National park · Brazil
Jaú National ParkParque Nacional do Jaú
Enter Jaú National Park: buy the mandatory permit (R$ 30–50) and take a 3‑hour boat from Novo Airão; best hike the Jaú River trail in the dry season (Jul–Sep); avoid the rainy months Dec–Apr.
- 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
2,200 km² (849 sq mi)849 sq mi (2,200 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Above 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.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 2,200 km² (849 sq mi)849 sq mi (2,200 km²)
- Approximately 2,200 km² of primary rainforest and riverine habitats; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Manaus
Jaú National Park protects a vast stretch of untouched Amazon rainforest along the Rio Negro and its tributaries, offering river‑based trails, rich wildlife and remote wilderness experiences.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2000World Heritage site as part of the Amazonian forest.
Size and age
2,200 km² (849 sq mi)849 sq mi (2,200 km²) · national park since 1980
Approximately 2,200 km² of primary rainforest and riverine habitats; figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Manaus.
Why go
- Extensive untouched Amazon rainforest with high biodiversity.
- Riverine landscapes on the Rio Negro, Rio Jaú, Rio Carabinani and Rio Unini.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy season begins, high water, trails muddy.
- FebContinued rain, river levels high.
- MarRainy, limited boat access.
- AprRain peaks, some trails flooded.
- MayRain eases, water still moderate.
- JunTransition to dry, good for boat trips.
- JulDriest months, lower river levels improve hiking.
- AugDry, cooler nights, ideal for wildlife spotting.
- SepDry season ends, still good conditions.
- OctRain returns but still manageable.
- NovIncreasing rain, some trails close.
- DecRainy season starts, high water.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Jaguar, tapir, armadilloMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Macaws, toucans, kingfishersMar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | 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 Manaus
Fly to Manaus, then take a 3‑hour motor‑boat from Novo Airão (≈220 km (137 mi) north).Fly to Manaus, then take a 3‑hour motor‑boat from Novo Airão (≈137 mi (220 km) north).
4–5 h total
Open the page →
From Novo Airão
Motor‑boat or canoe from the town dock to the park entrance (river travel only).
≈3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre (Novo Airão) | Permit office, basic services, launch point for boats. | Open daily; permits sold here. |
| Jaú River corridor | Main riverine trail with side hikes and wildlife spotting. | Boat access; guided walks recommended. |
| Unini River basin | Remote forest area, limited access, requires guide and boat. | Restricted; only with permit and guide. |
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 points; exact trailheads may vary.
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 permit | BRL 30–50 (≈ US$6–10) | person | Issued at Novo Airão visitor centre; required for all visitors. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Permits
- All visitors must carry a valid entry permit; fines apply for non‑compliance.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only in designated areas.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; no dumping in the river or forest.
- Guides
- Required for any off‑site trek beyond the visitor centre area.
Where to stay
Near the park
Novo Airão lodges
Basic rooms and riverfront cabins; book ahead.
Near the park
Barcelos guesthouses
More options, reachable by boat from Novo Airão.
Safety
River navigation medium
Wildlife encounters low
Health (mosquitoes) medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by road from Manaus (≈220 km (137 mi)).Visitor centre reachable by road from Manaus (≈137 mi (220 km)).
- Trails are river‑based; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Support lodges and operators that follow park regulations.
- Avoid souvenir hunting; leave flora and fauna untouched.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jaú National Park?
A park entry permit costs between R$ 30 and R$ 50 per person and must be obtained at the Novo Airão visitor centre or via an authorized tour operator.
What are the best hikes in Jaú National Park?
The Jaú River trail (2–4 h, moderate) and the Unini River canoe trek (full day) are the most accessible; both are best in the dry season (July–September).
When is the best time to visit Jaú National Park?
The dry months July to September offer lower river levels and drier trails, making them the optimal period for hiking and wildlife spotting.
Do I need a guide to visit the park?
A guide is required for any trek beyond the visitor centre area or for boat trips on the Unini River; the Jaú River trail can be done independently with a permit.
How do I get to Jaú National Park from Manaus?
Fly to Manaus, travel 220 km north to Novo Airão (by road or flight), then take a 3‑hour motor‑boat to the park entrance.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Jaú National Park
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