CoroicoThings to do

Things to do in Coroico

  1. Pizzeria Italia

    The plaza is ringed by a number of inexpensive local places and pizzerias; all have ordinary menus, acceptable fare and a typically tropical sense of urgency and service. Local volunteers swear that Pizzeria Italia is the best of the mediocre bunch. If you're in a rush or on a strict budget, there are many food stalls around the mercado municipal and in the Comedor Popular to placate your growling stomach, but you'll need a bit of gastric stamina.

    reviewed

  2. Cerro Uchumachi Walk

    For pretty views head uphill toward Hotel Esmeralda and on up to El Calvario, an easy 20-minute hike. At El Calvario the Stations of the Cross lead to a grassy knoll and chapel. There are two good trailheads from El Calvario. The one to the left leads to the cascadas, a trio of waterfalls 5km and two hours beyond the chapel. The trail to the right leads to Cerro Uchumachi, which affords terrific valley views.

    reviewed

  3. Artesanías Arco Irís

    On the south side of the plaza, the Artesanías Arco Irís offers a unique glimpse into Coroico daily life. During the high season, the market is frequented by itinerant craftspeople selling a wide range of artesanía (locally handcrafted items) including quality handmade jewelry. When you're done, grab a bag of yummy, nutty Yungas coffee from one of the surrounding cafes.

    reviewed

  4. Siria León

    Coroico is a relaxed place to learn Spanish. A recommended teacher is Siria León who charges B$35 an hour for private lessons. Her house is at the junction behind the soccer field. With Hotel Gloria Coroico down the road to your left, head through the tiny black gate to the right of the building that immediately faces you. The first door on your left is Siria’s.

    reviewed

  5. Luna Llena

    The small outdoor restaurant at the Hostal Sol y Luna is run with a motherly hand by doña María, and has a well-priced, tasty menu of Bolivian and European dishes including vegetarian options. An extraordinary treat if you have a group – or can muster one – is the Indonesian buffet (B$35 per person) for eight to 20 people, which must be booked a day in advance.

    reviewed

  6. Back-Stube Konditorei

    Back-Stube Konditorei is one of the best places to eat in town, this welcoming bakery-restaurant has excellent breakfasts, tempting cakes and pastries as well as pasta, vegetarian plates and memorable sauerbraten (marinated pot-roast beef) with spätzle (German dough noodles). There’s also a great terraced area, and a book exchange.

    reviewed

  7. El Calvario

    For pretty views, El Calvario is an easy 20-minute hike from town. Here, the Stations of the Cross lead to a grassy knoll and chapel. There are two good trailheads from El Calvario: the left leads to the cascadas, a trio of waterfalls a two-hour walk from the chapel; the right leads to Cerro Uchumachi (a five-hour round-trip), which affords terrific valley views.

    reviewed

  8. Restaurant La Casa

    While not quite what it was in its glory days, this home-style, candlelit restaurant is still a good choice for its friendly management and selection of fondue and à la carte meals. There are also small but tasty steaks, pasta dishes and a range of scrumptious pancakes. For the sweet of tooth, the sinful chocolate fondue is the way forward.

    reviewed

  9. Villa Bonita

    This delightfully peaceful garden-cafe is 600m from town but feels a world away. The relaxed, personable owners offer delicious homemade ice creams and sorbets bursting with fresh fruit, tasty sundaes with unusual local liqueurs, and an eclectic range of vegetarian dishes. Meals are served outside where you can appreciate the valley views.

    reviewed

  10. El Vagante

    A good day's walk will take you to and from El Vagante, an area of natural stone swimming holes in the Río Santa Bárbara. Follow the road toward Coripata for about two hours, passing some Pre-Columbian terraces. Downstream from here is a series of swimming holes and waterfalls. The return route is uphill all the way!

    reviewed

  11. Advertisement

  12. Cross Country Coroico

    The area around Coroico is great for mountain biking. Friendly Cross Country Coroico offers day trips to attractions in the region for all levels of rider from B$280 per person, including a guide and packed lunch. Readers have reported the trips as being good-natured if a little disorganized.

    reviewed

  13. El Relincho

    A recommended spot for horseback riding is El Relincho. Trips sometimes include a barbecue lunch. The owner, Reynaldo, also offers a two-day trip round Uchumachi for B$700 per person, all-inclusive. El Relincho is between Hotels Esmeralda and Sol y Luna, a 10-minute walk above town.

    reviewed

  14. Madres de Clarisa Convent

    The Madres de Clarisa Convent sells homemade brownies, orange cakes, creatively flavored biscuits, and wines. You’ll find it down the steps off the southwest corner of the plaza; ring the bell to get into the shop area.

    reviewed

  15. Murcielaguitos

    After midnight, with the resto-bars shut, it’s time for Murcielaguitos, in the Residencial 20 de Octubre, where students from the agricultural college join others to dance to loud Latin music and sing karaoke.

    reviewed

  16. Bamboo’s Café

    A friendly place that offers good-value, picante (spicy) Mexican food (tacos, burritos and veggie refried beans). Later in the evening it’s also a cozy, sociable spot for a candlelit drink or two.

    reviewed

  17. El Nido de Uchi

    One of several cafés around the plaza, this stylish set-up, with tables in the form of coffee mills and displays of beans in various stages of processing, is run by the local coffee cooperative.

    reviewed

  18. Taurus Pub

    The best places for a drink in town are Bamboo's and the relaxed Taurus Pub, the name taken from a previous bar of that name, which has a guidebook library and occasional live music.

    reviewed

  19. Municipal pool

    Feeling lazy? Instead of walking down to the river, dip into the Municipal pool below the market. Several hotels also allow nonguests to use their pool for a small charge.

    reviewed

  20. La Senda Verde

    Serving home-produced coffee from a refuge in nearby Yolosa, this little cafe is a great place for breakfast. It’s set in a quiet courtyard.

    reviewed

  21. Bar Mosquito

    Try Bar Mosquito where you can play pool and enjoy the two-for-one happy hour.

    reviewed

  22. Advertisement