By Taxi -- You will never be at a loss for a taxi in La Paz. Because unemployment is so high in Bolivia, many people have converted their cars into taxis. But beware: I have heard sketchy stories about these rogue taxi drivers. The most reliable taxi companies display brightly lit signs with their telephone numbers on top of their taxis. Drivers don't use meters, but fares are generally fixed. Rides within the center of town or to the Sopocachi neighborhood should only cost 7Bs (90¢).
By Trufi -- The streets of La Paz are clogged with trufis (minibuses), which are always packed with locals. The routes are convoluted and confusing, except in the center of town (from Plaza San Francisco to Plaza del Estudiante) where trufis travel down one street without making any turns. So, if you're in the center of town, and you're planning on going straight, flag down a trufi. There are no designated stops; drivers stop when they see prospective passengers. The fare is 2Bs (25¢), payable to the driver at the end of your ride. To signal that you want to get off, simply shout, "Bajo" or "Me quedo aquí."
By Foot -- It's hard to walk anywhere at an altitude of 3,739m (12,464 ft.) without feeling winded. But it's especially hard to walk around La Paz, where it feels as if all the streets have a steep uphill climb. After you spend a few days acclimating to the altitude, walking gets a little easier. Still, on streets such as Calle Sagárnaga, where the number of street-side vendors is roughly equivalent to the number of pedestrians, trying to fight your way through the throngs of people can be quite a challenge. I recommend walking around the center of town; it's fascinating to see the local people on the streets. But if you have to go a long distance -- from one side of the city to another -- it's much easier on the feet and the body to take a taxi or trufi.
