Last Updated on February 15, 2025
In Bolivia, you’ll find a range of neighborhoods and zones, some of which are considered the best for living or staying. These relatively small areas within Bolivia’s main cities are typically located in specific regions. Generally, affluent individuals, as well as many foreigners, reside in these locations.
The best neighborhoods in Bolivia are Calacoto in La Paz, Equipetrol in Santa Cruz, and Cala Cala in Cochabamba. Other excellent neighborhoods include San Miguel, Sopocachi, and Miraflores in La Paz; Las Palmas and Sirari in Santa Cruz; and Queru Queru in Cochabamba.
Here, we’ll discuss the best neighborhoods and zones for living or staying in Bolivia, whether you’re a tourist or planning to establish yourself in the country. You’ll learn why these zones are considered the best, along with their unique characteristics and details.
Where Are Bolivia’s Best Neighborhoods Located?
Of course, there are many neighborhoods and zones within the country that might meet your requirements as a resident of a developed country in terms of safety, quality of life, available activities, etc. However, some neighborhoods stand out even among the best.
Next, you’ll see the best neighborhoods categorized by the city they’re located in.
Santa Cruz
- Equipetrol (Bolivia’s best overall). This is where some of the wealthiest people in the country, and many expats from developed countries, typically reside. It’s conveniently located, with numerous skyscrapers, premium shops, and various types of establishments.
- Urubo. Almost exclusively residential, it’s quite similar to middle- to upper-middle-class suburbs in the United States or Canada, with premium and luxury standalone houses, many vacation homes, and abundant green spaces.
- Las Palmas. Adjacent to Equipetrol, it’s more residential but still has commercial areas, more luxury family homes, and green spaces. Like Equipetrol, it’s very close to the historic downtown area of the city.
- Sirari. Quite close to the city’s downtown and Equipetrol, it’s mostly residential, with many premium standalone homes and green spaces.
- Within the city’s 1st ring. This includes the historic downtown area and nearby areas, all of which are primarily commercial, but also residential. There are numerous restaurants and shops, but the streets are very crowded and can be risky due to thieves. However, it’s still a convenient and good place to live.
- The North and West Zones. Located between the 1st and 4th rings on these sides of the city. The four neighborhoods just mentioned (Equipetrol, Urubo, Las Palmas, and Sirari) are within these zones. Many surrounding neighborhoods are also quite good for living or staying. Both zones offer a mix of residential and commercial areas.
La Paz
- Calacoto (La Paz’s best overall). Both residential and commercial, with many wealthy individuals and foreigners residing there.
- San Miguel. Primarily commercial, adjacent to Calacoto, with numerous stores, malls, entertainment venues, restaurants, offices, and similar establishments.
- Sopocachi. Very close to the city’s historic downtown, it’s both residential and commercial, with crowded streets and numerous high-rises for both apartments and businesses.
- Miraflores. More residential than commercial, it’s a relatively calm area, very well-positioned for accessing any part of the city, and close to the city’s downtown.
- The South Zone. Some of the previously mentioned neighborhoods are within this zone, such as Calacoto (right in its center) and San Miguel, but also other less premium neighborhoods like Achumani, Obrajes, Cota Cota, Irpavi, etc.
Cochabamba
- Cala Cala (Cochabamba’s best overall). Primarily residential but also commercial, it’s very close to the city’s historic downtown. The wealthiest individuals in this city and many foreigners live there.
- Queru Queru. Immediately adjacent to Cala Cala, it’s much more residential, with more vacation and standalone houses, and larger green spaces.
- The Northwest Zone. Both Cala Cala and Queru Queru are located within this zone, but also other large areas like Tiquipaya (which has a mix of very wealthy and lower-income residents). Generally, neighborhoods located on the north side of this city are the best for living.
The Top 3 Neighborhoods in Bolivia for Foreigners
Now, let’s discuss in detail the best neighborhoods you can find in Bolivia, which, as we mentioned earlier, are Equipetrol, Calacoto, and Cala Cala.
Equipetrol (Santa Cruz)
This neighborhood *is arguably the best one to live or stay in within Bolivia*. It features luxury houses and premium buildings throughout, numerous entertainment venues, malls, high-end restaurants, green spaces with many activities, countless high-rises and standalone homes, and it’s conveniently located very near the historic city center.
Very affluent individuals and many foreigners currently live and conduct business activities there, owning or renting premium commercial spaces in this neighborhood. You’ll also find a reasonable number of hotels and numerous Airbnbs within Equipetrol.
Regarding safety and quality of life, this neighborhood is one of the best you’ll find in the country. Home prices range from $500,000 to $3,000,000, and rentals will cost you between $300 and $2,500, depending on the size of the home, commercial space, office, or apartment.
Calacoto (La Paz)
This is the best neighborhood currently existing in La Paz city. Many wealthy individuals and numerous foreigners reside there. It’s both a residential and commercial neighborhood, with high-rise buildings interspersed with luxury family homes. You can find many hotels and Airbnbs there as well.
Calacoto is a very desirable place to live, as it has a convenient location, numerous restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and green spaces, all within walking distance, *without needing to travel to the city’s downtown in the Central Zone*, which is much less desirable for settling and considerably poorer. Calacoto is essentially the downtown of the premium South Zone of La Paz city.
This is also a very safe neighborhood, where you can walk at night without significant concerns, similar to San Miguel, where almost any destination will be at most a 20-minute walk away. Home sale prices there range from $500,000 to $2,500,000, and apartments within high-rises will be around $90,000.
Cala Cala (Cochabamba)
Cala Cala is approximately 10 minutes from the historic downtown area, with numerous high-rises and premium homes. It also features many commercial spaces, malls, restaurants, entertainment venues, and several large green areas within walking distance.
This neighborhood is very convenient for staying, as it’s relatively close to the city’s downtown and located in the center of Cochabamba’s premium North Zone. It offers both excellent houses and numerous apartments for rent or purchase. All of this, combined with very large green spaces that resemble gardens with many activities inside. Safety is also excellent there.
You’ll be able to find numerous hotels and Airbnbs within this neighborhood, and home sale prices typically range from $400,000 to $2,000,000. Purchasing a typical apartment will cost around $80,000 in this neighborhood.
11 Other Excellent Neighborhoods in Bolivia
Now, let’s explore other excellent neighborhoods for staying or living in Bolivia. There are various reasons for this, such as some being great for relaxation and vacations, while others are very well-located. In general, all of them are premium residential neighborhoods where safety is high, and nearby areas are very convenient for numerous activities.
Other excellent Bolivian neighborhoods and zones include:
- Santa Cruz
- Urubo
- Las Palmas
- Sirarí
- Within the 1st Ring
- The North and West Zones
- La Paz
- San Miguel
- Sopocachi
- Miraflores
- The South Zone
- Cochabamba
- Queru Queru
- The Northwest Zone
Urubo (Santa Cruz)
The Urubo neighborhood is like the premium, tranquil, relaxation, and vacation destination in Santa Cruz for affluent individuals and foreigners. It’s located far from the city’s downtown; to reach it, you need to cross the Pirai River. However, once there, it’s like a giant, well-maintained garden with numerous residential houses, as well as many commercial spaces in its central streets.
In this neighborhood, wealthy individuals typically own a second home for weekends, or they reside there permanently, but always with a car for quick access to the city. It’s a very safe place. However, the streets are usually empty, and distances are long. *It closely resembles a residential suburb in the US or Canada*.
Las Palmas (Santa Cruz)
This neighborhood is immediately adjacent to Equipetrol, making it both residential and commercial. However, it’s considerably calmer, with fewer people and commercial establishments than Equipetrol. It’s a more relaxed and quiet premium neighborhood for living.
It features numerous high-rises and truly beautiful standalone homes, where affluent individuals and many foreigners reside. It’s primarily residential. You won’t find many large malls or entertainment areas within walking distance. Houses are large and luxurious there, and many have pools and similar premium amenities.
Sirari (Santa Cruz)
This neighborhood is also very close to both Equipetrol and Las Palmas, conveniently located near downtown Santa Cruz. It’s primarily a residential neighborhood, very similar to Las Palmas, with premium and luxury homes and some surrounding skyscrapers.
Living in this area is quite calm and quiet, without many stores or entertainment venues nearby, but with beautiful family homes. Safety is good, but not as high at night due to the empty streets and avenues. However, most residents typically use cars for transportation.
Within the 1st Ring (Santa Cruz)
In contrast to the previously mentioned neighborhoods, the 1st ring is a very crowded and commercial area within the city, where the historic downtown of Santa Cruz is located. Despite this, many people have standalone homes there, and it’s very convenient because everything is within walking distance.
There, you’ll find many different types of stores, entertainment venues, restaurants, cinemas, activities, and all sorts of things. However, there are also some open street markets that are very crowded with numerous thieves inside. Despite this, once you become accustomed to this environment, you’ll find it to be a very convenient and good place to live or stay.
The North and West Zones (Santa Cruz)
The North and West parts of Santa Cruz city are where people with higher incomes generally reside. Within these zones are all the neighborhoods we mentioned before, such as Equipetrol, Urubo, Las Palmas, etc. These zones are located between the 1st and 4th rings on the north and east sides of the city.
What you’ll typically find there is a central neighborhood, in this case, Equipetrol, which has numerous commercial, entertainment, and business spaces, mixed with residential homes, surrounded by other primarily residential neighborhoods. However, all of them are premium areas where many high-income individuals and foreigners reside.
We have a complete guide about the best neighborhoods of Santa Cruz, with every detail for each of them. See more in our dedicated guide: The best neighborhoods of Santa Cruz: A complete walkthrough. Link
San Miguel (La Paz)
San Miguel is located immediately adjacent to Equipetrol. *It’s primarily a commercial neighborhood*, but it also has many residential areas, apartment buildings, and family homes. It’s the commercial and entertainment center of the South Zone. Within this neighborhood, you’ll find many different types of premium stores, markets, retail spaces, and even some green areas.
Despite being a mostly commercial area, this neighborhood is relatively calm and safe. Numerous high-rises have been built there, along with countless shops, malls, and many family homes. If you live or stay in San Miguel, you’ll be about a 5 to 10-minute walk from any entertainment, food, or shopping venue.
Sopocachi (La Paz)
This neighborhood is located relatively far from the South Zone and, consequently, from Calacoto and San Miguel. However, it’s quite close to the historic city center and the Central Zone. It’s indeed a neighborhood for affluent individuals, businesses, corporations, small shops, and numerous retail and commercial spaces.
There, you’ll find very crowded streets with countless shops, commercial spaces, and restaurants of all kinds, numerous skyscrapers and apartment buildings, as well as a smaller number of family homes. Navigating through its principal avenues is often challenging due to the large crowds of people and cars everywhere.
Miraflores (La Paz)
Miraflores is much quieter and calmer than Sopocachi, but still very close to the historic city center, about a 10-minute drive away. It also has numerous high-rise apartment buildings along both sides of its main avenue, Busch Avenue. However, it’s relatively empty at night, making it somewhat risky after 9:00 p.m.
You’ll find this neighborhood more relaxing and calm, with many standalone homes, and without the noise of a downtown area. People seek the convenience of a central, premium area, as from this neighborhood, you can reach every corner of the city within a reasonable amount of time.
The South Zone (La Paz)
La Paz city can be broadly divided into two parts: 1) the Central Zone and 2) the South Zone. The Central Zone is where the historical downtown is located. On the other hand, the South Zone is where most high-income individuals reside, and it’s quite far from the city’s historical downtown. This zone also has a better and warmer climate.
Calacoto, San Miguel, along with many other premium residential neighborhoods, are located within this zone. In a sense, it’s like a standalone city or a district of La Paz city. If you want to experience a good quality of life, surrounded by affluent individuals and some foreigners, the South Zone is the best place to settle within La Paz city.
We have a complete guide about the best neighborhoods of La Paz, with every detail about each of them. See all the details in our dedicated guide: The best zones of La Paz: A complete guide. Link
Queru Queru (Cochabamba)
Located adjacent to Cala Cala, this neighborhood is where most of Cochabamba’s affluent residents live. It’s much more residential, with fewer high-rises and more standalone homes than Cala Cala, but with emptier streets, more relaxed and calm areas, and numerous green spaces around.
Nevertheless, it’s still quite close to the city’s downtown. You’ll find this neighborhood very relaxing and safe, like a giant, well-maintained garden near a more commercial area, Cala Cala, but with fewer commercial spaces, less noise, and numerous standalone, premium, and luxury family homes.
The Northwest Zone (Cochabamba)
Within this zone are located neighborhoods like Cala Cala and Queru Queru, but further away is Tiquipaya (which, by the way, has a mix of very expensive homes alongside some rural houses). The neighborhoods surrounding both Cala Cala and Queru Queru are also good zones with premium houses, commercial spaces, and many green areas.
In Cochabamba, people with higher incomes and a better quality of life, as well as better homes, *typically reside on the north side of the city*, while people with fewer resources and poorer conditions usually live on the south side. Therefore, neighborhoods surrounding Cala Cala and Queru Queru are also quite good to live in.
Be careful with Chagas Disease link when living in Cochabamba, even when you’re in residential areas. This deadly disease is endemic in this city and is also present in Santa Cruz.
Conclusions:
In this guide to the best neighborhoods and zones in Bolivia for staying or living, you’ve seen that there are many excellent neighborhoods, but three stand out above the rest: Equipetrol in Santa Cruz, Calacoto in La Paz, and Cala Cala in Cochabamba.
The reasons are their convenient locations, a good mix of residential and commercial areas, the presence of many foreigners, and premium and luxury homes. These neighborhoods are the best currently existing in the country. However, other neighborhoods surrounding them, such as Urubo, Las Palmas, Sirari, San Miguel, Sopocachi, Miraflores, and Queru Queru, are also good enough for staying or settling.
Additionally, you’ve seen that Bolivia’s best neighborhoods and areas are located in specific parts of cities, such as the North and East zones of Santa Cruz, the South Zone of La Paz, and the Northwest Zone of Cochabamba.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you’d like to know which places are the best to live in Bolivia, with all the details about each, including types of homes, quality of life, precautions, etc., please visit our dedicated guide: The best places to live in Bolivia: A comprehensive overview. Link
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