El Alto Market
El Alto Market
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.0
64 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
18
Average
22
Poor
4
Terrible
10
MARIS Z
Sigulda, Latvia430 contributions
Jan 2020
A miserable place full of shamans and other wizards. Don't know who will put a curse on you at some point or what, because he may not like your Gringo face. A terrible place. Stack of unnecessary shoddy. Kilometers far.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hurley_forever
Winnipeg, Canada175 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We took the teleferico up to El Alto to check out the Sunday market which was a totally easy and fast way to get up there (WAY better than taking a taxi from La Paz!). Some of the reviews I read before going talked about the market (and El Alto in general) being a dangerous place. We had no issues in the market or in El Alto at all, but do keep your bags close just because of the sheer number of people.
The market was HUGE! Do not go expecting to buy anything, or find anything catering to tourists whatsoever. This is entirely a local market, where everything from cell phones, clothing, birds, food, car parts and building materials are sold. There are also some huts along the perimeters where shamans and "witches" will read your tarot cards and coca leaves. We tried one out, but I am not sure how legit it actually was.
The market was HUGE! Do not go expecting to buy anything, or find anything catering to tourists whatsoever. This is entirely a local market, where everything from cell phones, clothing, birds, food, car parts and building materials are sold. There are also some huts along the perimeters where shamans and "witches" will read your tarot cards and coca leaves. We tried one out, but I am not sure how legit it actually was.
Written April 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DVDPM
Brussels, Belgium66 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
I've been in a few markets in South America, all claiming to be the biggest market. This one offered nothing to me, except the views of the city, and the short trip on the teleférico. So, my advice will be do not waste your time, unless you got something specific to buy - like tools, or second hand spares for your car, or military backpacks to invade some country. I´ve been there a couple of hours, walking up and down, and I haven´t learn anything, except that I will never return to this place.
Written February 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fersim0
London, UK2 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Not for tourists. As I am 20cm taller than the rest of the people at the market I was targeted and just after being one minute I was surrounded by four people who tried to take my wallet and phone.
Luckily I managed to scape the situation unharmed and with all my belongings.
Do not go there.
Luckily I managed to scape the situation unharmed and with all my belongings.
Do not go there.
Written November 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rumpelstiltskin777
Miami, FL134 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
It is an easy ride to the top using Mi Teleferico and very cheap - I think it was 2- 3 Bolivianos. Right after you get off the station, you make a left, walk a little and you will see several blue huts with fires in front - if the fire is lit that means a yatiri is there to see people. When I went there, three people were waiting outside , native people who are super friendly and sweet. You will have to speak Spanish or Aymara to communicate with them. It was my first time seeing a yatiri and they were able to tell me a little about what to expect and how much they normally charge. It was an interesting experience, had my fortune read using coca leaves! Dona Maria was super sweet and made me feel at ease from the very beginning. There is no set charge to have your fortune read, it is mostly up to you to decide. If you are curious and interested in this type of thing, I definitely recommend anybody to take some time and visit El Alto. I did not feel any danger whatsoever, and the view was fantastic!
Written February 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wherelolawent
Folkestone, UK515 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
This is where the real Witches are, not down in La Paz with the same souvenirs you can find anywhere. We walked from one side of the Market to the other, stopping to look out at the view of La Paz (gorgeous!) with a tour guide, who also explained what the witches were doing and where they lived.
It's chaotic, the only time in Bolivia I was mildly concerned about my handbag. As others have said, not much to buy unless you're after car parts, toilet paper etc, but that could have been because it was a Sunday. It was worth going up to as it's an authentic Bolivian market, and not aimed a tourists. Red line on the cable car takes you right there.
It's chaotic, the only time in Bolivia I was mildly concerned about my handbag. As others have said, not much to buy unless you're after car parts, toilet paper etc, but that could have been because it was a Sunday. It was worth going up to as it's an authentic Bolivian market, and not aimed a tourists. Red line on the cable car takes you right there.
Written March 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TannersPool
Kent125 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
The market itself and the town is very rustic..... The good things is that the market offers lots of bargains. You get the opportunity to mix with local people and put money directly into their economy and environment. Any money you spend will have a direct impact on the person selling it. Which is something I like and believe is important.
You'll be able to pick up hand made hats, scarfs, gloved etc. I bought a hoodie and still have it. They also have plenty of drinks. Which is welcome being so high up.
There's a little dusty football pitch. I tried and failed to play with some people kicking a ball around (it'll quickly show you how fit you are). Good luck at this altitude...!
But turn around at the near end and the staggering view of the basin below presents itself. So many of the best things in Bolivia are free. It's something very special indeed. And I took some of my favourite photos here as I watched a storm develop.
If you go do spend money. Meet the locals. I met so many nice people.
Of course they will try and charge you over the odds for their items and goods. (Their livelihoods depend largely on tourism). So barter a little if you want. I just worked out prices, realised the majority were low and didn't bother. It's a place I'm so glad I visited.
You'll be able to pick up hand made hats, scarfs, gloved etc. I bought a hoodie and still have it. They also have plenty of drinks. Which is welcome being so high up.
There's a little dusty football pitch. I tried and failed to play with some people kicking a ball around (it'll quickly show you how fit you are). Good luck at this altitude...!
But turn around at the near end and the staggering view of the basin below presents itself. So many of the best things in Bolivia are free. It's something very special indeed. And I took some of my favourite photos here as I watched a storm develop.
If you go do spend money. Meet the locals. I met so many nice people.
Of course they will try and charge you over the odds for their items and goods. (Their livelihoods depend largely on tourism). So barter a little if you want. I just worked out prices, realised the majority were low and didn't bother. It's a place I'm so glad I visited.
Written February 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert H
Berlin, Germany3 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
Best tip ever, Nice culturtour, A personal citytour with individuel options, a german Guide hows is linving in El Alto for years and with a lot of knowledge about the City and the inhabitans.
Written June 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Cline
Mexico City, Mexico318 contributions
Jan 2022
ok...just be careful...i am pretty street smart but I got straight on targeted when i was up there. there arent a lot of tourists in the area right now and even if there were i stand out like a, well tall person...
spit on a phone was stolen....
the market is huge and all but you got to be careful...i suggest not bringing anything with you.
spit on a phone was stolen....
the market is huge and all but you got to be careful...i suggest not bringing anything with you.
Written January 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alice S
Lund, Sweden647 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
It is absolutly enormous! We were chocked about the size of this market. There are endless streets of junk that no tourist will ever buy but that has a value for locals like used car parts, used glass bottles, cheap knock off shoes, furniture and endless amounts of clothes and kitchen aids. If you want handmade goods this is not the right place. If you want alpaca sweaters, then nah. But if you want lots of locals, food venders that shout in your ears and not using money at a market then go here.
Insane views and we found it tiring but worth a few hours.
Insane views and we found it tiring but worth a few hours.
Written August 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Qual o dia da semana que a feira funciona?
Written January 29, 2019
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