Experience the Everyday lives of Bolivians!
High above and adjacent to La Paz lies conjoined city of El Alto. Buzzing with life and energy, El Alto offers travelers fantastic views of the La Paz and the surrounding mountainous landscapes. The best attraction in El Alto are the amazing and massive markets of El Alto. This market spans over several kilometers and it’s the largest open-air market in South America! I highly recommend that any visit to El Alto includes experience the buzz and ambience of the El Alto markets! It will be an authentic Bolivian travel experience!
What You Need to Know
The El Alto markets take place on Thursdays and Sundays every week of the year. They start from 10:00 and finish at 18:00. As the altitude is higher than La Paz you will get fatigued more easily. So, I suggest that you take your time whilst walking around the market. Sit down and take more frequent breaks if you’re feeling a bit unwell. Do not carry any unnecessary weight as it will fatigue you more.
Bring some proper Winter clothes as it El Alto significantly colder than La Paz! A jacket, scarf, gloves and beanies will serve you well up here!
Be wary of the food in El Alto as it can be toxic. Just use your common sense and avoid foods that present a risk. In particular, look at the cleanliness of the cooking facilities. Avoid foods that look like they have been sitting around for a while. Avoid foods that need to be refrigerated like dairy and fruit juices for example. Foods that are baked or fried are usually safer. Drink bottled products such as soft drink. It might be better idea to eat something in La Paz first and arrive to El Alto with a full stomach!
Is El Alto safe?
El Alto has a reputation of being a bit sketchy. But if you take common sense measures you shouldn’t have a problem. My advice is to take only the money that you need for your time in El Alto. Keep the money you have well concealed. Wear basic clothes with no jewelry, watches etc. Keep a sharp lookout of your surroundings. I have been several times the markets in El Alto and never had a problem. If you follow these commonsense measures, you shouldn’t either.
Immerse yourself in the Amazing and Massive Markets!
Spanning over 5 kilometers, experiencing the El Alto markets certainly won’t be a boring experience! A wide variety of products are available here, from clothes, shoes, jewelry, DVD’s, videogames, bags, car parts, tools and many more! Any household item you could possibly think of can think of can be found here! Walk around as much as you like and if something interests you, don’t be afraid to haggle the price! I highly recommend coming here to get an authentic Bolivian travel experience you won’t forget!
How to get here
From most places in La Paz, the fastest way to get to the El Alto markets is by the Teleferico (cable car system). If you’re in the central part near Plaza Mayor de San Francisco, take a short downhill walk to the Teleferico Morado Station (Obelisco, purple color).
When you buy your tickets tell the clerk that you want to go to ’16 de Julio’ station. It should cost 6 bs. Travel on the purple line and get off at the first station called ‘Faro Murillo’. From here, change to the silver line (linea plateda) in the direction of ’16 de Julio’ station. It will be the first station on the silver line so get off here. Exit the 16 de Julio station and you will be at the El Alto markets!
Teleferico routes are also available via the yellow line if you’re in the Southern part of La Paz, or the red line if you’re near the bus terminal or the La Paz general cemetery North of the Plaza Mayor de San Francisco.
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