National park · Bolivia
Noel Kempff Mercado National ParkParque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado
Enter Noel Kempff Mercado National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (≈ BOB 30 per adult) and drive the main road to the Arcoiris Falls viewpoint; for multi‑day treks, book a guide and stay at the park’s basic lodge.
- 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
1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 8Above 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.
- Santa Cruz ↗Yellow fever vaccination may be recommended for lowland Bolivia; check your home country's requirements before flying.
- Santa Cruz ↗Road blockades can close highways with little notice; keep a buffer day before any onward flight.
At a glance
- Country
- Bolivia
- Area
- 1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²)
- Approximately 1.5 million ha (≈ 15 000 km²) as reported by park authorities (check).
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Noel Kempff Mercado National Park spans remote Amazon‑Cerrado transition forests and savannas, featuring waterfalls like Arcoiris, diverse wildlife, and UNESCO World Heritage status, offering both easy day visits and multi‑day guided treks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2000Biodiversity hotspot in the Amazon‑Cerrado transition.
Size and age
1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²) · national park since 1979
Approximately 1.5 million ha (≈ 15 000 km²) as reported by park authorities (check).
Why go
- Remote waterfalls such as Arcoiris (≈ 50 m wide) and others with few visitors.
- Large intact forest and savanna mosaic, good for wildlife spotting.
- UNESCO World Heritage status highlights its global importance.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanWarm, dry
- FebWarm, occasional rain
- MarEnd of rainy season, greener
- AprDry, comfortable
- MayDry, cooler nights
- JunStart of short rains
- JulRainy, trails muddy
- AugRainy, higher humidity
- SepRainy, occasional storms
- OctDry, cooler
- NovDry, pleasant
- DecWarm, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar (rare sightings)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| TapirMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Macaw coloniesOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | 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 city
Drive north on Ruta 4, then turn onto the unpaved road to the park gate (≈ 200 km (124 mi), 4–5 h).Drive north on Ruta 4, then turn onto the unpaved road to the park gate (≈ 124 mi (200 km), 4–5 h).
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Río Verde (nearest town)
4WD vehicle on the gravel road to the gate.
≈ 1 h
From International arrivals
Fly to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, then drive or take a bus to Santa Cruz department and continue as above.
6–8 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance area | Visitor centre, ticket office, parking, short trail to Arcoiris Falls. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Waterfall circuit | Arcoiris Falls and nearby cascades, boardwalks and viewing platforms. | Open, no guide required. |
| Backcountry zone | Long treks through forest‑savanna mosaic, remote waterfalls, wildlife habitats. | Guide required, permits needed. |
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 official park website; entrance gate location 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 (adult) | BOB 30 | person | Covers main road access and short trails |
| Park entry (child <12) | BOB 15 | person | — |
| Guide for multi‑day trek | BOB 500–800 | day | Check rates at park office |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Backcountry trek permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- BOB 30
- BOB 15
- BOB 500–800
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Official park website before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from park authorities.check
- Guides
- Required for any backcountry trek beyond the main trail.
- Camping
- Only in designated sites; no open‑fire camping.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no dumping in the park.
Where to stay
In the park
Park lodge near entrance
Basic rooms with shared facilities, meals optional.
Near the park
Santa Cruz city
Hotels and hostels, 4 h drive from park.
Safety
Road conditions medium
Wildlife encounters low
Heavy rain 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
- Main entrance area reachable by car; short boardwalks are wheelchair‑compatible.
- Longer trails steep and unpaved; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at the park lodge to support park revenue.
- Leave no trace; pack out all waste.
- Use licensed guides who follow park regulations.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Noel Kempff Mercado National Park?
Entry is BOB 30 per adult and BOB 15 per child under 12; fees are paid at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park?
The short boardwalk to Arcoiris Falls is easy and suitable for a half‑day visit. For longer treks, the 4‑day forest‑savanna route with a licensed guide offers varied scenery and wildlife.
When is the best time to visit Noel Kempff Mercado National Park?
The dry season from April to October provides reliable road access and dry trails; the peak months of May–June are especially comfortable.
Do I need a guide for the Arcoiris Falls trail?
No, the falls are reachable from the entrance without a guide.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
Camping is only allowed in designated sites; open‑fire camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Noel Kempff Mercado National Park
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