National park · Brazil
Araguaia National ParkParque Nacional do Araguaia
Enter the park for R$30 (check) per person, take a guided boat from Caseara to the main trailhead, and hike in the dry season (May–Oct) for best conditions.
- 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
558 km² (215 sq mi)215 sq mi (558 km²)
approximate
Established
1959
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Above 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.
- North Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for most of the region; check current guidance before booking.
- North Brazil ↗Malaria risk exists in rural Amazon areas; talk to a travel clinic about prophylaxis.
- North Brazil ↗Do not plan this region by bus: Belém–Manaus by road is over 2,000 km with long unpaved stretches.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 558 km² (215 sq mi)215 sq mi (558 km²)
- Park covers 557,700 ha (check).
- Established
- 1959
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Araguaia National Park protects the northern third of Bananal Island, featuring rainforest, savannah and extensive wetlands, and supports large mammals and diverse birdlife.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandWetland of international importance.
Size and age
558 km² (215 sq mi)215 sq mi (558 km²) · national park since 1959
Park covers 557,700 ha (check).
Why go
- River island with rainforest, savannah and extensive wetlands.
- Large mammals such as jaguar, maned wolf and giant otter.
- Rich birdlife including toucans, macaws and ospreys.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, rivers high.
- FebRainy, trails muddy.
- MarTransition, occasional floods.
- AprDrying, but some rain.
- MayDry season starts, trails clear.
- JunDry, comfortable heat.
- JulDry, warm.
- AugDry, peak wildlife activity.
- SepDry, cooler evenings.
- OctEnd of dry season, some rain.
- NovRain returns, rivers rise.
- DecRainy, access harder.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar, maned wolf, giant otterMay–Sep · More visible in dry season. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Rheas, quailsJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| River dolphins, caimanMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Toucans, macaws, ospreysJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 Brasília
Fly to Palmas (≈1 h), then bus or 4 h car to Caseara, then boat to park.
4–6 h total
Open the page →
From Palmas
Bus or hire a car to Caseara (≈4 h), then boat to the park gate.
≈5 h
From Caseara
Boat from the dock to the park entrance; no bridge to Bananal Island.
≈30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Caseara gate | Entry point, visitor office, basic facilities. | Open with permit. |
| Savannah trailhead | Start of main walking routes through grassland and forest. | Guided or self‑guided in dry season. |
| Riverfront wetlands | Boardwalks and observation points for birds and aquatic mammals. | Guided boat tours only. |
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 positions based on park centre; exact trailheads not published.
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 (≈ US$6) | person | Official fee at the Caseara gate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Guided boat access permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any boat crossing to the island and for backcountry hikes.
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use portable stoves only.
- Indigenous zones
- Access to southern two‑thirds of Bananal Island is prohibited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Caseara town
Small inns and guesthouses, 15 km (9.3 mi) from gate.Small inns and guesthouses, 9.3 mi (15 km) from gate.
Near the park
Palmas
Hotels and hostels, airport city.
Safety
Heat and insects medium
River flooding high
Remote location 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
- Caseara gate reachable by car; short walks to visitor centre.
- Trails are unpaved and may be difficult for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use guides registered with the park authority.
- Do not litter; take all waste back.
- Support local communities by staying in Caseara.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Araguaia National Park?
The official entry fee is around R$30 per person, payable at the Caseara gate (check).
What are the best hikes in Araguaia National Park?
The savannah loop (3–4 h, moderate) and the rainforest‑to‑wetland trail are the main day‑hikes; both are best in the dry season.
When is the best time to visit Araguaia National Park?
May to October offers dry conditions, clear trails and good wildlife viewing.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
Camping is only allowed in designated sites; wild camping is prohibited.
Do I need a guide to enter the park?
A guide is required for boat access to Bananal Island and for any backcountry trek.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Araguaia National Park
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