National park · Venezuela
Morrocoy National ParkParque Nacional Morrocoy
Enter Morrocoy for a day of beach islands and short hikes: pay the entry fee (check), drive to the Tucacas gate (30 km (19 mi) from Chichiriviche) and explore the cayos early to avoid crowds.Enter Morrocoy for a day of beach islands and short hikes: pay the entry fee (check), drive to the Tucacas gate (19 mi (30 km) from Chichiriviche) and explore the cayos early to avoid crowds.
- 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
300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²)
approximate
Established
1974
Best months
Jan–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…Check your own government travel advice for Venezuela bef…
- 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.
- Venezuela ↗Check your own government travel advice for Venezuela before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Venezuela ↗Entry rules depend on your passport and how you arrive (air or land); confirm with a Venezuelan embassy or consulate and your airline before booking.
- Venezuela ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Venezuela before you rely on it.
- Northwest Venezuela ↗Read your own government's travel advice for Venezuela before booking anything; this desk does not plan around it.
- Northwest Venezuela ↗US dollars in cash are widely used; carry small notes and expect card terminals to be unreliable (check).
- Northwest Venezuela ↗Paraguaná is a free port: no sales tax or VAT on purchases there.
At a glance
- Country
- Venezuela
- Area
- 300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²)
- Exact park size varies by source (check).
- Established
- 1974
- Best months
- Jan–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Morrocoy National Park protects a coastal mosaic of mangroves, coral reefs and low‑lying islands in Falcón, offering beach island hopping, snorkelling and birdwatching in a dry tropical setting.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1974.
Size and age
300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²) · national park since 1974
Exact park size varies by source (check).
Why go
- Coastal mangroves, coral reefs and a chain of low‑lying islands.
- Birdwatching on the lagoons and beaches, especially flamingoes and pelicans.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool, low humidity.
- FebDry, pleasant temperatures.
- MarDry, start of warm season.
- AprDry, warm, good sea conditions.
- MayRain begins, occasional storms.
- JunRainy, higher humidity.
- JulRainy, possible heavy showers.
- AugRainy, sea may be rough.
- SepRainy, occasional calm spells.
- OctTransition to dry, improving weather.
- NovDry season returns.
- DecDry, cooler evenings.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine turtles (nesting on some cays)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Flamingoes and pelicansAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Coastal caimansAll 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tucacas gate | Visitor centre, ticket office, parking. | Open daily; entry required. |
| Cayo Borracho and Cayo Pelón | Popular beach islands with snorkeling. | Boat trips from the gate; no permit needed for day visits. |
| Mangrove lagoon | Birdwatching and kayak routes. | Accessible by boat or kayak; some areas need a permit. |
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 approximate centre of the park and main 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 (Tucacas gate) | VES 5,000–8,000 | person | Exact price varies by season (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Camping permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without explicit park permission.
- Camping
- Only in designated zones with a permit; open‑air camping on other islands prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires are forbidden; use portable stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins are limited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Tucacas town
Budget hotels, hostels and guesthouses within 10 km (6.2 mi) of the gate.Budget hotels, hostels and guesthouses within 6.2 mi (10 km) of the gate.
In the park
Camping on Cayo Paiclá
Designated campsite; permit required.
Safety
Strong sun and heat medium
Rip currents 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
- Gate area reachable by car with parking.
- Island beaches accessed by boat; not wheelchair friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Obtain camping permits to limit impact.
- Choose locally owned boat operators that follow permitted routes.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Morrocoy?
Entry is around 5 000–8 000 VES per person at the Tucacas gate; exact price may vary by season (check).
What are the best hikes in Morrocoy?
The park is mainly coastal; popular walks are short beach trails on Cayo Borracho and Cayo Pelón, plus a mangrove boardwalk near the lagoon.
When is the best time to visit Morrocoy?
The dry season (December to April) offers the best beach and snorkeling conditions; the rainy months (May to October) can bring storms and higher humidity.
Do I need a permit to camp?
Yes, a camping permit is required and can be obtained at the Inparques office in Tucacas or Chichiriviche.
Can I bring a drone?
Drones are prohibited without special permission from park authorities.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Morrocoy National Park
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