The Witches' Market

The Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas) in central La Paz is a long-established market area specialising in traditional Aymara and Andean ritual items, herbs and remedies. It is a noted cultural and tourist attraction in the city centre.

The market comprises dense rows of stalls and small shops selling medicinal herbs, ritual paraphernalia, amulets and ceremonial items used in indigenous ceremonies. Uncommon items seen by visitors include dried llama fetuses sold for use in Pachamama offerings, coca leaf products and bundles of herbs for traditional healing.

The market grew from local Indigenous and mestizo traditions of herbal medicine and ritual practice and became a focal point in La Paz for people seeking traditional healers, ritual supplies and remedies. It retains strong links to Aymara cultural practices.

It occupies streets in central La Paz around Sagárnaga and Linares, within walking distance of other downtown landmarks and plazas.

• Items and cultural context: Many items on sale are used in Aymara and Andean spiritual practices, including dried llama fetuses for traditional offerings and medicinal herbs; vendors often include traditional healers and craft sellers.
• Visitor tips: Haggling is customary and photography of stalls is common, but it is respectful to ask before photographing individual vendors or ritual objects.

What to See #

• Sagárnaga Street stalls: Sagárnaga Street - the principal pedestrian street in the market area where many stalls and shops selling ritual herbs, amulets and curiosities line the route.
• Linares lanes: Linares market lanes and small alleys that contain specialist vendors of ritual items such as dried llama fetuses, herbal mixtures and offerings used in Aymara and Andean rituals.