Thanks to Bolivia’s sustained economic growth, affluence is rising in the capital, La Paz, and visitors can now enjoy a growing selection of upscale attractions.
Though concerns about pollution persist, La Paz occupies an undeniably dramatic setting. The city cascades down a high valley beneath the 21,122-foot peak of Illimani, with neighborhoods stretching from El Alto, where the international airport is located, down to the warmer, more affluent districts in the south.
After a long day of business or adventure — whether you’ve tackled an adrenaline-fueled bicycle descent on the infamous Death Road or enjoyed a serene round at La Paz Golf Club, the world’s highest golf course — the Aqua Spa at the Stannum Boutique Hotel is an ideal place to relax. Skilled therapists offer massages and treatments designed to ease travel fatigue and soothe tired muscles.
Aqua Spa at the Stannum Boutique Hotel © Stannum Boutique Hotel
La Paz’s culinary scene is diverse and increasingly refined. One standout is Gustu, the project of chef Claus Meyer, co-founder of Copenhagen’s Noma. Gustu focuses on high-quality, locally sourced Bolivian ingredients presented in a fine-dining format, offering visitors a thoughtful and memorable gastronomic experience.
For evening entertainment, Peña Huari offers a “typical” Andean experience with music and a traditional menu, though it is often geared toward tourists rather than resembling an authentic local night out. For a livelier, more modern nightlife, head to the city’s southern neighborhoods, where well-appointed clubs attract a fashionable crowd. Venues like La Gitana and Diesel Nacional — notable for Diesel Nacional’s striking industrial décor made from recycled automotive, airplane and train parts — deliver a safer, more stylish night on the town.
Beer enthusiasts will appreciate Reineke Fuchs, which serves a wide range of German-style brews across two pleasant locations. Options for the LGBT community are still developing in La Paz; nonetheless, venues such as El Chamaco, Privilegio and Open Mind Club are among the more popular choices for inclusive nightlife.
Whether you seek refined dining, adventurous activities, or relaxed pampering, La Paz offers a compelling mix of experiences framed by one of South America’s most dramatic urban landscapes.