Noel Kempff Mercado National Park

Park Bolivian park protecting Amazon and cerrado ecosystems

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park spans remote rainforest and savanna in eastern Bolivia; adventurous visitors undertake long expeditions to see waterfalls, primary forest and wildlife in a UNESCO-recognized landscape.

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Noel Kempff Mercado National Park is a large protected area in eastern Bolivia known for its intact Amazonian and savanna landscapes and biodiversity. It contains extensive forested plateaus, waterfalls and remote upland ecosystems.

Opportunities are mainly for scientific study, remote wildlife observation and multi-day expeditions rather than conventional tourism. Notable natural features include steep escarpments, cascades and expanses of well-preserved forest.

The park was created to protect significant tracts of Amazon and cerrado-type habitats and has been the subject of international conservation attention. Its remoteness has helped preserve large, continuous ecosystems.

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park is in Bolivia’s Santa Cruz Department in the eastern lowlands near the border with Brazil, within a mosaic of forest and savanna landscapes.

  • Remoteness: The park is remote; access typically requires long overland travel or charter flights followed by river or trail journeys, so logistics must be planned in advance.
Noel Kempff Mercado National Park
-14.2667, -60.8667

How to Get to Noel Kempff Mercado National Park #

Access is challenging and typically arranged through specialist operators; the park lies in northeastern Santa Cruz Department and requires long road transfers often combined with river access from border towns. Flights to regional airstrips and overland 4x4 travel are commonly used.

Tips for Visiting Noel Kempff Mercado National Park #

  • Noel Kempff is remote-arrange visits through accredited tour operators and check seasonal accessibility before booking.
  • Bring high-SPF sun protection and insect repellent-some areas are open savannah with little shade.
  • If visiting the Arco Iris waterfalls, a good level of fitness is required for the trails.

Best Time to Visit Noel Kempff Mercado National Park #

Best visited in the Bolivian dry months (May-October) for trail access and safer logistics.

Dry season
May-Oct · 20-30°C (68-86°F)
Easier access to trails and clearer conditions for wildlife viewing.
Wet season
Nov-Apr · 22-32°C (72-90°F)
Lush vegetation and rivers at full flow; some tracks become impassable.

Weather & Climate near Noel Kempff Mercado National Park #

Climate

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 16°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1562 mm/year), wettest in January with a pronounced dry season.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
33°
Warmest Month
16°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (278 mm).

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
21° 31°

Weather

278 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm

February

February is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (228 mm).

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
21° 30°

Weather

228 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm

March

March is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (220 mm).

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
21° 31°

Weather

220 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm

April

April is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm).

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
20° 31°

Weather

130 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm

May

May is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm

June

June is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
16° 30°

Weather

23 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm

July

July is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 13 mm.

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
16° 31°

Weather

13 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm

August

August is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
17° 32°

Weather

22 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm

September

September is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
20° 32°

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm

October

October is the warmest month with highs of 33°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm).

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
21° 33°

Weather

119 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm

November

November is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (176 mm).

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
21° 32°

Weather

176 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm

December

December is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (243 mm).

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
21° 31°

Weather

243 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm

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