El Prado in La Paz, Bolvia

(photo: El Prado - the main street in La Paz, Bolivia)

La Paz was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River, which runs northwest to southeast. The Choqueyapu River now mostly runs underneath the city's main street, which roughly follows the river. This main road changes names many times over its length, so locals refer this road to El Prado which runs through the downtown core of La Paz, Bolivia.

El Prado is La Paz’s main street, which stretches from Plaza del Estudiante up to Plaza San Francisco. Here you’ll find an mix of glass-fronted offices, old Colonial buildings and market stalls, it’s a great place to get a feel for the social diversity of the city from women and men walking around wearing colorful traditional indigenous clothing to suited businessmen.

Walking along El Prado is a great way to get a feel of the street life of La Paz. Here you can walk down this street to get the vibe of the city. You'll find many hotels, restaurants and street vendors along this street.

During the early parts of the colonial era, where the main street is now was actually a river. The river divided the city into two parts. The indigenous people lived to the south of this main area, the Spanish to the north. Now the river runs underneath parts of El Prado and is still the lowest point of La Paz. So, if you're lost, just walk downhill and eventually you will arrive at El Prado.

La Paz's main street is known interchangeably as El Prado and changes names a few times from top to bottom: Avenidas Ismael Montes to Avenida Mariscal Santa Cruz to Avenida 16 de Julio.