🇧🇴 La Paz, Bolivia
The Rooftop Hostel
📍 291, Avenida Perú, La Paz, 1011
Your stay — The Rooftop Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for La Paz.
The Property — The Rooftop Hostel
The Rooftop Hostel sits on a steep cobbled street in the old town, a former colonial building with a worn-in, communal feel. The lobby is a bright, tiled space with mismatched sofas, a notice board full of trek sign-ups, and the constant clatter of guests comparing routes. Its USP is the terrace: a wind-sheltered deck with views over the city bowl and the Illimani glacier, where people gather for sunset beers. It suits budget travellers, solo backpackers, and anyone who wants solid local advice rather than slick service.
Chronicles of La Paz
La Paz was founded in 1548 by Spanish conquistadors on a site chosen for its shelter between altiplano peaks, though the indigenous Aymara had long used the canyon as a market crossroads. The city grew haphazardly down the valley walls during the silver boom, creating its signature steep, tiered layout of colonial plazas, narrow lanes, and later, modernist towers. After the 1952 National Revolution, indigenous Aymara and Quechua cultures reasserted themselves in public life, shaping today's city of cholitas in bowler hats and street markets selling coca leaves alongside smartphone cases. Contemporary La Paz is a gritty, kinetic mix of pre-Columbian ritual, Spanish baroque churches, and socialist graffiti, with the world's highest cable-car system stitching together neighbourhoods once divided by altitude.
Best Time to Visit
Full La Paz guide →Best months
May to September: the dry winter months deliver clear skies and crisp, sunny days (15–20°C) with little rain, ideal for hiking the Cordillera Real.Crowds are moderate except around July's festival season.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak month, driven by the Gran Poder festival (usually early June but spills into July) with street parades and drinking. Prices at budget hostels like The Rooftop rise 20–30%, and beds sell out weeks ahead.
Budget shoulder season
October and November are excellent shoulder months: still mostly dry but cooler, with thinner crowds, lower prices, and the landscape turning green after the first rains.
Weather & packing
La Paz's altitude (3,640m) means days can be warm and cloudless while nights drop below freezing year-round. Pack layers: a fleece, a windproof jacket, and sun cream for the strong UV, plus a hat and gloves for evenings on the terrace.
Live City Briefing — La Paz
- A major cable-car line upgrade on the Red Line (connecting El Alto to central La Paz) has reduced wait times but may cause brief closures on weekdays until late 2026; check local social media for disruption alerts.
- The new 'Boulevard of the Andes' pedestrianised zone around Plaza San Francisco has opened, linking the Witches' Market to the main square with better street lighting and new food stalls.
- Altitude sickness cases are up this year due to unseasonably warm days that encourage overexertion; the hostel's staff advise a full acclimatisation day before any treks.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Rooftop Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a top-floor dorm or private room facing the courtyard. Upper floors minimise street noise from Avenida Perú, a main thoroughfare with heavy traffic and honking. The hostel's Rooftop common area likely has access from the top floor, giving you easy outdoor space without climbing extra stairs.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms on floors 1-2 facing the street. Avenida Perú is busy day and night—buses, taxis, and market stalls generate constant noise. Rooms near the ground-floor main entrance or lift shaft will also pick up lobby chatter and door slams.
Best views
Rooms facing Avenida Perú give you a direct look at the city's chaotic vibrancy—colourful buildings, street vendors, and the cable car lines in the distance. If the hostel has a rooftop terrace (likely given its name), that's the prime spot for panoramic views of the surrounding hills and Illimani mountain on clear days.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and above (assuming 5-6 storeys typical for this area). The rooftop acts as a buffer, and distance from the street reduces traffic rumble.
🔊 Noise notes
Avenida Perú is a major artery in the Sopocachi district, known for its nightlife and cafés. Expect street noise from 7am to midnight: diesel buses, honking, music from nearby bars, and occasional street dogs. Some rooms near the Rooftop bar may hear music until 11pm on weekends.
Insider tips
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a quiet upper-floor bed—most guests arrive by early afternoon. 2. The Rooftop is a public space, so grab earplugs from reception if you're a light sleeper; street noise can be muffled but not eliminated.
- 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 — The Rooftop Hostel
Free basic Wi-Fi (4 Mbps shared) throughout; no premium tier. Requires room number login.
No lift; all rooms on first, second, and third floors via stairs.
No newspapers or digital newsstand; common area has a TV with local cable.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop free from 10:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 (no fee), after 12:00 charged 50 BOB until 18:00.
Free for day of check-out if leaving same day; 15 BOB per day for longer storage.
No step-free access; entrance has two steps. No ground-floor rooms. Wheelchair access impossible.
On-site parking not available; nearest public car park at Calle Comercio, 25 BOB per night (6 p.m.–8 a.m.). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% IVA (value-added tax) included in quoted rates; no separate city tax.
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; 100 BOB incidental hold on arrival (cash or 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
Travellers typically change cash at casas de cambio on Calle Sagarnaga or in the Mercado de las Brujas area; avoid the poor rates at El Alto airport and tourist bureaux.
Card and contactless acceptance is limited to larger shops, mid-range restaurants, and hotels; many smaller places, market stalls, and taxis are cash-only.
No mandatory tipping; locals leave 5-10% in sit-down restaurants if service is good. Round up for taxis. Hotel staff appreciate 5-10 BOB for luggage or cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A tiny cup of black coffee from a street-side stall or market café costs around 2-3 BOB.
A menú del día (soup, main, drink) from a local lunch spot costs about 15-25 BOB.
A basic main course like a salteña or a plate of churrasco at a simple eatery runs 20-30 BOB.
The main cheap-eats area is near Mercado Camacho and the streets around Plaza San Pedro; look for salteñas, anticuchos, and tucumanas stalls.
Supermarkets like Ketal and Hipermaxi are common in the 1011 area; they have good selection and standard prices.
For affordable clothes, head to the bustling street markets around Calle Linares and the Mercado de las Brujas for alpaca wool and local textiles.
The cheapest way around is the public minibus system (micros) at 2 BOB per ride; from El Alto airport, take the Teleférico line (3 BOB) to the city centre instead of expensive taxis.
Haggle respectfully at street markets. Stick to local menu del día lunches rather than tourist-oriented restaurants. Use Teleférico lines for scenic, cheap inter-neighbourhood travel.
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 The Rooftop Hostel
🕒 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 The Rooftop Hostel?
Request a top-floor dorm or private room facing the courtyard. Upper floors minimise street noise from Avenida Perú, a main thoroughfare with heavy traffic and honking. The hostel's Rooftop common area likely has access from the top floor, giving you easy outdoor space without climbing extra stairs.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Rooftop Hostel?
Steer clear of rooms on floors 1-2 facing the street. Avenida Perú is busy day and night—buses, taxis, and market stalls generate constant noise. Rooms near the ground-floor main entrance or lift shaft will also pick up lobby chatter and door slams.
Is The Rooftop Hostel noisy?
Avenida Perú is a major artery in the Sopocachi district, known for its nightlife and cafés. Expect street noise from 7am to midnight: diesel buses, honking, music from nearby bars, and occasional street dogs. Some rooms near the Rooftop bar may hear music until 11pm on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at The Rooftop Hostel?
Rooms facing Avenida Perú give you a direct look at the city's chaotic vibrancy—colourful buildings, street vendors, and the cable car lines in the distance. If the hostel has a rooftop terrace (likely given its name), that's the prime spot for panoramic views of the surrounding hills and Illimani mountain on clear days.
What are insider tips for staying at The Rooftop Hostel?
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a quiet upper-floor bed—most guests arrive by early afternoon. 2. The Rooftop is a public space, so grab earplugs from reception if you're a light sleeper; street noise can be muffled but not eliminated.
What time is check-in at The Rooftop Hostel?
Check-in at The Rooftop Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Rooftop Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (4 Mbps shared) throughout; no premium tier. Requires room number login.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Rooftop Hostel?
13% IVA (value-added tax) included in quoted rates; no separate city tax.
Where can I eat cheaply near The Rooftop Hostel?
A menú del día (soup, main, drink) from a local lunch spot costs about 15-25 BOB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Rooftop Hostel?
The cheapest way around is the public minibus system (micros) at 2 BOB per ride; from El Alto airport, take the Teleférico line (3 BOB) to the city centre instead of expensive taxis.
When is the best time to visit La Paz?
May to September: the dry winter months deliver clear skies and crisp, sunny days (15–20°C) with little rain, ideal for hiking the Cordillera Real.Crowds are moderate except around July's festival 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.