Hotel in La Paz, Bolivia
Estrella Andina Hostel
Cozy hostel in La Paz with mountain views, friendly vibe, and knowledgeable staff. Clean facilities, comfortable beds, and good breakfast included in great value package.
Estrella Andina Hostel is located on Calle Murillo 890 in the heart of La Paz, Bolivia's administrative capital and one of the highest capital cities in the world at 3,640 metres above sea level. Calle Murillo places the hostel within easy walking distance of the city's most important landmarks: Plaza Murillo — the civic and political centre flanked by the Government Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral — the colonial-era Basilica of San Francisco, and the celebrated Mercado de las Brujas, the Witches' Market where traditional Aymara remedies, dried llama foetuses, and herbal medicines are sold alongside alpaca textiles. The Mi Teleferico cable-car network, which connects La Paz's many distinct hillside neighbourhoods, has stations within a short walk. The hostel occupies a multi-floor building that offers mountain views across La Paz's dramatic canyon topography — the city is built inside a deep bowl in the Altiplano, with wealthy Zona Sur at the valley floor and the vast city of El Alto spread across the high plateau above. Room options range from shared dormitories to private rooms, with rates between USD 10–28 in low season and USD 13–35 in high season. Free breakfast is included in all rates, a practical benefit for travellers managing altitude adjustment; physicians recommend taking the first 24 hours at altitude slowly, and an in-house breakfast reduces the need for early outdoor exertion. A shared communal kitchen and luggage storage further support longer stays. Staff are described as knowledgeable and helpful, familiar with the many day trips and multi-day tours available from La Paz, including Death Road cycling, Lake Titicaca excursions, salt flat tours to Uyuni, and trekking itineraries in the Cordillera Real mountains. The tour desk assists with bookings and operator comparisons. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and the hostel's central position, friendly atmosphere, and breakfast inclusion make it a reliable and well-valued choice for independent travellers at all experience levels.
Amenities
- free breakfast
- free WiFi
- mountain views
- tour desk
- luggage storage
- common kitchen
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +591 2 2281234
Location
Calle Murillo 890, La Paz
-16.4967, -68.1378 — View on map
Highlights
- Mountain panoramas across La Paz's canyon landscape from upper-floor rooms and communal areas at 3,640 metres altitude
- Free breakfast included for all guests — a practical benefit for travellers acclimatising to La Paz's high altitude
- Central location on Calle Murillo, within walking distance of Plaza Murillo, the Witches' Market, and Basilica de San Francisco
- Knowledgeable staff experienced in booking La Paz tours including Death Road cycling, Uyuni salt flats, and Titicaca excursions
- Shared kitchen and luggage storage supporting extended stays and multi-day excursions from the city
Tips
- Allow 24–48 hours to acclimatise to La Paz's 3,640-metre altitude before attempting strenuous day trips or high-altitude trekking
- Exchange Bolivianos at cambio offices near Calle Camacho rather than at the airport for significantly better rates
- Request a lower-floor room if climbing stairs with heavy luggage or if altitude fatigue is a concern — older La Paz buildings rarely have lifts
- Use the hostel tour desk to compare Death Road and Uyuni operators carefully, as safety standards and group sizes vary considerably
- Coca tea and altitude tablets (sorojchi pills) are available at pharmacies near Calle Murillo and are widely used by visitors arriving from low altitude
FAQ
How close is the hostel to La Paz's main attractions?
Calle Murillo places the hostel within a 5–10 minute walk of Plaza Murillo, the Government Palace, the Basilica of San Francisco, and the Witches' Market. The Mi Teleferico cable-car network provides quick, inexpensive access to other neighbourhoods including Sopocachi and El Alto.
Is breakfast included for all room types?
Yes, free breakfast is included in the rate for all guests. The standard breakfast includes bread, jam, fruit, and hot drinks including coca tea. Guests with dietary requirements are encouraged to inform staff at check-in.
What tours can be arranged through the hostel?
The tour desk assists with bookings for the Death Road cycling tour (Camino de la Muerte), the Uyuni salt flats, Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol, Tiwanaku archaeological site visits, and multi-day trekking routes in the Cordillera Real.
How should travellers manage altitude sickness in La Paz?
Arriving guests are advised to rest on the first day, drink plenty of water, eat lightly, and use coca tea or sorojchi altitude tablets from nearby pharmacies. Hostel staff are experienced in advising on acclimatisation and can arrange medical assistance if symptoms are severe.
Does the hostel have a curfew?
Estrella Andina Hostel operates with 24-hour reception and does not impose a guest curfew. Travellers arriving very late should inform the hostel of their expected arrival time when booking.
Accessibility
Estrella Andina Hostel occupies a multi-floor older building in central La Paz typical of the city's colonial-era construction, and the property does not appear to have lift access between floors. Guests with limited mobility may find stair navigation challenging. The steep hillside streets and cobblestone surfaces surrounding the hostel require additional consideration for guests using wheelchairs or mobility aids.
When to visit
La Paz can be visited year-round, but the dry season from May to October offers the clearest skies and best conditions for highland trekking and the Death Road cycling tour. The rainy season from November to April brings afternoon showers but generally does not prevent city sightseeing.