National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore

Arriving at the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore requires only a small detour from La Paz’s busy arteries. Set in the city’s historic core, the museum welcomes visitors throughout the week. Crowds remain manageable, especially outside of busy weekends and holidays. While the building is historic, thoughtful renovations have improved accessibility for many. Plan for a few quiet hours, especially for explorations into Bolivia’s vivid indigenous traditions, just steps away from buzzing city life.

• Best time to visit: Weekday mornings; May-September for pleasant weather
• How to get there: Walk from Plaza Murillo (5 minutes), or catch city taxi/mini-bus—ask for "Museo Etnográfico"
• Accessibility: Most galleries on ground floor; some stairs and narrow passages, but staff support available for families and seniors
• Average visit duration: 1.5 to 2 hours suggested

Inside the museum, vivid stories unfold from every corner. Carefully preserved collections honor more than 30 indigenous groups, not only through museum labels but also with real artifacts once used for celebration, defense, and worship. Among quiet courtyards, hands-on exhibits hint at skills passed down for generations. And everywhere, pattern and detail root each piece in Bolivia’s rugged mountains or tropical lowlands. For those with a camera or notebook, every room holds a scene worth remembering.

• Mask Collection: A darkened hall filled with festival masks—from jaguar-faced wonders to winged devils—showcases the strange beauty of Bolivian parade traditions
• Textile Gallery: Walls brimming with woven ponchos, belts, and tapestries (the intricate colors and symbols tell histories without words)
• Pewter and Silver Room: Displays of silverwork reveal the impact of colonial trade and mining, with ornate jewelry and ceremonial objects
• Ceramics from the Altiplano: Shelves of bowls, plates, and figurines showcase pre-Columbian design
• Cultural FAQs and displays: Short videos and text panels unravel meanings behind dances and celebrations; don’t miss the story of the Diablada
• Courtyard Photo Spot: Faded wood balconies overlook a serene courtyard—capture classic Andean arches and shadows here