#collocalia

[2413/11080] Christmas swiftlet - Collocalia natalis

Order: Apodiformes (swifts and hummingbirds) Family: Apodidae (swifts)

[2129/11056] Cave swiftlet - Collocalia linchi

Order: Apodiformes (swifts and treeswifts) Family: Apodidae (swifts)

[1609/10977] Bornean swiftlet - Collocalia dodgei

Order: Apodiformes (swifts and treeswifts) Family: Apodidae (swifts)

 Sure, you could go to Coroico to sit by the pool and relax. But it would hardly be worth the U.S. $ 2, 3-hour trip on the most dangerous road in the world. Coroico is where your holiday turns into an adventure, where you can stretch your legs to walk to a waterfall running in the morning, visit a plantation of coca in the afternoon, dine on fondue evening and soak in a hot tub surrounded in the green of the jungle, before going to bed. Located about 190 km from La Paz, Bolivia, Coroico is a sub-tropical paradise, an escape needed from the cold, treeless plateau sites. With warm, sunny days and cold nights and clear, Coroico welcomes you to their mountain retreat, and most probably will not want to leave. Coroico has become home to quite a large international community, and it is not difficult to see why. Perhaps most famous for being located on "the most dangerous road in the world," the trip to Coroico has become much safer in recent years. While still gripping the side of a mountain range where the drop-off up to 1,000 meters are dotted with plaques and certainly not for the faint of heart, the road was recently paved and deviations from the original route that once brought guests to Coroico. However, it is an amazing visual adventure, where the proportion of bare hills gradually give way to incredibly lush green sub-tropical forest. But many visitors looking for the adrenaline still running the risk down the road infamous old bicycle. The race, which can be arranged from La Paz and Coroico, begins about halfway along the new highway, in a conjunction with the old road, and is a full blast down to Coroico. Considered one of the most exciting races of the world, should not be missed for the adventurous tourist. Once in Coroico, there are several popular hikes, ranging in distance from 2 hours to 4 days, offering a full immersion in the natural wonders of the area. Destinations include waterfalls, natural pools, organic coffee plantations, plantations of coca and the tops of the mountains with breathtaking views. For anyone interested in traditional agricultural systems, ecology and natural history, Coroico is a great jump-off to explore the surrounding areas. In terms of housing, Coroico has a wide selection to choose from, ranging from 5-star hotel with hot showers, cable TV and room service for eco-hostels. My favorite is the Hostel Sol y Luna, a woodland interlaced with trails leading to private cabanas, each unique and extraordinary in its kind. The owner, a German woman turned Bolivian favors the separation of waste, low-impact living and healthy practices like yoga and massage, she is happy to share with visitors! And when it's time to refuel your body after one of the many adventures, there are a variety of restaurants and bars to choose from, reflecting the many international guests who have made their home Coroico. International cuisine includes Mexican, French, German and Italian, and of course the traditional dishes of Bolivia are offered in most restaurants. Café de la Senda Verde, located off the main square, offers home-roasted organic coffee and brownies deliciously rich, and is an ideal stop for the push late in the afternoon. If you're lucky enough to be in Coroico with free time, take advantage. 'S one of those gems of a city that at first glance does not seem much, but once you start exploring, there is a new adventure to take every day. You may just not want to leave.