Take a walk along the elegant street Calle Jaén to admire centuries-old colonial architecture. Visit museums devoted to Bolivian history and culture or attend a peña to watch a live performance of traditional folk music and dance.
This pedestrian-only cobblestone street is a little over 330 feet (100 meters) long but there is plenty to keep you occupied. Admire the colonial buildings, characterized by colorful façades and wrought-iron balconies. Check out the stone mosaics built into the street. From the top of the street you can see the city’s colorful houses rising up into the mountains around La Paz.
Visit the Casa de Murillo to see the former home of Pedro Domingo Murillo, who played a vital role in Bolivia’s struggle for independence. Find artifacts previously owned by Bolivia’s aristocrats, including colonial paintings, period furniture and tableware. The Museo de Metales Preciosos (Museum of Precious Metals) has a vast collection of gold, silver and pottery artifacts. The items belonged to the country’s earliest societies, such as the Tiwanaku who established a thriving city between A.D. 300 and 1000.
At the Museo del Litoral Boliviano, learn about the Pacific War fought between Bolivia and Chile. Go to the Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas to see artifacts relating to the La Paz of the early 1900s. Displays include photography expositions, military uniforms, weaponry and ceramics.
Discover an exhibition of Latin American musical instruments at the Museo de Instrumentos Musicales. Among its collection are wonderful guitars made from armadillo shells and charangos, 10-stringed instruments from Bolivia.
While visiting the street you can also enjoy traditional Andean music and dance performances at an authentic peña, which is a live music bar.
Calle Jaén is about a 10-minute walk from Plaza Murillo, in the city center of La Paz. One ticket covers the admission for all of the museums, except for the Museo de Instrumentos Musicales. Purchase the ticket at the Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas. You should comfortably include a visit to all of the museums in one day.
