National park · Brazil
Serra da Capivara National ParkParque Nacional Serra da Capivara
Enter Serra da Capivara for a half‑day rock‑art tour: pay R$30‑40 entry, drive ~4 h from Teresina, visit Pierced Rock in the dry season (Jun–Oct).
- 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
1,000 km² (386 sq mi)386 sq mi (1,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Jun–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Above 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.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 1,000 km² (386 sq mi)386 sq mi (1,000 km²)
- Approximately 1,000 km²; figures may vary (check).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Teresina
Serra da Capivara National Park in southeast Piauí preserves the world’s oldest open‑air rock‑art sites, set in a dry Caatinga landscape. The park’s museum and guided trails let visitors see thousands of prehistoric paintings while protecting the fragile environment.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1991World Heritage site for prehistoric rock art.
Size and age
1,000 km² (386 sq mi)386 sq mi (1,000 km²) · national park since 1991
Approximately 1,000 km²; figures may vary (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Teresina.
Why go
- Explore the oldest prehistoric rock paintings in the Americas.
- See iconic formations like Pierced Rock and the Canyon of Hope.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanHot, occasional rain.
- FebHot, occasional rain.
- MarHot, occasional rain.
- AprHot, occasional rain.
- MayHot, occasional rain.
- JunDry, cooler evenings.
- JulDry, cooler evenings.
- AugDry, cooler evenings.
- SepDry, cooler evenings.
- OctDry, cooler evenings.
- NovHot, occasional rain.
- DecHot, occasional rain.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caatinga scrub vegetation and endemic birdsAll 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Museum of the American Man | Visitor centre, ticket office, exhibitions on rock art. | Open daily, entry fee applies. |
| Pierced Rock (Pedra Furada) | Iconic natural arch with nearby paintings. | Trail from museum, free after entry. |
| Canyon of Hope | Deep canyon with shelter and rock art sites. | Guided walk required. |
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 taken from Wikivoyage entries; approximate for trail 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 | BRL 30–40 (≈ US$6–8) | person | Check current price at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for Canyon of Hope and any off‑trail sites.
- Fires
- Not allowed inside the park.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
- Touching art
- Do not touch rock paintings.
Where to stay
Near the park
São Raimundo Nonato
Small town with guesthouses and basic hotels.
Near the park
Terra Boa
Rural lodges near the park entrance.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Getting lost on Canyon trek 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
- Museum and Pierced Rock trail are wheelchair‑accessible with assistance.
- Canyon of Hope has steep sections, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect rock art.
- Support local guides and community‑run lodges.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Serra da Capivara National Park?
Entry is around R$30‑40 per person; purchase the ticket at the park gate near the Museum of the American Man.
What are the best hikes in Serra da Capivara National Park?
Pierced Rock (easy, 1–2 h) and the Canyon of Hope trek (moderate, 3–4 h, guide required) are the most visited routes.
When is the best time to visit Serra da Capivara National Park?
The dry season from June to October offers cooler evenings and clear trails.
Do I need a guide for the rock‑art sites?
Guides are mandatory for any off‑trail sites such as the Canyon of Hope; the main museum and Pierced Rock can be visited independently after entry.
Where can I stay near the park?
Small towns like São Raimundo Nonato and Terra Boa have guesthouses and basic hotels within 30 km of the park entrance.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Serra da Capivara National Park
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