A museum space showcasing the vivid and vibrant history of Guaqui. The site is the result of the redevelopment of four warehouses belonging to the old railway station in the town of Guaqui.
On the shores of Lake Titicaca, in the old port of Guaqui, declared a major international port in 1903, can be found one of Bolivia's most famous rail terminals.
Inaugurated during the presidency of José Manuel Pando, the port of Guaqui was a strategic infrastructure for the country. Trains to La Paz (Guaqui-La Paz railway) and freight and passenger ships bound for Puno in Peru once departed from here. Today, the rail warehouses and facilities of the Compañía Ferroviaria de Guaqui (CFG) have been converted and can be visited.
The Guaqui tourist complex has four exhibition spaces opened inside the old passenger and freight station and depot buildings.
The first section of the museum tells the story of the ancient cultures that settled in the highlands of Lake Titicaca, such as the Chiripa and Tiahuanacota, and explores the influence of the Qhapaq Ñan road system on their development, and the history of Bolivia from the pre-Columbian period to the present day, through the colonial period.
The second section is dedicated to the daily life and popular customs of the local population. It illustrates the typical economic activities of the region, such as fishing and agriculture, and devotes abundant space to the local cultural heritage: oral traditions, food, fairs and religious beliefs.
The final section inside the old station building displays the vibrantly colourful clothes worn during the most famous popular dances: the quena quena, the ritual dance that welcomes the rainy season, the morenada and the diablada, with the impressive masks made at the turn of the last century.
Leaving the station building, follow the tracks to the train shed, which houses locomotives built at the beginning of the last century and which are still working and which have important and evocative names, such as the Illimani and the Hualaycha.
Contact us if you’re interested in discovering the soul of the city of Guaqui and its history, through the objects and machines that have enabled the industrial development of this region of Bolivia: we will help you plan your trip and accompany you during your visit to the railway complex.
Additional Info
It is recommended to use wear warm clothing, fit for windy weather conditions, and comfortable shoes, to bring hat and sunglasses, binoculars, and a camera.
Where
Municipality of Guaqui, department of La Paz.
Transportation
By public transport
From the interprovincial terminal of El Alto minibuses leave in the direction of Guaqui; hours may vary.
By private transport
From the city of La Paz take National Route 1 until you reach Guaqui; once there, go to the dock of the Naval Force, where the museum is located.
Visiting Rules
For your health and the health of local population, remember to comply with all biosecurity protocols and codes of conduct before and during your stay: wear a mask and carry hand sanitizer, plus a first aid kit, with sunscreen and medications for altitude sickness.
During your visit remember to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the region.
