Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Bolivia due to crime, unrest, and health. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Tue, 18 Aug 2026
Full advisory →Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now8 districts
Is La Paz safe? 🇧🇴
Bolivia · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, La Paz scores 53/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. La Paz presents moderate safety risks for travelers, with notable concerns around protests, petty crime, and altitude-related health issues. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
La Paz 🇧🇴
Bolivia · Assessed 18 October 2026
53
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime49/100CautionCrime index 59.6 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment59/100FairModerately positive
Advisories75Good
Stability60Fair
Health69Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department including Villa Tunari and highway routes 4 and 24 that pass through Chapare.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:47:19Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Bolivia: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-14T08:28:20.9521141-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
2.0M residents
60
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
4.4 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Bolivia4.4World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
69
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMuggings occur occasionally after dark in poorly lit areas near the bus terminal and some southern barrios; visitors are rarely targeted with violence but should avoid walking alone at night
Pickpocketing
HighBag-snatching and pickpocketing are common in crowded markets, plazas, and on minibuses (trufis), particularly around Sagarnaga, San Pedro, and the central bus station
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately positive
59/100
Reported feel55Moderately positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors generally feel safe during daylight hours in tourist zones but express heightened caution at night and during protest periods, with many noting the need for vigilance against petty crime.
La Paz presents moderate safety risks for travelers, with notable concerns around protests, petty crime, and altitude-related health issues.
The city experiences frequent protests and road blockades that can disrupt movement and occasionally turn volatile, while petty theft and scams target visitors in crowded areas and on public transport. Despite these challenges, violent crime against tourists remains relatively uncommon, and the city's high altitude requires acclimatization to avoid health complications.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Bolivia's Congress approved a $1.9bn IMF loan amid ongoing protest threats and political unrest in La Paz— Al Jazeera
- Sep 2026Bolivian teachers participated in protests amid a state of emergency in La Paz, reflecting continued social tension— Reuters Connect
- Aug 2026US Embassy in Bolivia suspended routine consular services due to road blockades and demonstrations disrupting city access— Anadolu Ajansı
- Jun 2026Bolivia declared a state of emergency to clear protest gridlock, leading to clashes between security forces and demonstrators in La Paz— Reuters
Common scams
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking tourists to unsafe areas
- Distraction thefts in markets and near ATMs where accomplices create diversions to steal wallets or bags
Full briefing
La Paz sits at over 3,600 meters, making altitude sickness a primary concern for newcomers; travelers should take it easy the first day, hydrate well, and avoid exertion. Protests remain frequent in the city center, particularly around Plaza Murillo and along major avenues, often leading to sudden road closures and occasional clashes between demonstrators and police—avoiding these areas during unrest is essential for safety. While violent crime against tourists is infrequent, the Witches' Market and Sagarnaga Street see high levels of distraction theft and bag-snatching, especially when crowds gather for souvenirs or photos. Using official taxis or ride-hailing apps reduces risk compared to hailing cabs on the street, and carrying only daily essentials minimizes loss if targeted. Despite these challenges, many visitors report feeling secure in well-lit, populated areas during daylight, particularly in the Sopocachi and Zona Sur neighborhoods, where police presence is more consistent and tourist infrastructure is stronger. Staying informed through local news and hotel staff about protest routes helps navigate the city safely while enjoying its unique culture and landscapes.
Was this La Paz, Bolivia report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 La Paz districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the La Paz safety map.
El AltoavoidAdjacent city with elevated crime and frequent protest roadblocks; non-essential travel not recommended, especially at night.
San PedrocautionCentral market area; petty theft common in crowds, avoid displaying valuables, especially after dark.
Centro HistóricocautionHistoric center around Plaza Murillo; pickpocketing and bag snatching reported in crowds, vigilance advised after dark.
Villa FátimacautionWestern residential area; occasional petty crime, avoid isolated streets at night, use registered taxis.
SopocachisaferResidential area with embassies and cafes; generally secure during daylight, exercise normal precautions at night.
MirafloressaferUpscale southern district with hotels and restaurants; low violent crime, remain alert to pickpockets in busy zones.
ObrajessaferSouthern residential zone with universities and shops; stable environment, standard safety practices sufficient.
AchumanisaferSoutheastern affluent neighborhood; low incidence of violent crime, remain aware of surroundings in commercial areas.
07 · After Dark
Is La Paz safe at night?
53% of people in Bolivia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Muggings occur occasionally after dark in poorly lit areas near the bus terminal and some southern barrios; visitors are rarely targeted with violence but should avoid walking alone at night
After dark, be most careful around El Alto, San Pedro, Centro Histórico, Villa Fátima. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
La Paz safety FAQ (2026)
Is La Paz safe right now (2026)?
La Paz presents moderate safety risks for travelers, with notable concerns around protests, petty crime, and altitude-related health issues. The city experiences frequent protests and road blockades that can disrupt movement and occasionally turn volatile, while petty theft and scams target visitors in crowded areas and on public transport. Despite these challenges, violent crime against tourists remains relatively uncommon, and the city's high altitude requires acclimatization to avoid health complications. (Assessed 18 October 2026.)
Is La Paz safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this La Paz report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of La Paz should tourists avoid?
Field research flags El Alto as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in La Paz (2026)?
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking tourists to unsafe areas
- Distraction thefts in markets and near ATMs where accomplices create diversions to steal wallets or bags
How does La Paz compare with other places in Bolivia (2026)?
La Paz ranks #4 of 5 Bolivia destinations we've assessed, scoring 53/100. See the Bolivia safety overview for the full list.
How is this la-paz safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
More Bolivia reports
4 reports
Nearby destinations
4 reports
Similar safety profile
4 reports
Keep exploring
Raw data: la-paz.json (CC BY 4.0).