National park · Panama
Darién National ParkParque Nacional Darién
Visit Darién only with a certified guide, budget $5‑$10 entry per person, and schedule a 2‑day trek in the dry season (Dec‑Apr); avoid rainy months.
- 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
5,750 km² (2,220 sq mi)2,220 sq mi (5,750 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Apr, Dec
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 8Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Panama ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Migration Service or a Panamanian consulate; proof of onward travel and funds may be asked for.
- Panama ↗Do not travel independently in the Darién; the UK and other governments warn against parts of it, and there is no road crossing to Colombia.
- Panama ↗Guna Yala (San Blas) is governed by the Guna people: visitor fees apply, and photography of people usually needs permission and payment. Book through Guna-run or licensed operators.
- Eastern Panama ↗Guna Yala is a semi-autonomous Guna territory; non-Guna visitors pay an entry fee collected at the border checkpoints and stay in Guna-run lodges.
- Eastern Panama ↗Do not cross the Darién Gap on foot; it has no road and is a known route for drug trafficking and armed groups. For forest visits in Darién, arrange a guided trip in advance.
At a glance
- Country
- Panama
- Area
- 5,750 km² (2,220 sq mi)2,220 sq mi (5,750 km²)
- Figures vary by source; the park covers roughly 5,750 km² of rainforest, mangroves and mountains (check).
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Apr, Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Panama City
Darién National Park is Panama’s largest protected area, a remote UNESCO World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve with dense rainforest, high biodiversity, indigenous communities, and the Darién Gap that separates the Pan‑American Highway.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1980UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1980Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
5,750 km² (2,220 sq mi)2,220 sq mi (5,750 km²) · national park since 1980
Figures vary by source; the park covers roughly 5,750 km² of rainforest, mangroves and mountains (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Panama City.
Why go
- Remote rainforest with high biodiversity and large mammals.
- Cultural visits to Emberá and Wounaan villages.
- Hike to Cerro Tacarcuna (1,875 m) for panoramic views.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecBest
- JanDry, cooler.
- FebDry, good trails.
- MarDry, still accessible.
- AprEnd of dry season, ideal conditions.
- MayRain increases, rivers rise.
- JunHeavy rains, trail mud.
- JulRainy, limited access.
- AugRainy, high humidity.
- SepRainy, river levels high.
- OctRainy, some trails closed.
- NovTransition to dry, unpredictable.
- DecStart of dry season, best access.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar, Central American tapir, harpy eagleAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Howler monkeys, puma, scarlet macawAll 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Yaviza gateway | Road terminus, entry gate, basic services. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Tuira River region | Main river corridor, villages, launch points for canoe trips. | Guided access only. |
| Cerro Tacarcuna area | Highland trails to the park's highest peak. | Guided trek required. |
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.
Coordinates approximate; used for orientation.
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$5–10 | person | Check exact amount at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Certified guide mandatory for any trek beyond the Yaviza gate.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites organized by operators; no open‑air camping.
- Drones
- Prohibited without special permission.
- Fires
- No open fires; use portable stoves only.
- Border area
- Access to zones near the Colombian border is forbidden for safety.
Where to stay
Near the park
Community houses in Emberá/Wounaan villages
Basic rooms, meals often included.
Near the park
Operator‑run campsites
Tents with shared facilities, guided logistics.
Safety
Border security high
Heat and humidity medium
River currents 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
- No paved roads; access is by boat or foot, unsuitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local indigenous guides; keep waste out of the forest.
- Buy crafts directly from villages to support community economies.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Darién National Park?
Entry is about $5‑$10 per person; exact fee is confirmed at the Yaviza gate.
What are the best hikes in Darién National Park?
The most popular trek is the multi‑day hike to Cerro Tacarcuna with a guide; shorter jungle walks to waterfalls are also offered.
When is the best time to visit Darién National Park?
The dry season (December – April) offers the most reliable access and lower river levels.
Do I need a guide to enter the park?
Yes, a certified guide is required for any movement beyond the gate.
Are there accommodations inside the park?
Only rustic options: community houses in indigenous villages and operator‑run campsites; no hotels.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Darién National Park
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