La Paz Free Tour: Explore South America’s Largest Market in El Alto

Begin your adventure in La Paz, where you’ll take the Red Cable Car up to El Alto. From there, enter the enormous 16 de Julio market and explore its busy streets on foot.

For around 1.5 hours, depending on the group’s pace, walk through different areas of the market and discover the incredible variety of products sold here. Expect to see everything from second-hand clothing, car parts, and vehicles to electronics, mobile phones, accessories, glasses, furniture, tools, household items, pets, and much more.

Along the way, learn about local commerce, everyday life in El Alto, and the importance of the market to the local economy, while experiencing an area that most visitors to Bolivia never get to see. See some of El Alto’s famous cholets, colorful and extravagant buildings that have become one of the city's most recognizable architectural symbols.

After exploring the market, take the Blue Cable Car and enjoy panoramic views of El Alto and the surrounding high-altitude landscape. Then, take the Red Cable Car back toward La Paz, giving you another opportunity to enjoy spectacular views of the city and the mountains.