A night in La Paz logically begins in a cafe along the malecón as the sun sinks into the sea. Have your camera ready.

A favorite ringside seat at dusk is a table at La Terraza, next to the Hotel Perla (tel. 612/122-0777). La Terraza makes good, schooner-size margaritas. Papas & Beer (tel. 612/128-5145; www.lapaz.papasandbeer.com) is the star attraction for the late night set at the trendy Vista Coral entertainment center, located at the very start of the malecón at Marquez de Léon. Jungle Bar (tel. 612/125-7666), on the malecón at 16 de Septiembre, has spring-break-style Ladies' Night and shot specials, open until 2am Sunday to Wednesday, and till 4am Thursday to Saturday. For a lower-key night on the town, La Encantada gallery and wine bar (tel. 612/185-3469), on Dominguez between 5 de Mayo and Callejón Constitución, showcases local jazz musicians in the garden until 10:30pm Monday to Saturday.

For dancing, two of the hottest clubs are Casa de Villa (tel. 612/128-5799), where current pop music has young paceños (La Paz locals) dancing till late on the second-floor terrace above La Paz-Lapa on the malecón, and Las Varitas, Independencia and Dominguez (tel. 612/125-2025; www.lasvaritas.com), which plays Latin rock, ranchera, and salsa. Both are open from 9pm to 3 or 4am Thursday through Saturday (occasionally open earlier in the week as well), with cover charges around $5 (the charge may be waived or increased, depending on the crowd).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.