Although Bolivia is regarded as a safe country, La Paz is not the safest city, so common sense is recommended like in any other major city. Petty crime is common in the downtown area, on buses and other popular areas among tourists that tend to get crowded like Sagarnaga Street. Be particularly alert around the San Francisco church, El Alto market, and markets in the Sopocachi area as pickpocketing and mugging during the evening have increased. 

In our experience whilst travelling in La Paz, safety is good in the historical centre of La Paz close to "Mercado de Brujas" and its adjacent areas, as they are very popular tourist areas. Crimes of opportunity are only carried out by being careless. However, walking away from the city centre, (historical centre), at night is not recommended. Always take authorised taxis when travelling from one neighborhood to another after sunset. 

La Paz's climate can vary greatly from area to area, owing largely to the differing attitudes across the city. Visitors can expect year-round bright and sunny conditions, though rain can shower down during summer afternoons , from December to March. The city's close proximity to mountains means the sun sets relatively early, and temperatures can plummet at night. After-dark temperatures can dip to below freezing in winter. 

One the plus side, year-round temperatures are cool to mild, with the average being 22°C in summer, and 15°C in winter. Winter (May to October) is peak travel season generally because of the drier conditions and safer travel by road.

❗Attention: It's advised to stay hydrated during your stay in La Paz, because of it's high altitude and less oxygen levels, one can feel dehydrated easily. Drinking mineral water, using lip balm, sun screen, wearing hats and sunglasses, sleeping well and avoiding alcohol is key to overcome the effects of the height sickness, or at least it will help to overcome them sooner.

Firstly, when arriving to La Paz, most travellers arrive by air or bus. The Airport is located 15 Km from La Paz city, which makes for a 30 minute ride. Taxis are the preferred way of transportation. They cost 100 Bon to take you to your hotel. There is also a "combi", which is a van, number 212, which leaves daytimes every 5-10 minutes to the city centre for only 5 Bob. It will drop you off close to San Francisco Church. (Note that if you have luggage it can be hard to walk later up the streets in La Paz). If you arrive by Bus, the main terminal is located 15 min walk (up/down hill) from the city centre. Again a taxi would be the preferred way to get to your hotel if you have luggage. 

Once in La Paz, much of the city is walkable, though hillsides may be challenging. Buses and mini-buses operate along many routes, and plenty of taxis are available. There is also an interesting way of public transport, the cable cars (Mi Teleferico) that for many, will look like tourism attractions in themselves. Taking the cable car is fun, safe, cheap (only 3 Bob one way) and reliable. There are 11 lines which to choose from, many which are linked. However, each time you take a different line, you need to exit and pay a new fare. The most popular lines to take are the red and yellow line. You can view the map below via the link.

Local transport is extremely cheap. That said, the bus system can seem incredibly chaotic for the uninitiated, making taxis the better bet in most cases. Also note the busses which operate in La Paz, are very old, emitting a lot of pollution. 

✔️Tip: Travellers should carry small denominations of money if you take local busses, taxis or combis, as often locals are unwilling or unable to give change for large notes. The same advice applies to shopping and sightseeing. Practically everything must be paid in cash. Taking tours is the best way to see the outskirts of La Paz, enquire at the many agencies which are located in the historic centre.

❗Attention: Taking transport in Bolivia requires some patience and understanding. Most services can run delayed or suffer from timetable alterations last minute. This is related to taking busses mostly, but can also affect flights when the weather is bad.

If you are spending a week or more in La Paz, you will probably hear a lot about these two areas, Tiwanaku and Sun Island or Isla del Sol in Spanish. 

• Tiwanaku, is a Pre-Ican town located 20 km south-eastern shore of Lake Titicaca, or 75 Km from La Paz. The area has grown in popularity for being an important Pre-Columbian archaeological site of Tiwanaku culture. There are ruins of the ancient city, known as, Kalasasaya and other important buildings; Puma Punku, Door of the Sun, Monolito Ponce, Keri Cala, Putuni, Laka Kollu, the Akapana pyramid and Wila Pukara, which served as residence to the priestly elite. Many constructions of Tiwanaku architecture have not been maintained due to the low resistance of the adobe (Mass of mud and straw, molded shaped bricks) against severe weather conditions in the highland region.
  
  Getting to Tiwanaku can be done by tour or alone. If you decide to do it yourself, knowing some Spanish will be useful and taking small change. Near the Cementerio General (the city's largest cemetery) you will find some minivans, which have the destinations written on the window. They normally charge Bs. 15-20 one way. Be sure to ask them if they go to "las ruinas de Tiwanaku" because some of them will take you only to the town itself, which is about 2 Km from the actual site of the ruins. Note that the minivans usually are a tight fit, and can make many stops as needed per passengers hoping on/off the entire trip, taking from 1 to 2 hours. Another option is taking a regular bus from the city terminal at La Paz. They cost 50 Bob one way and are more comfortable but have less frequencies, so finding out the timetables is a good option beforehand.

• The other adventure is to travel to Isla del Sol. This island is a tranquil little escape from the hustle and bustle of South America. The island boasts a stunning landscape, typical island life, everything is laid back and moves at a slower pace. There are some great hiking trails, incredible lookout points, Incan ruins, free-roaming livestock, interesting places to stay and loads of local culture & tradition. Isla del Sol is located within the Lake Titicaca, considered to be the highest navigable lake in the entire world. It’s also South America’s largest lake. 
  
  Getting to the Island is exclusively by boat. The most common and easiest way is from Copacabana. There are only two ferries each day, at 8.30am and 13.30pm for 20 Bob one way. Hence, you must first make your way to Copacabana on mainland Bolivia (regular busses for 50 Bob from La Paz). 

✔️Tip: Because of the long distance, it's advised to stay in Isla del Sol or Copacabana overnight to break up the journey. From La Paz it can take 4 hours one way to Copacabana. 

La Paz’s club scene isn’t the most cutting edge, moreover, with numbingly generic Latin pop, rock, salsa, cumbia and Eighties music commonplace. You’ll find genuine Latin jazz/salsa, Brazilian, world, reggae, house, hip hop, techno, drum’n’bass and rock music places around the city.

❗Attention: Late evenings and nights are when pickpockets and thiefs take opportunity of tourists out and about drinking and being less careful on belongings.
It is safest not to walk around alone at night in the city and ONLY official, pre-ordered or radio taxi cabs should be used. Don't walk alone in isolated areas, with little or no people. If someone in a bar or club invites you out alone or insists in taking you somewhere else, immediately refuse. People who tend to be too pushy or direct can be fake, and this can be because they are after your money, obtain personal information from you to know where you stay and then steal or mug you.

Shopping in La Paz is as easy going as many other things that you may do in this historic city. Walk through the stalls, which are located in various areas of it, or visit the many shops in the heart of the city. On the paved streets of Calle Linares, Mercado de Las Brujas, or the Witches Market, you'll find Bolivian food, ethnic items, and many other things of interest. Take note that many shops are actually stalls, street side markets, floor sellers and many more basic ways of selling all kind of items. The most popular places for shopping in La Paz are divided in the following list:

• Mercado Artezanal: This market in Calle Linares sells a huge variety of handicrafts at various prices. The goods are arranged neatly, so that potential buyers may browse at their own pleasure. 
• Witches' Market: The Witches' Market is the most common gathering spot for all locals in La Paz. Situated on Calle Jimenez and Linares, locals go to the Witches' Market to get llama fetuses and dried frogs for Aymara ceremonies, soapstone sculptures and aphrodisiacs. The market displays its clients' herbs, folk medications and a diversity of unique items used to control the many spirits that occupy the Aymara world.
• Sagarnaga Street: For distinctive Bolivian souvenirs, particularly merchandises made from the wool of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. There is an immense variety of silver jewelry, handicrafts, etc. Wood sculptures are few and far between, as they take a lot of time to carve.
• Ayni: More than thirty craft workshops sell high-quality products in Ayni Market La Paz. There are more than 200 families of artisans making and selling things that provide them with decent work, a safe environment. Their goal is to improve their living conditions through Fair Trade.
• Mercado Negro: La Paz’s Mercado Negro, is a tourist attraction in itself. An extensive network of quirky market stalls,  black market goods, along with everything else under the sun. It’s one of the most captivating Andean bazaars ever for the variety and the amount of goods sold. Entire streets are filled with household goods and garments. You can begin shopping at the crossroads of Calle Max Parede and Calle Graneros.

Staying in La Paz, as much as, all Bolivia is not a major problem for all types of budgets. Even decent hotels are an affordable option to many spending conscious travellers. An average of $30 per room per night can be found in central hotels around the tourist areas and the city centre. Private homes, like Airbnb style, for shared accomodation is not as popular as other countries however the trend is slowing growing amongst locals to rent spare rooms. 

However, you need to consider a few things before staying in local homes: Safety of the area, conditions of the property (locks, accessibility from outside..), reviews of the home and distance to city centre or attractions. Advice is given to spend a little more in a hotel with better reviews and a decent price, rather than the cheapest option. (for safety). 

La Paz, like most of Bolivia, is an ideal destination for backpackers and the adventurous type of traveller. Therefore hostels, shared dormitory rooms and budget rooms are the primarily types of main accommodation you will in Bolivia, at good prices, but bare in mind, that such normal things like Wifi speed, hot water, electricity or heating might be limited or not available. 

❗Attention: As in all South America, leaving your possessions lying around in the room after you go visiting is not advised. Even in private rooms and good quality Hotels, there are chances of robbery and theft, when people know there are tourists staying. (normally people outside the working hotel, but sometimes from inside). Always pack valuables/electronics/passports in your luggage and lock your luggage securely. Also don't leave windows open when leaving your room and if possible draw the curtains to avoid people looking in. If hotels offer a safe, it's also a good idea to use them, even they require a deposit. 

The size of La Paz, might suggest that one would need whole weeks to explore the city. However, because the main tourist areas are well located together, to visit La Paz doesn't take long, theoretically. However, to walk and discover the city, implies some time to get used to the heights, and the streets being all up/down hill doesn't help much either. This makes for added tiredness and can make you, take many brakes when walking.
If you try to over do it and cover as much as possible in a short time, then you will most likely fall into height sickness. 

The good news is that, thanks to the cable car system, you can travel around La Paz from the sky, and watch everything below and cover most of the city. Taking a round trip by cable car is the perfect activity to see most of La Paz from high above and get off at selected stations.

Not to forget, La Paz is not only city tourism, there are a many tours which operate to see the landscape, mountains, lakes, jungle and the "Death Road" for example.
The best advice is to give yourself 2 days to relax in La Paz first after arriving to get used to the height. Take one day to explore the city by Cable Car and another 2/3 days for the tours. Therefore 5 to 6 nights would be a nice time to complete the city calmly and recover energy for your next stop!