"Street Photography" on 16 de Julio, El Alto, Bolivia.

The journey begins at the Central Station of the Red Line cable car, a building that preserves part of its original architecture while coexisting with the modern cable car system. Located in the heart of La Paz, this station is an iconic landmark: from here, the ascent to El Alto begins.

Central station of the red cable car, La Paz, Bolivia

Chualluma seen from the cable car

View of the city of La Paz from the La Paz Illimani red cable car

As you rise, the sensation is that of gently floating above the city, passing over the General Cemetery and, further up, the Chualluma neighborhood—renowned for its colorful murals that have turned its streets into an open-air museum.

Upon arriving at the 16 de Julio station, the camera plunges into a sea of people flooding the streets. The Feria 16 de Julio, perched at more than 4,070 meters above sea level, is considered the largest in Bolivia and one of the biggest in South America. It sprawls across more than 200 blocks, with around 10,000 vendors and 70,000 visitors every Thursday and Sunday.

Vendors on July 16th, El Alto, La Paz

Here you can find virtually everything: from a screw and a spoon to vehicle parts, new and used clothing, imported accessories, and of course, food for breakfast or a mid-morning snack. The photographs capture makeshift tents, crowded aisles, and portraits of vendors chatting with their customers, always framed by the snow-capped peaks in the background.

What stands out most, from a foreigner’s perspective, is the resilience and tireless effort of the Bolivian people. The market is so vast that exploring it in a single day is impossible; it calls for several visits to keep discovering and buying at affordable prices. Although some speak of insecurity, my experience has been different: with camera in hand, backpack on my shoulder, and phone recording, I have never encountered any risky situations.

Portrait of a vendor in Alto La Paz

street photography on the high

street photography in El Alto, La Paz

Together, these images aim to capture the explosion of color, movement, and vibrant local life. The vendors’ traditional attire—wide skirts, multicolored shawls, and distinctive hats—adds a unique and charming touch, transforming the fair into a singular cultural scene. The Feria 16 de Julio is a cultural and economic universe pulsating at over 4,000 meters above sea level, likely one of the highest and largest markets in the world.