National park · Brazil
Ilha do Caju
Visit Ilha do Caju: book a motor launch (R$400 for up to 5 people) and stay at the on‑site lodge (R$200/night); hike dunes and mangroves; go in the dry season (Jun–Oct) for best trails.
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- 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
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Jun–Oct
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
- 15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
- Area approx 15 km² (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Ilha do Caju is a private ecological reserve on an island in the Parnaíba Delta, Maranhão. The reserve combines white‑sand dunes, mangroves, freshwater lagoons and dry tropical forest, offering birdwatching and quiet beach walks. Access is by motor launch from Parnaíba or Tutóia, and visitors must stay at the on‑site lodge.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²) · national park since 1990
Area approx 15 km² (check).
Why go
- Private reserve with dunes, mangroves and freshwater lagoons.
- Birdwatching in the delta ecosystem.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, trails muddy; check
- FebRainy, trails muddy; check
- MarRainy, trails muddy; check
- AprImproving, fewer crowds; check
- MayTransition to dry season; check
- JunDry, ideal for hiking; check
- JulDry, ideal for hiking; check
- AugDry, ideal for hiking; check
- SepDry, ideal for hiking; check
- OctDry, ideal for hiking; check
- NovStart of rains; check
- DecRainy, trails muddy; check
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (shorebirds, raptors)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
From Parnaíba (Piauí)
Hire a motor launch with crew (R$400 (≈ US$75) for up to 5 people).
check
From Tutóia (Maranhão)
Hire a motor launch (same cost).
check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main island | Dunes, mangroves, lagoons, lodge area. | Accessible by boat; lodge area open to guests. |
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 island.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor launch (up to 5 people) | BRL 400 (≈ US$75) | group | 2026 estimate; transport from Parnaíba or Tutóia. No separate entry fee confirmed. |
| Lodge accommodation (single or double) | BRL 200 (≈ US$40) | night | 2026 estimate; on‑site lodging required for access. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Visit reservation permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- R$400≈ US$75
- R$200≈ US$40
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Access reservation
- Must book at least one night to enter the island.
- Guided activities
- Guides recommended for mangrove kayaking; not mandatory for dune walk. (details check)
Where to stay
In the park
On‑site lodges
Simple rooms next to each other; R$200 per night.
Near the park
Parnaíba town
Additional hotels and guesthouses.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Boat safety low
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 trails are flat and suitable for most walkers; no wheelchair access to dunes.
Visiting lightly
- Support the private reserve by staying on‑site and using the official launch service.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ilha do Caju?
You must book a motor launch (R$400 for up to 5 people) and at least one night in the lodge (R$200 per night).
What are the best hikes in Ilha do Caju?
The flat dune walk (2–3 h) and the mangrove kayak route are the most popular easy trails.
When is the best time to visit Ilha do Caju?
June to October offers dry weather and good trail conditions.
Do I need a guide?
Guides are not required for the short dune walk, but a guide is recommended for mangrove kayaking.
Can I stay on the island without a reservation?
No. Access is denied unless you have booked at least one night at the lodge.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Ilha do Caju
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