Hotel in La Paz, Bolivia
Backpackers Bolivia Hostel
Social hostel in La Paz with organized activities, helpful staff, and great common areas. Popular with backpackers for meeting travel companions and booking tours.
Backpackers Bolivia Hostel occupies a central position on Calle Sagárnaga 326 in La Paz, Bolivia, on the city's most celebrated tourist and backpacker street. Sagárnaga cuts through the heart of La Paz's colonial centre at an altitude of approximately 3,640 metres above sea level — one of the highest urban elevations in the world — and is flanked by handicraft markets selling alpaca textiles, silver jewellery, carved wooden goods, and traditional Andean artworks. The Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas), where Aymara healers sell dried llama foetuses, medicinal herbs, and ritual items, is a short walk away, as is the Basilica de San Francisco, one of Bolivia's finest examples of mestizo-baroque colonial architecture. Plaza Murillo, the political heart of Bolivia flanked by the Government Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral, is within ten minutes on foot. The hostel is purpose-built for the social backpacker circuit, with a programme of organised activities and well-equipped common areas designed to help solo travellers and small groups form connections before embarking on Bolivia's main adventure tours. The communal spaces serve as a natural gathering point for guests comparing itineraries for Death Road cycling, multi-day Uyuni salt flat tours, Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol excursions, and multi-day trekking routes in the Cordillera Real. The tour desk assists guests in identifying reputable operators and booking tours, with staff familiar with standards, group sizes, and inclusions across La Paz's main agencies. Accommodation ranges from shared dormitory beds — fitted with secure individual lockers — to private rooms, priced between USD 10–30 in low season and USD 12–36 in high season. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and luggage storage allows guests to depart on full-day excursions without managing all their gear. The Sagárnaga location provides immediate walking access to the Mi Teleférico cable-car network, local Bolivian restaurants, and a dense concentration of travel agencies, making this part of La Paz a practical and efficient base for planning onward journeys across Bolivia.
Amenities
- common areas
- free WiFi
- tour desk
- luggage storage
- activities
- lockers
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +591 2 2371234
Location
Calle Sagárnaga 326, La Paz
-16.4961, -68.1383 — View on map
Highlights
- Prime position on Calle Sagárnaga, La Paz's iconic backpacker street, within walking distance of the Witches' Market and the Basilica de San Francisco
- Social hostel model with organised activities and lively common areas designed to connect travellers planning Bolivia's major tours
- Tour desk covering Death Road cycling, Uyuni salt flats, Lake Titicaca excursions, and Cordillera Real trekking itineraries
- Secure individual lockers and luggage storage for peace of mind during day tours and multi-day excursions from La Paz
- Dormitory beds and private rooms at budget prices in one of the world's highest capital cities at 3,640 metres altitude
Tips
- Plan a rest day on arrival to acclimatise to La Paz's 3,640-metre altitude — altitude sickness is common in the first 24–48 hours and affects tour performance if ignored
- Coca tea (mate de coca) is available at cafés throughout the Sagárnaga area and is a traditional, widely used remedy for mild altitude symptoms
- Book Death Road and Uyuni tours through the hostel tour desk and compare group sizes carefully — smaller groups typically offer safer and more attentive experiences
- Explore the Sagárnaga handicraft markets in the morning before peak crowds arrive; bring small denomination Bolivianos for direct vendor purchases
- Use the Mi Teleférico cable-car network to navigate La Paz's canyon terrain quickly and inexpensively across the city's multiple elevation levels
- Store valuables in the hostel lockers when visiting the Mercado de las Brujas and the busy market areas surrounding Sagárnaga
FAQ
Where is Calle Sagárnaga and what is within walking distance?
Calle Sagárnaga runs through La Paz's main tourist district, close to the Basilica de San Francisco, the Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas), and the Mercado Negro. Plaza Murillo and the National Government Palace are within a 10-minute walk. The street is densely lined with travel agencies, restaurants, and handicraft stalls.
What types of tours can be arranged through the hostel tour desk?
The tour desk assists with Death Road (Camino de la Muerte) cycling tours, three-day Uyuni salt flats tours, Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol day trips, the Tiwanaku archaeological site, and multi-day trekking routes in the Cordillera Real mountains. Staff can advise on operator safety standards and group ratios.
How should travellers manage altitude on arriving in La Paz?
At 3,640 metres above sea level, altitude sickness is common in the first 24–48 hours. Hostel staff recommend resting on the first day, staying hydrated, eating lightly, and avoiding alcohol initially. Sorojchi altitude tablets and coca tea are available at pharmacies and cafés throughout the Sagárnaga area.
Is Backpackers Bolivia Hostel well-suited to solo travellers?
The social format — organised activities, lively common areas, and a tour desk that slots solo guests into shared group tours — makes the hostel particularly well-suited to solo travellers. The Sagárnaga location also provides direct access to La Paz's independent travel agency cluster for further planning.
Accessibility
Backpackers Bolivia Hostel occupies a multi-floor building in La Paz's colonial centre, and specific wheelchair accessibility provisions have not been publicly documented for the property. The steep cobblestone streets and significant elevation changes throughout the Sagárnaga district present challenges for guests using wheelchairs or mobility aids. Visitors with specific accessibility requirements should contact the hostel directly before booking.