Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in La Paz, Bolivia
1. Taxis Falsos en la Calle Jaén
Avoid fake taxis waiting on Jaén Street, often overcharging or taking longer routes. Use radio-dispatched taxis for safety and reasonable rates.
- Radio-Dispatched: Official taxis are dispatched via radio, ensuring they're licensed and safer
- Affordable Rates: Radio-dispatched taxis charge reasonable rates compared to fake taxis
- Shorter Routes: Radio-dispatched taxis take the quickest and most efficient routes
2. Mercado de las Brujas: Falsos Cambistas
At Witches' Market, beware of unofficial money changers offering poor exchange rates. Visit official cambios or banks for a fair deal.
- Official Exchange Rates: Banks and official cambios provide competitive and legal exchange rates
- Secure Transactions: Banks and official cambios ensure secure transactions, minimizing the risk of fraud
- Customer Support: Banks and official cambios offer customer support in case of issues or complaints
3. La Calle Linares: Ventas Fraudulentas
Be wary of fake souvenirs and overpriced items on Linares Street. Research prices beforehand and negotiate fairly.
- Research Pricing: Knowing the market price for souvenirs helps you avoid overpaying
- Negotiating Skills: Haggling is common in Bolivia, so practicing negotiation skills can save money
- Buyer's Remorse Reduction: Negotiating fairly ensures you get a good deal and reduce buyer's remorse
4. La Calle Sagarnaga: Venta de Coca Fraudulentas
Watch out for diluted or fake coca leaves on Sagarnaga Street. Visit local markets to find authentic and affordable coca leaves.
- Local Markets: Local markets offer a wider variety of authentic coca leaves at reasonable prices
- Quality Control: Local markets usually have a higher standard for product quality, ensuring you get genuine coca leaves
- Fair Pricing: Buying from local markets helps ensure that you pay a fair price for your purchase
5. Tarjetas de Crédito en el Centro
Avoid using credit cards in the city center as they can be easily skimmed. Use ATMs at banks for safer cash withdrawals.
- Bank ATMs: ATMs located inside banks are less susceptible to skimming and card fraud
- Safety Measures: Banks have additional safety measures in place to protect against fraudulent transactions
- Transaction Fees: ATMs at banks may charge lower transaction fees compared to other ATM providers
6. Restaurantes en la Calle Jaén
Avoid overpriced or poor-quality food on Jaén Street. Research restaurants online for customer reviews and reasonable prices.
- Online Reviews: Customer reviews help you choose a restaurant based on quality, service, and price
- Price Comparison: Comparing prices for similar dishes at different restaurants helps you find the best deal
- Trying Local Favorites: Researching local specialties can help you discover authentic and delicious meals in La Paz
7. Servicios de Turismo en el Mercado de las Brujas
Beware of overpriced or fraudulent tour services at the Witches' Market. Research tour operators online for reliable and affordable options.
- Online Research: Researching tour operators helps you find reliable, licensed, and affordable tours
- Customer Reviews: Reading customer reviews helps you make an informed decision about which tour operator to choose
- Tour Type: Choosing the type of tour (e.g., cultural, adventure, or food tours) that best suits your interests
8. Servicios de Cambio en la Plaza San Francisco
Avoid unofficial money changers in Plaza San Francisco. Visit nearby banks or official cambios for a fair exchange rate.
- Official Exchange Rates: Banks and official cambios provide competitive and legal exchange rates
- Secure Transactions: Banks and official cambios ensure secure transactions, minimizing the risk of fraud
- Customer Support: Banks and official cambios offer customer support in case of issues or complaints
9. Servicios de Transporte en el Terminal Terrestre
Avoid overpriced or fraudulent transport services at the bus terminal. Book tickets in advance online for a guaranteed seat and lower prices.
- Online Booking: Booking tickets online ensures you get a guaranteed seat, saving time and reducing costs
- Price Comparison: Comparing prices for the same route helps you find the best deal on transport services
- Company Reputation: Researching bus companies helps you choose a reputable and reliable service provider
10. Restaurantes con Alta Marisma en la Calle Sagarnaga
Avoid restaurants with high marisma (water content) on Sagarnaga Street. Research authentic and affordable eateries serving traditional Bolivian dishes.
- Online Reviews: Customer reviews help you choose a restaurant based on quality, service, and marisma levels
- Price Comparison: Comparing prices for similar dishes at different restaurants helps you find the best deal
- Trying Local Favorites: Researching local specialties can help you discover authentic and delicious meals in La Paz
11. Cobradores de Entrada en el Museo de la Ciudad
Avoid overpriced or fraudulent ticket sellers at the City Museum. Buy tickets at the museum's entrance or online for a guaranteed admission.
- Museum Entrance: Buying tickets at the museum ensures you get a genuine ticket and avoid scams
- Online Booking: Booking tickets online helps you secure your admission, reducing lines and saving time
- Discounts for Students or Seniors: Check if there are any discounts available for students, seniors, or other groups when purchasing museum tickets
12. Servicios de Cambio en la Calle Linares
Avoid unofficial money changers on Linares Street. Visit nearby banks or official cambios for a fair exchange rate.
- Official Exchange Rates: Banks and official cambios provide competitive and legal exchange rates
- Secure Transactions: Banks and official cambios ensure secure transactions, minimizing the risk of fraud
- Customer Support: Banks and official cambios offer customer support in case of issues or complaints
13. Restaurantes de Coca en la Calle Sagarnaga
Avoid overpriced or fake coca leaves on Sagarnaga Street. Visit local markets to find authentic and affordable coca leaves.
- Local Markets: Local markets offer a wider variety of authentic coca leaves at reasonable prices
- Quality Control: Local markets usually have a higher standard for product quality, ensuring you get genuine coca leaves
- Fair Pricing: Buying from local markets helps ensure that you pay a fair price for your purchase
14. Servicios de Cambio en la Plaza Avaroa
Avoid unofficial money changers in Plaza Avaroa. Visit nearby banks or official cambios for a fair exchange rate.
- Official Exchange Rates: Banks and official cambios provide competitive and legal exchange rates
- Secure Transactions: Banks and official cambios ensure secure transactions, minimizing the risk of fraud
- Customer Support: Banks and official cambios offer customer support in case of issues or complaints
15. Servicios de Cambio en el Terminal Terrestre
Avoid unofficial money changers at the bus terminal. Visit nearby banks or official cambios for a fair exchange rate.
- Official Exchange Rates: Banks and official cambios provide competitive and legal exchange rates
- Secure Transactions: Banks and official cambios ensure secure transactions, minimizing the risk of fraud
- Customer Support: Banks and official cambios offer customer support in case of issues or complaints