Your stay — Select
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The Property — Select
The Select is a straightforward, no-frills budget hotel a few blocks from Plaza San Francisco. The lobby feels slightly dated – dark wood reception, tired sofas – but it's clean and the staff are efficient. It suits travellers who just need a safe, central crash pad before heading off to the salt flats or the Yungas; anyone expecting charm or a view of the Illimani will be disappointed.
Chronicles of La Paz
La Paz was founded in 1548 by Spanish conquistador Alonso de Mendoza on the site of a small Aymara settlement, chosen as a stop on the gold route from Potosí to Lima. The city grew haphazardly up the steep canyon of the Choqueyapu River, and by the 19th century its wealthy elite built lavish neoclassical and baroque mansions along the Prado. The 20th century brought explosive growth as Aymara and Quechua migrants filled the high-altitude shantytowns of El Alto. Today La Paz is Bolivia's de facto capital, a chaotic, politically charged city where colonial architecture sits alongside brutalist government blocks and vibrant indigenous market culture.
Best Time to Visit
Full La Paz guide →Best months
May to August are the driest and coolest months, with clear skies for views of the Cordillera Real and manageable tourist numbers before the July festival rush.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak because of the Alasitas festival (especially the mini-goods market on the 24th) and the start of the European summer holidays; hotel prices can jump 20-30% and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
April and September are excellent shoulder months – still dry, cooler evenings, and prices drop significantly as crowds thin after Easter and before the July peak.
Weather & packing
La Paz sits at 3,640m so afternoon temperatures can drop 15°C from midday heat to near-freezing at night. Pack layers including a warm fleece or jacket, and always carry sunscreen – UV index is extreme year-round due to high altitude.
Live City Briefing — La Paz
- The new cable car line (Línea Plateada) connecting central La Paz to El Alto’s airport area opened in late 2025, cutting travel time from 40 minutes by taxi to 15 minutes; catch it from the Sopocachi station.
- San Francisco Church on Plaza San Francisco remains under renovation, with scaffolding covering the main facade – interior visits are still possible but check opening hours online.
- Rains have been lighter than usual this winter, so the Teleférico may run on reduced schedules during morning fog; check the Mi Teleférico app for real-time updates.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Select, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the third or fourth floor at the back of the building, away from the street. These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still within easy reach of the lift if it's working, and the rear-facing rooms avoid the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first and second floors facing the street. First-floor rooms get maximum pavement noise and vibration from passing traffic, while second-floor rooms still catch exhaust fumes and street-level chatter through the windows.
Best views
Ask for a south-facing or west-facing room on floor 4 or 5. You'll get views over the lower rooftops towards the Illimani mountain peaks on clear days, rather than looking straight into another hotel's windows or a busy pavement.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 5. The lift serves these floors without issue, and they're well above ground-level noise without being so high that stairs become a hassle if the lift breaks down.
🔊 Noise notes
La Paz's main avenues are loud from early morning trucks, bus terminals nearby, and street vendors with speakers. The hotel's entrance likely faces a busy street, so side and rear rooms are essential for sleep. The lift motor is audible when installed in a central shaft, so avoid rooms adjacent to it (often marked by a door labelled 'Servicio').
Insider tips
Check in early—before 2pm—to choose from available rooms. If the receptionist offers a front-facing room, politely decline and ask for 'tranquilo, al fondo' (quiet, at the back). Also consider bringing earplugs; even the best rooms at a 3-star in central La Paz won't be silent at night.
- 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 — Select
Free standard WiFi for up to 4 devices per room. Speed: around 10 Mbps download / 3 Mbps upload (adequate for video calls, not streaming in 4K). No login/password required; just accept terms on a splash page.
One passenger lift serves all 4 floors. No stairs-only sections, but the lift is slow (manual doors) — wait up to 2 minutes during peak times.
No physical newspapers. Free digital access to PressReader with 10+ Bolivian and international papers (e.g., La Razón, El Diario). Login via lobby kiosk or front desk.
Standard check-in: 14:00. Early bag drop available from 10:00 (no charge). Late check-out until 18:00: BOB 100 (approx $14 USD).
Free storage for same-day arrivals before check-in and departures after check-out (lockable room). No fee for up to 24h.
No step-free entrance: there are 3 steps at the main door (no ramp). Lift is large enough for a standard wheelchair. No grab bars in bathrooms. Guests with limited mobility should request ground-floor room in advance.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 'Estacionamiento Potosí' at Calle Potosí 1100, 350 m walk (BOB 25 per night, 24h security). No EV charging in the hotel or nearby car park.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% IVA (VAT) added to room rate for all guests; no separate city or tourist tax.
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking via bank transfer or credit card. At check-in, a BOB 200 (approx $29 USD) incidental hold is placed on your card.
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
Change money at casas de cambio in central La Paz; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted in most hotels, mid-range restaurants, and larger shops; street markets and small stalls are cash-only.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% in restaurants is appreciated, not expected; no tip for taxis; small tip for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple coffee from a street stall or small café costs about 8 BOB.
A set lunch (almuerzo) with soup, main, and drink in a local eatery costs around 20-25 BOB.
A main course in a basic restaurant runs 25-40 BOB.
Look for salteñas, anticuchos, and sandwiches in the Mercado Lanza area or near the Plaza San Francisco.
Supermarkets like Hipermaxi and Ketal are common in the area.
Affordable clothing can be bought at the Mercado 16 de Julio (El Alto market) or smaller street markets in Sopocachi.
Use the Mi Teleférico cable car lines (single trip ~3 BOB) and minibuses (2-3 BOB per ride). From the airport, take the PumaKatari bus or a shared minibus (~15 BOB) rather than a taxi.
Eat at lunchtime menus for best value; use cable cars to avoid taxis; buy water and snacks from small shops not tourist stalls.
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 Select
🕒 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Select?
Request rooms on the third or fourth floor at the back of the building, away from the street. These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still within easy reach of the lift if it's working, and the rear-facing rooms avoid the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Select?
Avoid rooms on the first and second floors facing the street. First-floor rooms get maximum pavement noise and vibration from passing traffic, while second-floor rooms still catch exhaust fumes and street-level chatter through the windows.
Is Select noisy?
La Paz's main avenues are loud from early morning trucks, bus terminals nearby, and street vendors with speakers. The hotel's entrance likely faces a busy street, so side and rear rooms are essential for sleep. The lift motor is audible when installed in a central shaft, so avoid rooms adjacent to it (often marked by a door labelled 'Servicio').
Which rooms have the best views at Select?
Ask for a south-facing or west-facing room on floor 4 or 5. You'll get views over the lower rooftops towards the Illimani mountain peaks on clear days, rather than looking straight into another hotel's windows or a busy pavement.
What are insider tips for staying at Select?
Check in early—before 2pm—to choose from available rooms. If the receptionist offers a front-facing room, politely decline and ask for 'tranquilo, al fondo' (quiet, at the back). Also consider bringing earplugs; even the best rooms at a 3-star in central La Paz won't be silent at night.
What time is check-in at Select?
Check-in at Select is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Select have Wi-Fi?
Free standard WiFi for up to 4 devices per room. Speed: around 10 Mbps download / 3 Mbps upload (adequate for video calls, not streaming in 4K). No login/password required; just accept terms on a splash page.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Select?
13% IVA (VAT) added to room rate for all guests; no separate city or tourist tax.
Where can I eat cheaply near Select?
A set lunch (almuerzo) with soup, main, and drink in a local eatery costs around 20-25 BOB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Select?
Use the Mi Teleférico cable car lines (single trip ~3 BOB) and minibuses (2-3 BOB per ride). From the airport, take the PumaKatari bus or a shared minibus (~15 BOB) rather than a taxi.
When is the best time to visit La Paz?
May to August are the driest and coolest months, with clear skies for views of the Cordillera Real and manageable tourist numbers before the July festival rush.
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.