Explore Easter in La Paz Without Missing a Thing
April 2025
A new blog post from La Paz and Bolivia is here, but before we dive in, I really wanted to share a few thoughts with you about Easter here.
Even though we’ve still got a few days to go, it's worth knowing that Easter (Semana Santa) in Bolivia is a big deal, beautiful, powerful, emotional… and sometimes a bit surprising if you’re not expecting it. So I thought: let’s talk about it now, so you can feel ready instead of wondering why that museum or shop you were planning to visit is suddenly closed.
Café del Mundo? Always open, of course!
Yup. We’ll be here, just like always. And honestly, that’s really important to me.
Not all travelers celebrate the same holidays and even if we do, being far from home can make those days feel extra quiet. I still remember my first few years of travel, when holidays would creep up and catch me off guard. Even though Easter has never been a huge one for me, there’s something about it that made me feel a little more homesick.
That’s why we keep the café open, always. So if you’re here in La Paz, you’ve got somewhere warm to land, grab a good meal, and maybe chat with someone who gets it. You don’t have to celebrate, but if you want to feel a little more connected, we’ll be here. 💛
Easter in Bolivia – What It Feels, Tastes & Sounds Like
So, if you’re visiting Bolivia in April, you might just land in the middle of something really special: Semana Santa, Easter week.
It’s not just about religion. It’s about rituals, music, processions, candles, street food, spiritual mixes, and the feeling that something important is happening all around you. Whether you’re religious or not, this is a week that sticks with you. It wraps around you in ways you don’t expect and sometimes the quietest moments are the ones you remember most.
In this blog, I’ll guide you through what to expect, what to eat, where to go, and how to experience Easter in Bolivia, especially here in La Paz and Copacabana.
What Easter Feels Like in La Paz
La Paz, normally full of honking, craziness and that chaotic charm we all secretly love, kind of softens during Easter week. The city slows down. The air feels more still. The energy also shifts.
You might hear music, see candles glowing outside churches, or catch a quiet procession walking through the streets like a part out of a story. It’s beautiful. It’s emotional. And honestly? A little surreal, in a good way ;).
Palm Crosses & Small Acts with Big Meaning
Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos), the Sunday before Easter, is colorful and full of life. Outside churches, you’ll see locals selling palm crosses woven with coca, rosemary, and flowers.
People take them to mass, get them blessed, and then hang them over doorways for good energy and protection through the year. A lot of families still have last year’s dried cross hanging too, sometimes even burning it and spreading the ashes in their gardens.
It’s a small act, but if you grab one, you’ll feel like you’re part of something simple, ancient, and really beautiful.
Holy Thursday and the visit to 12 churches
On Holy Thursday, people walk the "Visita a las 12 Iglesias", visiting twelve churches in one evening. Some stop to pray. Some just enjoy the moment, the light and the architecture. Churches like San Francisco, La Merced, San Pedro, and even tiny chapels in Sopocachi and El Alto open their doors, and everyone is welcome.
What makes it even more unique is how Catholic and Indigenous traditions blend together. You'll see coca leaves beside crosses. Offerings to Pachamama. Rosemary and retama mixed into decorations. It’s Bolivia being Bolivia, deep levels, religious, spiritual and full of meaning.
Good Friday: Silence, Processions & Goosebumps
This is the most powerful day. Good Friday brings reenactments of the Stations of the Cross (Via Crucis) — with actors dressed as Mary, and Jesus moving slowly through the city. You’ll see candles, hear drums, maybe even tears. People walk barefoot. Some carry heavy crosses.
You don’t need to understand every word. You just need to be there. And let the emotion reach you.
What People Eat (Spoiler: It’s Delicious)
A lot of Bolivians skip meat this week, especially on Good Friday. But don’t worry, it’s a pretty good food situation!
Actually, it’s one of the most flavorful food weeks of the year. Some families even prepare 12 dishes, representing the 12 apostles. It’s a time to cook together, gather at the table, and celebrate through food.
Here’s a taste of what you might find:
You’ll find many of these in local restaurants or markets, and if you’re lucky, maybe even at a Bolivian family table. Say yes if you’re invited!
Check our Video about what Easter eggs are the best!
Copacabana: A Pilgrimage You’ll Never Forget
If you have a couple extra days, go to Copacabana. It’s a little town by Lake Titicaca, and it absolutely comes alive during Semana Santa. Some people walk there from La Paz. Days on foot (you can totally take the bus, it’s beautiful and only takes 4 hours!)
Expect: ✨ Processions and music
🎺 Traditional bands in the streets
🚗 Cars being blessed with flowers, beer, and holy water
🌅 A sunset hike to Cerro Calvario
🎣 Grilled trout and lake views to breathe it all in
Final Thought: Don’t Just See It. Feel It.
Semana Santa in Bolivia isn’t about ticking things off a list or collecting perfect photos.
It’s about slowing down. Being present. Feeling things a little deeper. If you’re here this Easter, take it all in. Let it move you. And maybe come by Café del Mundo for an Easter waffle, a quiet corner, or a conversation with someone just like you, out in the world, exploring it all!
Want more travel tips & good vibes?
Listen to our Easter podcast for stories, sweet tips, and a fun little challenge we think you’ll love.
Don’t forget to download our free La Paz eBook — packed with helpful tips and local secrets to make your trip even better.
Stay in the loop with our weekly TravelZine, sharing what’s on in La Paz and around.
And if you’ve got questions or just want to say hi, we’re on WhatsApp — always happy to help you out.
