Coroico & the Yungas

A cloud-wrapped resort town on the eastern slopes of the Andes where, after riding the “Death Road”, you can lounge by the pool, watch the sea of clouds, and visit coffee farms and Afro-Bolivian villages.

Coroico lies in Nor Yungas Province, La Paz Department, Bolivia, on a ridge at about 1,750 m on the eastern slopes of the Andes, some 95 km (about 3 hours' drive) from La Paz. From La Paz the road first crosses La Cumbre pass at about 4,650 m, then drops more than 3,000 m down the mountainside into the humid subtropical valleys known as the Yungas, where the temperature jumps from the cold Altiplano to warm and humid. This dramatic contrast has made Coroico a favourite weekend getaway for La Paz residents escaping the cold.

Its most famous feature is the North Yungas Road, nicknamed the “Death Road”: this narrow dirt road along cliff edges was once considered the world's most dangerous road. Since the new highway opened in 2007, the old road has become a mountain-biking downhill hotspot. Every day, large numbers of tour groups ride about 60 km from La Cumbre down to Yolosa, often finishing at the Senda Verde animal refuge before being driven up to Coroico (the road itself is covered in its own “road” entry and is a classic day trip from La Paz).

Seasons: the May–September dry season brings dry roads and clear skies, best for biking and hiking; in the November–March rainy season, mountain roads are slippery and prone to landslides, and the clouds are thicker.

Things to do: stay 1–3 nights in town; climb Cerro Uchumachi at dawn to see the sea of clouds, or walk the waterfall trail; head down to Tocaña to learn about Afro-Bolivian culture; try the zipline at Yolosa and visit the animal refuge; several coffee farms around town offer tours of picking and roasting by reservation. Many guesthouses in town have pools overlooking the valley.

Getting there: minibuses and buses leave for Coroico from the Villa Fátima area of La Paz, taking about 3 hours on the new road. Protect yourself against mosquitoes, check for landslides before travelling in the rainy season, and if biking, be sure to choose a reputable operator with reliable equipment and insurance.

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