Mi Teleférico is the urban cable car network that ties together La Paz, the canyon city, and El Alto, the sprawling city on the rim above it. It opened in 2014 with the Red, Yellow and Green lines and has grown into a color-coded system of lines that glide over rooftops, markets, football pitches and washing lines. For a visitor it works as both transport and sightseeing. The Red line climbs from Estación Central up to El Alto and gives the great view of the city bowl with the snowy peak of Illimani behind it. The Green line runs to the southern zone and is the usual way toward Valle de la Luna. Cabins arrive every few seconds, stations are clean and the fare is a small fraction of a taxi. At 3,600 meters and above, it also spares your lungs the steep streets.
Understanding the network helps you plan. La Paz sits in a bowl, with the poorer, newer neighborhoods and the airport up on the altiplano rim at El Alto and the wealthier southern suburbs lower down at Zona Sur. Roads between them are slow and congested, so the cable car became the city's fastest public transport. Stations are signposted with the line color, and you pay with a rechargeable card or single ride ticket at the booth; fares are a few bolivianos, and you should carry small notes. Transfers between lines are easy and give you a cheap way to loop the whole city in a morning.
A simple sightseeing plan is to start at Estación Central, ride the Red line up to El Alto, then change onto a connecting line for a different angle across the rooftops. Return in the late afternoon when the light turns gold on Illimani. If you are heading south, the Green line gets you most of the way to Moon Valley. Seats by the window fill quickly at peak commuting times, so avoid roughly 7 to 9 in the morning and the early evening rush. Operating hours run from early morning to late evening and are shorter on Sundays and holidays, so check the posted times at the station.
Practical care: keep valuables zipped away in crowded cabins and stations, avoid carrying large backpacks at rush hour, and take a taxi booked through your hotel at night. Strikes and demonstrations occasionally disrupt transport, so have a back-up plan on days with marches in the centre. If you want a guided overview with a commentary, city tours that include the cable cars are sold online, but the ride itself is easy to do alone.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided ride on the color-coded cable car lines, with transfers between stations and views over La Paz and El Alto.
Best time
Mid-morning or late afternoon, away from the commuter rush, with clear sky for the Illimani view.
How long
One to three hours for a loop of two or three lines, longer if you stop at El Alto markets.
Tips
Buy a rechargeable card or single tickets, carry small bolivianos, sit on the side facing the city bowl and keep bags in front of you.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone arriving in La Paz, because it doubles as sightseeing and the cheapest way to cross the city.
- Families
- Children love it and the cabins are enclosed, though strollers are awkward at busy stations.
- Couples
- Ride the Red line up to El Alto near sunset for the glowing city view.
- Pair with
- Valle de la Luna via the Green line, the Witches Market and the cholitas wrestling in El Alto.
- Time needed
- An hour or two for a simple loop; a half day with stops.
Good questions
How much does the Mi Teleférico cost?+
A single ride costs only a few bolivianos, far less than a taxi. Fares can change, so check the price board at the station.
Which line has the best view?+
The Red line climbing from Estación Central to El Alto gives the classic panorama of the city bowl and Illimani. The Green line is a calmer ride through the southern suburbs.
Can I use it to reach Valle de la Luna?+
Yes, ride the Green line toward the south and finish with a short taxi or minibus ride. Ask your hotel for the best current connection.
Is it safe?+
The cable cars and stations are well run and busy. As anywhere in La Paz, watch your phone and bag in crowded cabins.
Is it affected by altitude?+
You will notice the altitude on stairs and platforms, so move slowly. The ride itself puts less strain on you than climbing the hillside streets.
