National park · Bolivia
Amboró National ParkParque Nacional Amboró
Enter Amboró National Park: pay BOB 30 entry, drive 1.5 h from Santa Cruz, hike the 10 km (6.2 mi) Yungas trail in dry season; avoid rainy months.Enter Amboró National Park: pay BOB 30 entry, drive 1.5 h from Santa Cruz, hike the 6.2 mi (10 km) Yungas trail in dry season; avoid rainy months.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4,425 km² (1,709 sq mi)1,709 sq mi (4,425 km²)
approximate
Established
1984
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Bolivia ↗Visa rules depend on your passport (some nationalities need a visa in advance): check with Bolivia's migration authority or a Bolivian consulate.
- Bolivia ↗Most of the tourist route is above 3,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on arrival, and see a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bolivia ↗Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are frequent and can close routes and cities for days; watch local news and keep plans flexible.
At a glance
- Country
- Bolivia
- Area
- 4,425 km² (1,709 sq mi)1,709 sq mi (4,425 km²)
- The park covers about 4,425 km² according to official data; some sources round to 4,400 km² (check).
- Established
- 1984
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Amboró National Park, established in 1984, spans the Yungas transition zone with elevations from 300 m to 3,338 m, hosting over 900 bird species, 200 mammals and a rich mix of cloud and dry forests.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1984.
Size and age
4,425 km² (1,709 sq mi)1,709 sq mi (4,425 km²) · national park since 1984
The park covers about 4,425 km² according to official data; some sources round to 4,400 km² (check).
Why go
- Explore a biodiversity hotspot with over 900 bird species and 200 mammals.
- Walk from cloud forest to dry forest in a single day on the Yungas trail.
- Spot endemic orchids, giant ferns, and the spectacled bear.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy at low elevations
- FebRainy at low elevations
- MarRainy at low elevations
- AprTransition to drier weather
- MayDry season begins, good trails
- JunDry, clear skies
- JulDry, cooler at high points
- AugDry, good visibility
- SepDry, pleasant temperatures
- OctEnd of dry season, some rain returns
- NovIncreasing rain
- DecRainy at low elevations
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectacled bearAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Military macawMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Andean condorMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Santa Cruz
Drive 57 km (35 mi) northwest via Carratera Las Cruces, about 1.5 h on a dirt road; 4WD recommended.Drive 35 mi (57 km) northwest via Carratera Las Cruces, about 1.5 h on a dirt road; 4WD recommended.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Cochabamba
Bus to Santa Cruz, then 4WD to the park gate.
4–5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park administration office | Ticket office, information centre, vehicle parking. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Yungas trailhead | Start of the main 10 km (6.2 mi) hike through cloud and dry forest.Start of the main 6.2 mi (10 km) hike through cloud and dry forest. | Access via 4WD road; trail marked. |
| Highland summit area | Views of the Andes, occasional bear sightings. | Hike from Yungas trail; no vehicle access. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park; trailhead and camp positions from source data.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | BOB 30 | person | 2026 estimate (check) |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated campgrounds; otherwise prohibited.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed; use stoves only.
- Vehicle access
- 4WD required on access roads; stay on marked routes.
Where to stay
Near the park
Villa Yapacaní (Mataracu Tent Camp)
Basic tents near the Yungas trailhead.
Near the park
Santa Cruz
Hotels and hostels 1 h drive from the park.
Safety
Landslides and localized flooding medium
Remote location, limited phone signal high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Park office reachable by car; trails are steep and rough, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in designated campgrounds; pack out all waste.
- Hire local guides to support community income.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Amboró National Park?
Entry is BOB 30 per person (2026 estimate, check). Purchase the ticket at the park office.
What are the best hikes in Amboró National Park?
The 10 km Yungas biodiversity trail is the most popular; it crosses cloud and dry forest and can be done in 4–6 h.
When is the best time to visit Amboró National Park?
The dry season May – October offers the most reliable trail conditions; the early part of the season (May‑June) is ideal.
Do I need a guide for the Yungas trail?
A guide is not required for the main trail, but recommended for safety during the rainy months.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is only allowed in designated sites such as Mataracu Tent Camp; elsewhere it is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Amboró National Park
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