La Paz: Walking City Tour & Cable Cars with Witches Market

Summary

La Paz streets witches markets cable car views and local stories

You’ll start at San Francisco Church in La Paz before wandering through two wildly different witches markets with your local guide. Ride cable cars over rooftops for unreal city views, hear strange tales about San Pedro Prison, then end on colorful Jaen street after weaving through open-air markets. Expect surprises — both weird and wonderful.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is standing outside San Francisco Church, watching people hurry past with bags of bread and bright shawls pulled tight against the wind. Our guide, Carla, waved us over — she had this easy laugh that made you feel like you’d known her longer than five minutes. There was a guy selling fresh orange juice by the steps and I almost stopped for one, but Carla promised we’d find something even weirder at the Witches Market. She wasn’t kidding.

The Witches Market in La Paz smells like incense and dried herbs — there are tiny llama fetuses hanging above stalls (I know, it’s wild), and women in bowler hats who don’t look up unless you ask about a potion. Carla explained what everything meant, but honestly I got distracted by a woman chanting softly behind a curtain. We walked through narrow streets where vendors sold everything from plastic toys to little bags of coca leaves. Then we hit San Pedro square — the prison looms right there, huge and strange. You can’t go inside but Carla told us stories about life behind those walls; I still think about some of them.

After that it was straight to the cable cars — those red ones that float over La Paz like slow-motion carnival rides. The city looks totally different from up there: patchwork roofs, distant mountains, dogs barking below. At El Alto’s market (a second witches market — way bigger and louder), I tried to buy a charm for luck. My Spanish failed me and the vendor just grinned and handed me something anyway. On Thursdays and Sundays you get this flea market chaos too — piles of shoes, radios from another century, people yelling prices over each other.

We finished on Jaen street where the buildings are painted these deep reds and blues; it was quieter there, almost sleepy compared to everywhere else. By the time we circled back to San Francisco Church my legs were tired but my head was full of stories — some funny, some kind of heavy. If you want a walking tour of La Paz that’s more than just facts (and includes cable car rides with a local guide), this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — La Paz walking tour and cable cars

• Start at San Francisco Church
• Visit Witches Market of La Paz
• See San Pedro Square and jail exterior
• Take various cable car lines
• Visit Witches Market of El Alto
• Explore flea market on Thursday or Sunday
• Return to La Paz and visit Jaen Street
• See main square and cathedral
• Walk through open air markets and shops
• Finish back at San Francisco Church

Top questions

How long does the La Paz walking city tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.

Is hotel pickup included for this La Paz tour?

No, hotel pickup is not included; you meet at San Francisco Church.

Are cable car tickets included in the walking tour?

Cable car rides are part of the experience; check with your guide if tickets are covered on arrival.

Is this La Paz city tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

What should I wear for this day trip in La Paz?

A smart casual dress code is recommended; bring layers for changing weather.

Does this tour visit inside San Pedro Prison?

No, you only see San Pedro Prison from outside while hearing its history.

How many people are in each group?

The group size is no more than 15 people.

Is a passport required during the tour?

A valid passport is required on the day of travel for identification purposes.

What’s included

Your day includes walking with a knowledgeable local guide through central La Paz’s landmarks and markets plus several cable car rides across town; all operated rain or shine so just dress accordingly before meeting up at San Francisco Church.