Private Tour of La Paz City Sightseeing and Moon Valley

On the day of your tour, your guide will pick you up in a private vehicle and chauffeur you around the city, providing interesting commentary along the way. Typical itineraries are broken into three themes and may include some of the following attractions, depending on your interests. Historical landmarks and colonial architecture: Admire sights like the Baroque-mestizo architecture of San Francisco Church, originally founded in 1548; Metropolitan Cathedral, built in 1835; the Spanish colonial buildings that line Jaén Street (Calle Jaén); and the Presidential Palace, located on Plaza Murillo, the city’s main plaza, also home to the Bolivian Congress.

La Paz is known for its many museums, several of which are concentrated on Jaén Street. Top museums and other cultural centers that you may want to visit include the National Museum of Art, the Ethnography and Folklore Museum, the Museum of Musical Instruments, the Textile Museum, the Murillo House, the Gold Museum and the National Museum of Archeology.

Don’t miss the chance to witness local Andean life at one or two colorful markets, where you can browse wares like embroidered shawls, alpaca wool, silver artwork and artisan crafts that make great souvenirs and gifts. Two of the most popular mercados include the Witches Market, where you’ll find herbs and other traditional remedies of the Aymara (the indigenous people of this region), or the Lanza Market, one of the city’s main food markets.

The National Museum of Archaeology of Bolivia is the national archaeology museum of Bolivia. It is located in the capital of La Paz, two blocks east of the Prado. Operated by the National Institute of Archaeology, a specialized agency of the Deputy Minister of Culture, it is said to be the most prominent museum in Bolivia. The museum represents the cultural antecedents of the Bolivian people from the pre-Columbian era. There are displays of carved sculptures, as well as ceramic and painted objects in stone and metals.

Conveniently located just 2 blocks from Murillo Square, MUSEF is a must for those interested in learning about the great diversity of Bolivia's ethnic cultures.

Let your guide drive you to the best vantage points to admire the city skyline and take some beautiful photos. Then head about 6 miles (10 km) out of the city to explore Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna), named for its lunar-like landscape of pinnacles and canyons, caused by erosion of the mountains. At the end of your private tour, you'll be returned to your hotel, ready to continue your exploration of the city on your own.

The Museo de Textiles Andinos Bolivianos (MUTAB) is an institution dedicated to the rescue, preservation, study and promotion of the textile art from the Bolivian Andes. The MUTAB was founded in July of 1999 and it is so far the only institution in Bolivia dedicated to the textile art of all the Andean communities.