8 Best Hotels in Coroico, Side Trips from La Paz

This is the best budget place to stay not quite in town. It offers a few rooms with bare brick walls, simple wooden furniture, and the obligatory terrace with stunning views, but stands out for being well kept and having a warm, welcoming staff. Most rooms have shared bathrooms (which are impeccably maintained); there is only one en-suite. The restaurant sources some of its food from the garden and as much as possible locally. The menu, vegetarian only, changes daily, as does the breakfast (except for the great coffee), which keeps things interesting.

Spread over 5 acres of subtropical jungle, Sol y Luna is an idyllic retreat, perfect for detaching yourself and getting a good dose of green back into your life. Although there are rooms available in the main building, the cabañas that dot the property are what it is really all about. Each has a small kitchen, a porch with hammock or recliner, and a fire pit—some even have outdoor showers. Just strolling around the beautiful property will keep you busy for a day; there are plenty of trails and little viewpoints, and there's an abundance of birdlife. And if that's not enough, the staff have excellent information about other activities in the area.

This beautiful Spanish-style resort hotel is perched high above the valley, among clusters of sugarcane and banana trees heavy with fruit. Relax by the pool or play a few games of tennis. There is also a large garden area with a children's playground. At the tour office you can make arrangements for a rafting trip on a nearby river. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner so no need to head into town; the grilled steak is one of the excellent entrées.

A couple of blocks down from the central plaza, Hotel Bella Vista, although a little bit stuffy, truly lives up to its name with what are probably some of the best views in town. The views are great from all the rooms, but the two spacious family suites have huge panoramic windows overlooking the valley and the mountains beyond. You can experience an unforgettable sunrise and sunset without ever leaving the comfort of your bed. Most rooms open onto a nice, glass-roofed central courtyard. Internet access is decent and is available throughout the hotel, a rarity in town.

From the sunny patio at this unpretentious hotel up the hill from Coroico's central plaza, you'll get astounding views of the valley below and, if you biked, the road you came down. Most rooms have balconies with private baths. Like so many hotels here, the views are amazing, but the rooms and the hotel in general are run down. The breakfast is decent though, and so is the restaurant—when it opens. They offer a free pickup at the town plaza.

This is probably the most popular hotel in the Yungas, and it can get very busy as a result. Go during the week to unwind and do very little except listen to the river, slide down a tube into a pool or two, and slap bugs. At this resort-style property, you can choose from a wide range of room types including cabañas, apartments, studios, and standard rooms. The property spans three acres with such offerings as racquetball courts, a movie theater, soccer field, and game room. There is even an on-site chapel where mass is held. Of the eleven swimming pools, several double as aqua-discos with music blaring throughout the day. This resort is a great place to practice your Spanish since the clientele and staff are predominately Bolivians. All meals are included and are buffet style.

This hard-working refuge for abused and mistreated animals is set in a subtropical jungle 7 km (4 miles) from the town of Coroico. There are four small cabins, two eco-cabins which are a bit newer and the best of all, a four person treehouse. You won't find any luxuries here (no Internet, no a/c, no cell reception), but most guests come to relax by the pool or take a dip in the river, enjoy a meal at the restaurant, and spend time with the rescued monkeys. The restaurant is buffet style with decent pastas and salads, they also have some pretty good beers, brewed by a neighbor. You're in the jungle now—be sure to bring repellent!

A short stroll out of town, Villa Bonita offers what most people come to Coroico to find: peace, simplicity, and proximity to the impressive natural surroundings. There are three separate cabins scattered behind the main house, each with a pleasant living/chilling space outside. Breakfast and the food served at the restaurant is all homemade and vegetarian. Everyone comes for the ice cream—a treat in this warm environment—but the lentil burger is delicious, and it's a delight to find a properly made egg rosti, a touch of home from the Swiss owner.