La Paz, Bolivia: a canyon city at 11,900 feet, on about $1,000 a month

Where people live: Expats mostly settle in Zona Sur, in neighborhoods like Calacoto, San Miguel and Achumani. It's where the diplomatic community lives, and being lower than the center makes the first weeks easier on your lungs.

Your first days: Rest and keep activity light until you've adjusted. Book the movers for a week after you land, not the day you arrive.

Healthcare: Foreign residents use private clinics. Clínica Alemana on Avenida 6 de Agosto and Clínica del Sur in Obrajes are both on the British government's list of facilities with English-speaking staff. Hospitals and doctors often want payment before they treat you, and Medicare doesn't cover care abroad. Healthcare coach Hunter Schultz, one of our partners, can help you build a care plan, and ExpatInsure can quote international coverage.

Money and water: Bolivia ended its 15-year dollar peg in June 2026, and the boliviano now floats under central bank oversight, so prices quoted in bolivianos can shift quickly. Bring crisp U.S. bills, since banks and exchange houses often turn down folded or worn ones, and don't rely on ATMs, which are frequently out of order. Tap water isn't safe for drinking, cooking or brushing your teeth.

Working remotely: We couldn't confirm which coworking spaces are operating now, so plan to work from home. Test the connection on a video call before you sign a lease.

Safety: The State Department rates Bolivia Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution. It flags petty crime in El Alto, says to skip its 16 de Julio market because of pickpockets, and warns Americans not to go to Chapare Province at all. Real estate scams are common too, so use your own lawyer before you buy anything.

Limited mobility: This is a hard city on a wheelchair or walker. The streets climb the canyon walls, the State Department says accessibility is very limited across transport, lodging and public spaces, and the disability law is unevenly enforced. Visit before you commit, and check every route from the front door.

LGBTQ expats: The State Department describes La Paz as generally tolerant of gay and lesbian travelers. Bolivia's constitutional court upheld recognition of same-sex civil unions in 2023. In August 2026, a court order led to the country's first registered marriage between two women. That ruling covers only that couple while the court reviews it, so marriage is not open to same-sex couples in general.

Black Americans: We didn't find reporting on Black Americans' day-to-day experience in La Paz. Before you move, reach out to Black expats already living in Bolivia, and spend a few weeks in the city first.

Retiring here: La Paz works for retirees who are healthy at altitude, want city life in Spanish, and can live with protests that close roads. Americans can visit for less than 90 days a year without a visa, which makes a trial stay simple. If your doctor is wary of the altitude, look lower: Cochabamba sits at about 8,400 feet, Sucre at about 9,200, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra at about 1,400. Our retirement visa guide compares residency routes, and our Bolivia moving guide covers residency, taxes and safety.