Coroico

Coroico is a good place to explore the region around the Yungas Road or just spend a night before heading to the lowlands (inlcuding Rurrenabaque and the rest of the Beni department, or just back to La Paz. Because of the lower elevation, the weather is quite nice by comparison to La Paz, and has a resort-like feel to it. Weekends are busier with Paceños.
Coroico itself is not that spectacular. The surrounding is nice but besides its multiple accommodation option, it does not offer much additional reason to stay here.

The new (as of 2006) highway going by Coroico is open for public use. It's a very scenic road and needs to be appreciate when driving it.

By bus

All buses from the Terminal Provincial Minasa Yungas in La Paz will go by and stop in Yolosita (Bs. 20). From there you can hike up to Coroico, there is a direct trail, or take a minibus for Bs. 5. There are also a few direct connections to Coroico from La Paz.

By bicycle

From La Paz to Coroico you can also do "The Bike Ride"—the so-called "Death Road". Many tour companies offer this trip, but you can also organise it by yourself, renting a bicycle in La Paz. If you go with a tour company, look for one that allows you to bring your backpack along (for free!). For more details on the cycling option, see Yungas Road.

On foot

There are also several hiking options to get to Coroico from La Paz, see Yungas Road.

Coroico is a small town and just about everything is in walking distance. There are also taxis in town.

• Soak up village life.
• Check out the church right next to the plaza.

• Most people just come to chill out at the pool, and at night go eat in one of the excellent restaurants. There is a large open air municipal pool (20 m) above the bus terminal with space for sunbathing.
• Yoga is available at Sol y Luna for Bs. 30, see #Sleep section for details.

• Chutokollo Uchumachi (2,533 m)It is an easy but long hike (2 hr, 800 m altitude) up from Coroico to the highest point in the area. The views of the valley are amazing and there are lots of wild flowers and the odd coca field. Towards the top you have to cross dense (rain)forest. There and at the top, if you are quiet, you can hear and spot Colibris (hummingbird). They are easily recognised by their loud flight—it will be harder though to take a picture of them, because they are quite shy. If you walk until the other end of the mountain, you can see and take pictures of the snow covered mountain range towards La Paz.

• Try the Comedor municipal for cheap food from Bs. 6.
• Pizzeria Erika has fairly cheap pizzas and pastas, but you can also go for a set meal.

• El CafetalA good restaurant is this French owned one. It's an open air restauramt under a jatata roof, with an excellent view down the valley (obviously no view at night!). Expect lamb curry, llama goulash, trout lasagna and crepes amongst others. They are also a hotel.

• Best value for money at the vegetarian Villa Bonita, which is also famous for its ice-cream.

• Hotel Esmeraldahas a huge All-You-Can-Eat buffet with fresh salads, meat and chicken, fresh vegetables, soups and vegetarian food. The food is always fresh, no microwave food, no frozen lasagnas. Service spotty and the owner is a grouch.

• Bamboo

  address: one block from the plaza
  Mexican restaurant favoured by local expats. The owner speaks English very well, so it is easy to get information!

• Cafe Arte

  address: on the plaza
  Great cakes, average coffee

• Empanadas

  address: Main Plaza
  Cheese empanadas appear at 16:00 in the main square. No tiendas sell them.

• La CasaAlpine food: Fondu and Raclet.

• Carlas Garden Pub

  phone: +591 72075620
  address: Calle Adalld Linares
  Dutch owned and chef run terrace bar/restaurant/bakery with live music on weekends. Easily the coldest beer, best cocktails and incredible made-from-scratch meals in Coroico. The location is perfectly Dutch-Clean including the WCs. English spoken. Closed Sundays.

• Jugo ladies

  address: randomly around the plaza
  Fresh jugos, fruits and carrot

Accommodations in Coroico are a little overpriced, with many accommodations demanding around a steep Bs. 80 compared to the regular Bs. 30-60.

• Residencial CoroicoPlain but cheap. There is only a cold shower. Hot shower for Bs. 5.

• Hotel Esmeralda

  phone: +591 10-2213-6017
  address: At the top of the hill by phone masts
  Amazing potential, has rooms with stunning views, a clean-(ish) pool, (scalding) hot showers, sauna, a book and DVD collection, cable TV, the fastest Internet connection in town (by satellite), pool tables, fussball and a restaurant that offers buffet-based breakfast, lunch and dinner. 660 ml beers priced at Bs. 10 during happy hour 17:30-19:00.

• Sol y Luna

  address: even further up the hill
  Reasonably priced independent cabins with kitchen and private bathroom in a paradisical garden or cheaper rooms in a big house or camping in grounds. Two pools set in woodland environment. You have to make reservations, especially on weekends. Amazing massages Bs. 120 for 75 min. Yoga daily.

• Villa Bonita

  phone: +591 71918298
  Minuscule Villa Bonita offers high quality ice cream and vegetarian food in a pretty garden with a great view. The place has two cabins (for 2 & 4 people) and some rooms in their own house. It is run by a Swiss-Bolivian couple and their two small kids. Call ahead as it is often full on weekends.

• Hostal Para TiBeautiful panorama, areas for recreation and relaxing.

• Hostal L. de la TorreBasic but clean, sunny and cheap, organised around a courtyard full of flowers.

• Hostal KoryBest view in Coroico. A Little more pricey but everything in Bolivia is cheap. Worth the stay!

You can find guides in the "Tourist Information Office" (actually a disguised tour operator) on the Plaza. Or you can ask your hotel to recommend one.

• There are minibuses to La Paz running 03:00-17:30 southwest from the church. You will easily recognise the ticket sellers shouting La Paz. The minibuses take the safe new road, but are a bit cramped, Bs. 20, 2.5 hours. For Bs. 25-30 you can get small micros 2 hr.
• A private taxi to La Paz should cost around Bs. 300-350. Also, there are shared taxis that cost Bs. 30-35. They take the curves a bit too fast, so it's best to take them only if you have a strong stomach.