Where to Stay in La Paz 2025: High-Altitude Hotels from $7-115 Per Night
Complete La Paz accommodation guide 2025. From $7 San Pedro hostels to Zona Sur luxury hotels, party hostels to colonial boutiques. Altitude tips, cable car access, and neighborhood breakdown.
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Where should I stay in La Paz, Bolivia?
The best area to stay in La Paz, Bolivia depends on your budget and interests. Centro Histórico is ideal for First-time visitors and sightseers with prices around BOB 100-400/night ($15-60). Budget travelers should consider hostels in San Pedro (BOB 50-120 ($7-17)/night), while luxury seekers will find excellent options in Sopocachi (BOB 500-800+ ($72-115+)/night).
Related questions:
- • What's the cheapest area in La Paz?
- • Is La Paz safe for solo travelers?
- • When should I book hotels in La Paz?
Essential La Paz Accommodation Info
TL;DR: Stay in Centro Histórico for first-time visitors, book 2-3 months ahead, budget BOB 120-280 ($17-40)-BOB 280-500 ($40-72) per night for good value.
- 1 Budget accommodation in La Paz ranges from BOB 50-120 ($7-17) for hostels to BOB 120-280 ($17-40) for budget hotels
- 2 Best neighborhoods include Centro Histórico, San Pedro, Sopocachi
- 3 Book 2-3 months in advance for best rates, especially during May-October (Dry Season)
- 4 Mid-range hotels (BOB 280-500 ($40-72)) offer the best value for most travelers
- 5 Consider location carefully - staying centrally saves on transport costs
💰 La Paz, Bolivia Accommodation Prices 2025
Prices vary by season, location, and booking timing. Peak season rates can be 50-100% higher.
La Paz, the dizzying capital that literally takes your breath away, where accommodation ranges from BOB 50 ($7) party hostels to BOB 800+ ($115+) oxygen-equipped luxury hotels perched at 3,640 meters above sea level. This vertical city cascades down canyon walls in a bowl of brick and concrete, connected by the world's most extensive cable car system and filled with indigenous women in bowler hats selling everything from llama fetuses to knock-off North Face jackets. Whether you're catching your breath in a colonial courtyard, partying at the world's highest Irish pub, riding cable cars over tin roofs, or preparing for Death Road adventures, La Paz offers accommodations for every altitude tolerance and budget. From the backpacker chaos of San Pedro to the lower-altitude comfort of Zona Sur, I'll guide you through this breathless metropolis to find your perfect base in 2025, where coca tea flows freely, markets spill onto sidewalks, and every hotel comes with stories as dramatic as the city's topography.
Best La Paz Hotels by Category
🏔️ Best Luxury Choice: Casa Grande Hotel
BOB 600-900/night ($85-130) • Five-star comfort at lower altitude
Location: Zona Sur
Why it's great: Oxygen bars, mountain views, international dining, and 500m lower than city center
🍻 Legendary Party Hostel: Wild Rover La Paz
BOB 70-140/night ($10-20) • Highest Irish bar in the world
Location: Centro near Plaza Murillo
Why it's great: Rooftop parties, instant friends, tour connections, and walking distance to everything
🍺 Best Chill Hostel: Adventure Brew Hostel
BOB 80-160/night ($12-23) • Microbrewery hostel in trendy neighborhood
Location: Sopocachi
Why it's great: Craft beer, great food, relaxed vibe, and Sopocachi nightlife access
🏛️ Best Boutique Value: Hostal Iskanwaya
BOB 250-450/night ($36-65) • Colonial charm near main attractions
Location: Centro Histórico
Why it's great: Beautiful courtyard, San Francisco Church nearby, coca tea service, and local character
Quick Comparison of Top Accommodations
Casa Grande Hotel
Features:
Pros:
- + Prime location
- + Great value
- + Excellent service
Cons:
- - Can be pricey
- - Book early
Wild Rover La Paz
Features:
Pros:
- + Prime location
- + Great value
- + Excellent service
Cons:
- - Can be pricey
- - Book early
Adventure Brew Hostel
Features:
Pros:
- + Prime location
- + Great value
- + Excellent service
Cons:
- - Can be pricey
- - Book early
Hostal Iskanwaya
Features:
Pros:
- + Prime location
- + Great value
- + Excellent service
Cons:
- - Can be pricey
- - Book early
| Accommodation | Price | Location | Features | Pros | Cons | Best For | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande Hotel ★ 4.5 | BOB 600-900/night ($85-130) | Zona Sur | Oxygen barsmountain viewsinternational diningand 500m lower than city center |
|
| Luxury Choice | View |
| Wild Rover La Paz ★ 4.5 | BOB 70-140/night ($10-20) | Centro near Plaza Murillo | Rooftop partiesinstant friendstour connectionsand walking distance to everything |
|
| Legendary Party Hostel | View |
| Adventure Brew Hostel ★ 4.5 | BOB 80-160/night ($12-23) | Sopocachi | Craft beergreat foodrelaxed vibeand Sopocachi nightlife access |
|
| Chill Hostel | View |
| Hostal Iskanwaya ★ 4.5 | BOB 250-450/night ($36-65) | Centro Histórico | Beautiful courtyardSan Francisco Church nearbycoca tea serviceand local character |
|
| Boutique Value | View |
Best Neighborhoods to Stay in La Paz, Bolivia
⛪Centro Histórico
Historic heart around Plaza Murillo with government buildings
Best for:First-time visitors and sightseers
Average cost:BOB 100-400/night ($15-60)
Vibe:Colonial grandeur meets indigenous markets
Pros:
- Walking distance to sites
- Restaurant variety
- Cable car access
- Tour operators
🚌San Pedro
Rough but authentic area with main bus terminal and prison
Best for:Budget backpackers and adventure seekers
Average cost:BOB 50-250/night ($7-36)
Vibe:Raw La Paz with edge and energy
Pros:
- Cheapest accommodation
- Bus terminal
- Local markets
- Authentic experience
☕Sopocachi
Hip neighborhood with restaurants, bars, and cultural venues
Best for:Digital nomads and comfort seekers
Average cost:BOB 200-500/night ($30-72)
Vibe:La Paz's answer to Brooklyn
Pros:
- Great cafes
- Safe nightlife
- Restaurant scene
- Cable car station
🏢Zona Sur
Wealthy suburbs 500m lower with international feel
Best for:Altitude sufferers and luxury seekers
Average cost:BOB 350-800/night ($50-115)
Vibe:Modern Bolivia with breathing room
Pros:
- Lower altitude
- Shopping malls
- Luxury hotels
- International dining
Staying in Centro Histórico
Pros
- Walking distance to sites
- Restaurant variety
- Cable car access
- Tour operators
Cons
- Can be pricey
- Tourist crowds
- Limited parking
Staying in San Pedro
Pros
- Cheapest accommodation
- Bus terminal
- Local markets
- Authentic experience
Cons
- Can be pricey
- Tourist crowds
- Limited parking
Budget Hotels & Hostels in La Paz
La Paz offers incredible value with South America's cheapest accommodation. Party hostels dominate budget scene. Mid-range delivers colonial charm. Luxury concentrated in Zona Sur. Many places cash-only. Altitude affects comfort more than price.
Top Hostels (BOB 50-120 ($7-17)/night)
Party Hostels
Wild Rover, Loki, social atmosphere, bar crawls
Boutique Hostels
Adventure Brew, The Bunkie, quieter vibe
Basic Hostels
Local-run, simple dorms, authentic experience
Budget Hotels (BOB 120-280 ($17-40)/night)
Colonial Hotels
Historic buildings, courtyards, breakfast included
Business Hotels
Modern amenities, reliable hot water, Wi-Fi
Altitude Hotels
Lower elevation, oxygen service, comfort focus
When to Book: Seasonal Price Guide
La Paz weather depends more on time of day than season. Sunny days, cold nights year-round. Altitude makes temperatures feel colder. Rain affects transport more than accommodation. Each season brings different festivals.
🔥 High Season: May-October (Dry Season)
Clear skies perfect for cable car views and day trips. Very cold nights - heating essential. June-August sees most tourists. Alasitas festival (January) and Carnival (February) also busy despite rain. Book ahead for popular hostels. Death Road best in dry season.
💰 Low Season: November-April (Rainy Season)
Afternoon showers common but mornings usually clear. Warmer but can affect transport to Lake Titicaca. Christmas/New Year busy with domestic tourists. Some mountain excursions limited. Better hotel deals. City itself always accessible.
Essential Booking Tips for La Paz
⚠️ Altitude Strategy for Accommodation
Your first nights crucial for acclimatization. Book somewhere quiet with coca tea service. Zona Sur sits 500m lower if really struggling. Avoid top floor rooms (more stairs!). Party hostels fun but hangovers at altitude are brutal. Many hotels offer oxygen.
ℹ️ Location Depends on Your Style
Backpackers: San Pedro for budget and buses. Culture seekers: Centro for museums and markets. Comfort lovers: Sopocachi for cafes and calm. Altitude sufferers: Zona Sur for easier breathing. Party animals: Wild Rover and surrounds. Choose based on priorities.
💡 Cable Car Changes Everything
Mi Teleférico makes neighborhoods more accessible. Stay anywhere near a station. Red Line connects Centro to El Alto. Yellow reaches Zona Sur. BOB 3 per ride - incredibly cheap. Views alone worth riding. Download route map. Avoid rush hours.
✅ Book Direct for Better Deals
Many hotels offer cash discounts (10-20%) for direct booking. Call or email in Spanish for best rates. Booking sites convenient but pricier. Long-stay discounts common. Some hostels have work-exchange programs. Market vendors can recommend cheap local options.
Getting Around La Paz
La Paz transport is an adventure starting with the world's best cable car system. Mi Teleférico runs ten lines connecting the bowl - use it for both transport and sightseeing (BOB 3 per ride). Buy a card and load multiple trips. Minibuses cost BOB 2-3 but routes confusing - shout your stop to the caller hanging from door. Trufis (shared taxis) follow fixed routes for BOB 3-5. Radio taxis safer than street hails, especially at night - about BOB 20-40 for most trips. Uber exists but limited. Walking steep and breathless - pace yourself. Main sights in Centro walkable but watch belongings. San Pedro rough after dark. Sopocachi safe for evening strolls. Rush hour chaos morning and evening. Traffic rules merely suggestions. Pedestrians have no rights - be careful crossing. El Alto airport 45 minutes by taxi (BOB 60-80) or minibus (BOB 5 but complicated with luggage). For Death Road and Lake Titicaca tours, operators include pickup. Download offline maps essential. Most importantly, take it slow - altitude makes everything harder. Rest often and enjoy the spectacular views from every corner!
Frequently Asked Questions About La Paz Accommodation
1 Which La Paz neighborhood is best for backpackers?
Zona Centro and San Pedro are backpacker hubs. Centro has most attractions walking distance plus party hostels like Wild Rover. San Pedro is grittier but authentic with budget options and the main bus terminal. Sopocachi offers calmer vibe with good cafes. Avoid wandering at night.
2 How do I handle the altitude in La Paz?
La Paz sits at 3,640m - arrive slowly if possible. Take it easy first 2-3 days. Most hotels offer coca tea (mate de coca) which helps. Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol initially. Zona Sur is 500m lower if struggling. Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue. Serious cases need descent.
3 Is the cable car safe and useful for tourists?
Mi Teleférico is very safe, affordable (BOB 3 per ride), and offers amazing views. Red Line connects downtown to El Alto. Yellow Line reaches Zona Sur. Great for sightseeing and practical transport. Runs 6am-10pm. Buy multi-trip cards. Avoid rush hours when packed.
4 Should I stay near the bus terminal?
San Pedro neighborhood has the main terminal with buses to Copacabana, Uyuni, and Peru. Convenient for early departures but area is rough. Many backpackers stay here for one night before onward travel. For longer stays, Centro or Sopocachi are nicer. Book terminal area cautiously.
5 What's the deal with San Pedro prison tours?
San Pedro prison was famous for informal tours led by inmates, but these are now illegal and dangerous. Don't trust anyone offering tours. The prison remains a functioning facility in the middle of the city. Appreciate from outside only. Many scams operate around this attraction.
Which La Paz neighborhood is best for backpackers?
How do I handle the altitude in La Paz?
Is the cable car safe and useful for tourists?
Should I stay near the bus terminal?
What's the deal with San Pedro prison tours?
Final Thoughts
La Paz assaults your senses and lungs simultaneously - a city that shouldn't exist yet thrives in defiance of logic, gravity, and oxygen levels. This vertical maze rewards those who embrace its chaos with experiences unavailable anywhere else on Earth. Choose your neighborhood based on altitude tolerance and adventure appetite: party in Centro's thin air, find authenticity in San Pedro's streets, sip flat whites in Sopocachi's calm, or breathe easier in Zona Sur's suburbs. The cable cars alone justify the journey, floating you above a sea of brick and tin while Illimani mountain watches eternally. Yes, you'll wheeze walking uphill. Yes, the traffic is terrifying. Yes, you might get food poisoning. But you'll also dance at the world's highest club, buy llama fetuses from bowler-hatted cholitas, ride cable cars through clouds, and understand why Bolivians choose to live on top of the world. Pack altitude pills, warm clothes, and patience. Whether crashing in a $7 dorm or splurging on oxygen-equipped luxury, La Paz delivers stories worth the breathlessness. Welcome to the city that sits on the roof of the world - where every breath is earned and every view is priceless!
Helpful Resources
About the Author
Isabella Rodriguez
Born in Buenos Aires and raised across Latin America, Isabella brings 15 years of travel writing experience to WanderTheWorld. Fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, she specializes in uncovering authentic South American experiences beyond the tourist trail. When not exploring new neighborhoods in Lima or sipping wine in Mendoza, she's teaching tango in her adopted home of Montevideo.
