La Paz - Post Report Question and Answers
What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
1) The mountain landscapes are amazing. La Paz is unlike any other city I've ever seen - it's like someone decided to build their capital city on the top of the alps. 2) If you're into high-altitude mountaineering, this might be the best post in the world. There are multiple 6000-meter peaks close by, a couple of which you could climb in a day. 3) There are ample weekend trip options. This is one of the rare places in the world where you could be in the jungle or be in a glacier in 2-3 hours. But you have to be patient as the roads aren't always great and getting out of El Alto traffic can be a pain - Jan 2024
Salt flats have to be seen. But you won't be doing much regional travel unless you are rich or want to blow your budget on that. Foreign flights are expensive, at odd hours, and infrequent. Santa Cruz is the big commercial capital and a much better city. More restaurants/bars/cafes, sea level, more flights (including to Miami), always summer-like weather. - Aug 2022
It's a beautiful country. Tons to do in and outside of Bolivia. We traveled all over South America and Bolivia. Galapagos, Patagonia, Salar de Uyuni, Amazon, Machu Picchu, and much more. - Dec 2019
Highlights included a trip to Mt. Chacaltaya, using the cable cars to get to and from Calle Sagarnaga, and hanging out with friends we made in the local community. Titicaca was lovely when I wasn't nauseous. Any chance I get to see Mt Illimani is also a special moment. We have trips to the Amazon coming up shortly. - Feb 2019
This post boasts incredible travel and adventure tourism. My son and I hiked the 40 mile 'Choro Trail' (Inca Trail), an ancient footpath starting at around 14k feet to around 5k feet, an incredible (free) trip that only requires your own backpacking gear. You can climb a 20k foot mountain (Huayana Potosi) with a guide for about 100-200 USD (quite challenging, but considered the 'easiest' in the area). You can travel to Rurrenabarque and see pink dolphins, anacondas, fish for pirahnas, etc...in the Amazon sub-region...all relatively accessible. La Paz itself is awe-inspiring in its natural beauty. - Sep 2016
All of my children have been exposed to Spanish. My 20-month old even seems to understand more than me! My other 2, 3 and 6 year olds, are relatively fluent. - Jun 2015
There is a lot of natural beauty here in the high Andes mountains. The salt flats of Uyuni (and its surrounding areas) are amazing, as is Sajama national park. If you love hiking and photography, this is a great place! - Apr 2015
Salar de Uyuni is beautiful. Not much to do in La Paz but some unique places aren't too far away. - Nov 2014
Getting to know some of the local traditions like Carnaval, Alasitas, and traditional health practitioners like the Kallawayas. Travel to different cities that have completely different characters and climates. Seeing the amazing diversity of wildlife and plant life here. - Jan 2014
Trips to Chile and Peru. - Jul 2013
Traveling to neighboring countries..although it is very expensive - Jun 2013
Machu Picchu, ATV through the high mountains, great Argentina beef, relax city, Chile trips. - Jul 2012
ATV rides at 17,000 feet high. Trps to Lake Titicaca, Oroico, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz - Feb 2012
Traveling from the top of the Andes down through the clouds to the rainforest in only a few hours. - Aug 2011
Great school for my children, embassy housing, high morale at embassy. - May 2011
The major highlight so far in La Paz is seeing the beautiful mountains surrounding the city. I never get tired of viewing them at different times of the day and taking pictures! - Mar 2011
The embassy community has a positive attitude, and morale is high. - Aug 2010
