Exploring Bolivia's Vast Road Network: Miles Of Adventure

Bolivia's road network is extensive, with a total length of 90,568 km, ranking it 55th in the world. The country's roads vary from excellent asphalted highways to unpaved, potholed tracks. Bolivia's most famous road is the unpaved 'Death Road', a 36.4km stretch between La Paz and Coroico, which has earned its nickname due to the high number of fatalities that occur on its perilous route. The country's geography, which includes mountainous terrain and rugged peaks, makes road construction and maintenance a challenge, and the extended rainy seasons in the lowlands often result in poor traffic conditions, mudslides and road traffic collisions.

Bolivia's road network: 90,568km total, 11% asphalted

Bolivia's road network is vast, with a total length of 90,568 kilometres. This equates to 7.31 metres of road per inhabitant, considering the country's population of 12.39 million. Bolivia ranks 55th in the world for the length of its road network.

However, only 11% of these roads, or 9,792 kilometres, are asphalted. The remaining 89% are unpaved, which can vary from reasonable to horrific, with lots of washboard roads. The poor quality of many roads can be attributed to the country's challenging geography and lack of resources for road development and maintenance. The low population density of around 11 inhabitants per square kilometre also means that long distances must be covered to reach remote areas.

The Bolivian National Road network (Rutas Nacionales) comprises 16,029 kilometres of roadway as of 2006. This network was established in 1998 with a length of 10,401 kilometres and has since expanded to include 45 national roads. As of 2004, the total road distance in Bolivia was 62,479 kilometres, with 3,749 kilometres paved and 58,730 kilometres unpaved.

Bolivia's road traffic is known for its dangers, with an average of 2,189 road deaths per year between 2014 and 2019. This corresponds to approximately 19.4 fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants per year, a rate higher than the worldwide average of 16.9. The infamous "Death Road" or Carretera de los Yungas, a 36.4-kilometre (22.61-mile) stretch between La Paz and Coroico, is a notable example of the country's treacherous roads.

'Death Road': 36.4km gravel track, one of the world's most dangerous roads

Bolivia has a total road network of 90,568 km, ranking it 55th in the world. However, within this vast network lies a 36.4km stretch of road known as the "Death Road", which has earned a reputation as one of the world's most dangerous roads.

The Yungas Road

Officially known as the Yungas Road, or Carretera de los Yungas, this gravel track winds through the Bolivian department of La Paz, connecting the capital city of La Paz with the town of Coroico in the Yungas area. The road is surrounded by mountainous terrain and stretches far enough to connect the Amazon rainforest to La Paz.

A Treacherous History

The road was built in the 1930s by Paraguayan prisoners during the Chaco War. For many years, it was the only route connecting Coroico to La Paz, and it was notorious for its extreme danger. The road is extremely narrow, with a width of barely one vehicle in most sections, and has sheer drops of up to 1000 meters with no guardrails. The combination of fog, landslides, and sharp turns made driving on this road extremely perilous. It is estimated that 200 to 300 people died on this road each year until 1994, with numerous vehicles going off the edge.

Modernization and Tourism

In 2006, a new road was constructed, bypassing the original North Yungas Road. The new route features modern safety measures such as multiple lanes, pavement, guardrails, and effective drainage systems. As a result, traffic on the old road has decreased significantly. However, the old road has become a tourist attraction, drawing thrill-seekers and adventurers looking to experience the extreme conditions of the road. It is estimated that around 25,000 tourists have visited the road since the 1990s, with tour operators offering guided bike rides along the route.

Still Dangerous

Despite the construction of the new road, the old Yungas Road, or Death Road, remains a dangerous route. The road has claimed the lives of at least 20 cyclists since 1998, and local workers and backpackers continue to meet their ends on this treacherous path. The combination of narrow passages, sheer drops, extreme weather conditions, and poor visibility continues to make it a challenging and risky journey.

Bolivia's railways: historically important, now a small part of transport system

Bolivia's railways were once a vital part of the country's transport infrastructure, but today they play a relatively minor role. The country's unique geography has made road and aviation the primary means of getting around. Bolivia's rail network is ranked 50th in the world, with a total length of 3,960 kilometres (or 3,504 kilometres of single track). All railways in Bolivia are now 1,000 mm metre gauge.

The country has two separate railway systems: the Western routes lead to Chile and Argentina, while the Eastern routes lead to Brazil and Argentina. The two networks are only joined via Argentina, due to slow progress on a direct link. The Eastern network includes the Expreso Oriental, which runs between Santa Cruz and Quijarro on the border with Brazil, and the Ferrobus, which takes the same route but stops in additional towns. The Expreso del Sur and Wara Wara del Sur trains both run between Oruro and Villazon in the West, with the former making brief stops and the latter stopping at every station.

The unique landscapes of the Bolivian highlands can be appreciated by taking the Wara Wara del Sur train, which offers dining options and comfortable seating. The Tren Turístico is another option, taking passengers from El Alto to Guaqui, a small port on Lake Titicaca, with a stop in Tiwanaku. The Bus-Carril from Cochabamba to Aiquile is a bus-train route that stops in many small towns, as does the Bus-Carril from Sucre to Potosi, though this route is no longer running due to landslides.

Bolivia's rail network has had an interesting development history. A line was built to the shores of Lake Titicaca, and in the 1950s, the last major rail system was completed—a line from São Paulo, Brazil, that enters Bolivia at Puerto Suarez and connects to Santa Cruz. A line was intended to run north from Santa Cruz to Trinidad, but it never reached its destination, ending north of Yapacani. Spur lines were also run to mining districts and the regional capital of Cochabamba. Another local line, the Madeira-Mamoré Railroad, runs in a loop around the unnavigable section to Guajará-Mirim on the Mamoré River.

Aviation: important due to Bolivia's geography, 1,009 airports in 2008

Bolivia's road network totals 90,568 km, with only 9,792 km of this being asphalted roads. The country's low population density means that, to reach more remote areas, long distances must be covered. This, combined with the fact that Bolivia's road traffic is not considered particularly safe, means that aviation is an important mode of transport in the country. Indeed, as of 2008, there were 1,009 airports in Bolivia.

Bolivia has three international airports, located in the cities of La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz. The busiest of these is Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz, which handles about 186 domestic and 60 international flights per week. The most popular domestic flight route for tourists is from La Paz to Uyuni. The other international airports are El Alto International Airport in La Paz and Jorge Wilsterman International Airport in Cochabamba.

There are also many regional airports in Bolivia. These include La Joya Andina Airport in Uyuni, Rurrenabaque Airport in Rurrenabaque, Copacabana Airport in Copacabana, Juana Azurduy de Padilla Airport in Sucre, and Alcantarí Airport, also in Sucre.

Bolivia is home to Mi Teleférico, the world's first urban transit network to use cable cars as the primary mode of transportation. This system services the twin cities of El Alto and La Paz.

Road conditions: unpaved roads vary from reasonable to horrific

Bolivia has about 90,568km of roads, of which only 11% (9,792km) are asphalted roads. The conditions of the country's road infrastructure can be quite different from what you might be used to. Most highways between major cities are paved, but many run through very high mountains, where falling rocks and landslides are common. Some mountain highways are very narrow, with some areas only one lane wide. In these areas, traffic going in one direction must pull over to let oncoming traffic pass.

In the Northern and Eastern tropical regions, mountain roads give way to flat terrain. Here, highways are generally less damaged, wider, and safer to drive. However, the danger of flooding is ever-present during the rainy season, which usually lasts from December to February.

Out of Bolivia's 43,000km of highways, only 2,000km are paved. Many roads lack guardrails, lighting, shoulders, fencing, and other safety features. Signage is also minimal.

In larger cities, like Santa Cruz, La Paz, and Cochabamba, most streets and avenues are paved and lighted near the city centres, but as you move towards the outskirts, paved roads become scarce, and you will encounter many dirt roads, which turn to mud during the rainy season.

Road conditions in Bolivia are hazardous. The vast majority of roads are unpaved. Few highways have shoulders, fencing, or barriers, and highway markings are often minimal or non-existent. For trips outside the major cities, especially in mountainous areas, it is highly recommended to use a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The rainy season, from November to March, is particularly challenging for drivers, as most routes are riddled with potholes, and roads and bridges may be washed out. The absence of formal driver training, poor vehicle maintenance, overloaded vehicles, and intoxicated or fatigued drivers further compound the dangers on Bolivian roads.

The old Yungas Road, also known as "Death Road," is a notorious example of Bolivia's treacherous roads. This 69-kilometre stretch of road connects La Paz to the town of Coroico. It is extremely perilous due to fog, landslides, sharp curves, and cliffs that drop 610 metres at every turn. The road is mostly single-lane, barely wide enough for two vehicles to pass, and has minimal guardrails. It is estimated that nearly 300 drivers lost their lives on this road every year until 1994. While a new, safer road has been constructed nearby, "Death Road" remains a popular tourist attraction, particularly for thrill-seekers on mountain biking tours.

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