National park · Bolivia
Gran Chaco Kaa-Iya National ParkGran Chaco Kaa‑Iya National Park
Enter Gran Chaco Kaa‑Iya for a remote 4WD day trip from Santa Cruz (6–8 h each way) or a guided horse trek from San José de Chiquitos; budget $10 USD entry and $30 USD guide (check).
- 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
34,000 km² (13,127 sq mi)13,127 sq mi (34,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Above 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.
- Bolivia ↗Visa rules depend on your passport (some nationalities need a visa in advance): check with Bolivia's migration authority or a Bolivian consulate.
- Bolivia ↗Most of the tourist route is above 3,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on arrival, and see a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bolivia ↗Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are frequent and can close routes and cities for days; watch local news and keep plans flexible.
At a glance
- Country
- Bolivia
- Area
- 34,000 km² (13,127 sq mi)13,127 sq mi (34,000 km²)
- Approximate size of the park; official figure not found (check).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Gran Chaco Kaa‑Iya National Park protects vast savannah, wetlands and tropical forest in Bolivia's low‑land Chaco. It offers remote wildlife viewing, historic mission ruins and challenging 4WD or horse‑back travel.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1995.
Size and age
34,000 km² (13,127 sq mi)13,127 sq mi (34,000 km²) · national park since 1995
Approximate size of the park; official figure not found (check).
Why go
- Remote savannah, wetlands and tropical forest in the Gran Chaco lowlands.
- Spot rare mammals such as the Chacoan peccary, maned wolf and jaguar.
- Visit the historic San Ignacio de Zamucos mission ruins.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry season, warm.
- FebDry, hot.
- MarTransition to wet, still accessible.
- AprStart of rains, roads may soften.
- MayWet season, many tracks impassable.
- JunHeavy rains, roads often closed.
- JulPeak wet season.
- AugWet, remote travel difficult.
- SepWet, limited access.
- OctRain eases, some roads reopen.
- NovDry, cooler.
- DecDry, mild temperatures.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chacoan peccary, maned wolf, jaguar, pampas deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 300 bird species including harpy eagleAll 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 Santa Cruz
Hire 4WD guide; drive on unpaved roads to park entrance near Bajo Izoso.
6–8 h
Open the page →
From San José de Chiquitos
Horse or 4WD via backcountry trail to park western edge.
4–5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Western access point | Gate near Bajo Izoso, basic facilities. | Entry with permit. |
| San Ignacio de Zamucos | Historic mission ruins in southeast sector. | Reachable by trail or horse. |
| Wetland area | Parapetí River floodplain, birdwatching. | Guided 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.
Coordinates approximate centre of the park; exact gate locations 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 (per person) | US$10 | person | Official fee not published; estimate based on similar Bolivian parks (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Vehicles
- Only 4WD vehicles with guide permitted on park roads.
- Camping
- Only in designated sites; otherwise stay in nearby villages.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach animals.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bajo Izoso village
Basic guesthouses, limited services.
Near the park
Santa Cruz city
Full range of hotels and hostels, 200 km (124 mi) east of park.Full range of hotels and hostels, 124 mi (200 km) east of park.
Safety
Remote location, limited cell coverage high
Heat and dehydration medium
Wild animal encounters 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
- Park roads require 4WD; not suitable for standard vehicles or limited mobility.
- Short walks to mission ruins are on flat ground.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local indigenous guides; fees support community and conservation.
- Leave no trace; pack out all waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gran Chaco Kaa‑Iya National Park?
Entry is about $10 USD per person; guide fees are separate and vary (check).
What are the best hikes in Gran Chaco Kaa‑Iya National Park?
The San Ignacio de Zamucos mission walk and a full‑day horse trek across the savannah are the main routes; both require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Gran Chaco Kaa‑Iya National Park?
The dry months (January–March and November–December) offer the most reliable access; the wet season (May–October) often closes roads.
Can I visit the park without a 4WD vehicle?
No; only 4WD vehicles or horse travel are permitted on park roads.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
No permanent lodging; stay in nearby villages such as Bajo Izoso or in Santa Cruz city.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Gran Chaco Kaa-Iya National Park
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