National park · Paraguay

San Rafael National ParkParque Nacional San Rafael

Take a bus from Ciudad del Este to Tavai (≈ US $10, 3.5 h), then arrange a taxi or guide to the park; the official entry fee is unconfirmed. Hike the main forest trail (≈ 3 km (1.9 mi), moderate) in May–September for cooler weather.Take a bus from Ciudad del Este to Tavai (≈ US $10, 3.5 h), then arrange a taxi or guide to the park; the official entry fee is unconfirmed. Hike the main forest trail (≈ 1.9 mi (3 km), moderate) in May–September for cooler weather.

Not field-verified

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

Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

Google Maps Apple Maps Street View

Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

690 km² (266 sq mi)266 sq mi (690 km²)

approximate

Established

1992

Best months

May–Sep

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 8Above 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.
Paraguay ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Paraguay's migration authority or a Paraguayan consulate; get your passport stamped at land borders, as some crossings let you pass without it.
Paraguay ↗The Chaco is remote with few services; travel with a guide or experienced operator and carry water and fuel.
Paraguay ↗Paraguay can require a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from risk countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia — check the current list and vaccinate at least 10 days before you travel.
Paraná Plateau ↗Cash (guaraní) is king outside Asunción; carry small notes for ruins tickets, buses and roadside food.
Paraná Plateau ↗Ciudad del Este sits on the triple border; carry your passport if you cross to Brazil or Argentina, even for a day.

At a glance

Country: Paraguay
Area: 690 km² (266 sq mi)266 sq mi (690 km²); The park covers more than 69,000 ha (≈ 690 km²), though much of the original area has been converted to pasture or soy farms (check).
Established: 1992
Best months: May–Sep
Permits: For some areas
Base: Ciudad del Este

San Rafael National Park on the Paraná Plateau protects a mosaic of forest, grassland and wetland habitats, home to tapir, jaguar, puma, maned wolf and up to 400 bird species; access is via a bus from Ciudad del Este to Tavai, with a modest entry cost and guided hikes recommended for deeper wildlife encounters.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 1992.

Size and age

690 km² (266 sq mi)266 sq mi (690 km²) · national park since 1992

The park covers more than 69,000 ha (≈ 690 km²), though much of the original area has been converted to pasture or soy farms (check).

This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Ciudad del Este.

Why go

Large protected area with forest, grassland and wetland habitats.
Opportunity to see South American megafauna such as tapir, jaguar and maned wolf.
Birdwatchers can target up to 400 species, including several endemics.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanCaution
FebCaution
MarGo
AprGo
MayBest
JunBest
JulBest
AugBest
SepBest
OctCaution
NovCaution
DecCaution

JanRainy season, trails muddy.
FebHeavy rain, limited visibility.
MarTemperatures mild, rain decreasing.
AprWarm, start of cooler season.
MayCooler season begins.
JunCool, comfortable hiking.
JulCool, low season.
AugCool, good for birding.
SepCool, end of optimal season.
OctRain increases, heat rises.
NovRainy, warm.
DecRainy, warm.

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for San Rafael National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Tapir, jaguar, puma, maned wolfAll year	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Vinaceous-breasted amazon, Black-fronted piping guan, Helmeted woodpecker, Russet-winged spadebill, Saffron-cowled blackbirdMar–Sep	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	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 Ciudad del Este

Bus to Tavai (160 km (99 mi), ≈ 3.5 h, ≈ US $10), then taxi or guide to park gate (check).Bus to Tavai (99 mi (160 km), ≈ 3.5 h, ≈ US $10), then taxi or guide to park gate (check).

3.5 h + onward (check)

Open the page →

From Asunción

Long-distance bus to Ciudad del Este (≈ 10 h) then follow above route.

≈ 14 h total (check)

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of San Rafael National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Tavai gateway	Entrance village; access to park via taxi or guide (check).	Check with local operators.
Central forest area	Main hiking trails, wildlife observation points (check).	Check with park authorities.
Wetland sector	Possible boardwalks and birdwatching platforms (check).	Check with park authorities.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Coordinates are approximate; exact gate location not published.

1Ciudad del Este · Town≈-25.517, -54.617Map ↗
2Tavai gate · Gate≈-26.400, -55.600Approximate location of park entrance (check).Map ↗
3Main forest trailhead · Trail≈-26.460, -55.700Approximate (check).Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

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; exact gate location not published.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

TrailsModeratecheckMain forest trailLength and exact route unconfirmed (check).

ViewpointsEasycheckWetland boardwalkExistence and access unconfirmed (check).

TrailsHardcheckGuided wildlife trekLonger route to remote grassland; availability and details unconfirmed (check).Booking: Park guide required (check)

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

USD ranges · check

Fees for San Rafael National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Park entry (gate)	Free	person	Official fee not published (check). Bus from Ciudad del Este to Tavai ≈ US $10.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry permit or guide

Ticket purchased at the park gate near Tavai village (check).

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Fires: Open fires prohibited throughout the park (check).
Litter: Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce (check).
Guides: Required for any trek beyond the main forest trail (check).
Camping: Only in designated campgrounds; otherwise not allowed (check).
Wildlife interaction: Do not approach or feed animals (check).

Where to stay

Near the park

Ciudad del Este

Hotels, hostels and guesthouses ≈ 30 km (19 mi) from park gate.Hotels, hostels and guesthouses ≈ 19 mi (30 km) from park gate.

In the park

Tavai village lodges

Basic rooms run by local families (check availability).

Safety

Large predators (jaguar, puma) high

Travel with a guide; keep noise and food sealed (check).

Rain and slippery trails medium

Carry waterproof gear; avoid hikes during heavy rain.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

Date

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 trail has some steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility (check).
Boardwalk is wheelchair‑compatible but may be uneven (check).

Visiting lightly

Support local guides who follow park regulations (check).
Choose accommodations that use renewable energy where possible (check).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter San Rafael National Park?

The official entry fee is not published (check). The bus from Ciudad del Este to Tavai costs about US $10 (≈ PYG 8,500); onward access to the park gate may require a taxi or guide (check).

What are the best hikes in San Rafael National Park?

A main forest trail (≈ 3 km, moderate) is reported; a longer guided wildlife trek (5–6 h, hard) may be available. Confirm details locally (check).

When is the best time to visit San Rafael National Park?

May to September offers cooler temperatures and less rain, making hiking more comfortable.

Can I camp inside the park?

Camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds (check); otherwise stay in nearby towns or Tavai lodges.

Do I need a guide for the main trail?

A guide is not required for the short main forest trail (check), but is mandatory for any longer trek beyond the trailhead (check).

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide

Sources

Ask about San Rafael National Park

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