{"id":2248,"date":"2026-03-23T19:21:47","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T19:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/?p=2248"},"modified":"2026-09-27T15:22:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T15:22:16","slug":"%f0%9f%8d%bd%ef%b8%8f-street-food-in-la-paz-by-time-of-day-what-to-eat-and-when","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/?p=2248","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f What to Eat in La Paz: An Alpaca Food Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What to Eat in La Paz: An Alpaca Food Guide<\/h2>\n

La Paz has far more to eat than a short list of \u201ctraditional dishes\u201d.<\/p>\n

Some foods are found mainly in markets, others are sold by specialised street vendors, and many are easier to find at particular times of day.<\/p>\n

This guide is organised by type of food<\/strong>, so you can choose what interests you and then see where and when to look for it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Prices and opening times can change, so use them as a practical reference rather than a guarantee.<\/p>\n

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From morning pastries to night street food, La Paz has something different to try throughout the day.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Snacks, Empanadas & Street Bites<\/h1>\n

1. Salte\u00f1a<\/h2>\n

A baked pastry filled with a juicy savoury mixture. Common ingredients include beef or chicken, potato, peas, onion, egg, olives, spices and a broth-based filling.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/strong>
Pace\u00f1a La Salte\u00f1a<\/strong>
Loayza N\u00ba 233<\/a><\/p>\n

When to find it<\/strong>
Mainly in the morning, approximately 8:30 AM\u20132:30 PM<\/strong> at this location.<\/p>\n

Price observed<\/strong>
Approximately Bs 8\u201311<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vegetarian:<\/strong> available
Spicy:<\/strong> on the side<\/p>\n

Alpaca tip:<\/strong>
Eat it carefully \u2014 the filling is very juicy.<\/p>\n

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2. Tucumana<\/h2>\n

A fried pastry usually filled with beef or chicken, potato, onion and spices.<\/p>\n

It is often served with different sauces, including llajwa<\/strong> or peanut-based aj\u00ed.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tucumanas La Choca Marina<\/strong>
M\u00e9xico y Nicol\u00e1s Acosta 1505<\/a><\/p>\n

Alternative:<\/p>\n

Tucumanas del Prado<\/strong>
Calle M\u00e9xico #1850<\/a><\/p>\n

When to find it<\/strong>
Mainly morning to midday<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Price observed<\/strong>
Approximately Bs 5\u20138<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vegetarian:<\/strong> No
Spicy:<\/strong> on the side<\/p>\n

Alpaca tip:<\/strong>
Try it with the sauces available at the stall.<\/p>\n

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3. Relleno de Papa<\/h2>\n

Mashed potato filled with seasoned meat, shaped and fried.<\/p>\n

The current research records beef or chicken, onion, spices and sometimes egg.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rellenos de Do\u00f1a Emi<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Alternative:<\/p>\n

Papa Express<\/strong>
Sag\u00e1rnaga 161<\/a><\/p>\n

You can also find rellenos in Mercado Rodr\u00edguez<\/strong> and other traditional markets.<\/p>\n

Price observed<\/strong>
Approximately Bs 5\u20138<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vegetarian:<\/strong> No
Spicy:<\/strong> on the side\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alpaca tip:<\/strong>
Look beyond the snack itself: many relleno vendors specialise in one product and build regular customers around it.<\/p>\n

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4. Pastel de Queso<\/h2>\n

A thin fried pastry filled with cheese, usually served hot and often topped with powdered sugar.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/strong><\/p>\n

Api, Pasteles y Bu\u00f1uelos<\/strong>
Av. Garc\u00eda Lanza 60<\/a><\/p>\n

It can also be found at markets and stalls specialising in api.<\/p>\n

When to find it<\/strong>
only saturdays<\/strong><\/p>\n

Price observed<\/strong>
Approximately Bs 4\u201310<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vegetarian:<\/strong> Yes
Spicy:<\/strong> No<\/p>\n

Alpaca tip:<\/strong>
Best eaten freshly fried and hot. It is commonly paired with api<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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5. Huminta<\/h2>\n

A corn-based preparation usually made with fresh corn, cheese and other ingredients depending on the recipe.<\/p>\n

It can be prepared al horno<\/strong> or a la olla<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/strong><\/p>\n

Humintas Do\u00f1a Dorita<\/strong>
Mercado Rodr\u00edguez
C. Emilio Calder\u00f3n 356<\/a><\/p>\n

Alternative:<\/p>\n

Humintas a la olla y al horno \u201cSabor de Otro Planeta\u201d<\/strong>
M\u00e9ndez Arcos 732<\/a><\/p>\n

When to find it<\/strong>
from 7:00 to 18:00<\/p>\n

Price observed<\/strong>
Approximately Bs 5\u201310<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vegetarian:<\/strong> Yes
Spicy:<\/strong> No<\/p>\n

Alpaca tip:<\/strong>
If possible, compare one baked version with one cooked in the husk.<\/p>\n

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6. Bu\u00f1uelo<\/h2>\n

A fried dough preparation whose recipe may include flour, eggs, milk, cheese or anise.<\/p>\n

It is often served with syrup or honey.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/strong><\/p>\n

Api, Pasteles y Bu\u00f1uelos<\/strong>
Av. Garc\u00eda Lanza 60<\/a><\/p>\n

Alternative:<\/p>\n

Api con Tojori y Bu\u00f1uelos \u2014 Juan Manuel C\u00e1ceres<\/strong><\/a>
When to find it<\/strong>
Mainly breakfast or merienda<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Price observed<\/strong>
Approximately Bs 3\u20136<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vegetarian:<\/strong> Yes
Spicy:<\/strong> No<\/p>\n

Alpaca tip:<\/strong>
Try it with api.<\/p>\n

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7. Anticucho<\/h2>\n

Marinated beef heart grilled on skewers and served with potato and a peanut-based sauce.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don Anticucho<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Anticuchos Mary<\/strong>
Vincenti 740<\/a><\/p>\n

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When to find it<\/strong>
At night, normally from approximately 5:00\u20136:00 PM onwards<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Price observed<\/strong>
Approximately Bs 10\u201315<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vegetarian:<\/strong> No
Spicy:<\/strong> Depends.<\/p>\n

Alpaca tip:<\/strong>
Look for busy stalls with good turnover and skewers being grilled continuously.<\/p>\n

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Juices & Traditional Drinks<\/h2>\n

Bolivian food is not only about what you eat. La Paz also has fruit juices, corn-based drinks, dried-fruit refreshments, traditional coffee preparations and hot drinks that are worth trying on their own.<\/p>\n

Some are easy to find in markets, while others are better found in caf\u00e9s or businesses that prepare them regularly.<\/p>\n

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Jugo de Tumbo<\/h2>\n

Tumbo is an Andean fruit related to passionfruit. It has a fresh, tart flavour and is commonly prepared as juice.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/h3>\n

Mercado Rodr\u00edguez<\/strong>
Rodr\u00edguez, La Paz<\/a><\/p>\n

Fresh-juice stalls operate throughout the market, making it a good place to look for tumbo and other seasonal fruits.<\/p>\n

Another convenient option is:<\/p>\n

Mercado Lanza<\/strong>
Av. P\u00e9rez Velasco, San Francisco, La Paz<\/a><\/p>\n

For a more predictable sit-down option:<\/p>\n

Wistupiku<\/strong>
Calle Comercio 1057, between Socabaya and Yanacocha<\/a><\/p>\n

Their menu includes a refresco de tumbo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

When to find it<\/h3>\n

Market juice stalls are easiest to find during the morning and daytime<\/strong>. Availability depends on the fruit and the individual vendor.<\/p>\n

Alpaca Tip<\/h3>\n

At a market juice stall, ask:<\/p>\n

\u00bfQu\u00e9 fruta est\u00e1 buena hoy?<\/strong>
Which fruit is good today?<\/em><\/p>\n

You may discover something you would not have chosen from a menu.<\/p>\n

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Api Morado & Api Blanco<\/h2>\n

Api is a warm, thick corn-based drink, usually sweetened and flavoured with spices such as cinnamon.<\/p>\n

The purple version is the one visitors usually notice first, but api blanco<\/strong> is also prepared.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/h3>\n

Wistupiku<\/strong>
Calle Comercio 1057, central La Paz<\/a><\/p>\n

They serve both Api Morado<\/strong> and Api Blanco<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You can also look for api at Mercado Lanza<\/strong> and at stalls specialising in api, pastel and bu\u00f1uelos.<\/p>\n

When to find it<\/h3>\n

Api is particularly associated with breakfast and cooler parts of the day<\/strong>, although businesses such as Wistupiku make it easier to find outside traditional street-vendor hours.<\/p>\n

Alpaca Tip<\/h3>\n

Try your api with a pastel de queso<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The combination is much more representative than trying the drink by itself.<\/p>\n

\"api\"<\/h3>\n
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Tojor\u00ed<\/h2>\n

Tojor\u00ed is another traditional warm drink made from corn.<\/p>\n

It is usually prepared from white corn and spices, and versions with milk are also common.<\/p>\n

Although it can look similar to api at first, the texture and flavour are different.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/h3>\n

Wistupiku<\/strong>
Calle Comercio 1057, La Paz<\/a><\/p>\n

Their menu includes both Tojor\u00ed<\/strong> and Tojor\u00ed con Leche<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Another option is:<\/p>\n

Api con Tojori y Bu\u00f1uelos<\/strong>
Juan Manuel C\u00e1ceres, La Paz<\/a>
Plus Code: FVQ6+HQP<\/p>\n

When to find it<\/h3>\n

Traditionally easier to find around breakfast and merienda<\/strong>, although availability depends on the business.<\/p>\n

Alpaca Tip<\/h3>\n

If you see both api and tojor\u00ed on the same menu, try them side by side.<\/p>\n

It is an easy way to see how corn is used in very different drinks.<\/p>\n

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Mocochinchi or K’isa<\/h2>\n

Mocochinchi is a cold drink made from dried peaches cooked in water with sugar and spices such as cinnamon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The rehydrated peach is often served inside the glass.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/h3>\n

La Boliviana<\/strong>
Calle Sag\u00e1rnaga corner Murillo<\/a>
Galer\u00eda Chuquiago #213, second floor<\/p>\n

They serve an artisanal version of mocochinchi.<\/p>\n

You can also look for it in traditional markets and food stalls around La Paz.<\/p>\n

When to find it<\/h3>\n

It is generally easier to find from lunchtime onwards<\/strong>, especially in restaurants, markets and traditional food businesses.<\/p>\n

Alpaca Tip<\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t be surprised when you reach the bottom of the glass and find an entire peach waiting for you.<\/p>\n

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Sultana<\/h2>\n

Sultana is made from the dried husk of the coffee cherry<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Instead of using the roasted coffee bean, this drink uses another part of the same fruit, producing a lighter and often fruitier flavour.<\/p>\n

It can be served hot or cold.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/h3>\n

La Especier\u00eda<\/strong>
Av. Saavedra, La Paz<\/a><\/p>\n

Their caf\u00e9 menu includes sultana.<\/p>\n

When to find it<\/h3>\n

During regular caf\u00e9 opening hours<\/strong>, generally from midday into the afternoon.<\/p>\n

Alpaca Tip<\/h3>\n

If you already drink Bolivian coffee, trying sultana is especially interesting because it shows another use of the coffee fruit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\n

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Sucumb\u00e9<\/h2>\n

Sucumb\u00e9 is a warm alcoholic drink prepared with milk, spices and Singani<\/strong>, Bolivia\u2019s grape spirit.<\/p>\n

It is particularly suited to cold La Paz evenings.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/h3>\n

Nina Wasi (caf\u00e9 cultural)<\/strong>
Pasaje Kuljis, sobre la calle Genaro Sanjin\u00e9s, entre Ingavi y Comercio, La Paz.<\/a><\/p>\n

A small cultural caf\u00e9 in central La Paz with a more local atmosphere than the tourist-focused caf\u00e9s around Sag\u00e1rnaga.<\/p>\n

When to go:<\/strong> afternoon or early evening.<\/p>\n

Alpaca tip:<\/strong> A good option if you want to try traditional drinks in a quieter, more local setting.<\/p>\n

When to find it<\/h3>\n

Best looked for during the afternoon or evening<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Alcohol<\/h3>\n

Yes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alpaca Tip<\/h3>\n

Sucumb\u00e9 may look like another warm traditional drink, but unlike api or tojor\u00ed, it contains alcohol<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Caf\u00e9 Destilado Pace\u00f1o<\/h2>\n

La Paz also has older ways of preparing coffee.<\/p>\n

Traditional caf\u00e9 destilado<\/strong> is slowly prepared using a traditional drip coffee maker, producing a concentrated coffee that can then be served black or with milk.<\/p>\n

Where to try it<\/h3>\n

Mercado Lanza<\/strong>
Av. P\u00e9rez Velasco, San Francisco, La Paz<\/a><\/p>\n

Another easy option is:<\/p>\n

Wistupiku<\/strong>
Calle Comercio 1057<\/a><\/p>\n

They also offer caf\u00e9 destilado and caf\u00e9 destilado con leche.<\/p>\n

When to find it<\/h3>\n

During regular caf\u00e9 opening hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Alpaca Tip<\/h3>\n

If you have already tried Bolivian speciality coffee prepared as espresso or filter coffee, try caf\u00e9 destilado as well.<\/p>\n

It represents a different part of La Paz\u2019s coffee culture.<\/p>\n

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One More Thing About Drinks in La Paz<\/h2>\n

Not every traditional drink belongs to a restaurant menu.<\/p>\n

Some of the best places to look are still markets, juice stalls and small specialised businesses<\/strong>, where availability may depend on the hour, season and what was prepared that day.<\/p>\n

That is why this guide gives you places where each drink can usually be found, rather than pretending every option is available everywhere all day.<\/p>\n

Ask, look around and try what people are actually preparing that day.<\/strong> \ud83e\udd99<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\ud83c\udf3f Want to experience this with real context?<\/a>

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What to Eat in La Paz: An Alpaca Food Guide La Paz has far more to eat than a short list of \u201ctraditional dishes\u201d. Some foods are found mainly in markets, others are sold by specialised street vendors, and many are easier to find at particular times of day. This guide is organised by type…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1438,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food-traditions","item-inner"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2248"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3394,"href":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2248\/revisions\/3394"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1438"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpacasteps.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}