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Weather in Death Road
World's most dangerous mountain bike descent
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About Death Road
A remarkable destination worth exploring.
Best months to visit
Year-round
Things to do in Death Road
Explore
Dine
Culture
Nature
Shopping
Day trips
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
20C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
February
20C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
March
19C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
April
19C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
May
18C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
June
17C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
July
17C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
August
18C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
September
19C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
October
20C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
November
20C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
December
20C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
The North Yungas Road, better known as Death Road, is one of the world's most notorious stretches of tarmac (and, mostly, gravel) — a narrow track clinging to cliff edges as it drops nearly 3,600 metres from the icy Andes into the steamy Yungas jungle. These days it's mostly closed to through traffic and given over to mountain bikers, who descend through cloud, waterfalls, and dizzying drop-offs on guided tours from La Paz. It's exhilarating, slightly terrifying, and one of South America's classic adventure experiences.
Best areas to stay in Death Road
La Cumbre
The high-altitude starting point at around 4,650m, where tours begin amid snow-capped peaks and thin air.
Unduavi
A checkpoint partway down where the route shifts from paved highway onto the old gravel Death Road proper.
Yolosa
The jungle finish line at around 1,200m, with pools, showers, and lunch waiting for riders.
Coroico
Many riders continue up to this hillside town to stay overnight and recover after the ride.
Getting to Death Road
✈
Flights
Fly into La Paz's El Alto International Airport (LPB); tour operators collect riders directly from La Paz hotels.
⏱
From London
~17-19 hours from London via a US or South American hub to La Paz.
🚕
Getting around
Tour minibuses handle all transport to La Cumbre and back from Yolosa; no independent transport needed.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to ride Death Road?
It's done year-round, but the dry season (April to October) offers better visibility and less mud. Early morning starts give the clearest conditions before afternoon cloud rolls in.
Do I need to be an experienced cyclist?
No — most tours are suitable for beginners with a reasonable level of fitness and confidence on a bike. Guides set the pace and safety briefings are thorough.
How long does the Death Road tour take?
Most full-day tours run around 6-7 hours including the descent, stops for photos and snacks, and a return transfer to La Paz.
Is Death Road safe these days?
Choosing a reputable operator with well-maintained bikes, helmets, and experienced guides makes it considerably safer than its reputation suggests, though accidents do still occasionally occur.
What should I bring?
Layers for temperature changes (it's cold at the start and hot by the bottom), sunglasses, sunscreen, and a change of clothes for the end-of-ride celebration in Yolosa.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Terrifying for the first ten minutes, then absolutely brilliant. The scenery changes so fast, from snow to jungle in a few hours. Our guide was fantastic.
Holly P. · June 2024
★★★★☆
Started early to beat the cloud and got some incredible views of the valley before the mist came in. Bikes were well maintained, would recommend.
Diego A. · September 2023
★★★★★
One of the best days of our entire trip. A bit pricey for Bolivia but worth every penny for the buzz and the views.
Sam T. · March 2024
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