National park · Bolivia
Cordillera de los Frailes
Enter Cordillera de los Frailes for a day hike: take the 17 km (11 mi) Potolo‑Maragua trail (about 5 h, check) in the dry season Apr–Oct; village camping may cost about Bs 20 (check locally).Enter Cordillera de los Frailes for a day hike: take the 11 mi (17 km) Potolo‑Maragua trail (about 5 h, check) in the dry season Apr–Oct; village camping may cost about Bs 20 (check locally).
- 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
2,000 km² (772 sq mi)772 sq mi (2,000 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Apr–Oct
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.
- 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.
- Chuquisaca ↗Sucre sits at about 2,750 m — noticeably lower and gentler than La Paz or Potosí; most people sleep fine on the first night.
- Chuquisaca ↗Road blockades can close the Sucre–Potosí and Sucre–Santa Cruz routes without notice; keep a buffer day before any flight or border crossing.
At a glance
- Country
- Bolivia
- Area
- 2,000 km² (772 sq mi)772 sq mi (2,000 km²)
- check
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Sucre
Cordillera de los Frailes is a remote Andean ridge in Chuquisaca, Bolivia, featuring pre‑Hispanic trail paintings, striking rock formations, and cultural villages, accessible via a 1‑hour drive from Sucre.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
2,000 km² (772 sq mi)772 sq mi (2,000 km²) · national park since 2000
check
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Sucre.
Why go
- A remote Andean ridge with pre‑Hispanic trail paintings and striking rock formations.
- Access to the Chapel at Chataquila and the Garganta del Diablo waterfall.
- Opportunities for cultural visits in Potolo and Maragua villages.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, trails muddy
- FebRainy, limited access
- MarTransition, occasional storms
- AprDry, clear skies
- MayDry, warm
- JunDry, cooler
- JulDry, good for trekking
- AugDry, stable weather
- SepDry, pleasant
- OctDry, end of season
- NovRain returns
- DecRainy, trail closures possible
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andean fauna (e.g., vizcachas, Andean fox)Apr–Oct · check | 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 Sucre
Truck departs Potolo at 10:00 from Parada Ravelo; arrive after ~1 h. Arrive early (09:00) to ensure space.Truck departs Potolo at 10:00 AM from Parada Ravelo; arrive after ~1 h. Arrive early (9:00 AM) to ensure space.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Potolo
Local transport or walk to trailhead at Potolo village.
5–10 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Potolo village | Trailhead, basic services, grocery store. | Open year‑round. |
| Trail corridor | 17 km (11 mi) hiking route via Chullpas, Niñu Mayu, Maragua.11 mi (17 km) hiking route via Chullpas, Niñu Mayu, Maragua. | Open; guide recommended in rainy months. |
| Maragua village | Camping sites, school accommodation. | Open; small fee for village camping. |
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 ridge; exact trailhead points given in points.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Village camping (per night, if camping within a village) | BOB 0–20 | person | No general entrance fee is confirmed; camping may cost about Bs 20 (check locally). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Village camping permit permit or guide
Guide for long trek no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Allowed only in designated village sites or school; pay small fee where required (check).check
- Guides
- Recommended for the full 17 km (11 mi) trek during rainy season.Recommended for the full 11 mi (17 km) trek during rainy season.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
In the park
Village camping
Tent sites in Potolo or Maragua; basic facilities.
In the park
School dormitory
Simple bunk rooms in Maragua school (arranged locally).
Safety
Altitude sickness low
Rainfall and trail mud medium
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
- Trail sections are steep and uneven; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Buy woven goods directly from local artisans.
- Use village‑approved camping sites to limit environmental impact.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cordillera de los Frailes?
Entry fee is Bs 20‑30 per person for village camping permits; other activities are free but you may pay for guides.
What are the best hikes in Cordillera de los Frailes?
The main 17 km Potolo‑Maragua trek (5‑7 h) is the most popular; shorter loops to the Chapel at Chataquila or Garganta del Diablo are also recommended.
When is the best time to visit Cordillera de los Frailes?
The dry season from April to October offers clear trails and reliable weather; avoid November‑March when rain can make paths unsafe.
Do I need a guide?
A guide is not mandatory for the short loops, but is recommended for the full 17 km trek, especially in the rainy months.
Where can I stay overnight?
Camping in Potolo or Maragua villages (small fee) or stay in the school dormitory in Maragua; basic facilities only.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cordillera de los Frailes
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