National park · Venezuela
Yacapana National ParkParque Nacional Yacapana
Enter Yacapana NP: pay the entry fee (check), take a boat from San Fernando de Atabapo or fly to Guapachama, hike the Tepuy trail (check) in the dry season (Apr–Jun) and stay in Maraya village.
- 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
3,200 km² (1,236 sq mi)1,236 sq mi (3,200 km²)
approximate
Established
1975
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…Check your own government travel advice for Venezuela bef…
- 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.
- Venezuela ↗Check your own government travel advice for Venezuela before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Venezuela ↗Entry rules depend on your passport and how you arrive (air or land); confirm with a Venezuelan embassy or consulate and your airline before booking.
- Venezuela ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Venezuela before you rely on it.
At a glance
- Country
- Venezuela
- Area
- 3,200 km² (1,236 sq mi)1,236 sq mi (3,200 km²)
- Park covers about 3,200 km² (320,000 ha) as reported by official sources.
- Established
- 1975
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Yacapana National Park protects a remote section of the Guyana Shield in Amazonas, featuring the Cerro Yacapana Tepuy, extensive savannas, tropical rainforests and riverine habitats, and is home to the Piaroa indigenous community.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1975.
Size and age
3,200 km² (1,236 sq mi)1,236 sq mi (3,200 km²) · national park since 1975
Park covers about 3,200 km² (320,000 ha) as reported by official sources.
Why go
- Explore the remote Tepuy of Cerro Yacapana and its distinctive geology.
- See savanna, rainforest and flooded forest ecosystems in one park.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, high humidity
- FebRainy, high humidity
- MarRainy, high humidity
- AprStart of drier period, cooler nights
- MayDrier, still warm
- JunEnd of dry spell, still accessible
- JulRain increases
- AugRainy, trails may be slippery
- SepRainy, high river levels
- OctRainy, limited access
- NovRainy, high humidity
- DecRainy, high humidity
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endemic savanna grasses and Tetrameristaceae speciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| River dolphins and caimanMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 San Fernando de Atabapo
Boat up the Orinoco then the Ventuari River to the park entrance.
4–6 h
From Guapachama airstrip
Small plane to Guapachama, then 30 min road to the park gate.
≈1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance area | Gate, visitor information desk, basic facilities. | Open with entry permit. |
| Cerro Yacapana Tepuy | Highest point, steep sandstone formation. | Guided hike required. |
| Riverine zone | Venturi and Orinoco river banks, fishing villages. | Boat access 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 from Wikidata; positions of summit and village are approximate.
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 | official fee not published (check) |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the entrance area.
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated campsites near Maraya village.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited outside designated areas.
Where to stay
Near the park
Maraya village guesthouses
Simple rooms run by the Piaroa community.
Near the park
San Fernando de Atabapo hotels
Basic accommodation in the river town.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
River flooding 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 or boat with short walks.
- Tepuy hike not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support Piaroa community by staying in village guesthouses.
- Use licensed boat operators that follow river protection rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Yacapana National Park?
The official entry fee is not published online; visitors should ask at the park gate or with a local tour operator (check).
What are the best hikes in Yacapana National Park?
The main hike is the ascent to Cerro Yacapana Tepuy, a hard trek requiring a guide; shorter walks along the riverbank are also available.
When is the best time to visit Yacapana National Park?
The drier months April to June offer the most reliable trail conditions and lower river levels.
How do I reach the park?
By boat from San Fernando de Atabapo up the Orinoco and Ventuari rivers, or by small plane to Guapachama airstrip followed by a short road transfer.
Are there accommodations inside the park?
No hotels inside; nearby villages such as Maraya offer guesthouses, and San Fernando de Atabapo has basic hotels.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Yacapana National Park
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