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Canaima National Park

Park
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Canaima National Park essentials

Address: Canaima National Park (Parque Nacional Canaima), Bolívar state, southeastern Venezuela (park spans ~30,000 km²)
Website: minamb.gob.ve
Hours: Park access is year-round; services and flights operate seasonally and depend on weather.
Admission: Park entrance permit required for many activities; boat/flight combos from Ciudad Bolívar or Canaima village typically US$120-US$300 depending on itinerary (domestic flights and guided tours included).
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About Canaima National Park

Canaima National Park is a large protected area famed for its sandstone tepuis and dramatic waterfalls in southeastern Venezuela. It contains some of the most striking tabletop mountains and waterfalls anywhere in the Guiana Shield.

The park’s most famous landmark is the waterfall that drops from Auyán-tepui, and the area also includes Mount Roraima and numerous other tepuis, rivers and rainforest plateaus. Visitors commonly travel into the park by small aircraft or by river-supported tours to reach camps and viewpoints.

Canaima was formally established as a national park in the 20th century and later recognised for outstanding natural values at international level. Its protected status aims to conserve unique geology, endemic species and Indigenous cultural landscapes.

Geographically the park is in southeastern Venezuela’s Bolívar state, bordering Brazil and Guyana in parts; the terrain is rugged and sparsely settled, with access concentrated around a few riverine villages and airstrips.

  • Tepuis and waterfall: Home to some of the highest table-top mountains (tepuis) in South America and the waterfall with the greatest uninterrupted drop in the world.
  • Access: Access to many park highlights is commonly by small aircraft to airstrips or by boat from local river settlements rather than by road.

What to See#

  • Auyán-tepui / Angel Falls: Auyán-tepui is the plateau from which the world’s highest continuous waterfall descends; its summit and cliffs are classic tepui geology.
  • Mount Roraima: Mount Roraima is a flat-topped sandstone tepui that forms part of the park’s boundary with neighbouring countries and is a popular multi-day trek destination.
  • Canaima village: Canaima settlement is a small riverside village that acts as the principal visitor base and departure point for boat and air excursions into the park.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Canaima National Park

Plan around flights and river levels; December-April offers more dependable air access while May-November yields dramatic, water-rich scenery.

Dry season (best for flights)
December-April · 24-30°C
Clearer flying conditions make aerial views of tepuis and Angel Falls more reliable.
Wet season (best for river travel and fuller waterfalls)
May-November · 22-28°C
Rains swell rivers and waterfalls; the rainforest is lush but flights are more likely to be delayed.

Weather & Climate near Canaima National Park

Climate

Canaima National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 19°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1918 mm/year), wettest in June.

Air Quality: AQI 49 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
19°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - 19° - 30° 24° 68 mm - - 1.7 m/s - -
February - 19° - 30° 25° 34 mm - - 1.9 m/s - -
March - 20° - 30° 25° 92 mm - - 1.9 m/s - -
April - 20° - 30° 25° 157 mm - - 1.5 m/s - -
May - 20° - 29° 24° 286 mm - - 1.3 m/s - -
June - 20° - 28° 24° 327 mm - - 1.2 m/s - -
July - 19° - 28° 23° 248 mm - - 1.2 m/s - -
August - 20° - 29° 24° 234 mm - - 1.2 m/s - -
September - 20° - 30° 25° 163 mm - - 1.4 m/s - -
October - 20° - 31° 25° 93 mm - - 1.3 m/s - -
November - 20° - 30° 25° 104 mm - - 1.4 m/s - -
December - 20° - 30° 25° 112 mm - - 1.5 m/s - -
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Canaima National Park

Access is usually via Ciudad Bolívar or Puerto Ordaz. Most visitors fly from Ciudad Bolívar into Canaima village (Canaima Airport) on small domestic flights; from the village, motorized canoes take visitors to camps and waterfalls. Overland travel is rare and lengthy. Book flights and river transfers through operators in Ciudad Bolívar or Canaima village.

Tips for Visiting Canaima National Park

  • Arrange travel through a licensed operator in Ciudad Bolívar or Canaima town - independent access is limited and river/air logistics are complicated.
  • Bring a waterproof bag and quick-dry clothing; tepui plateaus have sudden, intense showers and the ground around popular waterfalls is perpetually slippery.
  • Respect indigenous Pemon protocols. Many trails and viewpoints are on lands administered by local communities; hire local guides.
  • Battery power is limited - bring spare batteries or a solar charger for longer treks.