La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of government, is one of the world’s highest capital cities, dramatically set in a deep canyon carved by the Choqueyapu River. Founded in 1548 atop an important Indigenous settlement, the city has long been a crossroads of Andean cultures, colonial history, and modern political life. Its layered neighborhoods climb steep canyon walls, with historic plazas and government buildings anchored in the lower city and expanding urban districts rising toward the surrounding plateau.

The city’s landscape is defined by altitude and contrast. Snowcapped Mount Illimani dominates the skyline, while the nearby Altiplano stretches toward Lake Titicaca. La Paz’s cable car system, one of the most extensive urban networks of its kind, offers sweeping views across rooftops, mountains, and valleys. Markets such as Mercado de las Brujas reflect enduring Aymara traditions, while nearby archaeological sites like Tiwanaku highlight the region’s deep pre-Columbian roots.

La Paz feels intense, energetic, and deeply rooted in place. Daily life unfolds amid thin air, steep streets, and constant motion, balanced by moments of ceremony, color, and quiet resilience. The city’s blend of Indigenous identity, striking geography, and lived history creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in South America, leaving a lasting impression on those who experience it.