Safety & Precautions

Safety & Precautions

Safety never used to be a problem in La Paz, but things are changing, and unfortunately a lot of crime now is directed at tourists. This is unlikely to go any further than opportunistic theft, especially bag-snatching or pickpocketing, but at night and in certain areas it can be worse, particularly around large concentrations of tourists. Be especially careful around Sagárnaga and San Francisco church, and at the Cementario bus terminal, where there have been several cases of kidnappings of tourists. In general, avoid obvious shows of wealth and tourist status such as expensive cameras, keep an eye on your bags at all times, look like you know where you are going, and be aware of what is happening around you. A common scam is for somebody to surreptiously spray something on you, then help you clean it off, taking everything you have in the process. Be very cautious when using taxis at night—always look for radio taxis or trufis (see the notes earlier in the chapter on safety for more details). This said, La Paz remains in general a safe city and a relief for travelers arriving from other South American countries; a few basic precautions just make this all the more enjoyable.