Among the countries of South America, Bolivia is not as famous as neighboring Brazil or Peru, but there are also many great places to visit. The traveler can travel within the country by plane or take a taxi. But renting a car and moving around on your own is highly discouraged, because the roads in Bolivia are considered one of the most dangerous in the world.
Road network in Bolivia
The geography of this country is extremely diverse, there is also a high-mountain plateau where the capital of the state, La Paz, is located, and an impenetrable jungle of jungle. Therefore, the density of road routes is not too high here, focusing mainly on the highlands around large cities.
Among the main highways passing through Bolivia, it is worth mentioning one of the two branches of the famous Pan American Highway. This route goes through Bolivia to Argentina. However, due to the difficult mountain conditions, even this highway does not differ in the special quality of the surface and the safety of movement.
In general, it should be noted that most Bolivian roads do not claim to be good. There is practically no hard surface here, the roadway is mainly a primer, often flooded by rains. It is not uncommon for roads to be flooded with rains, especially during the season of these precipitations, as a result of which some settlements are cut off from the rest of the world for several days, or even weeks.
Also, a traveler should be prepared for the fact that pickets and protests are often held in the country, within the framework of which already few passages are blocked. The local driving style deserves a separate word. Drivers don't bother to obey the rules, so it's easy to get into an accident in local Brownian traffic. Well, if the traveler was not intimidated by all these distinctive features of Bolivian roads, then it's time to take a ride along the infamous Death Road.
One of the most dangerous roads in the world
This narrow alpine serpentine got its name for a reason. Several cases of mass death of people were recorded here, when a bus with passengers fell into the abyss. But a lot of simple fatal accidents happen here.
The Road of Death runs along the edge of the cliff, and there is no obstacle here. A narrow lane of road with not the best quality, in bad weather conditions turns into a real hell. And, despite the danger of this road, they continue to use it! There are two reasons for this. This is the only way from La Paz to another city in the Andes, Coroiko. In addition, it is only by this road that it is possible to reach the popular Madidi National Park by land. Riding the deadly route is very popular with those who like to tickle their nerves. Travel companies arrange special tours, as a result of which the traveler is issued a certificate that he passed the Death Road and survived.
As you can see, traveling by car in Bolivia on your own requires a lot of courage. The poor quality of roads and their dangerous location make traveling in this country by car without an experienced driver an extreme entertainment that not everyone will like. But those who take the risk will get memories for the rest of their lives.
