La Paz
by Lawrence Rubey and
A. Bennett Hennessey
La Paz is found in a
deep valley from the Highland Altiplano- travelling down from
4060 meters (
13,100 feet)to
3300 meters (
10,800 feet) in
some of the wealthy southern suburbs (Zona Sur). has a wealth of hotels, something to fit every price range. Reservations
are always advisable at the more popular hotels. The hotel Calacoto is a
decent option found in the lower part of the city (32 USD for a single room-
calle 13 #8009, esq. Sanchez Bustamante Telf 2792524, 2799335-
www.hotel-calacoto-bolivia.com). Bennett recommends at the top level El Hotel
Rey Palacio, middle level El Rosario ($35/night, an
absolutely excellent little hotel! 591-2-245-1658, 591-2-245-1991), and a
clean homey Hostel Republica (Calle Comercio 1455 esq. Bueno- Telf. 357966
356617- single room at 15 USD- ask for the 400 rooms). If you want a change
of pace from Bolivian food, there is a great place Asain Restaurant called
Maphraq on at Calle Hermanos Manchego #2586, Zona Sopocachi Telf. 243 4682.
Also for an interesting taste of High Andes Bolivia cuisine try the
restaurant
La Casa
tipica de
la Pacena-
near old
La Paz
and the musuem. We recommend IMBEX rent a car for very good service (Av.
Montes # 522, telf. 316895).
Leaving the city of
La Paz
can often be a challenge. There are three principal roads out of the city:
the Coroico road through the Miraflores and Villa Fatima neighborhoods to
Coroico town; the road through El Alto, past the military airport, and
northwest to Lake Titicaca; and the
Oruro road
through El Alto and south to the city of
Oruro. As you exit the city of
La Paz
on one of these roads, near the outskirts you will encounter a combination
toll booth (peaje) and police checkpoint (tranca). Most of the
mileage readings to birding sites discussed in the text begin at these
checkpoints. To aid drivers in reaching these toll booth/checkpoints and
getting out of the city, the GPS coordinates for each are listed below:
Miraflores tranca for
Coroico Road:
S 16.27.177 W 68.05.750
El Alto tranca for road to Lake Titicaca: S 16 28.517 W 68 16.50
El Alto tranca for road to city of
Oruro: S 16 43.435 W 68 11.104 |
