Mountains to Mirrors: La Paz and the Uyuni Salt Flats of Bolivia

Mountains to Mirrors: La Paz and the Uyuni Salt Flats of Bolivia

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Be sure to take stunning photos, where you can play with a lot of depth perception camera angles!ย 

However, Bolivia is more than its salt flats. During the months that I spent there, Bolivia's rising culinary scene, unique topography, and warmth of the people really got to me. If you're committed to Bolivia, I highly recommend exploring Sucre, Santa Cruz, and Potosi, but for now let's touch on the capital, La Paz.ย 

La Paz: To New Heights

Sights & Attractions

The Witches' Market
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If you're looking for something a little different... Nestled in the winding cobblestone streets of La Paz, the Mercado de las Brujas, or the Witches' Market, offers a glimpse into the mystical heart of Bolivian culture. This intriguing bazaar is where Aymara healers, known as yatiris, sell an array of traditional spiritual items and folk remedies. Shoppers and curious onlookers can find everything from dried herbs, potions, and medicinal plants to talismans and amulets. The most striking, perhaps, are the dried llama fetuses, which are buried under the foundations of many Bolivian homes as an offering to the goddess Pachamama, ensuring good fortune and protection. The Witches' Market is not just a market but a vibrant representation of ancient Andean practices surviving in the modern world ๐Ÿง™๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ
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Coca Museum
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Learn about the multi-faceted coca leaves and their significance in South America economy. Not only an antidote to altitude sickness, the coca leaf is also a controversial plant in history, drug trade, and medicine.
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Valle de la Luna
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Come for the surreal views and a quick day trip - closest you're gonna get to the moon unless you're homies w/ Elon.
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Plaza Mayor de San Francisco
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Must-Do: As you weave through the bustling streets of La Paz, you'll soon realize that the city's heart beats not only in its lively markets and colorful festivals but also in its remarkable sky-high transit systemโ€”the Mi Telefรฉrico cable cars! Just hop on and get off when it suits you, I loved getting lost on the different colored lines and marveling at the towns overlaid and blended together, watching the locals do their daily commute, and landing on a surprise weekend market just outside the station.ย 

Picture this: a network of sleek cable cars gliding gracefully above the urban sprawl, connecting the dizzying heights of the world's highest capital to the sprawling city of El Alto above.ย 

Fine Dining Restaurants ($30-60/pp):ย 

Gustu
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Gustu was conceived by Claus Meyer, co-founder of the renowned Noma in Copenhagen. Gustu has carved out a niche for itself by championing the concept of "Bolivian haute cuisine." The menu at Gustu is a testament to the country's biodiversity, featuring locally sourced produce and celebrating traditional Bolivian flavors with a contemporary twist. Gustu has been instrumental in putting Bolivian cuisine on the global gastronomic map, attracting food enthusiasts from around the world.
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Proyecto Nativa La Paz
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This one was a *top favorite* of mine! It's a #iykyk spot and the dishes are so creative, and they offer an alcohol pairing as well.
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Bolivian Popular Food
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Come for the 3-course lunch and arrive early to put your name down! LOVED this spot.
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Ali Pacha
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For the vegans!
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La Paz Eats:ย 

The Carrot Tree Centro
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Cafรฉ del Mundo
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Bolivian Green Kitchen
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The Carrot Tree Sopocachi
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Manq'a Restaurante
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Cafes:ย 

The Writer's Coffee
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Hb Bronze Coffeebar
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Biofilia Cafรฉ
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Lucky Cup
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Lovely ambience, expansive menu, and great second floor balcony
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Craving something else?ย 

Curry House
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Corea Town
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Churrasqueria Sabor Argentino
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Sushi TIME
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AKAI RAMEN ่ตคใ„ใƒฉใƒผใƒกใƒณ
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THAYA ice bar
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Aรงaรญ Shop Express - La Paz
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Let me know your favorite parts of La Paz and drink some coca tea to combat the altitude ๐Ÿต!ย 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
โœˆ๏ธ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿปโ€๐Ÿ’ป Hi! I'm Jovi, originally from LA, and now a digital nomad working remotely! I share my travel & food recs on TikTok. As a travel consultant, I'm here to help you enjoy the time of your life whether it's a day trip, 2-week vacation, or a permanent move navigating a new country. Having spent many hours researching myself, I can't wait to share my findings with you! --- Overview: ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ด๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡พ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ Over the past couple years, my focus has been on South America (Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile), India, and Taiwan. Upcoming trips include Vegas, NYC, Mexico, Japan, and more! ๐Ÿคฏ These guides will help you explore the best sights, food stops, the best neighborhoods and โ˜•๏ธ coffee shops (with reliable internet) You'll catch me trying new foods, trekking through touristy/off the beaten path destinations, and trying to find all the best wfh-friendly spots. I especially love ๐Ÿต + ๐Ÿฃ and tend to live in a new city for a month at a time so we can dive into the details. If you've ever asked yourself these questions, then you're in the right spot: - How long should I spend in this country? - I've been considering the digital nomad lifestyle. How do I start, stay focused, and find a remote job while guaranteeing strong wifi connectivity? - What are safe but poppin neighborhoods in this city? - How do I make the most of my week-long vacation in X country? - I don't want to just do the touristy things here. What other attractions are off the beaten path? ___ Specialties: - Optimizing for fun, safe, and exciting neighborhoods - Discovering unique food spots - Avid traveler (20+ countries) - Digital nomad: I'm all about that mpbs speed! โœ… Subscribe to stay up to date with new guides/maps and special offers! ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿป Open to travel collabs ๐ŸŒŽ Check out my Guides section to see the travel services I offer for 1.1 travel consultations, customized itineraries based on your travel preferences, and how to kick off your remote lifestyle!
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