National park · Colombia
Cueva de los Guacharos National Natural ParkParque Nacional Natural Cueva de los Guácharos
Enter Cueva de los Guacharos for $15 COP (check) and hike the Roble Negro trail (4 km (2.5 mi), 6 h) in the dry season (Jun–Aug) for good weather and fewer crowds.Enter Cueva de los Guacharos for $15 COP (check) and hike the Roble Negro trail (2.5 mi (4 km), 6 h) in the dry season (Jun–Aug) for good weather and fewer 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
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
1960
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
Biosphere
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.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Approximate; official source gives no precise figure (check).
- Established
- 1960
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Pasto
Cueva de los Guacharos National Natural Park, Colombia’s first national park (est. 1960), protects high‑altitude paramo, glacier‑edge trails and the oilbird’s cave. Visitors can hike the demanding 4 km Roble Negro trail or explore shorter routes, watch over 300 bird species and stay in park‑run cabins, with entry around 15 000 COP.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1979Part of the Cinturón Andino Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 1960
Approximate; official source gives no precise figure (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Pasto.
Why go
- Explore high‑altitude paramo ecosystems and glacier‑edge trails.
- Watch oilbirds and over 300 other bird species, including the Andean cock‑of‑the‑rock.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCool, occasional rain.
- FebCool, wet.
- MarWarming, moderate rain.
- AprIncreasing sunshine.
- MayEarly dry season.
- JunDry, stable weather.
- JulDry, clear skies.
- AugDry, good trail conditions.
- SepTransition to wet.
- OctRain increases.
- NovWet, cooler.
- DecCold, frequent rain.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oilbirds (Guácharos)All year · Active at night; daytime visits rarely see them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Andean cock‑of‑the‑rockMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mountain tapirAll 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 Pitalito (airport)
Fly from Bogotá to Pitalito, then hire a 4WD vehicle to Palestina and continue on a 4WD truck to the park trailhead; hike 5 km (3.1 mi) to the visitor centre.Fly from Bogotá to Pitalito, then hire a 4WD vehicle to Palestina and continue on a 4WD truck to the park trailhead; hike 3.1 mi (5 km) to the visitor centre.
5–7 h total
From Pasto (bus)
Bus to Palestina, then 4WD truck to the trailhead; 90‑120 min hike to the centre.
6–8 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre | Ticket office, basic accommodation, start of main trails. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Roble Negro Trail | 4 km (2.5 mi) route to glacier edge, very difficult terrain.2.5 mi (4 km) route to glacier edge, very difficult terrain. | Open to hikers; no guide required. |
| Camino de los Gigantes | 2.7 km (1.7 mi), medium difficulty, scenic views.1.7 mi (2.7 km), medium difficulty, scenic views. | Open to hikers. |
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 centred on the visitor centre; trailheads approximated from maps (check).
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 | COP 15,000 | person | Official fee not published; estimate based on similar parks (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
- Guides
- Required for glacier‑edge hikes during the rainy season (Oct–Mar).
- Night hikes
- Discouraged; oilbirds are protected and trails close after dark.
- Camping
- Only in designated cabins or campsites at the visitor centre; wild camping prohibited.
Where to stay
In the park
Visitor centre cabins
Simple rooms and campsites; basic facilities.
Near the park
Pasto town
Hotels and hostels; 30 km (19 mi) from park entrance.Hotels and hostels; 19 mi (30 km) from park entrance.
Safety
Altitude and weather medium
Lost on remote trails high
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
- Visitor centre reachable by 4WD vehicle; short walks are on uneven terrain.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in park‑run cabins to limit impact.
- Do not feed wildlife or collect plants.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cueva de los Guacharos National Natural Park?
The entry fee is about 15 000 COP per person (official amount not published; verify before arrival).
What are the best hikes in Cueva de los Guacharos National Natural Park?
Roble Negro (4 km, very difficult) and Camino de los Gigantes (2.7 km, medium difficulty) are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Cueva de los Guacharos National Natural Park?
The dry season from June to August offers the most reliable weather and trail conditions.
Can I see oilbirds during the day?
Oilbirds are nocturnal; daytime visits rarely see them. Night visits are discouraged by park authorities.
Do I need a guide for all trails?
Guides are mandatory for glacier‑edge hikes in the rainy season and recommended for less‑experienced hikers.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cueva de los Guacharos National Natural Park
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