Sightseeing OverviewLa Paz may lack the museums of Lima and the cultural life of Buenos Aires, but it more than compensates for these shortcomings with its vibrant street life – from the stalls that line the Prado, the city's main artery, to the sprawling market area southwest of Plaza San Francisco. The must-see
Museo de la Coca tackles the thorny issue of coca with an informed and objective jaunt through the history of the much-maligned coca leaf. It is a thought-provoking one hour visit, after which you can make up your own mind or ask questions of
the friendly staff. More unusual is the
Mercado de Hechiceria (Witches’ Market), where potions and charms designed to placate the Aymara spirit world are readily available. The perennial bestseller is the dried llama foetus, a ghoulish charred skeleton to be buried in the foundations of new homes or offices to ensure future prosperity.
Tourist InformationThe Bolivian Ministry of Tourism Edificio Palacio de Comunicaciones Piso 16
Tel: (02) 236 7464.
Website:
www.desarrollo.gov.bo/turismo/turismo/default.htmKey Attractions:Museo de Coca The city’s best museum tackles the thorny issue of coca with an informed and objective jaunt through the history of the much-maligned coca leaf. Surprisingly insightful, it leaves you to make up your own mind about a continually contentious topic.
Calle Linares 906
Tel: (02) 231 1998.
Website:
www.cocamuseum.com Museo Nacional de Arte La Paz’s finest baroque building includes a collection of Andean art classics spread across three floors, including works by Bolivia’s best-known artist, Melchor Pérez de Holguin.
Calle Socabaya 432
Tel: (02) 240 8600.
Website:
www.mna.org.bo The Mercado de Hechiceria (Witches' Market) The
Mercado de Hechiceria, where potions and charms designed to placate the Aymara spirit world are readily available, is La Paz’s most colorful site. The perennial bestseller is the dried llama foetus, a ghoulish charred skeleton to be buried in the foundations of new homes or offices to ensure future prosperity.
Calle Linares between Sagarnaga and Santa Cruz.
Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Plaza This popular museum has three floors of modern artworks set in a striking old colonial building (Gustave Eiffel was involved in the design), plus a peaceful on-site cafe. The standard of the works can be variable, but the setting is attractive.
Avenida 16 de Julio 1698
Tel: (02) 233 5905.
Museo Costumbrista La Paz’s best-preserved colonial street is home to four traditional museums of which the Museo Costumbrista, with displays on La Paz’s colorful history and characters, is the most rewarding. The ticket is valid for the other museums in the street.
Calle Jaén corner with Sucre
Tel: (02) 237 8478.
Further Distractions:Museo Nacional de Etnografia Housed in a historic building, this museum explores indigenous Indian culture through its arts and crafts, such as weavings and masks. One for anthropology buffs.
Calle Ingavi 916
Tel: (02) 235 8559.
La Paz Zoo Set amid one of the city’s few open spaces,
La Paz Zoo houses the animals in a park-like setting. A great spot for families, although often packed on Sundays. Located on the road to Rio Abajo, Zona Sur.
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The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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