South America > Bolivia > La Paz (LPB)
The Car or no Car advice for La Paz can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in La Paz ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in La Paz ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in La Paz?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
📍 Getting Around La Paz — the Reality
La Paz is dense, steep, and vertical.
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Built in a deep bowl with El Alto above
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Roads are narrow and often congested
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Driving conditions can feel chaotic to visitors
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Parking is difficult in central areas
A car rarely makes city travel easier.
🚠 The Mi Teleférico Changes Everything
La Paz’s greatest transport asset is Mi Teleférico, the world’s largest urban cable car system.
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Multiple colour-coded lines criss-cross the city
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Fast, frequent, and affordable
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Stunning views over the city and mountains
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Direct links between La Paz and El Alto
For visitors, it’s both practical transport and a major attraction.
🚶♂️ Walking, Taxis, and Local Transport
Within neighbourhoods, walking and taxis work well.
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Many attractions cluster centrally
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Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive
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Ride-hailing apps reduce language barriers
Walking distances are short, but altitude and gradients are factors.
🚗 Why Driving in the City Rarely Makes Sense
Driving in La Paz comes with real drawbacks.
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Heavy traffic at most hours
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Aggressive driving styles
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Complex junctions and limited signage
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Stress far outweighs convenience
Even confident drivers usually regret renting a car just for the city.
🏔️ When a Car Might Be Useful
A car only becomes relevant outside the urban area.
It can help with:
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Longer trips into the Altiplano
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Remote destinations beyond public transport
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Multi-day regional itineraries
Even then, many travellers opt for drivers or organised tours instead of self-drive.
⚠️ Practical Considerations
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High altitude affects concentration and stamina
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Weather can change quickly
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Road conditions vary widely outside cities
Hiring a local driver is often safer and simpler.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in La Paz?
No — emphatically not for the city.
La Paz is best experienced via cable cars, walking, and taxis. Driving adds stress without adding value, and the city’s unique transport systems make a car unnecessary.
💡 Rule of thumb:
In La Paz, let the cable cars do the climbing. 🚠🏔️
