Is it safe to eat street food?

Yes, if you follow the crowds. If a stall has a high turnover of locals, the food is fresh. Avoid salads or peeled fruit washed in tap water.

How do I deal with the altitude?

Drink plenty of coca tea or chew coca leaves as soon as you arrive. Don't plan strenuous hikes for your first 48 hours.

How to experience La Paz like a local

To experience La Paz like a local, skip the tourist-heavy souvenir shops and embrace the city's vertical geography by using the Mi Teleférico system as your primary commute. Spend your time navigating the bustling markets like Mercado Rodríguez and eating street food where the crowds are densest.

Master the Teleférico network. Don't bother with taxis for cross-city travel. Buy a reusable card at any station and use the cable cars. The Yellow and Silver lines offer the best views of the valley, while the Red line connects the high-altitude El Alto to the city center in minutes.
Shop at Mercado Rodríguez. Go to the Rodríguez market on a Tuesday or Friday morning. This is where locals buy their fresh produce. Don't look for souvenirs; just observe the rhythm of the city and buy some local fruit like chirimoya.
Visit El Alto on a market day. Take the Red line up to El Alto on a Thursday or Sunday for the massive street market. It is chaotic, vast, and incredibly authentic. Stick to the main thoroughfares and keep your bag in front of you.
Walk the 'Calle Sagárnaga' periphery. While Sagárnaga is the tourist hub for textiles, walk two blocks west into the side streets. You’ll find the 'Mercado de las Brujas' (Witches Market) areas where locals actually shop for medicinal herbs and ritual offerings.

Is it safe to eat street food?: Yes, if you follow the crowds. If a stall has a high turnover of locals, the food is fresh. Avoid salads or peeled fruit washed in tap water.
How do I deal with the altitude?: Drink plenty of coca tea or chew coca leaves as soon as you arrive. Don't plan strenuous hikes for your first 48 hours.