Every year it is estimated 200 to 300 people die on a stretch of road less than 50 miles long. In one year alone, 25 vehicles plunged off the road and into the ravine. That is one every two weeks.
BBC Report
And of course many reports from travelblog.org
Death Road Bolivia Reply to this Queridos gringos, no es para tanto la peligrosidad de la ruta Coroico-La Paz. En los últimos años se transformó en un producto turistico altamente vendible pero he de decirles que rutas de montaña con probabilidades de accidente existen a todo lo largo y ancho de los andes de nuestra américa. Ahora bien, es un hermoso paisaje para disfrutar desde las ventanas.
Reply to this Yeah, it's crazy! I went backpacking to Bolivia and I remember my Lonely Planet guide had the same information. That's why I avoided Coroico.
My friends went anyway and... they didn't die, lol. They had a great time, but they said the bus ride *was* terrifying.
Reply to this oh my god. I want to do it as much as I am cacking myself. Can someone who has done it mail me about it!
Reply to this There is a new road right now that is exclusively for bikes. Biking the road is pretty popular, and relatively safe, and I will be doing it in the next few days. I'll let everyone know how it was. Going by bus on the road though is still dangerous, although I heard something about a new road being made for buses too.
Reply to this So here's the deal. I did the bike ride today and it was incredible! I had such a blast, and it was definitely extreme and intense. Check out my blog later this week when I'll hopefully have an entry on the Death Road and some pictures.
It was scary, but if you bike in control, you're fine.
There are 2 roads. The old road is the one that many have died on. Now, as far as I know from my guides, NO cars go on the old road. The new road, on the other side of the valley, cost $120 million US to construct. Our tour group, Chacaltaya Tours, on Calle Sagarnaga, good agency, I recommend it, biked to Choroico then took our bus back on the NEW road to La Paz. The new road isn't bad at all. It's 2 lanes, and pretty safe. But again, no one drives fast on it. So, in short, the old road sees really no vehicles. As far as I know the only vehicles that go on the old road is the bus of the biking agency that follows the bike riders on the path.
Reply to this So just to confirm...I just went on another trek and spoke with the guide.
The new road that was built took 10 years to complete. It's only been 2 months since it has been open to cars. Since then, no cars or buses, except those as part of bike tours, go on the old road. So, if you for some reason really want to drive on the old road and risk your life (at least 1000 people have died on the road since it existed) then go ahead...otherwise, just be safe and take the new road, which is well paved and safe. I've been on it twice already as a passenger. You just can't go fast really.
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