National park · Venezuela
Canaima National ParkParque Nacional Canaima
Go only as part of a guided Canaima trip: a 3-day, 2-night Angel Falls package from Ciudad Bolívar runs about US$250–400 (2026 estimate), flights included; the park itself has no road entry and no ticket booth on the falls route.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
30,000 km²11,583 sq mi
approximate
Established
1962
Best months
May–Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6Above 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.
At a glance
- Country
- Venezuela
- Area
- 30,000 km²11,583 sq mi
- About 30,000 km², making it one of the largest national parks in the world (check the exact figure — sources vary).
- Established
- 1962
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Canaima National Park is a 30,000 km² table of flat savanna, black-water rivers and tepuis — flat-topped sandstone mountains — in Bolívar state, southern Venezuela. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the reason almost everyone comes is Angel Falls (Salto Ángel, Pemón: Parekupa-meru), the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall at 807 m, dropping off Auyan-tepui. There is no overland route to the settlement of Canaima; you fly in, then travel by motorised dugout canoe (curiara). The eastern sector of the park does have road access via the Troncal 10 and the El Dorado–Luepa road, which is how the Gran Sabana and Mount Roraima side works. Treat the two as separate trips.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1994Inscribed for its tepuis, waterfalls and endemic flora.
Size and age
30,000 km²11,583 sq mi · national park since 1962
About 30,000 km², making it one of the largest national parks in the world (check the exact figure — sources vary).
Why go
- Angel Falls: an 807 m uninterrupted drop off the side of Auyan-tepui, reached by canoe and a forest walk.
- The tepuis themselves — island-like plateaus with pitcher plants and near-endemic species on bare rock.
- Laguna de Canaima and the Salto Sapo area, where you can walk behind a curtain of water.
- Auyan-tepui's summit trek from Uruyen: three days up, days on top, and almost nobody else there.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanDry season; falls at their thinnest
- FebDry; good for the tepui trek
- MarDry; low water at Angel Falls
- AprRains return; falls start to build
- MayFalls filling; savanna green
- JunStrong flow; heavy afternoon rain
- JulPeak flow; wettest canoe days
- AugFull falls; book ahead
- SepStill wet; dramatic skies
- OctRain easing; falls still strong
- NovMoriche palm fruit harvest starts
- DecDry season begins; flow drops
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River and forest birds (king vulture, cock of the rock, white bellbird, paradise tanager)All year · Best from the canoe and at forest edges early in the day. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Monkeys, river otters, capybaraAll year · Seen from the water; jaguar, puma and tapir live here but sightings are rare. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Orchids and pitcher plantsMay–Nov · Wet-season flowering; pitcher plants are on the tepui summits. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Moriche palm fruit harvestNov–Dec · Red, scaly clusters sold locally; the fruit looks like a miniature pineapple. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Ciudad Bolívar
Small aircraft to Canaima airstrip, then 4x4 to the village and curiara upriver. Most tours start here and are cheapest here.
1 h flight, then 5–6 h canoe
Open the page →
From Caracas
Flight to Canaima via Ciudad Bolívar or Puerto Ordaz, then the same canoe route.
Half day of flying plus canoe
From Puerto Ordaz
Regular flights to Canaima; tours and lodging can be arranged on arrival.
1 h flight
From Eastern sector by road
Troncal 10 and the El Dorado–Luepa road reach the Gran Sabana side and Kanavayen near Aponwao Falls; no road reaches Canaima village.
Full day by road
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Canaima village and Laguna de Canaima | The airstrip settlement, camps, the tea-coloured lagoon and the Salto Sapo waterfalls. | Open; walkable on foot, excursions by boat. |
| Angel Falls corridor | The Carrao and Churún river route to the base camp below the falls. | Guided curiara only; no independent travel. |
| Auyan-tepui | The largest tepui, 700 km² of plateau, with the falls on its flank. | Summit treks from Uruyen or Kavac with a guide; the falls viewpoint is reached from the river. |
| Eastern sector (Gran Sabana) | Savanna, Aponwao Falls and road-accessible tepui country toward Santa Elena de Uairén. | Road access via the Troncal 10; separate trip from Canaima. |
Sketch map
- 1Canaima village and airstrip · Town≈6.242, -62.852Approximate; the settlement and camps sit by the lagoon.Map ↗
- 2Laguna de Canaima · Beach≈6.245, -62.856Approximate; tea-coloured water with views to the falls and tepui.Map ↗
- 3Salto Sapo · Trail≈6.250, -62.870Approximate; the walk-behind waterfall near Canaima.Map ↗
- 4Kavac village · Village≈6.180, -62.950Approximate; canyon and plunge pool nearby.Map ↗
- 5Uruyen village · Village≈5.980, -62.600Approximate; trailhead for the Auyan-tepui summit trek.Map ↗
- 6Angel Falls base camp (Churún river) · Sleep≈5.970, -62.540Approximate; hammock camp below the falls.Map ↗
- 7Angel Falls viewpoint · Viewpoint≈5.967, -62.536Approximate; about an hour on foot from the nearest river landing.Map ↗
- 8Auyan-tepui summit · Summit≈5.950, -62.550Approximate; the plateau above the falls.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No separate park ticket is sold on the standard Canaima/Angel Falls route; access is through a tour package. Independent entry via the eastern sector is not ticketed at a gate (check). |
| 3-day, 2-night Angel Falls tour from Ciudad Bolívar | US$250–400 | person | 2026 estimate. Usually includes the flight to Canaima, canoe, meals, hammock or camp lodging and a guide. Cheapest booked at Ciudad Bolívar airport; more expensive booked from Caracas or from home. |
| 2-day Angel Falls tour (one night at the falls) | US$200–300 | person | 2026 estimate; shorter version of the same route. |
| Half-day Laguna de Canaima and Salto Sapo tour | US$40–80 | person | 2026 estimate; bookable in Canaima village. |
| Auyan-tepui summit trek from Uruyen | US$700–1,200 | person | 2026 estimate; multi-day, arranged in Ciudad Bolívar, guide and porters included (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Guided access to Angel Falls permit or guide
Auyan-tepui summit trek permit or guide
Camping near Angel Falls no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed anywhere in the Angel Falls area and strictly enforced. Nights on the route are in camps with hammocks or beds.
- Guides
- Travel to Angel Falls and onto the tepuis is guided only; there is no self-guided route from Canaima village.
- Tepui summits
- Do not remove plants or rocks from the plateau; several species grow only on these summits.
- Litter and fires
- Carry out everything you bring in; no open fires at camps.
- Photography of communities
- Ask before photographing Pemón residents or their homes (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Canaima Camp
Cottages in the Kanaimö community by the lagoon, with hot water, electricity and a restaurant; the comfortable end of the range.
In the park
River camps on the Angel Falls route
Hammocks or basic beds at camps along the Carrao and Churún; included in the tour price.
In the park
Kavac village lodges
Traditional huts with beds or hammocks, a bar and a small craft shop; a quiet night before a flight out.
Near the park
Ciudad Bolívar
City hotels used the night before the early flight to Canaima; also where most tours are booked.
Safety
Travel advice and security high
Canoe travel and sun exposure medium
Slippery rock at the falls and Salto Sapo medium
Cold and wet on the tepui medium
Cash and payments medium
Accessibility
- The village of Canaima is flat and walkable, but boarding a curiara and the forest path to the falls viewpoint are not suitable for limited mobility.
- The Salto Sapo path involves wet, uneven rock and a water curtain; assess with your guide before starting.
- Auyan-tepui summit treks involve scrambling and multi-day walking; no accessible route exists.
Visiting lightly
- Book with operators that use Pemón guides and pay communities around Canaima, Uruyen and Kavac directly.
- Take all rubbish back out of the river corridor; camps have limited waste disposal.
- Keep to the marked path at the falls viewpoint — the banks are fragile and the pool is the only safe swimming spot.
- Do not buy plants, animals or tepui rock as souvenirs.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Canaima National Park?
There is no separate park ticket on the standard Canaima and Angel Falls route — access is through a tour package. A 3-day, 2-night Angel Falls tour from Ciudad Bolívar costs roughly US$250–400 per person (2026 estimate), including the flight to Canaima, the canoe, meals, lodging and a guide. Booking at Ciudad Bolívar airport is usually cheapest; booking from Caracas or from home costs more.
What are the best hikes in Canaima National Park?
The walk to the Angel Falls viewpoint — about an hour on a root-crossed forest path after the canoe — is the one most people do. The Auyan-tepui summit trek from Uruyen is the serious option: three days up, days on the plateau, two days back out, expert level. Near Canaima village, the short Salto Sapo path passes behind a curtain of water.
When is the best time to visit Canaima National Park?
May to August for the fullest Angel Falls, accepting heavy rain and wet canoe days. December to April is drier and better for the tepui trek, but the falls can shrink to a trickle. There is no month with no rain.
Can I visit Canaima National Park without a tour?
No, not the Angel Falls side. There is no overland route to Canaima village — you fly in — and all travel beyond the village is by guided curiara. The eastern sector of the park does have road access via the Troncal 10, which is the Gran Sabana and Mount Roraima side of the trip.
How do I get to Canaima National Park?
Fly to Canaima airstrip from Ciudad Bolívar, Puerto Ordaz or Caracas, then continue by 4x4 and motorised dugout canoe. Most tours start in Ciudad Bolívar, where prices are lowest.
Can I camp near Angel Falls?
No. Camping is not allowed in the Angel Falls area and it is strictly enforced. Nights on the route are spent in camps with hammocks or basic beds, included in the tour.
Is Angel Falls the highest waterfall in the world?
It has the highest uninterrupted drop, 807 m, and a total drop of 978 m off Auyan-tepui. Some taller falls elsewhere are counted by total drop with breaks, which is why you will see both claims.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go