Your stay — Hostal
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The Property — Hostal
Hostal is a modest 3-star in central La Paz, just off the chaotic Prado. The lobby is small and functional – wooden reception desk, worn leather chairs, a noticeboard with tour leaflets – and the vibe is no-frills practical. It suits budget-conscious travellers who value location over luxury and need a clean, safe base for a night or two before exploring the city or heading to the Uyuni salt flats.
Chronicles of La Paz
La Paz was founded in 1548 by Spanish conquistador Alonso de Mendoza as a staging post between Potosí's silver mines and Lima. The city grew rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries, with the colonial grid spreading up the steep canyon walls. Today, its architecture is a jumble of Spanish baroque churches, Art Deco government buildings, and glassy high-rises that cling to the altiplano. Culturally, La Paz is the de facto capital of Bolivia’s indigenous Aymara majority, whose influence pulses through the Witches’ Market and the annual Alasitas festival.
Best Time to Visit
Full La Paz guide →Best months
May, June, September – clear skies, mild days (15–20°C), and thin crowds before/after peak tourist season.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak – dry season, the Gran Poder parade (late June/early July) and school holidays drive demand. Hotel prices can jump 20–30%, and last-minute availability is tight. The cold nights (near 0°C) add to the challenge.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer discounts of 15–25% on rooms, still mostly dry weather, and fewer tourists clogging the cable cars.
Weather & packing
La Paz sits at 3,650m – the altitude means rapid temperature swings: can be 20°C midday and below zero after sunset. Pack base layers, a warm mid-layer, and a windproof shell – and always carry a hat and sunscreen, as UV is fierce regardless of temperature.
Live City Briefing — La Paz
- The Línea Roja aerial cable car now runs direct from the city centre to El Alto airport – a 15-minute journey that bypasses traffic for BOB 15.
- San Francisco Church’s main courtyard partially reopened mid-2025 after restoration works; the interior is still closed for structural repairs.
- Heavy rains in late 2025 delayed the reopening of the Chacaltaya road – still closed for repairs. Check with tour operators for updates if you plan to visit the ski resort ruins.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (4th or 5th floor and above) for a quieter stay. These rooms are likely to be farther away from the noise of the street and service entrance.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms near the service entrance or lift on lower floors (1st to 3rd floor) are best avoided, as they may be noisier due to foot traffic and potential noise from the service area.
Best views
Given the hotel's location, rooms on the higher floors may offer views of the city, although the surrounding buildings may obstruct the view.
Quietest floors
The 4th and 5th floors are likely to be the quietest due to their distance from the street and service entrance.
🔊 Noise notes
Be aware that La Paz is a bustling city, and noise from the street, traffic, and nearby bars may carry over to the hotel, especially on lower floors.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk and ask for assistance with parking, as parking options in La Paz can be limited. Request a room with a balcony for a better view of the city, but be aware that the balconies may be small and not all rooms have them.
- 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
free; 10 MB/s speed; no login constraints
serves all floors; historic section on floor 3 has stairs-only access
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on rooms' tablets
14:00 - 22:00; early bag-drop available from 06:00; late check-out until 15:00 at Bs 100
limited space available at front desk; free of charge
step-free access; wheelchair entries; some structural limitations on floor 4
limited on-site parking available; Bs 20 per night; nearest public car park (4-minute walk) at Bs 10 per hour; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Bs 12 per person per night (mandatory)
Deposit & card hold: Bs 50 advance deposit + Bs 100 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Evangelica El Redentor (298 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Cristiana Evangélica Dios es Amor (312 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Dia (351 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: iglesia Corazón de Maria (585 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Shopping Norte — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Cruz Roja — 446 m · ~6 min walk
Museo de Textiles Andinos Bolivianos — 597 m · ~7 min walk
La Cueva de Cuentacuentos — 665 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco Unión — 232 m · ~3 min walk
Farmacia Uriel — 205 m · ~3 min walk
Dany's Market — 345 m · ~4 min walk
386 — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Boliviano, BOB
Change money at banks or currency exchange offices in the city centre, avoid airport or tourist bureau rates which are often poor. Banks are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm.
Credit cards are widely accepted at major businesses, but cash is still king in local markets and street stalls. Contactless payments are available at some larger shops and restaurants, but not all small businesses accept mobile payments.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 10% in restaurants and bars is appreciated. For hotel staff, a small tip for porters and housekeeping is sufficient.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee costs around 10-15 BOB (around $1.50 USD) from street vendors or small cafes.
A traditional Bolivian lunch at a local market or street food stall costs around 20-30 BOB (around $3 USD) for a filling plate of food.
A budget-friendly dinner at a local restaurant can cost around 40-60 BOB (around $6-9 USD) for a main course.
Street food is widely available in the city centre, particularly around the Mercado de la Asunción and in the Witches' Market.
Local supermarkets like Tiko and Puma offer affordable prices on basic groceries.
Market stalls and local shops in the city centre offer affordable clothing options, with prices starting from around 20-50 BOB ($3-7 USD) for basic items.
The cheapest way to get around La Paz is by using the city's extensive network of buses, which cost around 3-5 BOB ($0.50-0.80 USD) per ride, or purchase a day pass for around 15 BOB ($2.20 USD).
Use local buses to get around, eat at street food stalls or local markets, and avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist bureau rates.
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
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco Unión — 232 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Uriel — 205 m · ~3 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?
Request a room on a higher floor (4th or 5th floor and above) for a quieter stay. These rooms are likely to be farther away from the noise of the street and service entrance.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal?
Rooms near the service entrance or lift on lower floors (1st to 3rd floor) are best avoided, as they may be noisier due to foot traffic and potential noise from the service area.
Is Hostal noisy?
Be aware that La Paz is a bustling city, and noise from the street, traffic, and nearby bars may carry over to the hotel, especially on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal?
Given the hotel's location, rooms on the higher floors may offer views of the city, although the surrounding buildings may obstruct the view.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal?
Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk and ask for assistance with parking, as parking options in La Paz can be limited. Request a room with a balcony for a better view of the city, but be aware that the balconies may be small and not all rooms have them.
What time is check-in at Hostal?
Check-in at Hostal is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal have Wi-Fi?
free; 10 MB/s speed; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal?
Bs 12 per person per night (mandatory)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal?
A traditional Bolivian lunch at a local market or street food stall costs around 20-30 BOB (around $3 USD) for a filling plate of food.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal?
The cheapest way to get around La Paz is by using the city's extensive network of buses, which cost around 3-5 BOB ($0.50-0.80 USD) per ride, or purchase a day pass for around 15 BOB ($2.20 USD).
When is the best time to visit La Paz?
May, June, September – clear skies, mild days (15–20°C), and thin crowds before/after peak tourist season.
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.