La Paz - Post Report Question and Answers
Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Lots of options for transportation. There's an amazing cable car system that is cheap and clean. Taxis are cheap and plentiful and multiple apps that work here. - Jan 2024
There is an amazing cable car system but the closest station is a little far from where folks in Zona Sur live. Taxis are cheap but low quality and not always reliable. No ride sharing apps because of how powerful the taxi unions are. And there are no real traffic laws here. I never took the bus. - Aug 2022
Safe...hmm. There are many of them and they are very affordable. They are almost all from the eighties. Some barely hanging together, but others are nicer. Most don't have seat belts. The positive side is that no one can drive very fast at that elevation, so... - Dec 2019
Yes. Taxis are so cheap and plentiful that you may find you don't need a car. The cable car system is clean, and a scenic way to get to the downtown areas or to El Alto. Many tourist-oriented locations, such as the Hotel Andino, will provide private bus from central areas in the Zona Sur or from the downtown. - Feb 2019
Yes. Taxis and 'trufis' (minibuses) are easy and good. - Sep 2016
Taxis are safe and affordable. We have an excellent working relationship with a driver here. - Jun 2015
Taxis are cheap. It's about US$1.50 to go within the Zona Sur and about US$3 to go to the Embassy. But most taxi's are unsafe as they rarely have seat belts and you wonder how the vehicle is still running (they are pieces of junk). There are also truffis, which are taxi's that you share with whoever can pile in. They are really cheap, about US$0.30, and run specific routes. Same with mini-buses, which are mini-vans. New to La Paz are big, modern buses (comparable to DC metro bus system) and cost about US$0.15. Now there is also a teleferico system with three lines (more to come). If I need to take public transport, I use taxis. - Apr 2015
Radio taxis are cheap and affordable. You should be careful hailing private cabs on the street as express kidnappings are on the rise. Trufis/micros are off limits. - Nov 2014
Local buses and trains are generally not recommended due to safety and security concerns.There are regular reports of catastrophic traffic accidents, especially with buses where 10 or more people die and dozens are injured. Taking shared taxis or "trufis" is dangerous as you just don't know who might get into the car with you. Radio taxis are safer and affordable but still rarely have luxuries like seat belts or airbags. It costs US$2-3 dollars to take a taxi from residential areas to the Embassy and about US$15 to the airport. - Jan 2014
The embassy recommends to only use Radio Taxis...they are very affordable (about $1 in Zona Sur, $2 to the embassy). - Jul 2013
There are no trains, buses are iffy, and you must use radio taxis. Taxis are very cheap and easy to get. - Jun 2013
Taxis are inexpensive. These are old cars without seat belts. - Jul 2012
Taxis and inexpensive. Housing area to the Embassu about US$3 for a 15-20 minute drive. - Feb 2012
Radio taxis only due to safety and security. But they are very reasonable. - Aug 2011
Radio taxies are safe. These are taxies that have a placard attached to the top of the car. Don't use taxies with just stickers on the windows and/or doors. Avoid trufies. Try to call a taxi ahead instead of hailing one from the street. Most stores and restaurants will gladly call you your own cab if you ask them to. Buses between major cities are OK – just use common sense. No train service in La Paz – too mountainous. - May 2011
We are not allowed to take public transportation. It is not safe. - May 2011
Local buses and taxis are very affordable, but are not very safe. You must know the language and be a very aware person at all times. Taxis are generally okay if you know the company and check the owner stickers in window, or call ahead to the referred companies. - Mar 2011
None is safe except a radio-taxi that you call. - Aug 2010
Taxis are all over are quite safe and cheap. The minibuses can get crowded but I took them all the time and they were safe, reliable (although slow) - Jan 2010
Taxis are inexpensive and safe but generally lack seat belts. - Aug 2009
