National park · Bolivia
Carrasco National ParkParque Nacional Carrasco
Enter Carrasco National Park: confirm entry arrangements locally (check), drive 2.5 h from Cochabamba to the park area, hike the Quewiñas Forest trail (3.2 km (2 mi) out‑and‑back, 5 h) in the dry season (May–Oct) and stay in Villa Tunari.Enter Carrasco National Park: confirm entry arrangements locally (check), drive 2.5 h from Cochabamba to the park area, hike the Quewiñas Forest trail (2 mi (3.2 km) out‑and‑back, 5 h) in the dry season (May–Oct) and stay in Villa Tunari.
- 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
6,226 km² (2,404 sq mi)2,404 sq mi (6,226 km²)
approximate
Established
1988
Best months
May–Oct
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
- 6,226 km² (2,404 sq mi)2,404 sq mi (6,226 km²)
- Park covers about 622,600 ha (6,226 km²) across Yungas cloud forest and high‑altitude grasslands.
- Established
- 1988
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Carrasco National Park spans a vast Yungas‑cloud‑forest region with steep cliffs, waterfalls and caves, offering chances to see jaguars, pumas and the Andean spectacled bear.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1988.
Size and age
6,226 km² (2,404 sq mi)2,404 sq mi (6,226 km²) · national park since 1988
Park covers about 622,600 ha (6,226 km²) across Yungas cloud forest and high‑altitude grasslands.
Why go
- Explore a massive Yungas‑cloud‑forest landscape with cliffs, waterfalls and caves.
- Spot large cats (jaguar, puma) and the Andean spectacled bear in their natural habitat.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy season, roads often muddy (check).
- FebRainy season, limited trail access (check).
- MarRainy season, possible landslides (check).
- AprTransition, still wet (check).
- MayStart of dry season, trails clear (check).
- JunDry, good visibility (check).
- JulDry, cooler temperatures (check).
- AugDry, stable weather (check).
- SepDry, pleasant (check).
- OctEnd of dry season, still good (check).
- NovRain returns, trails may close (check).
- DecRainy season begins (check).
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar, puma, Andean spectacled bearAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Oilbird (cave‑dwelling)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| 850 bird species including macaws, quetzals, parrotsMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
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 Cochabamba
Drive east on Ruta Nacional 4 (125 km (78 mi)) to the park area; road is paved but can be muddy in rainy season.Drive east on Ruta Nacional 4 (78 mi (125 km)) to the park area; road is paved but can be muddy in rainy season.
2.5 h
Open the page →
From Cochabamba
Take a Trans Carrasco bus to Villa Tunari (≈2.5 h) and arrange local transport to the park.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park area (Villa Tunari side) | Access point near Villa Tunari; ticket purchase, trailheads for short hikes. | Open daily; entry ticket required (check). |
| Quewiñas Forest area | Dense forest trail (3.2 km (2 mi) out‑and‑back) with endemic birds and plants.Dense forest trail (2 mi (3.2 km) out‑and‑back) with endemic birds and plants. | Open with ticket; 4WD recommended in wet season. |
| Inca Bridge / Sehuencas Valley | Historical bridge, waterfalls, bear‑watching spots. | Open with ticket; may require guide for remote sections (check). |
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 approximate, centred on the main gate area.
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 ticket | Free | person | Price not published; confirm at the park (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
- Fires
- No open fires; use designated cooking stoves only.
- Guides
- Required for any off‑trail or remote area (e.g., Repechón caves).
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; otherwise stay in Villa Tunari.
- Vehicle
- 4WD recommended in rainy season; avoid unpaved roads when flooded.
- Wildlife
- Do not approach large cats or bears; keep food sealed.
Where to stay
Near the park
Villa Tunari
Hostels, guesthouses and small hotels 15 km (9.3 mi) from the gate.Hostels, guesthouses and small hotels 9.3 mi (15 km) from the gate.
Near the park
Cochabamba
Wide range of hotels; 2 h drive to the park.
Safety
Steep cliffs and slippery rocks medium
Large predators low
Road closures in rainy season 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 gate area reachable by car; short walks are uneven.
- Longer trails steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned guesthouses.
- Carry out all waste; no littering.
- Support guides who follow park regulations.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Carrasco National Park?
The park charges an entry ticket; the exact price is not published online and should be confirmed at the gate (check).
What are the best hikes in Carrasco National Park?
Quewiñas Forest (3 km loop, 5 h), Inca Bridge and waterfalls (2–3 h), Sehuencas Valley for bear spotting (half day), and Valle de la Luna (easy walk).
When is the best time to visit Carrasco National Park?
The dry season May – October offers clear trails and good wildlife viewing; the rainy season November – April can make roads and paths difficult.
Do I need a guide for any part of the park?
Guides are required for off‑trail areas such as the Repechón caves and for longer backcountry treks.
Where can I stay near the park?
Villa Tunari offers hostels and guesthouses 15 km from the gate; Cochabamba has more options but requires a longer drive.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Carrasco National Park
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