Death Road

Officially known as The North Yungas Road, is aproximatly 70 km long. That connects La
Paz and Coroico. That road was built mostly by Paraguayan prisoners of Chaco War in 1930s.
Death Road was use a lot because it was the only road that connect La Paz and the Yungas
region. Every year it was estimated 200 to 300 people died. In one year alone, 25 vehicles
plunged off the road and into the ravine. That is one every two weeks.
In 1995, the Inter American Development Bank christened it the most dangerous road in the
world.
The road stars from La Paz with an altitude of 3640 meters. It ascends rapidly to 4650 meters
in the Paso de la Cumbre and then it decends to 1200 meters in the city of Corico.
It contains: A lane of 3 meters wide, some limited railings and cliffs up to 600 meters.
During the rain season, rain or fog can reduce a driver to feeling blindfolded and cause the
road was muddy and splippery.
During the dry season, it’s common some loose rocks fall and dust can make a little harder
to see.
When the vehicle is down, the driver should drive on the left side of the road. You need to
know that the left side y edge of this road.
In 2009 the newer road between La Paz and Corico was completed. It let another safer road.
However, very few vehicules continue use this road, because it is the only route that connects
certain destinations
In 1990’s this road had become a touristic place to cyclits, you can find several tours to visit
this road. The best, albeit most expensive, companie is Gravity Bolivia with a prize around
125 dolars.
If you can travel to this roas only is recommended you go with a companion or better with a guide,
even some tours include an insurance.