do not sleep in Alojamiento El Solario in LaPaz

Hi,
I'm not recommending hostel Alojamiento El Solario in LaPaz (Murillo 776
Street). We spent 5 days in this hostel and spent a lot money (air
ticket, bike, mountaineering etc.) Everything looks good and OK but last night our very expensive digital photo cameras equipment was stolen. We have a room opposite to
reception. The door was opened and close by a key. The thief had to have a key to our room so I'm sure that thief was one form crew. Actually it was obvious that the theft was done by the hostel crew. noone else was able to get to the room, and behavior of the bolivian crew after we discover what happened also indicated they were quilty as hell. We called the police but .. In this country police only thinks how to steal your money.

The security in this hostel has been a joke for a long time. I visited it 3 years ago and I just wandered in off the street, no one in reception and admin room and went straight to their room. My friend 2 years ago, got kicked out of his dorm room by very rude staff there because they had overbooked his room.

I would recommend Loki Hostel in la paz, and also reasonable alternatives are the wild rover and adventure brew. Loki has good security, lockers in all the rooms and a security guard 24 hrs on the door

There are so many good and resonable hostels and hospedajes run by really nice families that care about their guests in La Paz - often at cheaper prices for private rooms than dorms listed in the LP bible. You do not have to go to the ones listed in the Lonely Planet Sheep Trail Bible and located in the La Paz backpacker ghetto. Those ones know quite well that even a post like this will do nothing as they are n the book and that will give them at least five years of steady turn-away business even after complaints pour in. Lonely Planet is a guidebook but too many people use it as a crutch never using their brains, ears, eyes, and language skills to find their own way.

Sorry to hear about your experience. I'd like to add Hosteria Blanquita on Calle Santa Cruz as another La Paz hostel to avoid because of light-fingered staff: several thefts of money reported from the hotel safe during the past couple of years.

we were guests in el solario two times a whole week in 2006. must admit that virtually anyone can go in and out as the reception staff does no controls. staff was friendly but this does certainly not exclude thefts. just it was my impression while travelling that lots of the thefts in hotels were among travelers.

even if you don't stay there, the travelagency located just downstaires in top class! very friendly, low comission, excellent partners and if you do not book all tours offered they do not insist....

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<hr>if you do not book all tours offered they do not insist....<hr></blockquote>

I'm not sure what's so special about that. I didn't think South America in the 5 1/2 months I was there had anything high presssure about it except maybe for the free drink guys and girls in Cusco and that was really just a bit of fun.