Sea levels may be rising, but La Paz is one city that’s not in danger of being submerged anytime soon. At an elevation of roughly 3,650 meters (11,975 feet), it’s the highest de facto capital city in the world, while the adjacent satellite city of El Alto sits pretty at 4150 meters (13,615 feet). With that kind of altitude, the traveler should expect to wait a little longer for that cup of coffee, and also take measures to avoid soroche (altitude sickness). Light meals, plenty of water, and holding off on the chicha, or any other kind of alcoholic beverage, are probably good ideas for your first few days in La Paz. Another prophylactic measure is a cup of coca leaf tea, a thermos of which many airport-bound cab drivers keep in their cars. And true AMS sufferers take heart; if the going really does get tough, lots of hotels in La Paz have oxygen tanks available. Read Less