Is Death Road Worth It?
This depends on what type of activities you enjoy. If you are an adrenaline junkie and thrill seeker like me, then yes you will love it!
Besides the thrills, the day has so much scenic variety as you descend from the cool snow-covered mountains at 4,600m into the warm, lush jungle nearer sea level.
However, if you aren’t that confident on a bike and prefer a more laid-back experience, then it’s probably best to give this trip a miss.
5 Great Reasons To Ride Death Road
Here are five reasons why the Death Road in La Paz is totally worth it:
1. Adrenaline rush on every curve – If you’re a thrill-seeker, this adventure is perfect for you. You’ll be biking down one of the world’s most infamous roads, with breathtaking views and sheer cliffs that keep your heart racing the entire ride.
2. Epic landscapes – The scenery is like nothing you’ve ever seen. From lush green valleys to misty cloud forests, every twist and turn reveals a new side of Bolivia’s beauty. It’s more than a bike ride – it’s a journey through nature.
3. Feel like a true adventurer – Riding Death Road is more than a tour, it’s an accomplishment. Completing the route gives you bragging rights, and it’s one of those bucket-list experiences you’ll never forget.
4. The reward at the end – After the ride, you’ll get to relax at an outside swimming pool or explore Senda Verde Animal Refuge, a sanctuary where rescued animals find safety and care. It’s the perfect balance to the day’s adrenaline-filled adventure.
5. Safety first – Despite its reputation, most tours, like those from Gravity and Barracuda Biking, put safety at the top of the list. With quality equipment, experienced guides, and clear safety protocols, you can focus on the experience while knowing you’re in good hands.
“Joe turned our fragmented ideas into a seamless itinerary. His expert advice saved us time, money, and stress – making our 3-month trip feel easy.”
Sam & Amy – 3 Months In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Unsure how to pick the best route
✔ Spent hours researching… and still feeling lost
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
Which Is The Best Death Road Tour Company?
When looking for a company to book the Death Road tour with, safety should be your number one factor when choosing.
Look for a company providing well maintained and relatively new bikes. You want bikes good breaks (obviously) and good suspension to deal with the bumpy road. Also ensure the tour guides are responsible, explain things clearly and manage the needs of the group.
The most well-recommended companies for safety are Gravity and Barracuda Biking.
| Feature | Gravity | Barracuda |
|---|---|---|
|
Price |
$125 |
$85 |
|
Activities |
|
Full day of biking |
|
|
Snacks, drinks and lunch |
Snacks, drinks and lunch |
|
|
Photos and videos included |
Photos and videos included |
|
|
Visit to the Senda Verde Animal Reserve |
– |
|
Safety |
Highest-rated for safety in the region |
Well-rated, focuses on safety and enjoyment |
|
|
Full suspension bikes |
Full suspension bikes |
I went with Barracuda Biking, who were cheaper and also have great reviews and reputation.
Book directly with them here:
Review Of Barracuda Biking Death Road Tour
After checking the safety standards of Barracuda, we decided to go with them and would recommend them highly. We tested the bikes out before setting off and were able to change our helmet based on fit, all of which conformed to the safety standards we were looking out for.
Our guide was informative and helpful, and managed the group well. They also took photos and videos during the trip, meaning we didn’t need to.
We couldn’t see what else you’re paying for with Gravity except for their reputation. We doubt there’s much difference between them and Barracuda in regard to safety.
The only significant difference is the final stop at La Senda Animal Refuge, which sounds cool, especially if you are an animal lover.
Our opinion: save yourself the $40 and go with Barracuda.
What To Expect On A Death Road Tour
Death Road Tour Itinerary
- 06-07:00 Pickup
- 09:00 Briefing and bike test
- 10:30 First descent down the new asphalt road
- 11:00 Snack Stop / second briefing for the death road/drive to death road
- 11:15 Descent down death road
- 13:00 Stops at San Juan Waterfalls/lunch
- 13:30 Final Descent to Coroico
- 15:30 Arrive in Coroico for Lunch and swim
- 17:00 Drive Back to La Paz
- 18:00-19:00 Arrive at Hostel
Part 1 - The New Road
The first part of the ride is the most scenic and the most fun.
If you have a clear day, you will be able to see the snow-capped mountains which surround La Paz as well as incredible views of the road winding down into the valley.
The first hour will be on the new asphalt road, and you will be able to reach high speeds as you bomb down: get aerodynamic by leaning forward and enjoy yourself!
This is a wide two-lane highway making it the most stress-free part of the ride. There will be lorries and other cars, so make sure you are being sensible and keeping to the edge of the road so faster vehicles can overtake you. Only overtake if and when it’s safe to do so.
Part 2 - The Old Road
After a snack stop, you will hop in the van (which follows you the whole way) and drive to the Death Road.
From here you have 2 hours of speedy riding down a rocky dirt road. You will need to pay attention and keep your eyes out for any big rocks and take the corners slowly until you have a feel for the road and your bike.
There will be a few photos stops en route and your lunch stop is at a great viewpoint with waterfalls coming down onto the road from the cliffs above.
After lunch, you have another hour or so downhill before the road starts to flatten out. This final downhill bit is trickier as more waterfalls and rivers are running through the road. Take it easy and make sure you go slower on the wet parts of the road.
It will start to become hotter as you descend and there will be an opportunity to take off the large overalls. Do this if you’re getting sweaty but beware that these offer some protection if you fall off.
The final hour is on the flat part of the road to reach Coroico where you will need to pedal.
Once you reach the lunch spot, you can have a shower, jump in the pool to relax and most importantly, eat!
Barracuda’s itinerary is listed here if you want more detail.
“Joe saved us so many hours of research and planning. His expertise turned our stress into a clear, custom itinerary we could actually enjoy.”
Maeve & Martin – 6 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Unsure how to pick the best route
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
What To Wear For The Death Road Bike Ride
We would recommend wearing lightweight sports clothes for this activity, such as running shorts and a top you don’t mind sweating in. Your tour company will give you protective overalls, gloves and a helmet so it’s best to not wear too many layers beneath that.
At the start of the ride, which begins at 4,600m above sea level, you will feel a little cold, but after a long ride you will reach the bottom and it will be hot and humid.
Here are a few other things you will want to bring:
- Change of clothes – for after the swim (you won’t want to put your sweaty clothes back on)
- Towel – for shower and pool
- Swimwear/flip flops – for the pool
- Sun cream – you spend a good hour or so by the pool at the bottom and its hot!
- Camera – your guide will happily take your camera and snap some photos for you, and there are multiple stops along the road to take shots
- Cheap sunglasses – the road can get dusty near the bottom. Take a pair of cheap ones to protect your eyes
Don’t worry, your tour operator’s van will follow you the entire way, so you can leave your slightly overpacked bag in there and not worry about carrying it.
Death Road FAQ
What Is The Death Road?
Firstly, for those of you who have never heard of it, Death Road is a highway that connected La Paz to the north of Bolivia.
The narrow winding road etched into the cliff has been the scene of hundreds of fatal accidents over the years. Fortunately, the government built a new road for trucks and buses, and Death Road is now mainly used for tourism (mountain bike tours down the road).
While there’s still the odd accident (deaths average around 5 per year now), the road is nowhere near as dangerous as it used to be.
Where is Death Road?
The start of the death road tour is around an hour’s drive from La Paz and is known as the Yungas road.
How Long is Death Road?
From the start of the road to the town of Coroico where you will finish is c.60km.
Is Death Road For Beginners?
As this is all downhill, it’s not difficult to ride. Your comfort will be determined by how well you avoid the big rocks/gravel and take corners.
The best part is you can go as slow as you want. The guides are great at keeping the group together, and they plan in multiple stops for people to catch up.
If you get halfway down and decide you aren’t enjoying it, you can jump in the van and drive down.
Beginners can easily enjoy the death road. I’m not the most experienced rider, and I was fine.
How High is Death Road?
You start riding at 4,650m and you will descend to an altitude of c.1,525m in Coroico.
As you are descending, altitude sickness isn’t an issue on this tour. If you have spent a few days in La Paz and are used to the altitude, you’ll be fine.
Is Death Road Dangerous?
As mentioned, there were 200-300 average deaths per year on the road back in 1995.
However, after the government built the new road, deaths dropped to around 5 per year. These 5 deaths come from careless drivers taking corners too fast or trying to overtake a lorry at the wrong time.
Some tourists have died. But again this is down to carelessness such as going too fast or not paying attention to the road.
Our tour guide mentioned a tourist who died because they were trying to film themselves on their phone rather than paying attention to the road. They sadly ended up riding off the cliff edge.
Falling off your bike seems a pretty common occurrence. It happened to poor Koum (video below) and our tour guide mentioned that a lot of people fall off.
He said this was down to people being silly with friends, riding too fast into corners or using the wrong brake pedal. Just make sure you listen carefully to the guide’s instructions, don’t try to show off and ride sensibly and you’ll be fine.
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
