La Paz, Linda La Paz. I had already been to La Paz in 2011, but this time this experience was completely different and I felt as I was discovering another city.
On my birthday we arrived in the morning in La Paz after a terribly uncomfortable 8 hour bus ride from Cochabamba (30bs though, who could complain...?) during which the only positive points were the beauty of the stars and the view over La Paz arriving at dawn with all the lights of the valley. Having a good nine hours in front of us before our flight to Rurrenabaque we take advantage of visiting the city heading for the cable-cars at the end of which a viewpoint gives us a 180• view over this immense city (end of the yellow line), where for once it's architecture seems to be harmonious as all houses are made of bricks. What I Love so much from the cable-cars (their local subway system) is the way down within the valleyed city, and that you can see everything and observe life from above.
After that we walk around town, where you feel that you are in a capital without feeling too oppressed either...less traditions in the streets yet still very active: traffic, pollution, colonial buildings, school boys and girls eating in the streets, street manifestations ... make the charm of this city.
The weather two other days we spent in La Paz was less sunny (it rained quite heavily, and at this moment the temperature gets really cold – we are at 3’660m above sea level!). We still enjoyed walling around town and observing the local daily life. At night around public places life gets active with street food and street arts. I enjoyed it very much!
Tomorrow we will leave for Copacabana, on the edge of Lago Titicaca, our last stop before leaving Bolivia for Peru!
On my birthday we arrived in the morning in La Paz after a terribly uncomfortable 8 hour bus ride from Cochabamba (30bs though, who could complain...?) during which the only positive points were the beauty of the stars and the view over La Paz arriving at dawn with all the lights of the valley. Having a good nine hours in front of us before our flight to Rurrenabaque we take advantage of visiting the city heading for the cable-cars at the end of which a viewpoint gives us a 180• view over this immense city (end of the yellow line), where for once it's architecture seems to be harmonious as all houses are made of bricks. What I Love so much from the cable-cars (their local subway system) is the way down within the valleyed city, and that you can see everything and observe life from above.
After that we walk around town, where you feel that you are in a capital without feeling too oppressed either...less traditions in the streets yet still very active: traffic, pollution, colonial buildings, school boys and girls eating in the streets, street manifestations ... make the charm of this city.
The weather two other days we spent in La Paz was less sunny (it rained quite heavily, and at this moment the temperature gets really cold – we are at 3’660m above sea level!). We still enjoyed walling around town and observing the local daily life. At night around public places life gets active with street food and street arts. I enjoyed it very much!
Tomorrow we will leave for Copacabana, on the edge of Lago Titicaca, our last stop before leaving Bolivia for Peru!
Transport: an 8 hour bus ride from cochabamba, negociated for 30BS - prices are easy to negociate when you arrive last minute.
Accommodation: we stayed at the Bacoo hostal, 5 min walk from the historic centre. 45Bs per night for dormitory including breakfast, wifi, hot water and common living are. The wifi doesn't always work and the water isn't always warm but the hostal wasn't too bad.
F&B: lots of cheap street food, empanadas for 3BS, burgers for 9 etc. The hostal also has a restaurant for about 25BS per dish
Activities: a visit you shouldn't miss is the moon valley 10km away from the city centre. 3,80BS one way with the truffi and about 6e entrance to the site.Otherwise cable car tickets costs 3BS each way. For thos wanting to experience the death road, its 450Bs (65€)
Accommodation: we stayed at the Bacoo hostal, 5 min walk from the historic centre. 45Bs per night for dormitory including breakfast, wifi, hot water and common living are. The wifi doesn't always work and the water isn't always warm but the hostal wasn't too bad.
F&B: lots of cheap street food, empanadas for 3BS, burgers for 9 etc. The hostal also has a restaurant for about 25BS per dish
Activities: a visit you shouldn't miss is the moon valley 10km away from the city centre. 3,80BS one way with the truffi and about 6e entrance to the site.Otherwise cable car tickets costs 3BS each way. For thos wanting to experience the death road, its 450Bs (65€)
Gracias a Stéphanie Vallet para las bellas fotos!