National park · Ecuador
Podocarpus National ParkParque Nacional Podocarpus
Enter Podocarpus National Park: pay the entry fee (US$5‑6 per person, check), then choose a short 2‑hour elfin‑forest loop for a quick visit, or a full‑day 8‑10 h high‑altitude lake trek in the dry season; avoid the western rainy months Oct‑Dec.
- 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
1,463 km² (565 sq mi)565 sq mi (1,463 km²)
approximate
Established
1982
Best months
Jan–Feb
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.
- Ecuador ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Ecuadorian consulate.
- Ecuador ↗The Galápagos has its own entry controls: a transit control card bought at the airport before departure, a national park entrance fee, and inspections for food and plants. Check official Galápagos rules before booking.
- Ecuador ↗Several coastal provinces (including Guayas, where Guayaquil is) are under official warnings and periodic states of emergency; read your government's advice before routing through them.
At a glance
- Country
- Ecuador
- Area
- 1,463 km² (565 sq mi)565 sq mi (1,463 km²)
- Figures vary by source; the park covers roughly 146,280 ha (≈1,463 km²) (check).
- Established
- 1982
- Best months
- Jan–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Podocarpus National Park spans the transition from Andean highlands to Amazon lowlands, offering elfin forests, paramo meadows, and tropical rainforest with over 500 bird species and numerous endemic plants.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national sitePart of Ecuador's national park system.
Size and age
1,463 km² (565 sq mi)565 sq mi (1,463 km²) · national park since 1982
Figures vary by source; the park covers roughly 146,280 ha (≈1,463 km²) (check).
Why go
- Large diversity of ecosystems from Andean elfin forest to Amazon rainforest.
- Over 500 bird species, including many endemics.
- More than 4,000 plant species and 100+ high‑altitude lakes.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanDry in both zones, good hiking.
- FebDry, clear skies.
- MarEastern zone starts rainy season.
- AprWestern dry, eastern still wet.
- MayWestern dry, eastern rain continues.
- JunEastern rain peaks.
- JulEastern rain, possible trails muddy.
- AugEastern rain eases, good overall.
- SepTransition to dry, trails improving.
- OctWestern rainy season begins.
- NovWestern rain continues.
- DecWestern rain persists.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectacled bearAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mountain tapirAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Pudu (smallest deer)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Jaguar (rare sightings)All 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 Loja airport (LOH)
Bus to Bombuscaro (1 h, US$4) or Cajanuma (25 min, US$1).
1–1.5 h
From Zamora city
Local bus or taxi to park entrances.
30–45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cajanuma entrance | Gate, visitor info, short elfin‑forest trails. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Bombuscaro entrance | Gate, access to high‑altitude lake circuit. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Backcountry area | Remote rainforest, optional camping sites. | No road, reachable on foot. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 points of main entrances and key features.
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 (per person) | US$5–6 | person | Check official price at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Backcountry camping no permit
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
- Camping
- Allowed only in designated backcountry sites; no fires.
- Firearms
- Prohibited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Cajanuma guesthouse
Basic rooms, meals available.
Near the park
Bombuscaro eco‑lodge
Eco‑friendly cabins with hot showers.
Safety
Altitude sickness medium
Rain‑induced trail slip 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
- Cajanuma entrance reachable by car; short trail is wheelchair‑accessible with assistance.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all waste; use refillable water bottles.
- Support local guides and eco‑lodges.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Podocarpus National Park?
Entry is about US$5‑6 per person; verify the exact fee at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Podocarpus National Park?
The short 2‑hour elfin‑forest loop is ideal for a quick visit; the 8‑10 h high‑altitude lake trek offers a full‑day adventure.
When is the best time to visit Podocarpus National Park?
The dry months January‑February and August‑September give the most reliable conditions; avoid October‑December in the western zone.
Can I camp inside the park?
Backcountry camping is allowed in designated areas; no permit needed but follow Leave No Trace.
How do I reach the park from the nearest airport?
Fly to Loja (LOH), then take a bus to Bombuscaro (1 h, US$4) or Cajanuma (25 min, US$1).
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Podocarpus National Park
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