National park · Bolivia
Madidi National ParkParque Nacional Madidi
Enter Madidi National Park: buy the entry ticket (approx. 30 BOB per person) at the Rurrenabaque gate, then choose a day hike (e.g., Beni River trail) in the dry season (May–Oct) or a multi‑day eco‑lodge trek; avoid the rainy months (Nov–Apr) when roads flood.
- 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
18,958 km² (7,320 sq mi)7,320 sq mi (18,958 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Above 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.
- Bolivia ↗Visa rules depend on your passport (some nationalities need a visa in advance): check with Bolivia's migration authority or a Bolivian consulate.
- Bolivia ↗Most of the tourist route is above 3,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on arrival, and see a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bolivia ↗Protests and road blockades (bloqueos) are frequent and can close routes and cities for days; watch local news and keep plans flexible.
At a glance
- Country
- Bolivia
- Area
- 18,958 km² (7,320 sq mi)7,320 sq mi (18,958 km²)
- Official size 1,895,800 ha (≈18,958 km²); some publications round to 19,000 km² (check).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Madidi National Park spans from the snow‑capped Apolobamba peaks to Amazon lowland basins, protecting a staggering range of ecosystems and wildlife, and is a key component of the Bolivia‑Peru trans‑border wilderness.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1995Bolivian national park status.
Size and age
18,958 km² (7,320 sq mi)7,320 sq mi (18,958 km²) · national park since 1995
Official size 1,895,800 ha (≈18,958 km²); some publications round to 19,000 km² (check).
Why go
- One of the world’s most biodiverse protected areas, from Andes peaks to Amazon lowlands.
- Spot iconic wildlife such as jaguar, spectacled bear, Andean condor and giant otter.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy season, many trails inaccessible.
- FebHeavy rain, river levels high.
- MarRain continues, some roads closed.
- AprTransition, less rain, still green.
- MayDry season starts, trails clear.
- JunDry, good wildlife viewing.
- JulDry, cooler nights.
- AugDry, stable weather.
- SepDry, low humidity.
- OctEnd of dry season, occasional showers.
- NovRain returns, river levels rise.
- DecRainy, some access limited.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar, spectacled bear, Andean condor, giant otterAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Maned wolf, vicuña, military macawApr–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 Rurrenabaque
Take a 30‑minute boat upstream on the Beni River to the park entrance; taxis available from town.
0.5 h
From La Paz
Fly to Rurrenabaque (≈1 h) then follow boat/taxi route.
2–3 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Beni River entrance | Main gate, visitor office, trailhead to short day hikes. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Chalalán Eco‑lodge area | Eco‑lodge on the Tuichi River, base for longer treks. | Book stay; access via boat. |
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 approximate; main gate near Rurrenabaque on the Beni River.
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 (Rurrenabaque gate) | BOB 30 | person | 2026 estimate; check official site. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek no permit
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for long treks outside the entrance area.
- Camping
- Only in designated eco‑lodge areas; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use stoves at lodges.
Where to stay
In the park
Chalalán Eco‑lodge
Bamboo cabins, meals, guided walks.
Near the park
Rurrenabaque town
Budget hotels, hostels, restaurants.
Safety
River flooding medium
Mosquito‑borne diseases 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
- Entrance area reachable by car or boat; trails are unpaved and may be slippery.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at community‑run eco‑lodges; support local guides; avoid single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Madidi National Park?
The entry fee is about 30 BOB per person (2026 estimate). Purchase the ticket at the park gate near Rurrenabaque.
What are the best hikes in Madidi National Park?
Popular options include the short Beni River day hike, the 2–3‑day Chalalán Eco‑lodge trek, and the multi‑day Apolobamba high‑altitude trek.
When is the best time to visit Madidi National Park?
The dry season May to October offers reliable trail access and good wildlife viewing; the rainy season November to April brings flooded roads and limited access.
Do I need a guide for short day hikes?
No, short hikes from the entrance are self‑guided; a guide is mandatory for longer treks outside the gate area.
Can I camp in the park?
Camping is only allowed in designated eco‑lodge areas; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Madidi National Park
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