Buried in the impressive mountains of the Andes Cordillera, between the tumultuous city of La Paz and the charming Andean village of Coroico, the mythical Death Road in Bolivia has built its reputation over the years, in both good and bad ways. In 1995, the Yungas Road, as it was originally called, received the title of "the most dangerous road in the world" due to its numerous traffic accidents and its configuration. But the construction of a new road in 2007 changed its tragic fate and turned it into a real tourist attraction in this wonderful country. In this article we present you the 5 reasons to venture on the Death Road in Bolivia and live a unique experience.   
 The "death road" presents an incomparable diversity of landscapes throughout its 80 km of route. photo: Tiffany Flour
   

1- Browse its impressive landscapes

It's a real spectacle of nature that is offered to you, with climates and landscapes that change so many times that it is almost impossible to stop systematically to take your best shots. An incredible mountain that hides a vertiginous cliff, which then lets us discover a vegetation full of diversity and so on. And this is notably what makes this Death road so mythical and intriguing: despite the dramatic references associated with it, concerning its nature and history, it’s impossible not to be impressed and to live an invigorating experience in this extraordinary setting. An impressive tropical rain, a banging mountain sun, a valley full of clouds giving a note of enchantment... This place is as unpredictable due to the complexity of its different climates and altitude levels as each time you browse it,  is unique, whether you do it by mountain bike or by car.   The adventure begins at the "Cumbre", an area of glacier located at more than 4,700 meters above sea level, belonging to the Andes Cordillera, and ends in Coroico. A charming village in the tropical zone of the valley, inhabited by one of the few Bolivian communities of African descent. The Death road is a unique experience of almost 80 kilometers and more than 3,500 meters of altitude difference awaits you, starting with dry land and glaciers and ending with abundant vegetation full of flowers.     

2- Inject a good dose of adrenaline

There is no doubt that Bolivia is a country of adventure and thrills, due to its incredible diversity of nature. The descent of the Death Road by mountain bike is one of the activities that cannot be missed in the destination, and is also  one of the top 6 activities for discovering La Paz. A day tour rich in emotion that promises beauty, sport and adrenaline! This incredible adventure begins very early in the morning, at an altitude of over 4,700 metres, with a temperature of around 5°C, accompanied by glaciers and frozen lagoons as a backdrop, and ends a few hours later in humid, green and bushy vegetation at almost 1,200 metres above sea level. A change of environment as abrupt as it is fascinating for your 5 senses.  The road starts on a smooth concrete surface that lets you glide on your two-wheeler up to 70 km/h with valleys as far as the eye can see! Then it continues on a road strewn with gravel, potholes and is barely three metres wide, with no asphalt or concrete... You are now on the authentic Death Road!   
The Yungas Road starts at La Cumbre, a glacier area in the Andes Cordillera at an altitude of over 4,700 metres. photo: Tiffany Flour
   

3- Discover the Yungas region

This legendary Death road leads to the Yungas, a region of Bolivia with wonderful landscapes and incredible biodiversity between the Andean plateau and the Amazon. Travelling this route from La Paz is the ideal opportunity to discover the unique nature of this region composed of mountains, rainy valleys, areas of constant fog as well as forest areas. It is considered an ecological region by the WWF (World Wide Foundation), an independent environmental organization. Whether you decide to stop at the village of Coroico or continue your exploration to the Amazon region of Bolivia, the Yungas Route will turn into a veritable theatre of impressive landscapes changing over the miles.     

4- Find a poignant story

The nickname of the Yungas' road,  indeed gives as many shivers down your spine as the adrenaline of a crazy experience. "The Road of Death" owes its name and reputation to its mortuary past. There was a time when nearly 300 people lost their lives there every year. These dramatic vehicle accidents were caused by the unpredictable weather conditions of the region, and in particular by its difficult configuration, being a narrow road where rarely two vehicles could pass at the same time, as well as its maintenance, more or less abandoned by the government. Historically, this road was built and dug into the cliffs by Paraguayan prisoners captured during the Chaco War (1932-1935). It linked the city of La Paz to the Andean village of Coroico to bring back fruits, vegetables and the famous coca leaf. Today, this road is still the only way to reach the Amazon from La Paz, although an alternative has been built.  
The village of Coroico is a peaceful place where one of the few Afro-Bolivian communities in the country lives. photo: Tiffany Flour
   

5- To do a must-see in Bolivia 

The fame of this road is, indeed, linked to its tragic past. Nevertheless, today, this "Death road" is mainly a tourist place, and one of the major attractions of the country. An entirely concrete two-lane section was built in 2007 to allow vehicles to travel the route safely, and the old road is mainly used by tourist agencies to organize bike tours, so traffic is almost nil. Thus, keeping the same precautions as any other sport or adventure activity, the descent of the Death Road by mountain bike is completely safe nowadays, for an adrenalin-filled adventure and unforgettable memories. For its interesting history, incredible landscapes and the unique experience it has to offer, the "Death Road" has become a must for all travelers in Bolivia. Discover our article on the 8 must-see places to discover Bolivia and go on an adventure!   
Riding the "Road of Death" on a mountain bike is one of the best attractions to do in La Paz, for a good dose of adrenaline and wonderful landscapes. photo: Tiffany Flour
 

Travel tips: 

  • Live this unique experience with Daytours4u, with a supervised, secure and unforgettable mountain bike tour. 
  • Prepare as well as possible your trip and read 5 things you should know before traveling to Bolivia. 
  • Wear appropriate clothing: the climate is humid and rainy in the Yungas area. In addition, the change in altitude causes the temperature to rise several degrees during the descent, so it is easy to change from fleece to t-shirt during the day. 
  • Good physical condition: we're talking about several kilometres at an altitude of 4,000 metres, which makes it difficult to breathe properly. Take the necessary precautions for a bike ride of several hours and for the altitude.
  • Anti-mosquito products: being a tropical zone, there are many mosquitoes and other insects, so protect yourself with suitable products for your body and clothing.

Practical information:

  • The direction of traffic on the Yungas road is on the left, as in England or Australia for example. It is the only road in Bolivia that follows this rule, as it allows drivers to better assess the distance between their tyres and the edge of the cliff.
  • It is possible to make the descent all year round, but it is preferable to start the adventure during the dry period, from mid-May to October.
 
By: Tiffany Flour, soul traveler and Web Content Editor for Daytours4u