National park · Peru
Manú National ParkParque Nacional del Manú
Visit Manú National Park: pay entry at 30‑45 PEN per adult, take a guided reserve‑zone trek of 2‑4 days in the dry season (May‑Oct); skip in heavy rain months.
- 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
15,000 km² (5,792 sq mi)5,792 sq mi (15,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1973
Best months
May–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Above 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.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Madre de Dios ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for this lowland Amazon region; confirm with a travel clinic before booking.
- Madre de Dios ↗Bring soles in cash: lodges and Puerto Maldonado run on cash, and ATMs are few.
At a glance
- Country
- Peru
- Area
- 15,000 km² (5,792 sq mi)5,792 sq mi (15,000 km²)
- Park area is reported as about 15,000 km², but some sources give slightly different figures; use the official SERNANP number (check).
- Established
- 1973
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Puerto Maldonado
Manú National Park spans from high Andean cloud forests down to Amazon lowland rainforest, protecting a huge range of ecosystems and species; it is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site, with three zones: cultural (open to visitors), reserved (guided tours only), and core (researchers only).
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1977UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1987Manú Biosphere Reserve listed as World Heritage.
Size and age
15,000 km² (5,792 sq mi)5,792 sq mi (15,000 km²) · national park since 1973
Park area is reported as about 15,000 km², but some sources give slightly different figures; use the official SERNANP number (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Puerto Maldonado.
Why go
- One of the most biodiverse places on Earth, from Andes cloud forest to Amazon lowland.
- Spot jaguars, giant otters, macaws and dozens of monkey species.
- Experience remote jungle culture in the cultural zone villages.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanRainy, trails muddy.
- FebRainy, high humidity.
- MarRainy, occasional floods.
- AprTransition, still wet.
- MayStart of dry season, good wildlife viewing.
- JunDry, cooler mornings.
- JulDry, clear skies.
- AugDry, optimal for trekking.
- SepDry, still warm.
- OctEnd of dry season, fewer tourists.
- NovRain returns, but short showers.
- DecRainy, some trails closed.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JaguarAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Macaw (clay lick)May–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Red howler monkeyAll 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural zone | Open villages, short walks, visitor centre. | Free with entry ticket. |
| Reserved zone | Longer jungle treks, higher wildlife density. | Guided tours only. |
| Core zone | Research only, no tourist access. | Closed to public. |
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 park; exact trailheads may vary.
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 (cultural zone) | PEN 30–45 | person | Check latest price at entrance. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Reserved zone permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from park authorities.
- Guides
- Required for any activity in the reserved zone.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Camping
- Only in designated camp sites with a permit; no wild camping.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; no dumping in rivers.
Where to stay
Near the park
Puerto Maldonado
Range of hotels, hostels and jungle lodges 30 km (19 mi) from the park gate.Range of hotels, hostels and jungle lodges 19 mi (30 km) from the park gate.
In the park
Manu Wildlife Center
Basic cabins with hot water, no electricity; meals included.
Safety
Mosquito‑borne disease medium
River flood high
Heat exhaustion 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
- Cultural‑zone trails are short and have firm footing; suitable for moderate mobility.
- Reserved‑zone treks involve steep, muddy paths and are not wheelchair‑accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Book with locally licensed operators to support community income.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; carry a reusable bottle.
- Respect the no‑drone rule to protect wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Manú National Park?
Entry to the cultural zone is 30‑45 PEN per adult; a reserved‑zone trek requires a separate permit and guide fee, usually bundled in tour prices.
What are the best hikes in Manú National Park?
For a short day hike try the Cerro de la Selva viewpoint. For longer immersion, the 2‑4‑day reserved‑zone jungle trek offers deep rainforest experience.
When is the best time to visit Manú National Park?
The dry season May – October gives the best trail conditions and wildlife spotting; the rainy season (Nov – Apr) can make trails impassable.
Can I visit the core zone of Manú?
No. The core zone is restricted to scientists and researchers only.
Do I need a guide for the cultural zone?
A guide is not required for short walks in the cultural zone, but a guide is mandatory for any activity in the reserved zone.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Manú National Park
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