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National park · Colombia

Los Nevados National ParkParque Nacional Natural Los Nevados

Enter Los Nevados for a day hike to Nevado del Ruiz (2‑3 h) if you have a morning slot, or spend a full weekend at El Cisne with guided treks in the dry season; avoid peak holiday weeks (Dec‑Jan) and bring warm gear.

Special national siteSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
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Map to the park
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Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

583 km² (225 sq mi)

approximate

Established

1973

Best months

Apr–May, Oct

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 10Above 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.
  • Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
  • Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
  • Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
  • Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
  • Andino ↗Bogotá sits at about 2,600 m and Tunja higher; the first day is for light walking, not for a full sightseeing schedule.
  • Andino ↗Bogotá–Medellín and Bogotá–coffee axis are short flights; the same trips by road run 8–12 hours.
  • Andino ↗Bogotá and Medellín restrict private cars on set weekdays by plate; it does not apply to taxis, buses or rental arrangements you book with a driver.

At a glance

Country
Colombia
Area
583 km² (225 sq mi)
Park covers about 583 km² of high‑altitude ecosystems, including glaciers, paramo, and volcanic landscapes (official source).
Established
1973
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
Permits
For some areas

Los Nevados National Park protects a chain of snow‑capped volcanoes in the Colombian Andes, offering rare high‑mountain scenery, wildlife such as spectacled bears and Andean condors, and access to hot‑spring refuges and guided summit treks.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • Special national siteColombian national park managed by Concesión Nevados.

Size and age

583 km² (225 sq mi) · national park since 1973

Park covers about 583 km² of high‑altitude ecosystems, including glaciers, paramo, and volcanic landscapes (official source).

Why go

  • High‑altitude volcanic scenery with snow‑capped peaks.
  • Rare wildlife such as spectacled bear and Andean condor.
  • Access to remote high‑mountain refuges and hot springs.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanCaution
  2. FebCaution
  3. MarGo
  4. AprBest
  5. MayBest
  6. JunGo
  7. JulCaution
  8. AugCaution
  9. SepGo
  10. OctBest
  11. NovGo
  12. DecCaution
  • JanCold; possible snowstorms.
  • FebCold; limited daylight.
  • MarStart of dry period, clearer mornings.
  • AprDry, good visibility.
  • MayDry, stable weather.
  • JunShort afternoon showers possible.
  • JulMore frequent clouds and rain.
  • AugRainy afternoons, cooler nights.
  • SepTransition to drier conditions.
  • OctClear skies, good trekking.
  • NovCool, less crowd.
  • DecHoliday traffic, colder nights.

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Los Nevados National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus)All yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Andean condor (Vultur gryphus)Mar–May, Oct–Decnonoyesyesyesnonononoyesyesyes
Puma (Puma concolor)All yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes

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 Manizales

Taxi (≈ COP 300,000) directly to the gate, or bus to the intersection then hike.

1–2 h

From Bogotá

Fly to Manizales (≈ 1 h) then follow above options.

≈ 3 h total

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Los Nevados National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
El Cisne areaHotel, campsite, hot‑spring refuges, trailheads.Open with park entry; reservations in Manizales.
Nevado del Ruiz summit trailSnow‑line hike to 5,200 m.Guided only; requires permit.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 3 approximate points in Los Nevados National Park, north up123
Coordinates approximate; central park area around the main road to El Cisne.
  1. 1Manizales · Town≈5.069, -75.517Map ↗
  2. 2El Cisne · Headquarters≈4.850, -75.300Map ↗
  3. 3Nevado del Ruiz summit · Summit≈4.894, -75.319Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

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 approximate; central park area around the main road to El Cisne.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

TrailsHard2–3 hNevado del Ruiz snow‑line hikeHigh altitude; acclimatise first.Booking: Guide required
ViewpointsEasy30 minHot‑spring soak at El CisneNatural thermal pools near the lodge.
WildlifeEasyVariableSpectacled bear spottingEarly mornings near forest edges.

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

COP ranges · check
Fees for Los Nevados National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Entrance + breakfast (tour package)COP 120,000personIncludes transport from Manizales; check if separate entry ticket is required.
Taxi from Manizales to park gateCOP 300,000personPrivate transfer; alternative is bus + hike.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry permit or guide

Ticket purchased via tour operator or at the gate (check exact price).

What would our group pay?

from the fee rows above · estimates

People

2

Nights or days

1
  • COP 120,000
  • COP 300,000

Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.

A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Guides
Required for any trek beyond the El Cisne area and for summit attempts.
Camping
Designated campsites at El Cisne and Chalet; free‑standing bivvy not permitted without waiver.
Fire
Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves only.
Pets
Not allowed in the park.

Where to stay

In the park

Hotel Los Termales

Mountain lodge with hot springs; book in Manizales.

Near the park

Manizales

Range of hotels and hostels; base for acclimatisation.

Safety

Altitude sickness high

Acclimatise at 3,000–4,000 m before summit attempts; carry medication.

Cold weather medium

Bring insulated clothing, thermal layers, and a four‑season tent.

Rapid weather change medium

Check forecasts; be ready to turn back if storms develop.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

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

  • Road to El Cisne reachable by car; short walks from parking.

Visiting lightly

  • Use the official concession‑run guide service; avoid unofficial tours promising guaranteed wildlife sightings.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Los Nevados National Park?

A standard tour from Manizales that includes entrance, transport and breakfast costs about COP 120,000 per person; a private taxi to the gate is around COP 300,000. Check if a separate entry ticket is required.

What are the best hikes in Los Nevados National Park?

The most popular hikes are the snow‑line trek on Nevado del Ruiz (hard, guide required) and shorter forest trails from El Cisne to the hot‑spring area (easy to moderate).

When is the best time to visit Los Nevados National Park?

April to May and October are generally the driest months with clear skies, making them the best periods for trekking.

Do I need a guide for any part of the park?

Yes, any trek beyond the El Cisne base area, especially the summit attempts, requires a licensed guide.

Can I camp anywhere in the park?

Camping is only allowed at designated sites (El Cisne and Chalet). Free‑standing bivvy camping needs a waiver and is discouraged.

Related

Andino region guide Travel to Colombia

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide

Sources

Ask about Los Nevados National Park

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