National park · Bolivia
Tunari National ParkParque Nacional Tunari
Enter Tunari NP for Bs 35 taxi from Cochabamba (≈ $5) and hike Tunari Peak (≈ 6 h round‑trip) in the dry season; 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
3,000 km² (1,158 sq mi)1,158 sq mi (3,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1962
Best months
Mar–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Above 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.
- Cochabamba ↗Some governments advise reconsidering travel to the Chapare region specifically (violent crime, drug trafficking, kidnapping). Check your own government's current advice before going.
- Cochabamba ↗Cochabamba city sits lower than La Paz or Potosí, so it is a useful place to acclimatise or recover.
- Cochabamba ↗Road blockades are common in Bolivia; keep a buffer day before any flight or long bus.
At a glance
- Country
- Bolivia
- Area
- 3,000 km² (1,158 sq mi)1,158 sq mi (3,000 km²)
- Park covers >300,000 ha (≈ 3,000 km²) per sources.
- Established
- 1962
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Tunari National Park protects over 300,000 ha of high‑altitude Andes near Cochabamba, offering craggy peaks, glacial lakes and wildlife such as spectacled bears, condors and endemic birds. Established in 1962, the park provides day‑hike access to Tunari Peak (5,035 m) and bird‑watching sites like San Miguel.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1962.
Size and age
3,000 km² (1,158 sq mi)1,158 sq mi (3,000 km²) · national park since 1962
Park covers >300,000 ha (≈ 3,000 km²) per sources.
Why go
- High‑altitude scenery with craggy peaks and glacial lakes.
- Spot Andean wildlife such as spectacled bears and condors.
- Birdwatching for endemic species like Cochabamba mountain finch.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cooler nights.
- FebDry, still cool.
- MarDry, pleasant.
- AprDry, warm days.
- MayDry, best for trekking.
- JunStart of rains, occasional storms.
- JulRainy, trails muddy.
- AugRainy, reduced visibility.
- SepRainy, possible landslides.
- OctDry season returns.
- NovDry, cooler.
- DecDry, clear.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectacled bearAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Andean condorAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Red‑tailed comet (bird)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Cochabamba mountain finch (endemic)All 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance area | Gate, visitor information, trailhead to Tunari Peak. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
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 are approximate centre of the park and key points.
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 (taxi from Cochabamba) | BOB 35 | person | Taxi fare to park gate; entry ticket cost not published (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided hike (Tunari Peak) no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Overnight camping not permitted in the park.
- Guides
- Recommended for Tunari Peak trek; not mandatory.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; carry out all litter.
Where to stay
Near the park
Cochabamba city hotels
Wide range of budget to mid‑range hotels, 15 km (9.3 mi) from park gate.Wide range of budget to mid‑range hotels, 9.3 mi (15 km) from park gate.
Safety
Altitude sickness medium
Rapid weather change 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
- Trailhead reachable by car; paths are steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile alpine vegetation.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; carry out waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tunari National Park?
Entry is typically covered by a taxi fare of about Bs 35 from Cochabamba; the park ticket price is not published online (check at gate).
What are the best hikes in Tunari National Park?
Tunari Peak (5‑hour round‑trip) and the twin‑lake walk to Laguna Macho and Laguna Turu are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Tunari National Park?
The dry months May–October offer the most reliable weather for hiking.
Is camping allowed in Tunari National Park?
No, overnight camping is prohibited.
Do I need a guide for the Tunari Peak hike?
A guide is not mandatory but strongly recommended for safety and navigation.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Tunari National Park
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