Bolivian food is distinctive and is generally good. Dishes are dominated by meat. International- and local-style restaurants are available in La Paz and other main towns. Mineral water and bottled drinks are available.
Things to know: Local bars are increasing in number and are unrestricted with no licensing hours.
National specialities:
• Empanada salteña (a mixture of diced meat, chicken, chives, raisins, diced potatoes, hot sauce and pepper baked in dough).
• Lomo montado (fried tender loin steak with two fried eggs on top, rice and fried banana).
• Picante de pollo (southern fried chicken, fried potatoes, rice, tossed salad with hot peppers).
• Cuño (naturally freeze-dried potato used in soup called chairo).
• Lechón al horno (roast suckling pig served with sweet potato and fried plantains).
• Ilajhua (a hot sauce consisting of tomatoes and pepper pods) will often be used to add spice and flavour to dishes.
National drinks:
• Bolivian beer, especially paceña, is some of the best on the continent.
• Chicha, made from fermented cereals and corn, is very strong.
Tipping: It is customary to add 10 per cent as a tip to the 13 per cent service charge added to hotel and restaurant bills. Porters also expect tips for each piece of luggage.

La Paz has many nightclubs, which generally open around midnight. There are also numerous whiskerias, local bars. On Fridays and Saturdays there are folk music and dancing shows, which start late in the evening. Cochabamba and Santa Cruz have several discos.

Special purchases include woodcarvings, jewellery, llama and alpaca blankets, Indian handicrafts and gold and silver costume jewellery. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1230 and 1500-1930; Sat 1000-1500.