THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Bolivia - page 113

CITY CENTRE
The bulk of the city's gringo-oriented accommodation is split between the busy market dis-
trict west of Plaza San Francisco and the more sedate colonial centre to the east, where you'll
find most of the best budget options, and where a few crumbling colonial bargains are still
to be had. It's worth bearing in mind that the steep gradients of the city's streets mean that
what appears a short walk back to your hotel on the map can in fact be an exhausting climb,
particularly if you haven't yet adjusted to the altitude.
BUDGET
Adventure Brew Hostel Av Montes 533, next to Impuestos Internos (the inland revenue),
opposite the petrol station on the corner of Pando 02 2461614, theadventurebre-
whostel.com ; map . At the time of writing, La Paz's original backpackers hostel was in the
midst of big changes, with the main premises envisaged as a new B&B operation and the
dorms being housed in what is shaping up to be a lordly colonial renovation just up the road.
Accommodation will be grouped around a handsome courtyard over several floors, topped
by a “sky bar” with a toughened-glass floor. Staff are incredibly friendly and the hostel itself
still very popular so it's probably best to book online in advance. Dorms Bs55 ; doubles Bs210
Bash'n'Crash Av Montes 689 02 2280934, bashandcrashbackpackers.com ; map . A
new party hostel with a much more cosmopolitan mix of travellers than the competition.
The owners are young, Bolivian, enthusiastic and welcoming, and accommodation consists
largely of dorm beds, along with a few private rooms, while the communal areas retain
enough cosy colonial charm (if a little too much tobacco smoke) to take the chill off the cold-
est of La Paz nigh ts. Don 't mi ss the antique table football table and the downstairs peña/
disco . Dorms Bs35 ; double Bs70
Hostal Austria Yanacocha 531, on the left at the top of the stairs 02 2408540,
[e-mail] ; map . With its lofty ceilings and maze of period wood and glass
corridors, this place oozes history. The rooms are real period pieces, with undersized doors
and an unintentionally shabby chic-cum-1960s minimalist feel. The only downside is the
completelackofprivatebathroomsandtheratherdodg ygas- poweredshowers.Nevertheless,
a must for retro fans and a real bargain for anyone else. Bs70
Hostal Señorial Yanacocha 540 02 2406042; map . Directly opposite Hostal Austria and
equally steeped in period style, this place is as close as anything you'll find in La Paz to actu-
ally living in a rambling, ageing colonial house. Ceilings are so ridiculously high you wonder
how on earth they applied the (original) cornicing, rooms are tranquil and clean, and there's
a huge communal kitchen. If you're a light sleeper, ho wev er, beware the incessant, quarter
hourly clang of the nearby Iglesia Santo Domingo bell. Bs85
Hostal Tambo de Oro Av Armentia 367 02 2281565 or 02 2281050,
[e-mail] ; map . A veritable labyrinth of dark, hardwood corridors