What to do in Nor Yungas Province

Perhaps the best place in La Paz to learn about Aymara culture is the Mercado de las Brujas (Witches’ Market). Here, the Andean indigenous group sells its clothing and handicrafts alongside herbal remedies and magical amulets. Discover the beliefs of the Aymara, see some of their stranger artefacts and buy some memorable souvenirs to take home with you.

Located next to the Presidential Palace, La Paz Cathedral is one of the most important churches in Bolivia. See the tomb of a former Bolivian president inside, and learn about the political leaders executed on the plaza in front of the church. The rich neoclassical design of La Paz’s central church is one of the city’s most iconic sights.

Encircled with stately colonial-era palaces, Plaza Murillo is the historical heart of La Paz and the political centre of Bolivia. While the square is named after the revolutionary leader Pedro Domingo Murillo, it has been the city’s central square since colonial times. Tour the government buildings, visit a national art museum and enjoy the shade from the ring of trees around the square.

The Valle de la Luna is an unusual geological terrain comprising clay spires and troughs. Erosion has worn down a mountain, creating a colorful and moon-like topography. Admire the reds, violets and browns of this fascinating landscape just outside of La Paz.

San Francisco Church has stood in the heart of La Paz since the city’s founding. Its massive bell tower rises above one of the city’s main squares, the Plaza San Francisco. Study the mixed design that the cathedral has picked up over its long and storied history. Visit the Museo San Francisco in the neighbouring convent to see colonial-era religious artefacts and devotional artworks.

Get a panoramic view over the city centre, sample a tropical fruit from a street vendor and witness a political demonstration at Plaza San Francisco. This main square is one of the city’s most popular meeting places, attracting street musicians and La Paz’s sizeable indigenous population.

The beating heart of Coroico is its Main Square. Wander beneath the tall, leafy trees or take a seat and meet some of the locals who congregate in the plaza. Enjoy a hearty Bolivian meal in the open air and step into a cool church in the buildings the surround the square.