National park · Brazil
Serra da Bodoquena National ParkParque Nacional da Serra da Bodoquena
Visit Serra da Bodoquena National Park: pay the entry fee (BRL 30–45 per person), hike the Salabra River Canyon Trail (7.5 km (4.7 mi), moderate) or the Boca de Onça Falls descent (2.2 km (1.4 mi), hard) in the dry season, and stay in Bodoquena town.Visit Serra da Bodoquena National Park: pay the entry fee (BRL 30–45 per person), hike the Salabra River Canyon Trail (4.7 mi (7.5 km), moderate) or the Boca de Onça Falls descent (1.4 mi (2.2 km), hard) in the dry season, and stay in Bodoquena town.
- 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
770 km² (297 sq mi)297 sq mi (770 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Mar–May
UNESCO
None
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
- 770 km² (297 sq mi)297 sq mi (770 km²)
- Park covers about 77 000 ha (≈770 km²).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Campo Grande
Serra da Bodoquena National Park in Mato Grosso do Sul protects about 77 000 ha of cerrado savanna, forested hills, waterfalls and karst caves. The park offers marked hikes to waterfalls and canyons, abundant birdlife with colorful parrots, and the chance to see large cats such as jaguar and puma. It is part of the Pantanal Biosphere Reserve and is managed by ICMBio.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national sitePart of the Pantanal Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
770 km² (297 sq mi)297 sq mi (770 km²) · national park since 2000
Park covers about 77 000 ha (≈770 km²).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Campo Grande.
Why go
- Marked trails lead to waterfalls, canyons and karst caves.
- Birdwatching opportunities with 200 species, including colorful parrots.
- Cerrado savanna landscape with cliffs for climbing and rappelling.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, warm.
- FebDry, warm.
- MarEnd of dry season, comfortable.
- AprDry, mild.
- MayDry, ideal for hiking.
- JunStart of rains, trails may be slick.
- JulRainy, higher river levels.
- AugRainy, possible trail closures.
- SepRain tapering, good visibility.
- OctDry, cooler.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecDry, warm.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parrots and macawsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Jaguar (rare sightings)Jun–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| PumaJun–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 Campo Grande
Drive west on BR‑262 208 km (129 mi) to Miranda, then south on MS‑339 to Bodoquena (≈3.5 h).Drive west on BR‑262 129 mi (208 km) to Miranda, then south on MS‑339 to Bodoquena (≈3.5 h).
3.5–4 h
Open the page →
From Bonito
Take MS‑178 to Bodoquena (≈1 h).
1 h
From Bodoquena (bus)
Express Mato Grosso do Sul bus from Campo Grande (5 h, BR 125) or Cruzeiro do Sul from Bonito (1.5 h, BR 33).
1.5–5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance area | Visitor centre, trailheads for Salabra River Canyon and Boca de Onça. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Canyon zone | Salabra River Canyon Trail (7.5 km (4.7 mi)) and surrounding waterfalls.Salabra River Canyon Trail (4.7 mi (7.5 km)) and surrounding waterfalls. | Open, no guide required. |
| Boca de Onça zone | Short trail to 90 m rappel descent waterfall. | Guide recommended for rappel. |
Sketch map
- 1Bodoquena town · Town≈-20.970, -56.730Base for accommodation.Map ↗
- 2Park entrance · Gate≈-21.058, -56.694Ticket office and visitor centre.Map ↗
- 3Salabra River Canyon trailhead · Trail≈-21.060, -56.700Start of 7.5 km (4.7 mi) canyon hike.Start of 4.7 mi (7.5 km) canyon hike.Map ↗
- 4Boca de Onça waterfall · Viewpoint≈-21.065, -56.710Rappel descent site.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.
Coordinates from ICMBio site and map data; approximate for trailheads.
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 | BRL 30–45 (≈ US$6–9) | person | Typical range for Brazilian citizens; foreign visitors may pay higher (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
- Guides
- Required for Boca de Onça rappel descent.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; use designated campgrounds outside.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use stoves.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed on trails.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel La Sierra
Basic rooms in Bodoquena town, 10 min from park entrance.
Near the park
Recanto 3ELL
Eco‑lodges with restaurant, close to trailheads.
Safety
Rough terrain and steep drops medium
Rainy season flash floods 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
- Entrance area reachable by car; short walks to trailheads.
- Trails have uneven ground; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned lodges.
- Leave no trace; pack out all rubbish.
- Support park fees that fund conservation.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Serra da Bodoquena National Park?
Entry fees are typically BRL 30–45 per person; foreign visitors may pay a higher rate (check with the park office).
What are the best hikes in Serra da Bodoquena National Park?
Salabra River Canyon Trail (7.5 km, moderate) and Boca de Onça Falls descent (2.2 km, hard, guide required) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Serra da Bodoquena National Park?
The dry season from May to October offers the best conditions for hiking and wildlife viewing.
Do I need a guide for any trails?
A guide is required for the Boca de Onça rappel section; other marked trails are open to self‑guided hikers.
Are there camping facilities inside the park?
Camping is not allowed within the park boundaries; stay in Bodoquena town or nearby lodges.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Serra da Bodoquena National Park
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