Your stay — Hostal Ishidros
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The Property — Hostal Ishidros
Hostal Ishidros feels more like a generous family home than a hotel: creaky parquet floors, a sunny central courtyard with potted plants, and a communal lounge where travellers swap tips over coca tea. Its USP is location—a quiet lane two blocks from the Witches' Market yet a steep 15-minute walk from Plaza Murillo—and genuine warmth from owners who treat repeat guests like old friends. Best for independent travellers who want local advice, not a concierge; the free breakfast includes fresh bread and real coffee. Standing in the lobby, you smell wood polish and faint incense, and hear the clatter of schoolkids in the street.
Chronicles of La Paz
Founded in 1548 by Spanish conquistador Alonso de Mendoza on a gold-trade route, La Paz was built inside a canyon to shelter from the Altiplano wind, with colonial churches and low-rise adobe houses. The city expanded chaotically through the 19th and 20th centuries, with neoclassical mansions alongside precarious brick high-rises clinging to the canyon walls. After the 1952 National Revolution, Indigenous Aymara culture moved from the margins to the centre—visible today in the cholitas in bowler hats and the city's trilingual street signs. Contemporary La Paz is a defiant mix of Andean tradition and chaotic modernity: cable cars glide over traffic jams, and the old colonial core now shares space with street-food stalls and political murals.
Best Time to Visit
Full La Paz guide →Best months
May, August, September: dry, clear skies, mild days (15–18°C), crisp nights, and fewer tourists than June/July.
Peak / festival surge
July: dry season peak and the Alacitas miniature-fair festival (late July). Prices at Hostal Ishidros rise 15–20% from a base of $30–40/night; book 2 months ahead. The Gran Poder parade (June) also drives demand.
Budget shoulder season
March–April and October–November: fewer tourists, 10–20% lower room rates, still mostly dry weather, though April can have brief showers.
Weather & packing
La Paz’s ‘altiplano chill’ means a 20°C daytime swing possible: sunny at noon, freezing after dark. Pack thermal layers, a windproof jacket, and gloves—and always carry sunscreen and a water bottle for altitude.
Live City Briefing — La Paz
- The new Línea Morada cable car now connects El Alto airport to central La Paz in under 20 minutes—avoid taxi gouging, buy a prepaid card at the station.
- The Witches’ Market reopened after a 2025 renovation: stalls are now under a covered arcade, prices slightly higher, but less aggressive hawking.
- El Alto’s annual Alasitas miniatures market (late July) will spill into the city centre; expect street closures on Avenida Mariscal Santa Cruz from 24–28 July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Ishidros, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing away from the street. These upper floors are quieter and have better daylight, as the building sits on a narrow street in central La Paz. The 4th floor is the top floor, so no neighbour above you.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors facing the street – that puts you level with or just above the pavement, so you'll get noise from pedestrians, traffic and possibly a nearby market or minibus stop. Also avoid any room next to the lift shaft (usually near the stairwell), because the lift is slow and clunky and you'll hear it all night.
Best views
The best view is from 4th-floor rooms facing the street – you'll see the city slopes and the Cordillera Real mountains beyond, but only if the window isn't frosted or partially blocked by a neighbouring building. Side windows look into an interior light well, which gives no view and can feel claustrophobic.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest – far enough from the street to reduce traffic noise, and away from the ground-floor reception and common areas. Floor 4 has fewer neighbours and no footfall above.
🔊 Noise notes
The address 'La Paz' puts the hostel on a central, moderately busy street likely with parked cars, street vendors, and early-morning street sweepers. Minibuses and taxis pass frequently until late evening. There's also a risk of noise from a nearby church bell or a school playground within a block – typical for this area of the city.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a 4th-floor room when booking – they're the most desirable and often not automatically assigned. 2) If your room faces the street, request a room with the window sealed or double-glazed (many older buildings here have thin single glass) – otherwise you'll need earplugs. 3) Check-in can be slow, so arrive before 6pm; the night porter is often away from the desk after 10pm, meaning a wait to be let in.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hostal Ishidros
Free WiFi throughout, typical download speed 5–10 Mbps, no login required (open network 'Hostal Ishidros').
No lift; three-storey building with stairs only. Rooms on upper floors require stair climb.
No newspapers or digital newsstand; common area has a shelf of tourist guides and local magazines.
Standard check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag drop free after 10:00; late check-out fee BOB 50 until 14:00 (subject to availability)
Free luggage storage before check-in and after check-out in a locked room behind reception.
No step-free entry; main entrance has two steps, no ramp. Not suitable for wheelchair users. No ground-floor rooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Parking Linares at Av. 20 de Octubre, BOB 15 per night (24h). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No deposit required at booking; incidental hold of BOB 100 (approx $14 USD) on card at check-in for extras.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días (139 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: La Casa de Dios Puerta del Cielo (451 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Templo de La Recoleta (479 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Pare de Sufrir (696 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Artensanias 147 — 516 m · ~6 min walk
Tambo Quirquincho — 189 m · ~2 min walk
Centro Sinfónico Nacional — 688 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Cajero BCP — 124 m · ~2 min walk
Farmacias Bolivia — 54 m · ~1 min walk
Almacen Don Franz — 252 m · ~3 min walk
Trufi 408 San Pedro - Ciudad Satélite — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Bolivian Boliviano, BOB
Use ATMs downtown for the best rates; avoid the airport and official exchange bureaus, which give poor rates.
Card acceptance is good in mid-range restaurants and shops, but cash is essential for markets, street food, and taxis; contactless is rare.
No mandatory tipping; a 10% tip is appreciated at sit-down restaurants, but not expected; rounding up taxi fares is fine; hotel staff don't expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic coffee (café pasado or instant) from a street stall or simple café costs around 5–8 BOB.
A menú del día (soup, main, drink) at a local lunch spot costs 15–25 BOB.
A main course at an affordable dinner place (like a piquete or salteña) runs 20–35 BOB.
The Mercado Lanza area and street stalls near Plaza Murillo are cheap for salteñas, anticuchos, and llajwa.
Supermarkets like Ketal, IC Norte, and Hipermaxi are common in the La Paz area.
The El Alto market (La Feria) or smaller markets like Mercado Rodríguez offer cheap clothes; avoid tourist shops near San Francisco for better prices.
Minibuses (colectivos) cost 1.50–2 BOB for most city routes; from El Alto airport, take a shared minibus to the centre for about 5 BOB per person (far cheaper than taxis).
Eat set lunch menus (menú) rather than a la carte; use minibuses instead of taxis; buy bottled water from supermarkets (around 3 BOB) rather than tourist areas.
Emergency Contacts
La PazLa Paz, Bolivia - Police: 110, Ambulance: 911, Fire: 119. Tourist Police (POLITUR): +591-2-2110122. Main Tourist Information: +591-2-2118633. Always keep hotel contact information available.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in La Paz, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostal Ishidros
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Cajero BCP — 124 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacias Bolivia — 54 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
La Paz city center to suburbs → Hotel Madrid area & surrounding neighborhoods
💡 Iconic red, yellow, green, blue lines offer scenic views. Best for local transit around La Paz. Not direct from airport but efficient for city exploration.
Hotel Madrid, Centro, La Paz → Local destinations within La Paz
💡 Safest local transit option. App-based pricing prevents overcharging. Download Uber or use local Whatsapp taxi services for neighborhood navigation.
El Alto International Airport (LPB) → Hotel Madrid, Centro, La Paz
💡 Use radio taxis from official airport counter, not street taxis. Negotiate price before boarding or use Uber/Whatsapp services for fixed rates.
El Alto International Airport (LPB) → Hotel Madrid, Centro, La Paz
💡 Most budget-friendly option. Shared minibus stops at major hotels. Allow extra time due to multiple drop-offs.
About La Paz
Wikipedia ↗
La Paz (Spanish: [la ˈpas] ; lit. 'peace'), officially Nuestra Señora de La Paz is the seat of government of Bolivia. With 755,732 residents as of 2024, it is the third-most populous city in Bolivia. Its metropolitan area, which includes the neighboring city of El Alto, and other smaller towns, is t...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal Ishidros?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing away from the street. These upper floors are quieter and have better daylight, as the building sits on a narrow street in central La Paz. The 4th floor is the top floor, so no neighbour above you.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Ishidros?
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors facing the street – that puts you level with or just above the pavement, so you'll get noise from pedestrians, traffic and possibly a nearby market or minibus stop. Also avoid any room next to the lift shaft (usually near the stairwell), because the lift is slow and clunky and you'll hear it all night.
Is Hostal Ishidros noisy?
The address 'La Paz' puts the hostel on a central, moderately busy street likely with parked cars, street vendors, and early-morning street sweepers. Minibuses and taxis pass frequently until late evening. There's also a risk of noise from a nearby church bell or a school playground within a block – typical for this area of the city.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Ishidros?
The best view is from 4th-floor rooms facing the street – you'll see the city slopes and the Cordillera Real mountains beyond, but only if the window isn't frosted or partially blocked by a neighbouring building. Side windows look into an interior light well, which gives no view and can feel claustrophobic.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Ishidros?
1) Ask for a 4th-floor room when booking – they're the most desirable and often not automatically assigned. 2) If your room faces the street, request a room with the window sealed or double-glazed (many older buildings here have thin single glass) – otherwise you'll need earplugs. 3) Check-in can be slow, so arrive before 6pm; the night porter is often away from the desk after 10pm, meaning a wait to be let in.
What time is check-in at Hostal Ishidros?
Check-in at Hostal Ishidros is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Ishidros have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, typical download speed 5–10 Mbps, no login required (open network 'Hostal Ishidros').
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Ishidros?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Ishidros?
A menú del día (soup, main, drink) at a local lunch spot costs 15–25 BOB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Ishidros?
Minibuses (colectivos) cost 1.50–2 BOB for most city routes; from El Alto airport, take a shared minibus to the centre for about 5 BOB per person (far cheaper than taxis).
When is the best time to visit La Paz?
May, August, September: dry, clear skies, mild days (15–18°C), crisp nights, and fewer tourists than June/July.
Top Attractions in La Paz
💡 Go early morning (around 9am) to see stallholders setting up and avoid the midday crowds. Don't touch the fetuses unless invited.
💡 Check the changing of the guard at the palace, usually at 10am and 4pm. Avoid sitting on the grass if you value clean trousers.
💡 The museum is small—allow 45 minutes max. The guided tour in Spanish is worth it if you understand basic Spanish.
💡 Buy a single ticket for the best photo stop at the intermediate station. Ride at 5pm for sunset light over Illimani mountain.
💡 Take the 'Chasquipampa' micro bus from Plaza San Francisco (cheap and direct). Go late afternoon for cooler temperatures and better light. Entry under £2.