La Paz - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Most of the year the air quality is good and you can see far into the distance. Two people in my family have asthma issues so I watch it like a hawk. Late in the dry season (around October) there can be forest fires and there were a few days that were quite bad. For that reason you should purchase air purifiers if you are sensitive. The good news is that there are few natural allergens like tree pollen given the dry landscape. Plenty of cars kick out nasty fumes going uphill, so you may also cough a bit if you decide to walk or run along a trafficked road. Due to the weird aerodynamics at high-altitude, these particulates don't seem to travel up into the air above the city though. - Jan 2024
Good. Pretty clean and crisp air. - Aug 2022
Seemed okay, though there's not that much of it (air, that is). - Dec 2019
The air quality is moderate. When you're a passenger in a rattling old taxi, bumping along with the windows down, and the trucks in front of you are belching smoke into the vehicle, it feels like you might have taken a few years off your life, but for the most part we have had no respiratory issues. - Feb 2019
Moderate to bad. Dust and dry air is a big thing. - Sep 2016
Good. The dryer days can be harder because of the dust and smog from the cars but otherwise we are ok. - Jun 2015
Good air quality. The only problem is that with the high altitude, it's hard to breathe. - Apr 2015
Moderate. There is some pollution related to traffic but the main problem is actually the lack of air at 11,000-14,000 feet above sea level. - Nov 2014
The air quality is generally quite good with the exception of exhaust fumes in traffic. - Jan 2014
Moderate. - Jul 2013
Moderate. The high altitude makes it very hard to breathe. Even after being here for months, you will be out of breath going uphill, upstairs, etc. - Jun 2013
Moderate. - Jul 2012
Moderate to good - Feb 2012
Very good - but thin at high altitude - May 2011
Very good. No contamination and no traffic jams. The air is clean and the sky is ALWAYS blue. The only problem is the river because it is extremely dirty and smells pretty bad. People throw trash and any kind of waste to the river. - May 2011
Air quality is pretty good, I think we would just like more of it at this altitude!There is some pollution from the older cars, taxis and buses, mainly at the busy times of day. - Mar 2011
Good, clear and sunny skies 95% of the year. The altitude will create most of your health issues -- including high blood pressure and lack of a decent night's sleep. Stomach problems are also common here. If you do come here, bring nose strips and take Probiotics to help withstand the bacteria. Also, bring good quality sunscreen. - Aug 2010
