National park · Brazil
Vale dos Dinossauros
Visit Vale dos Dinossauros: pay the entry fee (check), walk the main Passagem das Pedras trail (≈2 km (1.2 mi), easy) in the dry season, and stay in Sousa.Visit Vale dos Dinossauros: pay the entry fee (check), walk the main Passagem das Pedras trail (≈1.2 mi (2 km), easy) in the dry season, and stay in Sousa.
- 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.
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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
700 km² (270 sq mi)270 sq mi (700 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Mar–Apr, Nov–Dec
UNESCO
None
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
- 700 km² (270 sq mi)270 sq mi (700 km²)
- Approximate area 700 km² covering Sousa and ten neighboring municipalities (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Nov–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
Vale dos Dinossauros is a paleontological park in Paraíba, Brazil, featuring over 50 types of dinosaur footprints across a 700 km² valley, with a visitor centre and the Passagem das Pedras trail as the main accessible site.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
700 km² (270 sq mi)270 sq mi (700 km²) · national park since 2020
Approximate area 700 km² covering Sousa and ten neighboring municipalities (check).
Why go
- See over 50 types of dinosaur footprints preserved in the sediment.
- Explore the Passagem das Pedras island with the most visited track site.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cooler
- FebDry, cooler
- MarDry, comfortable
- AprDry, warm
- MayWarm, occasional rain
- JunRainy season starts
- JulRainy, trails may be muddy
- AugRainy, high humidity
- SepRain lessens, still warm
- OctDry, pleasant
- NovDry, comfortable
- DecDry, cooler
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinosaur footprints (fossil)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 |
|---|---|---|
| Visitors' centre | Ticket office, information desk, picnic benches, soft drinks. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Passagem das Pedras | Island in the Peixe River with the most visited track site. | Reachable by a short walk from the centre. |
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 are from the official park website; approximate 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 | BRL 10–20 (≈ US$2–4) | person | Official fee at visitors' centre (check). |
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
- No guide required for the main trail, but staff can be hired at the centre.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in Sousa.
- Collecting fossils
- Prohibited; only view in place.
Where to stay
Near the park
Sousa town
Hotels, pousadas and guesthouses; basic amenities.
Safety
Heat medium
Rainy season trail slip 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
- Visitors' centre reachable by car; short flat walk to main site.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in local pousadas to support the community.
- Do not remove any rocks or footprints.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Vale dos Dinossauros?
The entry fee is about R$10–20 per person, purchased at the visitors' centre (check for current price).
What are the best hikes in Vale dos Dinossauros?
The main trail to Passagem das Pedras is a short, easy walk (≈2 km) with interpretive signs; it is the most visited route.
When is the best time to visit Vale dos Dinossauros?
The dry season from May to November offers the most comfortable walking conditions; the peak dry months (Oct–Nov) are best.
Is there public transport to the park?
No public transport serves the site; rent a car or arrange a private transfer from Sousa.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not permitted; stay in Sousa town.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Vale dos Dinossauros
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