FIRST TIME in South America - LA PAZ, BOLIVIA

We travel to South America for the first time, starting in La Paz, Bolivia, where we explore the city. As this is our first time backpacking South America, after being in La Paz for a few days we talk about safety in South America and of course the high altitude city of 3700 meters and how we struggled...

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0:00 - Intro
0:19 - Why we are nervous…
1:56 - Arriving in Bolivia
2:40 - Out of breath
3:04 - Altitude sickness hits us
3:48 - Walking the streets of LA Paz
5:39 - Cable Car in La Paz
9:06 - Emilia goes down
10:24 - Witch’s market
11:01 - THIS IS DISTURBING
11:38 - Is it safe in La Paz?
13:06 - About the Altitude sickness…

[AmigosThree]

Born and raised in Oxford, Uk. Lived in La Paz for 17 years. Few tips to anyone reading this:
1 - La Paz is considered quite a safe city in general. Most of the crime happens in touristy areas (San Francisco, witches market, etc) in the city center. Usually just petty theft, but that's the epicenter of it.
2 - Talking whilst walking will zap all of the air from your lungs. If you want to talk to a camera or on the phone, it's best to stop walking first.
3 - There are many remedies for alitutue sickness, and keep in mind that getting altitude sickness or not getting it is a game of luck. It usually has nothing to do with how fit you are.
4 - Many tourist don't know this, but the city of La Paz extends south to a slightly lower altitude. This area, known as "zona sur", is a little newer and arguably better kept. From Zona Sur, you can go even further south to some of the outlying towns such as Mallasa, where you will see Valle De La Luna (Lunar Valley) and find some excellent food.
5 - If you're worried about the effects of the altitude, avoid heavy foods and alcohol. Soup, chicken, water, fruit juice should be your diet for the first few days.
6 - Coca is NOT cocaine. It is ONE of the raw ingredients for the drug. It suppresses hunger and is a mild stimulant (like caffeine). I've never liked it myself, but trying it doesn't mean that you're trying "drugs". And despite what the Hollywood movies will tell you, the "street value" of raw coca is practically nothing!

Nice video. Hope you enjoyed your trip!

[tt_looking_glass]

BTW, the fruit in your bowl were figs and guava. I love both!!

[qhaliyheretei]

Welcome to Bolivia! To deal with altitude sickness you must buy some pills at the pharmacy specific for that. Within the city of La Paz there are other attractions, such as: Valle de Las Animas, Valle de La Luna, Mirador Killi Killi. In the southern part of the city the altitude drops a little, and there are several cafes, you can go towards San Miguel.

Within Bolivia there are many other places that you can visit. If you are going to visit more cities in Bolivia. In La Paz you can go to Lake Titikaka, the Death Road, and many other attractions. Inside Bolivia: El Sajama, Toro Toro, etc. My city is very beautiful, Cochabamba (Tunari), also Sucre, in Santa Cruz (Samaipata)

[romf]

To anyone watching this, against altitude sickness you can find a pill called Sorojchi-pill (sorojchi is how we called altitude sickness) and also drink coca tea 🫖, it will make the difference

[GB-uqri]

Man your videos are getting so good! High Emilia had me in stitches 😂

I did South America ages ago and when I look back I wish I allowed myself to enjoy it more. I feel like I let the fear of petty crime and danger take it all away from me by constantly looking over my shoulder. Seeing you guys being savvy enough to be wary but also enjoying it is amazing.

[scott-hamilton]

Wow, the city looks like a great place. Im looking forward to seeing this South American adventure 🙌🏼

[wannaspeakbyveroniq]

Love your style of filming guys!! Waiting for this South American series ✌️🔥

[leavinglondontown]

So excited for the adventures to come 😊

[edstravel]

Great content guys keep up the great content 😊

[Gutshotgary]

Looking forward to the next three months which I hope will bring back some great memories from a similar duration trip I did with my wife and son a few years ago. I’m guessing that you’re on your way to Uyuni just now - some of our best photos ever were taken there. Our other highlights included Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands which I’m sure are in your travel plans too - but if not, add them both NOW! Also, be sure to find the Aymara and Quechua ladies in La Paz - instantly recognisable in their bowler hats. Have a great time, guys.

[takuttov]

Hi there!, I´m from Tarija, Bolivia. Next time you should try to come here! :D

[josef]

local here, welcome! idk if you are still around but if you are ylu should try typica, is a cafe in some places in la paz (I personally like the satellite one), and just to clarify, that hostal where you're staying seems cozy, but the area is not the best in terms of safety, its worse than a lot of other places, in any cade, good luck

[sallyangus]

So nice La Paz just a little exagerated about the altitude❤

[oscarantonioalbertonavia]

Welcome to La Paz. It is a little hard to get accustomed to the altitude. The coca tea is actually like any other tea and helps a lot to get adapted. I hope you get enough time to visit Jaen Street, the Moon Valley, the death road, Tiwanaco, Copacabana and many other beautiful places in La Paz. My best wishes to you! I hope to see you in the streets of my city.

[JoeMildenhall]

I received good advice when I traveled to La Paz and started on the altitude sickness pills a week before my flight there. It seemed to help with headaches, etc. but you still get out of breath. You should really enjoy the Coca tea while you're in South America. It's a lovely tea and does help with headaches. Using the fresh or dried leaves is best but the tea bags work as well. Just be careful how many cups you drink at night or it may keep you awake. Do a little research on it.

Looking forward to your other travels. I've enjoyed Bolivia, the Galapagos Islands, Chili and Peru. You have to get out of La Paz to really understand Bolivia. Peru was my favorite so far.

[celdur]

Fun fact, its not that there is a lack of oxygen, there is technically more than enough. The problem is the aire pressure is lower and our lungs are adapted to best absorb oxygen at sea level, so the problem is the pressure difference between our own body and the atmosphere at those altitudes.

[olgaycelik]

Start to the trip from santa cruz instead La Paz. The altitude hit me in Potosi and it took only 10 minutes. Because I got closer little by little to the high altitude cities

[Michael.Barath]

Figs, , Guava and pumpkin seed. Awesome breakfast. Have fun in South America

[giovannahiggins]

The best way to fight altitude in La Paz it is not Staying in the old part of La Paz but the douth so the altirude is less in zona sur and the weather is warmer. Hoyels sre not expensive and are better thsn hostals.

[SirSerolfGrind]

Thank you for visiting La Paz, Bolivia.