Coroico is a small town perched on a green ridge in Bolivia’s Yungas region, where the Andes drop steeply into the Amazon basin. Most travellers arrive after the famous Death Road bike ride from La Paz, but the town deserves more than a single night. The climate is warm and humid, the surrounding cloudforest is spectacular, and the pace of life is wonderfully slow.
The real draw is what lies beyond town. Dozens of hikes and excursions fan out in every direction: Inca trails through wild valleys, crystal-clear rivers with natural swimming pools, mysterious waterfalls deep in the forest, and Afro-Bolivian communities with their own music and history. Walks range from easy three-hour loops to multi-day treks. You can also ride horses, mountain bike, or simply find a spot by the Pozas del Vagante and swim. The walk up to the Mirador El Calvario is the best half-hour you can spend in town.
Back in town, a handful of good restaurants serve everything from French-Bolivian fusion to fondue and Mexican food, all at reasonable prices. The views from almost every terrace take in the valley below and the forested mountains beyond.