La Paz - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
This is one of the safest capital cities in Latin America. I have yet to hear of someone from our mission getting mugged. There are occasional reports of car-break ins. Like any big city, there are neighborhoods to avoid, especially at night. - Jan 2024
Fairly safe for South America. Just use common sense like you would in a big city. - Aug 2022
Not really. I felt pretty comfortable walking around my neighborhood at night alone. Other neighborhoods maybe not. Post was just evacuated after elections, but that seems to have calmed down. - Dec 2019
Not really. Miner strikes on occasion. I feel safer here than any other posting, not to mention the States. - Sep 2016
None that I know of. - Jun 2015
We feel pretty safe in our neighborhood of Achumani here in the Zona Sur. I've heard of some car break-ins, but not since we've been here. I hear that things are a little more dangerous in the city center, more so at night. Overall we feel safe here. - Apr 2015
Protests and blockades happen a few times a year and sometimes cause closures at the Embassy. Apparently this has gotten a lot better than it used to be, though. Overall La Paz is really safe. You have to be a bit more careful in El Alto but violent crime is rare. - Nov 2014
This is probably one of the safer countries in the region from a crime perspective. There are the normal urban crime concerns, pickpockets in crowded or touristy areas and sometimes express kidnappings where, typically, taxi drivers take you to an ATM and force you to withdraw cash. Usually crime in Bolivia does not rise to the level of violence and gang activity that really limits the ability of expats to travel freely in other Latin American countries. However, Bolivians have a strong tradition of strikes and public demonstrations that can really affect life in this city. Sometimes they are aimed at the U.S. but even when they are not, transportation and business in the city regularly comes to a complete halt as one group or another blocks the major roads and squares, or takes them over with marches and protests. More alarming is the seemingly easy access to dynamite which is used often in protests. - Jan 2014
I have felt safe most of the time. There are reports of occasional express kidnappings -- without any violence -- and cars are targets. - Jul 2013
Car-part thefts are very common. There are pickpockets in crowded areas. - Jun 2013
Not really. Just stay away of the local demonstrations towards the local government. - Jul 2012
Typical city, pickpockets. - Feb 2012
La Paz is medium for crime, mostly pick pocketing , snatch and grab. But a high rate of vehicle break in and theft of parts. Santa Cruz has a high rate of crime. - Aug 2011
La Paz is generally safe, but there are instances of crime; especially crimes against property. You have to secure your vehicle or it will be stripped in five minutes (no exaggeration). There are reports of express kidnappings. There are many demonstrations that can turn violent or can choke off the city. But mostly, it's better than most places in the world – including many U.S. cities. - May 2011
Once in a while there are protests that are not bigger than 300 people. Most of the time pacific. People tend to be a bit more violent in El Alto , a small town 45 minutes from La Paz. The only problem is when there are protests in El Alto there are roadblocks and the access to the airport is closed. To fly from La Paz you have to go to that airport. - May 2011
Crime is not too common here. Of course like any big city there is stealing but normally non-violent. Usually cars are broken into, the most common occurrence. It is very wise to park somewhere where guards are nearby! - Mar 2011
Only with roadblocks and demonstrations. Home break-ins in La Paz are very rare. Crimes, such as assault, rapes and armed robberies, are very rare in La Paz. They are more common in other cities like Santa Cruz. - Aug 2010
Political instability brings protests, roadblocks. Petty crime but very few violent crime. I felt very safe in La Paz - Jan 2010
Moderate security concerns. Avoid protests. - Aug 2009
