National park · Paraguay
Chaco Biosphere ReserveReserva de la Biosfera del Chaco
Visit the Chaco Biosphere Reserve: take a day hike from Filadelfia to the nearby wetland trail (start before 10:00, 3 km (1.9 mi), easy) or a multi‑day trek from Mariscal Estigarribia covering dry forest routes (5–7 days, guide required). Entry fee about 30 000 PYG per person; best months are May–September for cooler, drier weather.Visit the Chaco Biosphere Reserve: take a day hike from Filadelfia to the nearby wetland trail (start before 10:00 AM, 3 km (1.9 mi), easy) or a multi‑day trek from Mariscal Estigarribia covering dry forest routes (5–7 days, guide required). Entry fee about 30 000 PYG per person; best months are May–September for cooler, drier weather.Visit the Chaco Biosphere Reserve: take a day hike from Filadelfia to the nearby wetland trail (start before 10:00, 1.9 mi (3 km), easy) or a multi‑day trek from Mariscal Estigarribia covering dry forest routes (5–7 days, guide required). Entry fee about 30 000 PYG per person; best months are May–September for cooler, drier weather.Visit the Chaco Biosphere Reserve: take a day hike from Filadelfia to the nearby wetland trail (start before 10:00 AM, 1.9 mi (3 km), easy) or a multi‑day trek from Mariscal Estigarribia covering dry forest routes (5–7 days, guide required). Entry fee about 30 000 PYG per person; best months are May–September for cooler, drier weather.
- 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.
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Map to the park
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Area
40,000 km² (15,444 sq mi)15,444 sq mi (40,000 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 9Above 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.
- Paraguay ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Paraguay's migration authority or a Paraguayan consulate; get your passport stamped at land borders, as some crossings let you pass without it.
- Paraguay ↗The Chaco is remote with few services; travel with a guide or experienced operator and carry water and fuel.
- Paraguay ↗Paraguay can require a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from risk countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia — check the current list and vaccinate at least 10 days before you travel.
- Gran Chaco ↗Carry guaraní cash: ATMs are scarce outside Filadelfia and Loma Plata, and cards are not accepted everywhere.
- Gran Chaco ↗Plan drives and walks for early morning; midday heat October–March is a real risk.
- Gran Chaco ↗For anything off the Transchaco Highway, an accredited local guide is strongly recommended.
At a glance
- Country
- Paraguay
- Area
- 40,000 km² (15,444 sq mi)15,444 sq mi (40,000 km²)
- Approximately 40,000 km² covering dry forest and wetlands; figures from park authority.
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Asunción
Chaco Biosphere Reserve spans over 4 million ha of the Gran Chaco, protecting dry subtropical forest, humid wetlands and a range of threatened species such as jaguar and giant armadillo.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2000
- Ramsar wetlandwetland sections
Size and age
40,000 km² (15,444 sq mi)15,444 sq mi (40,000 km²) · national park since 2000
Approximately 40,000 km² covering dry forest and wetlands; figures from park authority.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Asunción.
Why go
- Large subtropical forest and wetland mosaic.
- Rare wildlife such as jaguar, giant armadillo, and diverse birdlife.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar, giant armadillo, howler monkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Waterbirds, herons, caimansOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
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 Asunción
Bus along Ruta Transchaco (≈12 h) to Bahia Negra, Filadelfia or Mariscal Estigarribia; or drive a car.
12–14 h
Open the page →
From Bahia Negra airport
Taxi or hire a 4×4 to town base.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Filadelfia base area | Visitor centre, guide office, access to nearby wetland trail. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Mariscal Estigarribia trailhead | Start point for longer forest treks. | Guide required. |
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.
Approximate centre of the biosphere reserve; coordinates rounded.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
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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 | PYG 30,000 | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the day‑trail area.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites or homestays; wild camping prohibited.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed; use stoves.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permit.
Where to stay
Near the park
Filadelfia guesthouses
Basic rooms, meals available.
Near the park
Mariscal Estigarribia lodges
Simple lodging for trekkers.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Getting lost on remote trails high
Wildlife encounters low
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
- Day‑trail boardwalk is wheelchair‑compatible; other treks are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides; supports community income.
- Stay in locally owned guesthouses.
- Leave no trace; pack out all rubbish.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Chaco Biosphere Reserve?
Entry is about 30 000 PYG per person; fees may vary for guided treks.
What are the best hikes in Chaco Biosphere Reserve?
A short wetland boardwalk from Filadelfia (2–3 h, easy) and the longer dry‑forest trek from Mariscal Estigarribia (5–7 days, hard, guide required).
When is the best time to visit Chaco Biosphere Reserve?
May to September offers cooler, drier conditions and better trail access.
Can I camp in the reserve without a guide?
No; camping is only allowed in designated sites or with a guide‑led trek.
Is a vehicle needed to reach the reserve?
A 4×4 is recommended for the unpaved roads; public buses reach the main towns.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Chaco Biosphere Reserve
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