National park · Argentina
El Palmar National ParkParque Nacional El Palmar
Enter El Palmar National Park for a half‑day hike to the Yatay palms (entry ARS 150 – 300) or a full‑day trek to the capybara wetlands; go in spring or autumn to avoid summer heat and 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
240 km² (93 sq mi)93 sq mi (240 km²)
approximate
Established
1966
Best months
Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
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.
- Argentina ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Argentina's National Migration Directorate (Migraciones) or an Argentine consulate before booking.
- Argentina ↗Since April 2025 the official, MEP and street ('blue') dollar rates sit within a few percent of each other; a foreign card is usually the best-value way to pay, while ATM withdrawals carry high fixed fees. Rules have changed often — check before you fly.
- Argentina ↗Patagonia (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia) is a November–March trip; in winter many services close and hiking is limited.
- Argentina ↗Since August 2026 non-resident foreigners must show insurance or pay for non-urgent care at nationally run public hospitals, and Buenos Aires City, Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy and Santa Cruz charge visitors for scheduled care; emergencies are still treated. Travel with medical insurance — check the current rules.
At a glance
- Country
- Argentina
- Area
- 240 km² (93 sq mi)93 sq mi (240 km²)
- Exact area not published; check official source.
- Established
- 1966
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
El Palmar National Park protects the Yatay palm groves and surrounding wetlands in Entre Ríos, offering short forest trails, boardwalks for wildlife viewing and a modest visitor infrastructure.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1966.
Size and age
240 km² (93 sq mi)93 sq mi (240 km²) · national park since 1966
Exact area not published; check official source.
Why go
- See the rare Yatay palm groves in a protected riverine landscape.
- Spot wildlife such as capybaras, viscachas and ñandúes on short, well‑marked trails.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanHot, occasional thunderstorms.
- FebPeak summer heat; trails can be muddy.
- MarSpring, milder temps, fewer visitors.
- AprPleasant weather, wildflowers.
- MayWarm, low crowd levels.
- JunCooler, dry season starts.
- JulCool, dry; good for hiking.
- AugDry, comfortable temperatures.
- SepEarly spring, wildlife active.
- OctWarm, low crowds.
- NovHeat returns, occasional storms.
- DecSummer heat, higher visitor numbers.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CapybaraAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| ViscachaMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Woodpecker speciesOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Ñandú (rhea)Apr–Sep | no | no | no | 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 Buenos Aires
Fly to Rosario (1 h) then bus or rent a car 2 h to Colon; park gate 15 min from town.
3–4 h total
Open the page →
From Rosario
Direct bus (≈2 h) to Colon, then taxi or bike to park gate.
2 h
Open the page →
From Colon
Local taxi or bike ride 15 min to the park entrance.
15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance / Visitor centre | Ticket office, map kiosk, short interpretive trail to Yatay palms. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Palm grove trail | Loop trail (≈3 km (1.9 mi)) through Yatay palms and riverbanks.Loop trail (≈1.9 mi (3 km)) through Yatay palms and riverbanks. | Open to all visitors. |
| Wetland area | Boardwalks and observation points for capybaras and birds. | Open; stay on boardwalks. |
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 taken from official park page; approximate for trail 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | ARS 150–300 | person | Standard entry fee; varies by residency status (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
- Fires
- Open fires are prohibited; use designated grills only.
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash and under control at all times.
- Camping
- Camping only allowed in the designated area near Colon; otherwise stay in town.
- Collecting flora
- Removing plants or palm fronds is forbidden.
Where to stay
Near the park
Colon town
Hotels, hostels and guesthouses 5–10 min from the park gate.
In the park
Park campground
Basic sites with water tap; book in advance via park office.
Safety
Heat medium
Mosquitoes low
Snake bites 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
- Visitor centre and short palm loop are wheelchair‑friendly with firm paths.
- Boardwalks have gentle slopes; some sections may be uneven for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned accommodations in Colon.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep waste in bins.
- Support park conservation by buying official souvenirs.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter El Palmar National Park?
Entry is ARS 150 – 300 per person; residents may pay a lower rate. Tickets are bought at the park entrance.
What are the best hikes in El Palmar National Park?
The Yatay palm loop (easy, 1–2 h) and the capybara wetland walk (moderate, 2–3 h) are the most popular and well marked.
When is the best time to visit El Palmar National Park?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October) offer mild weather and fewer visitors.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only in the designated campground near the entrance; otherwise stay in Colon.
Do I need a guide for any trail?
No guide is required for the main short trails, but a guide is recommended for longer wetland routes.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about El Palmar National Park
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