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Colombia🇨🇴 | national parksChiribiquete National ParkTepui cliffs, rock art, overflight only, closed interior | things to do and best time to go

Explore Chingaza National ParkExplore El Cocuy National Park

Backpacking in Chiribiquete
UNESCO World Heritage site
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

The propeller drone of the small plane fades, and what replaces it is silence, then howler monkeys. Chiribiquete National Park sits in the Amazon and Guaviare region of southern Colombia, and you cannot simply walk in. Entry to the interior is closed to tourists, so skip any operator promising a trek on the tepuis. Only an overflight with a licensed agency is possible, so book ahead to avoid scams and cancellations. Unlike open Amacayacu, Chiribiquete is look-from-above only.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #99 national park in ColombiaReasons people choose to explore here

Chiribiquete National Park draws people who want something no trail can give: a look at the largest collection of rock art in the Americas. Its flat-topped tepuis rise from the jungle, and the paintings of jaguars, hunters and handprints cover more than 75,000 images on sheltered walls. Independent exploring is not allowed, so this suits travelers who value rarity over adventure. Overflights leave from San José del Guaviare, a town with cheap hostels and jungle trips of its own, and the park holds UNESCO mixed World Heritage status for good reason.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Rock art of the tepuis: Tens of thousands of paintings of jaguars, deer, hunters and handprints cover sandstone walls, some thought to be thousands of years old. Most are not visible from the air.
  2. Flat-topped tepuis: Sheer sandstone plateaus rise abruptly from flat rainforest, and from a plane they look like islands floating in green.
  3. Mesetas and cliff faces: Long ochre walls catch the light and show how large the formation is.
  4. Apaporis and Caquetá river headwaters: Dark winding rivers cut through the canopy and feed the wider Amazon basin.
  5. Jaguar habitat: The park shelters jaguars, tapirs and giant otters, though you will rarely see them from above.
  6. Uncontacted peoples’ territory: Indigenous groups living in voluntary isolation are the reason the interior is closed, and respecting that is part
… read more 👉
  1. Rock art of the tepuis: Tens of thousands of paintings of jaguars, deer, hunters and handprints cover sandstone walls, some thought to be thousands of years old. Most are not visible from the air.
  2. Flat-topped tepuis: Sheer sandstone plateaus rise abruptly from flat rainforest, and from a plane they look like islands floating in green.
  3. Mesetas and cliff faces: Long ochre walls catch the light and show how large the formation is.
  4. Apaporis and Caquetá river headwaters: Dark winding rivers cut through the canopy and feed the wider Amazon basin.
  5. Jaguar habitat: The park shelters jaguars, tapirs and giant otters, though you will rarely see them from above.
  6. Uncontacted peoples’ territory: Indigenous groups living in voluntary isolation are the reason the interior is closed, and respecting that is part of the visit.
For a first visit, the tepui overflight is the one to book, since it shows the scale of the park in a single pass.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to explore Chiribiquete

  • Dry Season (December to March): Rivers drop and skies clear, with days of 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F) and nights near 22°C (72°F). Overflight permits are most available, and prices peak.
  • Wet Season (April to November): Heavy rain is common, with highs of 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F). Flights get cancelled, though tour prices soften.
  • Daylight: Days stay close to 12 hours all year, so season does not change your schedule.
Chiribiquete is closed to ordinary visitors, so book an authorized overflight months ahead for the January to March window.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
colombia-national-park-chiribiquete-national-park
© Google | Eva Zuckerman

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

No lodging exists inside Chiribiquete National Park, and the public cannot enter or camp there; the park protects uncontacted Indigenous groups. Base yourself in San José del Guaviare, the nearest real hub, where hostels and simple hotels run US$10 to 25 a night near the river and main plaza. Calamar and Miraflores are smaller, quieter options along the Guaviare side. Many travelers pair a stay with the rock art at Cerro Azul and the Raudal del Guayabero rapids. Operators in San José and Bogotá arrange the overflights, and lodging there is easy to book on arrival outside peak holidays.
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👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

A realistic budget for the Chiribiquete area is about US$180 to 200 a day, driven almost entirely by the overflight.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Park entryUS$0Visitors cannot enter; no ticket is sold
Overflight or tourUS$130 to 150Authorized flights from San José del Guaviare, often as part of a package
Accommodation (high season)US$12 to 25Hostels and basic hotels in San José
Local transportUS$5 to 15Mototaxis and shared rides around town
Food and suppliesUS$10 to 20Set lunches cost US$3 to 5
Total Daily BudgetUS$180 to 200Per person, per day, in high season.


source: colombia.travel
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsWhere to hike in Chiribiquete: trails for every level

Chiribiquete National Park has no open hiking trails for visitors. The interior is strictly protected, and entering on foot is prohibited, so no named routes exist for tourists.
  • Overflights: Licensed agencies operate flights over the tepuis and river valleys, usually lasting a couple of hours, with views of cliffs, forest canopy and rivers.
  • Terrain: Dense rainforest, sandstone plateaus and steep escarpments, remote and without roads.
  • Wildlife: Jaguars, tapirs, giant otters and many birds live below, but seeing them requires luck and distance.
  • Difficulty: Easy, since you stay on the plane, though heat
… read more 👉
Chiribiquete National Park has no open hiking trails for visitors. The interior is strictly protected, and entering on foot is prohibited, so no named routes exist for tourists.
  • Overflights: Licensed agencies operate flights over the tepuis and river valleys, usually lasting a couple of hours, with views of cliffs, forest canopy and rivers.
  • Terrain: Dense rainforest, sandstone plateaus and steep escarpments, remote and without roads.
  • Wildlife: Jaguars, tapirs, giant otters and many birds live below, but seeing them requires luck and distance.
  • Difficulty: Easy, since you stay on the plane, though heat and humidity in San José del Guaviare can be tiring.
Public transport reaches San José del Guaviare, the usual gateway, and from there you arrange a flight with an authorized operator. Crowds are essentially nonexistent. Park access is controlled by Parques Nacionales, and flights carry a cost paid to the agency, which should be confirmed in advance.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Chiribiquete National Park is off limits on foot, so the realistic risks sit in the surrounding Guaviare region. Check current conditions with a local operator before leaving San José, as armed groups have been active in rural parts of the department. Stay on authorized routes and book only licensed guides. Heat and humidity are heavy, so carry plenty of water, sun protection, and insect repellent. Rivers rise quickly in the rainy months, which can delay flights and boats. Pack flexibility into your schedule.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 2 to 3 days around Chiribiquete National Park, since you cannot enter on foot. One day covers the overflight from San José del Guaviare, and another can cover the Cerro Azul rock paintings or the Raudal del Guayabero rapids. Bogotá to San José del Guaviare takes about 40 minutes by plane.
No, and a car would not help, because Chiribiquete National Park is closed to ordinary visitors and reached only by authorized overflight. Fly from Bogotá to San José del Guaviare (about 40 minutes), then join a licensed operator. Local trips to nearby sites go by mototaxi, boat, or 4x4 tour.
Chiribiquete National Park does not allow entry, so no ordinary ticket or permit exists for ground visits. Authorized overflights are sold through licensed operators and cost roughly US$130 to 150 per person. Book months ahead, especially for January to March, and check current rules with Parques Nacionales Naturales.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Colombian national parks near Chiribiquete

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Go in the dry months, when the skies over Chiribiquete National Park are clearest and the tepuis show sharp edges. Fly in the morning, before cloud builds over the canopy. I would skip any offer to walk in, and take the flight.

✈️ When did I visit Colombia?
Did a good 3-week trip around Colombia in August 2014.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Colombia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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