Question 1

What is the "Fake Death Road Safety Gear Rental" scam in La Paz?

Accepted Answer

Some operators near Calle Sagarnaga rent Death Road cycling gear that appears adequate but is compromised: helmets with cracked interiors hidden by paint, brakes adjusted to feel normal at low speed but fail under load, and knee pads with worn padding. A few operators also substitute individual rental pieces mid-morning, giving premium-looking gear at the briefing and swapping it before departure. Choose Death Road operators with at least 50 recent TripAdvisor reviews and inspect all gear personally before departure. Test brakes on a flat section before the descent begins and refuse to continue if anything feels wrong.

Question 2

What is the "Fake Tour Operators for Uyuni" scam in La Paz?

Accepted Answer

Scammers pose as licensed tour companies offering discounted Salt Flat day trips, then use unreliable vehicles, skip advertised stops, and demand extra fees mid-tour for "fuel" or "entry permits." Book only through operators with a verified physical office and reviews on TripAdvisor. Avoid walk-up deals near the bus terminal.

Question 3

What is the "Cholita Wrestling Ticket Price Doubling" scam in La Paz?

Accepted Answer

Vendors and touts near Plaza Murillo and at the entrance to the Cholita wrestling venue in El Alto sell tickets to travellers at prices two to three times the posted local rate, framing the premium as a mandatory "tourist fee" or "reserved seating" surcharge. In some cases the tickets are counterfeit, leaving buyers refused entry at the door. The authentic shows run by the original promoters have fixed posted prices and do not require a tout intermediary. Purchase Cholita wrestling tickets directly from the official venue box office in El Alto or through your hotel concierge using a verified booking source. Do not buy from anyone on the street or in the tourist market areas of La Paz. Confirm the venue address and show date independently before paying.

Tour & Activity Scams in La Paz

Fake Death Road Safety Gear Rental

Fake Tour Operators for Uyuni

Cholita Wrestling Ticket Price Doubling

Experienced a scam here?