National park · Guatemala
Naciones Unidas National ParkParque Nacional Naciones Unidas
Visit Naciones Unidas National Park for a short hike: pay the entry fee (check), drive 21 km (13 mi) from Guatemala City, walk the paved trail to the viewpoint (30 min) and return before sunset.Visit Naciones Unidas National Park for a short hike: pay the entry fee (check), drive 13 mi (21 km) from Guatemala City, walk the paved trail to the viewpoint (30 min) and return before sunset.
- 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
24 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (24 km²)
approximate
Established
1955
Best months
Mar–Apr, Nov–Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
- Central Highlands ↗Tourist shuttles between Antigua, the airport and Lake Atitlán run by day; they stop in the evening.
- Central Highlands ↗Antigua sits about 1,530 m; Cobán about 1,320 m. Neither usually causes altitude problems, but nights are cool.
At a glance
- Country
- Guatemala
- Area
- 24 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (24 km²)
- Park covers 2,375 ha (≈ 23.75 km²) as stated in sources; some references list 5 km², so note possible discrepancy (check).
- Established
- 1955
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Nov–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Guatemala City
Naciones Unidas National Park, Guatemala's oldest park (est. 1955), protects about 2,375 ha of forest near the capital. It offers paved trails with views of Pacaya Volcano and Lake Amatitlán, a replica Mayan pyramid, and easy walks suitable for families and city‑side visitors.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1955.
Size and age
24 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (24 km²) · national park since 1955
Park covers 2,375 ha (≈ 23.75 km²) as stated in sources; some references list 5 km², so note possible discrepancy (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Guatemala City.
Why go
- Short, paved trails with views of Pacaya Volcano and Lake Amatitlán.
- Close to Guatemala City – easy weekend retreat.
- Forest of cypress, pine and native fruit trees.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool.
- FebDry, pleasant.
- MarDry, comfortable.
- AprDry, comfortable.
- MayStart of rainy season.
- JunRainy, hotter.
- JulRainy, thunderstorms.
- AugRainy, thunderstorms.
- SepRainy, occasional storms.
- OctRain tapering.
- NovDry, cool.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local forest birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 Guatemala City
Drive southwest on Antigua Carretera toward Amatitlán; park entrance 21 km (13 mi) from city centre.Drive southwest on Antigua Carretera toward Amatitlán; park entrance 13 mi (21 km) from city centre.
30–45 min
Open the page →
From Antigua
Take a shuttle or taxi eastward on the same road; about 45 km (28 mi).Take a shuttle or taxi eastward on the same road; about 28 mi (45 km).
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance area | Visitor centre, parking, paved loop trail to viewpoint. | Open with entry ticket. |
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 from Wikidata centre of the park; approximate for orientation.
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 | Free | person | Exact fee not published; check at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed on trails.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park; stay in Guatemala City hotels.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Guatemala City hotels
Wide range of budget to upscale options, 20–30 min drive to park.
Safety
Crime in nearby Villa Nueva medium
Heat 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
- Paved main trail is wheelchair‑friendly up to the viewpoint.
- Restrooms at visitor centre are accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Take trash with you; no littering.
- Support local hotels in Guatemala City rather than informal vendors.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Naciones Unidas National Park?
The entry fee is not published online; buy a ticket at the gate (check current price, typically a few GTQ).
What are the best hikes in Naciones Unidas National Park?
The paved viewpoint loop (30 min) and the longer forest walk (1–2 h) are the main trails; both are easy and suitable for families.
When is the best time to visit Naciones Unidas National Park?
Dry season, November to April, offers clear views and comfortable temperatures.
Is camping allowed in the park?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby Guatemala City.
Is the park safe for solo travelers?
Yes, if you use reputable transport and avoid displaying valuables, especially near Villa Nueva.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Naciones Unidas National Park
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