Slow Down & Travel Deeper: How to Truly Experience a Destination
March 2025
Welcome back to a new travel letter from La Paz, Bolivia! Did you come here to celebrate Carnival?
I hope you did and that you got to experience some of the beauty, tradition, and culture that this incredible event brings to the country. The only thing missing now, as this blog goes out, is the funeral of the Pepino, the crazy Carnival character who returns to the earth so people can live a year in peace before he comes back in 2026 for another wild celebration. A crazy tradition, but definitely a cool one to witness!
Café del Mundo stayed open and celebrated Carnival all week long.
It was a calmer celebration, except for the Comadres event, but we were around as always, serving happy celebrators the food they needed in the moment, a hangover burger, a long brunch with friends, or a quiet dinner while planning out the next day’s Carnival adventures. In the middle of all this, I decided to start a renovation, super bad timing, but let’s be honest, there’s never a good time for these things!
Our new spot isn’t completely ready yet, but if you’re around, you’re more than welcome to visit Café del Mundo Lounge inside Hotel Sagarnaga. We don’t just serve delicious food from around the world, we also offer cool drinks, travel events, and plenty of travel inspiration!
Carnival is over... so what’s next?
Before we dive into what’s coming up, we first have to slowly step out of this Carnival bubble and things will slow down for a while in Bolivia.
After months of preparation and excitement, there’s always a kind of anticlimax when Carnival ends. Don’t expect things to happen fast (or at all) in the next days or week, so yeah, maybe starting my renovation at this time wasn’t the smartest move.
But instead of getting frustrated with the slow pace, why not embrace it?
This week, let’s talk about Slow Travel, the perfect way to experience La Paz when things are naturally moving at a more relaxed rhythm.
What is Slow Travel?
Slow travel is about taking your time, enjoying the moment, and truly experiencing a place instead of rushing from one attraction to the next.
In La Paz, the high altitude naturally slows you down, giving you the perfect excuse to soak in the views, sip coffee for hours, and explore without a plan. It’s easy to always feel like you have to rush through a trip, especially with time and money limits, but even if you can’t do it for a whole trip, try it out for a morning or an afternoon, you might love it!
Speed Traveling Through a Dream Trip: A Travel Story
One day in Café del Mundo, I met a guy from Brazil who was literally shoveling pasta into his mouth like he was in a speed eating contest.
I asked if everything was okay, and he told me he only had two hours to explore La Paz before moving on. Three minutes later, he paid his bill, and he explained fast why he was in a hurry. The guy was on his dream trip, covering Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, amazing, but he only had one week to do it all! I had a million questions, but of course, he had no time to answer them. In the end, we all travel differently, and that’s okay, but I was so close to telling him, “Friend, just slow down a little!”, and before I could, he was gone.
If you decide to slow down for a few hours, or a few days, here’s why La Paz is the perfect place to do it. La Paz moves at its own rhythm, it’s lively and energetic, full of hidden corners where time seems to slow down. From the charm of old colonial streets to the peaceful views from a cable car ride, there’s always a moment to pause and take it all in. Locals embrace long conversations, slow meals, and enjoying life without rushing or planning to much. Here, slowing down isn’t just an option, it’s part of the experience.
How can you embrace slow travel in La Paz?
One of the best ways to embrace slow travel is to find a cozy spot, like a café or a plaza, and simply watch the city unfold around you. Take your time exploring, wander through colorful markets, ride the cable cars just for the view, or spend an afternoon reading in a quiet corner of the city. The magic of La Paz isn’t just in the big sights, but in the little moments you allow yourself to fully experience.
Best Slow Travel Activities in La Paz
Some Moments When It’s Good to Step on It
Catching a Flight or a Bus – La Paz traffic is unpredictable, and getting to the airport or bus terminal can take longer than expected. If you have a flight to catch or a long distance bus to board, step on it! Leaving early saves you from stress and the risk of missing your ride.
Crossing the Streets – Pedestrians don’t always have the right of way, so when you see a break in traffic, move fast and confidently. Hesitating in the middle of the road might just confuse drivers more!
Reaching a Viewpoint for Sunset – Sunsets in La Paz are quick but stunning. If you want that perfect golden hour photo from Killi Killi or Montículo, don’t take your time hustle up before the light disappears behind the mountains!
Final Thoughts
Slowing down isn’t just for the sake of it, if you do it meaningfully, you can make deeper connections with the world around you. Slow travel in La Paz lets you truly soak in the city’s rhythm, but knowing when to speed up adds to the adventure. Find your own balance, pause for a long coffee, wander without a plan, but when it’s time to catch a bus, cross the street or chase a sunset, don’t hesitate!
And however you're traveling, fast or slow, crazy or calm, we’re here for you at Café del Mundo. Questions always come up along the way, so pop in and ask our travel experts or write to us HERE.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get the coolest eBook packed with all the info you might need for your Bolivia adventure. This week we also send you some cool Slow travel challenges to try out wherever you are in the world!
