Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Taxis to El Alto charge around B$50 from the center of La Paz.
Micros
marked 'Ceja'
or 'El Alto' will get you here for B$3.
NEIGHBORHOOD
La Ceja
In the lively La Ceja (Brow) district, which commands one of the highest real-estate
prices in the region for its commercial value, you'll find a variety of electronic gadgets
and mercantile goods. For an excellent market experience don't miss the massive
Mer-
cado 16 de Julio
(
6am-3pm Thu & Sun)
, which stretches for many blocks along the
main thoroughfare and across Plaza 16 de Julio. This shopaholic's paradise has absolutely
everything, from food and electronics, to vehicles and animals, all at reasonable prices.
Heads up: watch your wallet in both senses of the phrase.
Cholitas Wrestling
(
www.cholitaswrestling.com
;
Polifuncional de la Ceja de El Alto (stadium); B$80;
3:30pm Sun)
Wrestling matches between indigenous women (derogatively called
cholitas
)
has become popular in recent years. The staged bouts take part in El Alto on Sunday after-
noons. You can go on your own, but for ease of mind, many choose to get there by book-
ing online or through a Sagárnaga tour agency.
WRESTLING
Tupac Katari Mirador
For a great view of La Paz head in a taxi to the Tupac Katari Mirador, situated right on the
edge of the rim that plunges down the valley to La Paz. It was - and is - a sacred Inca site
and ritual altar where Tupac Katari is believed to have been drawn and quartered by colo-
nialists. The colonialists constructed and interred a statue of Christ on the same site, but
that didn't stop locals from performing spiritual rituals here.
Around the
mirador
(lookout) and as far as the eye can see is a long line of small
identical blue booths, distinguished only by a number. These house
curanderos
(healers)
or
yatiris,
who provide sage advice. Note: the counsel of a
yatiri
is taken extremely seri-
ously; please be sensitive to this - both photos and tourist appointments are considered in-
appropriate and are not appreciated.
LOOKOUT
