Take the Cable Car in La Paz, Bolivia: Full Loop Guide
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- By: Peter Orsel
You’ve made it to La Paz, one of the highest cities in the world. It’s a beautiful city and underrated compared to the rest of South America, in my opinion. Most people only stay one or two nights, but there’s enough here to fill a week. One thing you can’t skip is Mi Teleférico, the city’s public cable car system.
Doing a full cable car loop around the city was my favourite thing to do in La Paz. You can this all by yourself: see the famous viewpoints, get off wherever you feel like it, and get back on when you’re ready. Tour operators sell this as a guided activity, but it’s easy, safe, and cheap enough to do on your own. Here’s how.
Quick Facts
🚡 The system Mi Teleférico – 10 lines, more than 30 km of cable, the largest urban aerial cable car network in the world
💵 Price – One line – 3 Bolivianos (€0.40 – $0.43) Each transfer – 2 Bolivianos (€0.27 – $0.29) Full 7-station loop – 15 Bolivianos (€2.00 – $2.17)
⏰ Opening Hours – Monday to Saturday: 06:00 to 23:00 Sundays and holidays: 07:00 to 21:00
⏱️ Time needed – About 1.5 hours for the loop itself without stops, plan for 3-4 hours if you want to get off at the viewpoints and market along the way
In This Post
History of Mi Teleférico
Before we get into how to ride it, it’s worth knowing some history. Before the cable car existed, it was hard to travel between La Paz and El Alto. Both cities are huge and heavily populated, and people got stuck in traffic trying to get from one to the other.
The idea of a cable car between the two cities goes back to the late 1960s and 1970s, but the plan didn’t get executed. President Evo Morales started building in 2012, and the first phase opened on 30 May 2014. Every line since has built on that, and the network now has 10 lines with an 11th on the way.
The population is proud of their cable car lines, and you’ll notice locals riding them daily too.
How to start your cable car trip
Before you head to the first station, keep in mind that you’re at high altitude. Walking for 10 minutes can feel like a serious workout. Don’t underestimate the elevation gain and the time you need to get from one place to another. Drink enough water, and take it easy, even if you’re in good physical condition.
Where you stay in La Paz determines which station you head to first. I stayed in the area around Prado station, a stop of Línea Celeste (light blue line). If you’ve read other sources calling it the “Blue Line,” that’s a common mix-up: Línea Azul is a separate line that runs through El Alto and doesn’t stop at Prado.
A great recommendation to stay is DREAM by Stannum Hotel. It’s only 500 meters away from this station, and very centrally located in the city.
Next to the Prado station is Mercado Camacho, a big market with a variety of things to buy, but mainly food. I highly recommend making a stop there for snacks before the journey. If you’re far from Prado, you can always start from a different station. Search “Estación Teleférico” on Google Maps and the closest ones will come up first.
Making a full loop
If you want to do a full loop around the city, here’s the route we took:
Chukiya Marka El Prado – Jalsuri Del Poeta – Inalnama Villaroel – Taypi Uta Central – 16 de Julio – Mirador (Qhana Pata Satelite on the map above) – Chuqui Apu Libertador – Chukiya Marka El Prado
Each station mentioned above, is the station where you have to transfer to another gondola. Of course, you can do this loop the other way around as well. You can start from other stations, stop wherever you want, and make it the perfect day trip, just for you.
The best viewpoint
Once you arrive at 16 de Julio, you’ll be at the highest altitude of this loop. This is where you want to be about one hour before sunset, so you’re still able to see the city covered in sunlight. There are two famous miradors. One of them is a 5-minute walk, the other one takes about 15 minutes. The best way to get there, is to search for Sallahumani Viewpoint. It’s right under the station, bu tyou need to take a small 15 minute detour to get to the spot. I didn’t feel unsafe, but I do recommend to leave before it gets dark.
Cholitas Wrestling
This is also the stop if you want to visit the famous Cholitas Wrestling shows. You’ll see traditional clothed ladies fight in a soap-opera kinda show. These shows take place every week on Sundays and Thursdays.
It’s more a tourist thing than a local thing, but you’ll be entertained for sure. Another way to go here is by booking Cholitas Wrestling through GetYourGuide. Round trip transportation is included, so you don’t have to take the cable car to get there.
How much does it cost to take the cable car in la paz?
The best thing about the cable cars of La Paz is that it fits every budget. If you can afford it to travel to La Paz, you can afford to travel through La Paz too. A full loop will cost you only 15 Bolivianos, the equivalent of about 3 Euros or Dollars.
- One line: 3 Bolivianos (€0.40 – $0.43)
- Each transfer: 2 Bolivianos (€0.27 – $0.29)
- Full 7-station loop: 15 Bolivianos (€2.00 – $2.17)
Every time you get off, even to switch lines, you need a new ticket, so buy one at each station’s ticket window as you go.
If you don’t want to queue at the ticket booth each time, get a Mi Teleférico card. It costs 30 Bolivianos and comes preloaded with 10 Bolivianos of credit, so the card itself effectively costs 20 Bolivianos on top of your first rides. Once it’s loaded, the same 3 Bs / 2 Bs transfer pricing applies. Make sure you top up your card before getting in line for the gondola.
Operating hours of the Cable Car in La Paz, Bolivia
All cable cars run according to the same operation schedule:
Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 23:00
Sundays and Holidays from 07:00 to 21:00
What I like most about this timetable, is that they make it possible to see the sunset or the sunrise from the mountain tops. Seeing the city at night time will leave you breathless. The view, all the lights, simply amazing.
How long does a full loop take?
Riding all 7 stations back to back without stopping takes about 1.5 hours. Give yourself 3 to 4 hours if you want to get off at the market, the sunset viewpoint or other stops.
We started around 4pm and finished around 8pm, with two long stops along the way.
Safety at the Cable Car of La Paz, Bolivia
Just like any other city in South America, it’s important to take care of your safety. In general, this means that it’s better to do the trip with someone else. If you’re travelling solo, ask someone in your hostel to join you. It will be fun. I did this trip with two of my hostel friends and we had a great time together.
The stop with the beautiful viewpoints (miradors) at 16 de Julio, can feel a bit sketchy. It’s most beautiful at sunset, but don’t stay until it’s completely dark. If you just use common sense and don’t show off with your possessions, you should be fine. All in all, I didn’t feel unsafe.
I hope I inspired you and gave you enough confidence to do this trip on your own. If you have any questions, feel free to comment and drop them below.
If the Uyuni salt flats are also on your Bolivia list, here’s everything you need to know before you go.
FAQ about the Cable Cars, La Paz
Is there a map of the Cable Car in La Paz?
Yes. You can find it in this blog post or on the official website, staff usually hand out a paper network map on request as well. It helps to have one on hand since transfer stations aren’t always obvious from street level.
How do I buy tickets for the full Cable Car loop?
You can’t buy one ticket that covers the whole loop. Pay 3 Bolivianos at your first station, then 2 Bolivianos each time you transfer to a new line, even if you don’t get off to explore. A Mi Teleférico card saves you from queueing at every stop but doesn’t change the per-ride price.
Which part of the loop should I be more careful in?
El Alto, around the 16 de Julio station, is the one stretch where I’d recommend extra caution, especially after dark. The ride itself, on any line, felt safe throughout.
How long does the full loop of the Cable Car in La Paz take?
About 1.5 hours if you ride straight through without stopping. Take 3 to 4 hours if you want to get off at the viewpoints, the market, or the wrestling show.
More adventures in South America
About Me
Peter Orsel is a Dutch travel photographer based in Bali, specialized in drone and landscape photography. He has visited over 40 countries and writes detailed, no-nonsense guides based on firsthand experience.
6 Responses
hi thanks for your article i am 67 from uk and going to see and ride the cable cars in november 2024.i am staying near the irpawi station end of green line which is a nice area.i have a taxi for safety booked from airport to hotel and i am taking high altitude oilss.is the extension gold line open from impali station.i wrote to doppemayor who built the system and they said no.can you pay with american dollers as i cant get bolivian cureency in uk and dont want to use my credit card. i am dressing scruffy so i dont look like a tourist,i am flying from madrid to santa cruz by iberia back via lima to madrid.any info on the cable car would be helpful,is la paz safe i am very aprehensive on my own but i must see the cable cars.
Hi Alan, thank for your comment and exciting plans ahead! It sounds like you’re well prepared. You can bring both pounds and dollars and exchange it at the airport of La Paz. If not, ask your hotel and they might be able to help you. Unfortunately it’s not possible to pay with dollars or pounds at the cable car stations.
La Paz is a South American city but in general it’s safe and I didn’t have any problems with people approaching me or whatever. I’m sure you’re gonna love the cable cars, it’s an amazing loop around the city!
Hi Peter,
When going from each of the transfer stations, do you stay within the same terminal area or do you need to exit the station and find the next terminal in a different area? Also are most areas in the city within a close (15 minute) walk to a station or are bus transfers needed at some points? Thanks for any information you can provide. Will be going with 2 other seasoned female travel companions in April of next year.
Hi Vicky, thanks for your reply and sorry it took a while to get back to you. You will stay in the terminal area if you go from one station to the other. I think at the highest one El Alto you need to transfer for the terminal area which is not too far.
In terms of walking in the city, I’d rely on taxi’s! I’m personally in super good walking condition and easily reach 20.000 steps a day on a city trip. BUT, La Paz hits different. The altitude + elevation in the streets can make a 5 minute workout feel like a 10.000 steps walk. You will feel the difference once there! But, it’s still one of my favourite cities in South America and I’m so glad I went!
Hi, I stumbled across this article today and it’s refreshing to see such great photography paired with the informative writeup. I am thinking of a South American trip in my future, with La Paz being on the list, and I prefer to bring my camera as well. I was thinking that given the altitude, the first few days in La Paz would be low activity, so a trip (or two) on the Teliferico sounds like a great way to pass the time with a camera. I have a few questions you might be able to help me with:
– You mention safety, and I’m pretty aware of the normal precautions to take while travelling, but I have read on many sites that showing wealth (such as a phone or a camera) is not recommended.. however obviously people do it (you did), and people live there and have such devices, of course. Is this really a concern in La Paz? I only travel with a small kit and smaller lenses, and I’m thinking the Teleferico would be safe enough, but how did you feel about it?
– With the “loop”, I’m guessing you were able to get off at various stations to see certain things at various points along the way, and then just “transfer” back onto the same line to continue the loop?
– With the altitude, the Teleferico is even higher above the ground, did you find that it was a good way to help acclimatize?
– How long did it take to do a full loop around the cities?
Thanks, and I really enjoyed reading this and checking out your site!
Hi Dan, thank you for your meaningful reply and kind words. My apologies that it took me a month to get back to you. If the trip is still being planned, here’s my reply!
– Safety has never been too much of an issue for me. However, I usually put my camera in my bag before walking around. I only take it out if I want to take a certain photo. With a small kit and some common sense, I don’t see too many problems.
– This is right! We went to a fun fair, to some viewpoints and continued along the way. The price is so low, that even buying an extra ticket would have never been a problem.
– I personally travelled in from Chile, so I was already pretty used to the altitude. However, I still got sick for a couple of days. Walking around is more exhausting than anywhere I’ve been in the world, so take some days to get used to the altitude.
– We started around 4 and finished around 8, with two long stops at the fun fair and the view point at El Alto. If you do the loop without stops, I think it would take around 1,5 hours.
Thanks again for your words, and I hope this helps!