La Paz

Latin Trade, Feb, 2004

BEST TRAVEL AGENCY

Crillon Tours. This tourism pioneer in Bolivia first debated in 1958. Since then, it has developed an extensive infrastructure, which includes a fleet of vehicles, 24 multilingual guides and two hotels at Lake Titicaca. The Inca Utama Hotel & Spa sits on the edge of the lake in Huatajata while the Posada de los Incas Hostel is right on Isla del Sol. Crillon's headquarters are in La Paz. Avenida Camacho 1223. Phone: [591] (2) 233-7533. www.titicaca.com

BEST BUSINESS RESTAURANT

Chalet La Suisse. In La Paz, many of the top eateries are found within the hotels run by international changes. Chalet La Suisse is a notable exception. This year, just as last, La Suisse has claimed a LATIN TRADE "Best Of" honor. A local institution for the past 22 years, Chalet La Suisse offers an international menu with some unusual--and inspired--twists employing local ingredients. Two chefs work together to keep this menu drawing in the business crowd. The restaurant is tucked into the popular Calacoto neighborhood in the southern part of the city. Avenida Munoz Reyes 1710. Phone: [591] (2) 279-1387. www.chaletlasuisse.com

BEST WEEKEND

Sucre and Potosi. Aside from famous Lake Titicaca, the cities of Sucre and Potosi promise perfect getaway weekends for road warriors who want to relax before heading home--or back to the negotiating table. Both are an easy 90-minute plane bop from La Paz. Sucre holds onto its 17th century atmosphere and its long-established link with colonial art and architecture. This elegant city is home to the Universidad de San Francisco Xavier, the second-oldest university in South America. High-altitude Potosi, meanwhile, is famous as the place where silver from the nearby Cerro Rico mine was minted for the Spanish crown. Cerro Rico gave up such a massive quantity of silver that locals joke a solid silver bridge could have been built to connect Spain directly to Potosi. The machinery from the old royal mint is still in fabulous condition and tours of the mint are recommended.

BEST CRUISE

Transturin Titikaka Catamarans. Sometimes, the best way to see a place is to cruise. Transturin offers day and overnight cruises to major points of interest along Lake Titicaca, including Sun Island, the reputed birthplace of the, Incan Empire, reed boat shipyards, Inca Gardens, and villages along the way. Plenty of llamas, too, and a chance to get into indigenous culture through "participative tourism" including folkloric dance, hiking trails and museums. Lunches and dinners on board. www.transturin.com

BEST HOTEL

Apart Hotel Ritz. An extended-stay hotel, the Ritz opened in 1995. Its 71 suites are designed for business travelers and the staff is used to guests who value good service. Apart Hotel Ritz has a restaurant and a bar-cafeteria for its guests and is conveniently located in the heart of the safe and quiet Sopocachi neighborhood, with easy-to-reach shopping nearby. Foreign embassies and consulates are also concentrated here. La Paz's business and financial district is only a 10-minute cab ride away. Rates start at US$121 for a junior suite and run to $294 for the ambassador suite; a generous breakfast buffet and taxes are included. The hotel offers rooms that guests can book for small business meetings. Plaza Isabel La Catolica 2478. Phone: [591] (2) 243-3131. www.hotel-ritz-bolivia.com

BEST STREET FESTIVAL

Festividad de Nuestro Senor Jesus del Gran Poder. Dating back to a convent in 1663, the annual festival's modern incarnation can be traced to the early 1920s. Perhaps the biggest festival in a town fired of its folklore, d Gran Poder is a riot of traditional clothing (there is a prize for best dress), music, dance and overboard drinking in the streets in the tradition of carnivals all over the Americas. Held in La Paz in May or June.