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Isiboro Sécure National Park

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Isiboro Sécure National Park (Bolivia)

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Isiboro Sécure National Park, commonly known by its Spanish acronym TIPNIS, is a dual-status protected area that serves as both a national park and a collective indigenous territory. Located between the departments of Beni and Cochabamba, it spans approximately 12,000 square kilometers of tropical rainforest and seasonal floodplains. The park is crisscrossed by the Isiboro, Sécure, and Ichoa rivers, which are essential transportation routes for the resident Tsimané, Yuracaré, and Mojeño-Trinitario indigenous peoples. TIPNIS is celebrated for its immense biodiversity, providing a habitat for pink river dolphins, black caimans, and a vast array of primate species. In recent years, the territory gained international prominence due to a heated conflict over a proposed highway project intended to cut through the park's core, sparking major protests from indigenous groups and environmentalists. The park remains a symbol of the struggle for indigenous land rights and the preservation of the untouched Amazonian frontier.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C242424232221222426272625
Rain mm226221158101726838364490139200

📋 Practical info

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Getting there
Access is highly restricted and complex, normally achieved by chartering a small boat or a light aircraft from Trinidad in the Beni department, followed by navigating deep into the remote river systems.
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Best season
Visiting is most feasible during the drier months from May to October, as the heavy rainy season renders many rivers dangerously swollen and the dense jungle trails completely impassable.
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Terrain & paths
The protected area spans a massive transition zone, dropping from misty Andean foothills into vast, untouched Amazonian lowlands featuring dense rainforests, meandering rivers, and seasonal floodplains.
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What to bring
Survival essentials include heavy-duty mosquito repellent, malaria prophylaxis, breathable protective clothing, sturdy rubber boots, a high-quality water filtration system, and comprehensive first aid supplies.
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Parking
There is absolutely no road access for standard vehicles into the heart of the reserve. Any overland transport is left securely in the gateway cities of Trinidad or Villa Tunari before proceeding by boat.
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Safety
Traveling here entails significant risks due to extreme isolation, venomous snakes, jaguars, and tropical diseases. It should only be attempted with certified indigenous guides and fully self-sufficient expedition planning.
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Time needed
Due to the extreme logistical difficulties of reaching the park, any meaningful expedition into its interior requires an absolute minimum of five to seven days, often significantly longer for deeper explorations.

Geography

Coordinates
-16.00000, -66.00000

Facts

  • The park was officially established on November 22, 1965.
  • It covers a total area of approximately 1,236,296 hectares.
  • Three indigenous groups (Tsimané, Yuracaré, Mojeño) reside in the park.
  • The area was designated as an Indigenous Territory (TCO) in 1990.
  • More than 3,000 plant species have been identified within its borders.
  • The park is located in one of the highest rainfall regions of Bolivia.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Cristo de la ConcordiaCristo de la Concordia64 km · WExplore →
Palacio PortalesPalacio Portales64 km · WExplore →
Agroflori Bird ParkAgroflori Bird Park66 km · WExplore →
Beni Biological StationBeni Biological Station69 km · SEExplore →
Kollqas of CotapachiKollqas of Cotapachi72 km · SWExplore →
Cerro TunariCerro Tunari72 km · SWExplore →
Inka RakayInka Rakay78 km · SWExplore →
Machía ParkMachía Park78 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Isiboro Sécure National Park (1)

Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory📍 landmark

National park and indigenous territory in the Bolivian lowlands, protecting rainforest and rivers.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Is the park accessible for tourists?
Yes, but access is strictly regulated and requires community permits.
What is special about this forest?
It is an indigenous territory with extreme biodiversity between the Andes and Amazon.
When do weather risks occur?
In the rainy season (December-March), floods are common and travel is dangerous.
Is there public transport?
No, only private charter flights or multi-day canoe trips are possible.
Are there hotels?
No standard hotels; accommodation is in small guest houses within indigenous villages.
Isiboro Sécure National Park: where is it located?
Isiboro Sécure National Park is located in Bolivia.
Isiboro Sécure National Park: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Isiboro Sécure National Park: why is it worth visiting?
Isiboro Sécure National Park, commonly known by its Spanish acronym TIPNIS, is a dual-status protected area that serves as both a national park and a collective indigenous territory.
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History & landmarks

Cristo de la Concordia — Isiboro Sécure National Park (Bolivia)
Cristo de la Concordia
Colossal statue of Jesus Christ overlooking Cochabamba from the top of San Pedro Hill.
Convento de Santa Teresa — Isiboro Sécure National Park (Bolivia)
Convento de Santa Teresa
Historic colonial convent in Cochabamba featuring a unique circular church and peaceful cloisters.
Mercado La Cancha — Isiboro Sécure National Park (Bolivia)
Mercado La Cancha
One of the largest and most chaotic open-air markets in South America in Cochabamba, where you can find everything from clothes to fresh …

More places

Palacio Portales — Isiboro Sécure National Park (Bolivia)
Palacio Portales
A magnificent European-inspired mansion in Cochabamba, built by the tin baron Simón I.
Monument to the Heroines of Coronilla — Isiboro Sécure National Park (Bolivia)
Monument to the Heroines of Coronilla
A historical monument on San Sebastián Hill in Cochabamba, honoring the brave women who fought against Spanish troops during the War of I…
Agroflori Bird Park — Isiboro Sécure National Park (Bolivia)
Agroflori Bird Park
A rescue center near Cochabamba that shelters hundreds of birds, especially macaws and parrots, providing an educational experience.
Kollqas of Cotapachi — Isiboro Sécure National Park (Bolivia)
Kollqas of Cotapachi
A massive Inca storage complex near Quillacollo, used to store corn for the entire Inca Empire.
Cerro Tunari — Isiboro Sécure National Park (Bolivia)
Cerro Tunari
Cerro Tunari is the highest peak in central Bolivia and dominates the landscape north of the city of Cochabamba.
Inka Rakay — Isiboro Sécure National Park (Bolivia)
Inka Rakay
An archaeological site near Sipe Sipe that once served as an Inca administrative center and observation post.
Machía Park — Isiboro Sécure National Park (Bolivia)
Machía Park
Run by the Inti Wara Yassi community, this jungle refuge rehabilitates mistreated monkeys and allows them to roam freely in the forest.
Chapare Banana Plantations — Isiboro Sécure National Park (Bolivia)
Chapare Banana Plantations
The tropical heat and high rainfall of the Chapare region make it an ideal area for commercial banana cultivation.