National park · Colombia
Paramillo National Natural ParkParque Nacional Natural Paramillo
Visit Paramillo for solitude: hike the 10 km (6.2 mi) Sendero de los Pinos (4–5 h) in the dry season (Dec–Mar) and camp backcountry; entry fee unknown – check local office.Visit Paramillo for solitude: hike the 6.2 mi (10 km) Sendero de los Pinos (4–5 h) in the dry season (Dec–Mar) and camp backcountry; entry fee unknown – check local office.
- 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
5,046 km² (1,948 sq mi)1,948 sq mi (5,046 km²)
approximate
Established
1977
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
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.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
- Costa Norte ↗Most visitors arrive by air; land borders with Panama (Darién) and Venezuela are not practical for a normal trip.
- Costa Norte ↗Carry cash for buses, beaches and La Guajira; ATMs thin out fast outside the cities.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Area
- 5,046 km² (1,948 sq mi)1,948 sq mi (5,046 km²)
- The park covers about 504,600 hectares (≈5,046 km²) as reported by official park information.
- Established
- 1977
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Paramillo National Natural Park protects the northernmost Andes massif where mountains meet the Caribbean lowlands, offering remote paramo, pine forest and tropical habitats, abundant birdlife and endemic species, and is suited to experienced backpackers seeking solitude.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1977.
Size and age
5,046 km² (1,948 sq mi)1,948 sq mi (5,046 km²) · national park since 1977
The park covers about 504,600 hectares (≈5,046 km²) as reported by official park information.
Why go
- Remote Andes‑coastal massif with paramo, pine forest and tropical lowland habitats.
- Birdwatching hotspot with over 800 species, including rare tapaculo and Andean condor.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, cooler mornings.
- FebDry, light afternoon rain possible.
- MarDry, end of season.
- AprTransition to wet, occasional showers.
- MayIncreasing rain, trails muddy.
- JunWet season, high humidity.
- JulWet, possible river rise.
- AugWet, limited visibility.
- SepWet, occasional dry spells.
- OctDrying, cooler.
- NovDry, start of season.
- DecDry season, ideal for trekking.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andean condorAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Spectacled bearAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Paramillo tapaculo (rare bird)All 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 Bogotá
Fly to Paramillo regional airport (CUC), then taxi or local transport to park entrance.
≈ 1 h flight + 30 min road
Open the page →
From Medellín
9‑hour bus to Ocaña, then local transport to park gate.
≈ 9 h
Open the page →
From Montería
13‑hour bus to Ocaña, then local transport.
≈ 13 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance | Gate, information desk, parking area. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Sendero de los Pinos area | Pine forest trailhead and surrounding forest. | Open; trail marked. |
| Mirador de la Muerta | Scenic overlook reachable via short side trail. | Open; reachable from main trail. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 park based on regional maps.
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 | Check at park office; fee not published online. |
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
- Backcountry camping allowed; pack in and pack out all gear and waste.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves.
- Guides
- Not required for main trails, but recommended for safety in remote areas.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ocaña town
Basic hotels and hostels about 30 km (19 mi) from park gate.Basic hotels and hostels about 19 mi (30 km) from park gate.
Safety
Remote terrain high
Weather change 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
- Main entrance reachable by car; trails are steep and uneven, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all litter; avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Use local guides and services to support nearby communities.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Paramillo National Natural Park?
Entry fee is not published online; check at the park office – it is usually a modest amount in Colombian pesos.
What are the best hikes in Paramillo National Natural Park?
The 10 km Sendero de los Pinos (4–5 h) and the short Mirador de la Muerta overlook are the most accessible; both are open year‑round.
When is the best time to visit Paramillo National Natural Park?
The dry season from December to March offers the most reliable trails and clearer skies.
Is backcountry camping allowed?
Yes, camping is permitted in the park; bring all gear and pack out all waste.
How do I get to the park from major cities?
Fly to Paramillo airport from Bogotá, then taxi; or take a long‑distance bus to Ocaña and arrange local transport.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Paramillo National Natural Park
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