How to get to the Witches' Market and Calle Sagárnaga
Station, line, walking time, fare and opening hours — the complete guide.
Get off at San José station (Purple Line). From the exit it is a 10-minute walk to the Witches' Market and Calle Sagárnaga.
Alternative: Prado station (Light Blue Line) is a similar distance away, walking down El Prado to Plaza San Francisco.
Overview
The Witches’ Market (Mercado de Hechicería) fills Calle Linares, Melchor Jiménez and the streets around Sagárnaga, the main tourist street of La Paz. At its stalls the yatiris sell amulets, herbs, ritual sweets and the famous offering tables for the Pachamama, in between alpaca-wool shops and travel agencies. Everything is a short walk from San Francisco church, the great colonial temple of the city. The handiest station is San José (Purple Line): from there you walk down to Plaza San Francisco and up Sagárnaga in about ten minutes.
Getting there from key points
| Starting point | Cable-car route |
|---|---|
| Central station | Red/Orange Line to Central, then ~15 min on foot along Avenida Mariscal Santa Cruz · Bs 3 |
| 6 de Marzo (El Alto) | Purple Line direct to San José, ~16 min · Bs 3 |
| Sopocachi | Yellow Line to Libertador + Light Blue to Prado, then ~10 min on foot · Bs 5 |
| Irpavi (Zona Sur) | Green Line to Libertador + Light Blue to Prado, then ~10 min on foot · Bs 5 |
Step by step
Take any of the lines serving the station: Purple Line. The fare is Bs 3 for the first line plus Bs 2 for every transfer.
Get off at San José station and follow the exit signs.
In about 10 minutes on foot you reach the Witches' Market and Calle Sagárnaga.
For the way back, remember the hours: 06:00–23:00 Monday to Saturday and 07:00–21:00 on Sundays and public holidays.
What else to see nearby
- San Francisco Basilica📍 Map8 minThe most important colonial church in La Paz, with its museum and a rooftop viewpoint.
- Calle Sagárnaga📍 Map10 minAlpaca textiles, crafts and trekking agencies, uphill from San Francisco.
- Calle Jaén📍 Map15 minFour municipal museums on the best-preserved colonial street in the city.
- Mercado Lanza📍 Map9 minCovered market next to San Francisco: juices, api with pastel and local food.
Useful information
Frequently asked questions
Which cable-car station do I use?
San José station (Purple Line). It is about a 10-minute walk from the exit.
How long does it take from Central station?
Red/Orange Line to Central, then ~15 min on foot along Avenida Mariscal Santa Cruz · Bs 3.
How much does the trip cost?
Bs 3 for the first line and Bs 2 for each transfer (Bs 1.50 and Bs 1 on the accredited reduced fare). A journey with one transfer costs Bs 5. Transfers are not free.
What time does it open and close?
Monday to Saturday, 06:00 to 23:00; Sundays and public holidays, 07:00 to 21:00. Cabins leave every 12 seconds, but there can be queues at the ticket desks at peak times.
Where can I find more attractions near the cable car?
In our guide what to see in La Paz by cable car, with every attraction listed by station.
Contenido de esta página
Updated: August 2026