Cholita Tastes La Paz Food Tour with 12+ Tastings

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  La Paz

  Perched high in the Andes at over 3,600 metres above sea level, La Paz isn't just one of the world's highest capitals - it's one of South America's most fascinating food cities. Here, ancient Aymara traditions meet Spanish colonial influences in markets overflowing with native potatoes, giant corn, aromatic herbs and recipes that have sustained mountain communities for centuries. At this altitude, hearty food isn't simply comfort, it's a way of life. Before we get started, your tour reflects the local cuisine and the limitations of traditional eateries mean we unfortunately cannot cater for every dietary restriction. Here's an honest appraisal so nobody is disappointed:
 Possible for lactose intolerance, no pork diets, mild peanut and tree nut allergies, and no seafood diets, though some tastings will be unsuitable Unsuitable for vegetarians, vegans, gluten intolerance, pescatarians and halal diets.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  La Paz

  Your feast of 12+ tastings and winds through bustling markets, hidden street stalls and neighbourhood eateries where generations of Paceños have gathered around the table. Breakfast in La Paz is anything but ordinary. We'll begin with a trio of beloved Bolivian street snacks: sweet humintas al horno, baked corn cakes wrapped in corn husks, crisp little buñuelos scented with anise, and golden cheese-filled pasteles. Everything is washed down with a steaming cup of api, the thick purple corn drink gently spiced with cinnamon and cloves that's been warming Bolivians through chilly Andean mornings for generations.
 No visit to Bolivia would be complete without its most famous pastry. In fact, you'll try two. Rich, juicy salteñas are packed with savoury beef filling and famously eaten without spilling a drop - a skill locals have perfected over a lifetime. Alongside comes the lesser-known but equally delicious pucacapa, another meaty pastry that's long been a favourite across the Andes.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 3
  Mercado Camacho

  where breakfast is served with serious intent.We'll tuck into the wonderfully named Macho Camacho, a hearty combination of beef, onions, eggs and sausage that leaves little doubt why it's considered a proper start to the day. Beside it comes sultana, a delicate tea brewed from the dried husks of coffee cherries, a reminder that even coffee has more than one story to tell. We'll continue with two dishes deeply rooted in Bolivian home cooking. Creamy sopa de maní transforms humble peanuts into one of the country's most comforting soups, while falso conejo, or "fake rabbit", tells a story of ingenuity. Originally created when rabbit became scarce or expensive, cooks substituted tender beef while keeping the flavours that locals already loved.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 4
  La Paz

  As we continue through the historic centre, we'll pass the Monument to Simón Bolívar, the revolutionary leader whose name the country proudly bears, before discovering another side of everyday Bolivian food. At a modest street stall known only to locals, we'll feast on succulent lechón con papas, slow-roasted pork served simply with potatoes, proof that the best meals often come without tablecloths. Nearby, crisp rellenos de papa reveal savoury fillings beneath golden potato shells, finished with fiery llajua, Bolivia's iconic tomato and chilli salsa that's found on tables across the country.

  45 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5
  Mercado Lanza

  We'll finish as generations of Paceños have done - inside the bustling Mercado Lanza. A refreshing glass of mocochinchi, made from dried peaches slowly simmered with spices, offers a taste of one of Bolivia's most beloved traditional drinks before your final bowl arrives. Rich, warming fricasé, a spicy pork soup served with giant Andean corn, has long been regarded as the perfect restorative after a late night and remains one of La Paz's defining comfort foods. By the time we return, you'll have experienced far more than a great lunch. You'll have uncovered the markets, mountain traditions and family recipes that continue to shape one of South America's most distinctive food cultures - places few visitors ever discover without a local tastemaker leading the way.

  45 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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