What is the altitude of La Paz?

The altitude in central La Paz is about 3,640 metres, or 11,942 feet, above sea level. And since the city is built into a steep canyon, you can actually see elevations jump, from roughly 3,200 metres in the more affluent southern areas up to more than 4,100 metres in El Alto.

That kind of extreme height triggers quick bodily changes for new arrivals, like shortness of breath, tiredness, and headaches, even before you really settle in. Plus, the geography really steers how people live together; the wealthier districts end up at the lower, slightly warmer stretches, and the working-class neighbourhoods stay higher, with thinner air and colder conditions.