At the close of its tenth year, La Paz on Foot is celebrating its first decade by opening a new storefront and travel information centre in downtown La Paz. Located in the beautiful patio of a historic building that now houses the renowned Andean painter Mamani Mamani’s Cultural Center, which includes a gallery with the painter’s works on display and for sale, a school of traditional Andean dances, a restaurant featuring traditional foods from the region and, very soon, the new Andean Cosmology Museum.
La Paz on Foot’s General Manager, Tomas Sivila, explains, “The location of our new storefront couldn’t be better. We are right at the intersection of the Indaburo and Jaen streets, in the heart of La Paz’s best-preserved colonial neighbourhood and close to restaurants, art galleries, gift shops and hotels. And even better, we are in a dynamic workspace with like-minded, creative entrepreneurs who are doing their best to share and promote Andean culture and traditions with the world.”
The storefront is open to travellers of all stripes and is managed by Douglas Arcos, an Andean travel specialist who sits with clients over maps and itineraries and helps them craft their “dream journey” to destinations such as Lake Titicaca, the Yungas Cloud Forests, the Uyuni Salt Flats and many more.
In addition, the shop features a “Responsible Travel Corner” where you can purchase refillable water bottles, reusable bamboo eating utensils and even a stylish “Biffy Bag” or portable toilet, for those moments (and there are many in Bolivia!) when the bathroom is just too far away and you can’t wait a second longer. Ahem.
La Paz on Foot is confident that the Mamani Mamani Cultural Centre will become a “must see” destination on travellers’ bucket lists for La Paz. The Andean Cosmology Museum and the in-house art gallery are sure to draw in many visitors and the new storefront is located in between the two. So the next time you are in La Paz, stop by to say “Hello” or “Hola” or whatever greeting you prefer to use!