For five days in late February, La Paz transforms: water fights on every street, dancing processions through the city centre, and the Entrada Universitaria parade drawing 70,000 spectators to the main avenue.
La Paz Carnival is one of Bolivia's most energetic and participatory festivals, taking place at 3,650 metres above sea level in one of the world's highest capital cities. The carnival period in La Paz runs approximately five days leading to Shrove Tuesday and is characterised by organised street water fights (globos: water balloons sold on every street corner for a few bolivianos each), the Entrada Universitaria student parade, and comparsa dance groups moving through the city's steep streets. The water fight tradition is aggressive: expect to be thoroughly soaked if you leave the hostel in the three days before Shrove Tuesday. Waterproofing electronics is not optional.
The Entrada Universitaria parade is the most spectacular single event: student groups from the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés compete in elaborate costumes representing different Bolivian folk dances including the Morenada, the Caporales, and the Diablada. The parade moves along Prado Avenue and takes approximately four hours to complete. Grandstand tickets sell out the day before; the free standing viewing along the route is crowded but functional. La Paz altitude affects nearly every visitor: most people experience some degree of altitude sickness at 3,650 metres. The standard approach is to spend the first day resting, drinking coca leaf tea, and avoiding alcohol. Festival week is not ideal for arriving immediately and going out; plan at least one rest day.
Party hostels within reach of 's main celebrations. Ranked by guest rating.
Day-by-day breakdown
Globos water balloons are sold from buckets on street corners throughout the city for BOB 5–10 per bag. The Sopocachi and Miraflores neighbourhoods are the most intense zones for the street water fights on the three main carnival days. Wear a change of clothes and accept that you will be wet. The Witches' Market on Calle Jiménez in the Sagárnaga area sells carnival accessories including masks and streamers alongside its permanent llama foetus and herbal medicine stalls.
The Entrada Universitaria parade begins at 6pm and runs until around 10pm along the Prado. After the parade, the peñas (folk music venues) in the Sopocachi and Los Pinos neighbourhoods programme live Andean music and traditional dance until midnight. Peña Huari on Calle Sagárnaga is one of the most established venues; dinner with live music runs BOB 80–120 (approximately £8–£12). The altitude makes alcohol stronger than at sea level; the local singani (grape brandy) is worth trying in small quantities.
Pre-booked private transfers and shared shuttles for your arrival.
