Coroico, Bolivia

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Located three hours from La Paz are the subtropical valleys known as the Yungas. The warm comfortable climate of the Yungas makes it a popular weekend destination among local Bolivians from La Paz to escape the chills of the windswept Altiplano.

The biggest town in the Yungas is Coroico, this relaxing town with an elevation of 5,003 ft (1,525 m) sits on a small mountain slope just above a river with amazing views over the green forest-covered Andean foothills.

Coroico dates back to the colonial era and was used as a gold-mining outpost. Today, Coroico and the surrounding Yungas valleys are important agricultural areas. The Yungas is blessed with fertile land and excellent climate, which produce abundant crops of coffee, fruits and coca for the markets of La Paz and the rest of the Altiplano region.

Also, Coroico and the surrounding villages in the Yungas valley make up one of the few places in Bolivia where you will see an African influence. Africans who were brought as slaves to work in the mines of Potosi. When silver-mining declined they were moved to the Yungas to work on coca and other plantations.

Slavery was later abolished in the 19th century and many remained in the Yungas growing fruit, coca and coffee on small farms. Many of these Afro-Bolivians communities are isolated in a handful of villages in the Yungas valley and are rarely visited by tourists.

Coroico is probably best known for its road that leads to it. Officially called the Yungas Road but also called Death Road or World's Most Dangerous Road because it once had more deaths on it per year than any other road in the world.

Thousands of bikers from around the world come to "Death Road" each year for a ride of their life. The ride starts near La Paz and ends in Coroico, as the road winds its way through the high mountains of the Andes down to the subtropical jungles that lead to this town.

A good place to get tourist information in Coroico is the small office located on the plaza. Here at this small office you can find information on hotels, maps of the town and information on attractions in the area. There is also a tourist office at the new bus station.

Getting To Coroico

Buses typically leave daily from Avenida de las Americas in La Paz's Villa Fatima district. Buses typically take the newer section of the Yungas Road that bypasses the most dangerous section of the road, both of which have amazing views.

Buses and micros drop passengers off at the new bus station in Coroico, on the south side of town above the futball field.

Coroico is a small town and just about everything is within walking distance. If you are not in the mood to walk or carrying luggage you can usually find a taxis around town able to take you where you need to go.

Coroico Attractions - Things to do & See

Probably the main attraction in Coroico is the road that leads to it, known as Death Road or World's Most Dangerous Road. Many biker arrive in Coroico after the bike journey to relax at one of the hotels. What many travelers don't know is that there are also some nice hikes in the area where you could spend a few days in Coroico exploring the area ... read more

Hotels - Where to Sleep

For a small town, Coroico has a large variety of accommodations. Since Coroico is the end point for mountain bikers of Death Road and a popular weekend getaway among Bolivians from La Paz, you'll find a good range of places to stay ... read more

Restaurants, Bars, Cafes - Places To Eat

Forums - Coroico Forum

Ask a question in the Coroico Forum and get answers. You can also browse the forum or post travel stories, upload your photos, share travel tips or give advice to other travellers. In addition you can recommend hotels & restaurants that you think other travelers should try or to avoid. Whatever it is, share it! ... read more