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National park · Ecuador

Yasuni National ParkParque Nacional Yasuni

Enter Yasuni for a guided day trek (US$15 entry, guide US$30) in the dry season (Dec–Feb) for wildlife spotting; skip if you lack a guide or want easy access.

Not field-verified
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

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 1989Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
Map to the park
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

9,823 km² (3,793 sq mi)

approximate

Established

1979

Best months

Dec–Feb

UNESCO

Biosphere

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.
  • Ecuador ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Ecuadorian consulate.
  • Ecuador ↗The Galápagos has its own entry controls: a transit control card bought at the airport before departure, a national park entrance fee, and inspections for food and plants. Check official Galápagos rules before booking.
  • Ecuador ↗Several coastal provinces (including Guayas, where Guayaquil is) are under official warnings and periodic states of emergency; read your government's advice before routing through them.

At a glance

Country
Ecuador
Area
9,823 km² (3,793 sq mi)
982,300 ha = 9,823 km² (official park size).
Established
1979
Best months
Dec–Feb
Permits
For some areas

Yasuni National Park, established in 1979, spans 9,823 km² of Amazon rainforest in eastern Ecuador. It protects unparalleled biodiversity, including thousands of insect species, hundreds of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and is home to Indigenous Kichwa and Huaorani communities. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1989, the park balances conservation with limited, guided tourism focused on river canoe trips, jungle treks to clay licks, night walks and cultural visits.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1989

Size and age

9,823 km² (3,793 sq mi) · national park since 1979

982,300 ha = 9,823 km² (official park size).

Why go

  • Spot extraordinary biodiversity on guided walks and river trips.
  • Visit clay licks where thousands of parrots feed.
  • Learn about Kichwa and Huaorani cultures.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanBest
  2. FebBest
  3. MarGo
  4. AprCaution
  5. MayCaution
  6. JunCaution
  7. JulAvoid
  8. AugAvoid
  9. SepCaution
  10. OctGo
  11. NovGo
  12. DecBest
  • JanDry, cooler evenings.
  • FebDry, good for trekking.
  • MarStart of rain, still doable.
  • AprRain increases.
  • MayFrequent showers.
  • JunWet season.
  • JulHeavy rain, river levels high.
  • AugPeak rain, trails muddy.
  • SepRain tapering.
  • OctRain less, still warm.
  • NovTransition to dry.
  • DecDry, cooler.

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Yasuni National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Birds (macaws, parrots at clay licks)All yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Amphibians (150+ species)All yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Reptiles (caimans, snakes)All yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Mammals (giant otter, bats, monkeys)All yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes

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 Quito

LATAM flight to Coca (OCC) then motorized river canoe to park entrance.

≈5 h total (1 h flight, 4 h boat)

Open the page →

From Coca

Motorized river canoe from Coca dock to park gate.

≈4 h

Zones and sectors

Zones of Yasuni National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Entrance gate (Coca side)Ticket office, basic facilities, start of river canoe.Open daily; entry fee required.
River corridorMain transport route; canoe trips to lodges and clay licks.Guided only.
Lodge area (Napo Wildlife Center, NCC, Mandari Panga)Accommodation, wildlife tours, night walks.Reserve in advance; guide required.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 5 approximate points in Yasuni National Park, north up12345
Coordinates approximate; park spans a large area along the Napo River.
  1. 1Coca Airport · Town≈-0.451, -76.984Map ↗
  2. 2Yasuni Entrance Gate · Gate≈-0.524, -76.440Map ↗
  3. 3Napo Wildlife Center · Headquarters≈-0.524, -76.440Map ↗
  4. 4Clay lick site (River bend) · Viewpoint≈-0.530, -76.450Bird feeding area.Map ↗
  5. 5Indigenous village (Huaorani) · Village≈-0.600, -76.600Visit with guide.Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

5 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; park spans a large area along the Napo River.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

ViewpointsEasy2 hClay lick bird feedingGuided canoe to river bend; best early morning.
TrailsModerate4–6 hGuided jungle trekCleared trails, wildlife spotting, leeches possible.Booking: Guide fee includes permit
CultureEasy2 hNight walkLodge‑based, led by guide; see bats, insects.
Boat tripsModerate3–5 hKayak river tripPaddling to remote bird and caiman spots; guide required.
CultureEasyHalf dayIndigenous village visitVisit Kichwa or Huaorani community; lunch included.

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

USD ranges · check
Fees for Yasuni National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry (per person)US$15personPaid at park gate.
Certified guide (per day)US$30personRequired for all treks.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry permit permit or guide

Buy at the entrance gate in Coca.

Guided trek permit permit or guide

Included with guide fee; guide arranges with park authorities.

What would our group pay?

from the fee rows above · estimates

People

2

Nights or days

1
  • US$15
  • US$30

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 UNESCO MAB Directory – Yasuni before you go.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Guides
All visitors must be accompanied by a certified guide.
Camping
Not allowed outside designated lodges.
Fire
Open fires prohibited; use stove provided by lodge.
Plastic
Carry out all waste; no single‑use plastic in park.
Drones
Not allowed without special permission.

Where to stay

In the park

Napo Wildlife Center

Luxury lodge on lake shore; guided tours included.

In the park

Napo Cultural Center Lodge

Mid‑range lodge with cultural activities.

In the park

Mandari Panga Camp

Budget tent camp; basic facilities.

Near the park

Coca town

Hotels and hostels; 30 km (19 mi) to park gate.

Safety

Leeches low

Wear long trousers; apply insect repellent.

River flooding medium

Check water levels with guide; avoid low‑lying trails during heavy rain.

Wild animal encounters low

Stay with guide, keep distance, do not feed wildlife.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

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

  • River canoe access is boat‑only; not wheelchair friendly.
  • Lodge facilities have limited mobility access; confirm when booking.

Visiting lightly

  • Choose lodges that employ local Indigenous staff.
  • Avoid souvenirs made from wildlife parts.
  • Support projects that protect the park’s biodiversity.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Yasuni National Park?

US$15 per person for entry plus a mandatory guide fee of about US$30 per day; both are paid at the gate.

What are the best hikes in Yasuni National Park?

Guided jungle trek (4–6 h) to clay licks and river side, plus optional night walk; all require a certified guide.

When is the best time to visit Yasuni National Park?

The dry season, December through February, offers the most reliable trails and river conditions.

Do I need a guide to stay in a lodge?

Yes. All lodges arrange certified guides who hold the required park permits.

Can I camp in the park?

Camping is only allowed in designated lodges; wild camping is prohibited.

Related

Ecuador travel guide Best time to visit Ecuador

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide

Sources