in 4WDs.

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Local transport

Taxi

Although most things worth seeing in La Paz lie within manageable walking distance of the center, the bus terminals are all rather steep climbs from the main hotel areas. Especially considering the altitude, struggling up the hills through traffic with bulky luggage isn’t fun.

Radio taxis – with roof bubbles advertising their telephone numbers – are recommended as the safer option. They charge about US$0.80 around the center, US$1 from Sagárnaga to Sopocachi, or Sopocachi to the cemetery district and US$1.50 to Zona Sur. Charges are a little higher after 11pm. Radio taxi charges are for up to four passengers and include pickup, if necessary.

Most regular taxis are also collective taxis and charge a per-person rate. This means that the driver may pick up additional passengers, and that you can flag down a taxi already carrying passengers. Regular taxis charge US$0.40 per person around the center (a bit more for long uphill routes).

Taxis can be waved down anywhere, except near intersections or in areas cordoned off by the police. If you’re traveling beyond the city center, or your journey involves a long uphill climb, arrange a fare with the driver before climbing in, and try to carry small change at all times.

Pre-ordered or radio taxis to the airport cost between US$5 to US$8.

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