National park · Bolivia
Torotoro National ParkParque Nacional Torotoro
Visit Torotoro for a day: take the guided Caverna de Umajalanta tour (Bs 636 per group) in the morning, or a half‑day El Vergel Canyon walk (Bs 100) if short on time; entry fee Bs 5 per person, and go in the dry season (May–Oct) to avoid rain.
- 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
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
165 km² (64 sq mi)64 sq mi (165 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
May–Oct
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
- 165 km² (64 sq mi)64 sq mi (165 km²)
- 165 km² total, roughly 150 km² land and 15 km² protected water (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Potosí
Torotoro National Park offers dinosaur footprints, deep caves and canyon walks in a semi‑arid Andean setting; a day visit can cover the guided Umajalanta cave or El Vergel Canyon, while longer stays allow extra treks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
165 km² (64 sq mi)64 sq mi (165 km²) · national park since 2000
165 km² total, roughly 150 km² land and 15 km² protected water (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Potosí.
Why go
- See dinosaur footprints and caves in a semi‑arid Andean landscape.
- Explore the deep Caverna de Umajalanta and the lush El Vergel Canyon.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but dry; trails clear.
- FebCold, occasional rain.
- MarStart of rainy season.
- AprIncreasing showers.
- MayDry, warm.
- JunDry, warm.
- JulDry, warm.
- AugDry, warm.
- SepDry, warm.
- OctDry, warm.
- NovCool, dry.
- DecCool, start of rains.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ParakeetsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Red‑fronted macawAll 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 Cochabamba
Bus (5.5 h) or minibus (4–5 h); hourly departures 06:00‑18:00. Faster 3 h on upgraded road (check).Bus (5.5 h) or minibus (4–5 h); hourly departures 6:00 AM‑6:00 PM. Faster 3 h on upgraded road (check).
3–5 h
From Cochabamba airport
Charter plane (½ h) for up to 5 pax, ~US$140.
0.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Torotoro village (gate) | Visitor centre, ticket office, basic services. | Open to all visitors. |
| Caverna de Umajalanta | Longest/deepest cave, stalactites, blind fish. | Guided tour only. |
| El Vergel Canyon | Canyon with waterfalls, pools, dinosaur footprints. | Guided half‑day walk. |
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 points of each feature.
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 | BOB 5 | person | Gate ticket. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided tours permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for Caverna de Umajalanta and El Vergel Canyon tours.check
- Camping
- Only in designated areas; not allowed in the main canyon or cave zones.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Off‑road travel
- Do not drive off‑road without a guide; may damage fragile geology.
Where to stay
Near the park
Torotoro village guesthouses
Basic rooms, prices from Bs 40.
Near the park
Cochabamba
Wider range of hotels and hostels, 3 h drive.
Safety
Road conditions in rainy season high
Altitude 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
- Village gate area reachable by car with short walks.
- Cave and canyon tours involve steep, uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use registered guides to protect fragile cave and canyon ecosystems.
- Buy food and services in Torotoro village to support the local economy.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Torotoro National Park?
Entry is Bs 5 per person at the gate; guided tours add separate fees (e.g., Bs 636 for Caverna de Umajalanta, Bs 100 for El Vergel Canyon).
What are the best hikes in Torotoro National Park?
The most popular are the guided Caverna de Umajalanta cave tour and the half‑day El Vergel Canyon walk; both require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Torotoro National Park?
Visit in the dry season May – October for reliable road access and clear trails; the rainy season (December – March) can make roads impassable.
Do I need a guide for all activities?
A guide is mandatory for the cave and canyon tours; short walks around the village and footprint sites can be done independently after entry.
How do I get to Torotoro from Cochabamba?
Take a bus (5.5 h) or minibus (4–5 h) from the city’s bus station; hourly departures run 06:00‑18:00. A charter flight is also available.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go