Bolivia offers stunning natural wonders from the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni salt flats to the serene waters of Lake Titicaca. Experience rich indigenous culture, colorful markets, and the world's highest capital city in La Paz.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Aguayo Woven Cloth
Traditional Andean woven fabric in vivid geometric patterns used by indigenous women as carrying cloths. Each region has distinct color combinations and motifs representing Aymara and Quechua heritage.
Price: $10-50
Where: Mercado de las Brujas, Calle Sagárnaga, La Paz
Cholita Pollera Skirt
Layered skirts worn by indigenous Bolivian women available as decorative souvenirs or wearable fashion. Handmade with multiple petticoats and embroidered hems in bright colors.
Price: $15-60
Where: Mercado Lanza, Calle Graneros, La Paz
Alpaca Wool Sweater
Hand-knitted sweaters and cardigans made from premium alpaca wool, renowned for softness and warmth. Designs feature Andean condors, llamas, and geometric patterns indigenous to Bolivia.
Price: $20-80
Where: Calle Sagárnaga market stalls, La Paz
Cholita Figurines
Ceramic figurines depicting traditional Bolivian women in traditional dress, handpainted with intricate detail. Popular collectibles representing Bolivian cultural identity and indigenous fashion.
Price: $5-25
Where: Artisan shops around Plaza Murillo, La Paz
Potosí Silver Jewelry
Handcrafted sterling silver jewelry from Potosí continuing the city's 500-year silversmithing tradition. Earrings, bracelets, and pendants feature Andean motifs and pre-Columbian designs.
Price: $15-150
Where: Mercado Central de Potosí, Calle Bolívar, Potosí
Charango Miniature
Small decorative versions of Bolivia's national string instrument, traditionally made from armadillo shell and wood. Full-size playing versions and decorative miniatures both available.
Price: $10-80
Where: Calle Linares, La Paz; music shops near San Francisco church
Bolivian Coffee and Coca Products
Specialty coffee from Yungas region along with legal coca leaf products including coca tea bags, coca candy, and coca flour permitted for export in small quantities.
Price: $5-15
Where: Typica Coffee Lab, Alexander Coffee, specialty shops in La Paz
Ekeko Luck Figurine
Colorful statuette of Ekeko, the Andean god of abundance, laden with miniature items representing prosperity. Traditional good luck charm from La Paz's famous Alasitas festival.
Price: $5-30
Where: Mercado de las Brujas, Witches' Market, La Paz
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercado de las Brujas (Witches' Market)
Bolivia's most famous market selling traditional Aymara ritual items including dried llama fetuses, medicinal herbs, potions, and handmade textiles. A living connection to Bolivia's indigenous spiritual traditions.
Where: Calle Jiménez and Linares, La Paz
Hours: Daily 9AM-7PM
Mercado Lanza
Central La Paz market spread across multiple levels selling fresh produce, street food, household goods, and affordable clothing. Best spot for authentic local salteñas at breakfast stalls on the ground floor.
Where: Calle Figueroa, La Paz
Hours: Daily 6AM-7PM
El Alto Feria 16 de Julio
One of South America's largest open-air markets covering dozens of city blocks in El Alto. Sells everything from electronics and clothing to livestock and car parts at wholesale prices.
Where: 16 de Julio Avenue, El Alto (adjacent to La Paz)
Hours: Thursdays and Sundays, 6AM-4PM
Mercado Central de Sucre
Sucre's colorful central market with excellent fresh fruit juices, local cheese, and handmade sweets on the upper floor. Good selection of Chuquisaca department artisan crafts.
Where: Calle Ravelo, Sucre
Hours: Daily 7AM-6PM
Mercado Campesino Cochabamba
Bustling market serving Bolivia's breadbasket region with exceptional produce, dried spices, and regional specialties. Try chicha morada and api drinks sold by vendors in traditional dress.
Where: Avenida República, Cochabamba
Hours: Daily 6AM-6PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Calle Sagárnaga, La Paz
La Paz's main tourist shopping street lined with stalls and shops selling alpaca wool products, handwoven textiles, silver jewelry, and indigenous crafts. Connects Plaza San Francisco to the Witches' Market area.
Best for: Alpaca clothing, woven textiles, silver jewelry, Bolivian souvenirs
Sopocachi, La Paz
Upscale bohemian neighborhood with independent boutiques, art galleries, and specialty stores. Home to design shops selling contemporary Bolivian fashion and artisan-made homewares.
Best for: Contemporary Bolivian design, boutique fashion, art galleries
Historic Center Sucre
Sucre's whitewashed colonial center has clusters of artisan shops selling the city's renowned chocolates, Chuquisaca weaving, and silver filigree jewelry. Calles Ravelo and Arce are best for shopping.
Best for: Sucre chocolate, filigree jewelry, regional textiles
Equipetrol, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz's upscale commercial district with designer boutiques, international brands, and modern shopping malls. Much warmer climate than highland cities makes it Bolivia's most comfortable shopping environment.
Best for: Modern fashion, international brands, electronics
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Megacenter
Santa Cruz's largest shopping mall with over 200 stores spanning fashion, electronics, food courts, and entertainment. Modern air-conditioned environment popular with local families and visitors alike.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10AM-9PM, Sunday 10AM-8PM
Las Brisas Shopping Center
Major shopping center in Santa Cruz with anchor department stores, international chains, cinema complex, and extensive food court offering both Bolivian and international cuisine.
Hours: Daily 10AM-9PM
Mall Multiplaza La Paz
La Paz's modern shopping center in the Zona Sur area of Calacoto featuring mid-range clothing stores, supermarkets, and restaurants catering to the city's more affluent residential neighborhoods.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10AM-9PM, Sunday 11AM-8PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected in street markets and with individual vendors at Calle Sagárnaga and Witches' Market - start at 60-70% of asking price
Fixed prices are standard in malls, established shops, and supermarkets - do not attempt to bargain
Be respectful when bargaining - aggressive negotiating is considered rude; a smile and friendly approach works best
Buying multiple items gives you more leverage - ask for a discount when purchasing 3 or more pieces
Morning is the best time to bargain as vendors prefer making their first sale of the day quickly
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Pre-Columbian artifacts and items considered national cultural heritage cannot be exported. Coca leaves and coca products are restricted in most countries - check regulations for your destination. Fresh fruit and vegetables may be restricted on entry to neighboring countries.
Tax Refund: Bolivia does not offer a VAT refund program for tourists at present.
Duty Free: Bolivia allows visitors to bring in up to $1,000 worth of goods duty-free. Residents returning home may bring in up to $500 worth without paying import duties.
Shipping: International shipping available through DHL, FedEx, and EMS (national postal service) from La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Sucre. Allow 2-4 weeks for surface mail to North America and Europe. Ensure fragile items are well-packaged as handling can be rough.