Marcelo OliveiraSerra da Capivara, how to get there: park entry is free, according to ICMBio, but a certified guide is mandatory and paid separately (up to 8 people per guide). There are no commercial flights to São Raimundo Nonato: the town is the base, 26 km from the Boqueirão da Pedra Furada gate.
| Park entry | Free (ICMBio Ordinance 196/2018). There are reports of an entry fee (TPAT) of R$ 20 on the first day and R$ 10 on subsequent days, to be confirmed: see the prices section |
|---|---|
| Certified guide | Mandatory on all tours; price not disclosed by ICMBio |
| Hours | 6am to 6pm, every day, with tickets at the gates until 5pm (source: BlaBlaCar, 2026) |
| Where to stay | São Raimundo Nonato (PI) |
| Distance from town | 26 km to the Boqueirão da Pedra Furada gate; 19 km to the Serra Vermelha gate |
| Commercial flights | None found on 11/03/2026; return still under negotiation |
| How many days | 2 days for the essentials; about 7 for all 14 circuits |
| Best time | May to mid-October (dry season) |
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Serra da Capivara: how much does a visit cost?
The park doesn’t charge admission: ICMBio cites Ordinance No. 196/2018 and states that “there is no entrance fee to access the Park.” The real cost is the guide, paid separately, and the price isn’t listed on the official page.
There’s a discrepancy readers should know about. BlaBlaCar (05/30/2026) mentions an entry fee (TPAT, in effect since January 2026) of R$ 20 on the first day and R$ 10 from the second day on, sold at the gates. ICMBio doesn’t mention this amount, and on the date of our check, official confirmation of the charge couldn’t be found. Bring cash or use Pix in case the fee applies, and ask your guide when you book. Other destinations have their own rules: see the fees for entering destinations in Brazil.
| Item | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | ICMBio (undated) |
| Entry fee (TPAT) | R$ 20 on the first day, R$ 10 on subsequent days (to be confirmed) | BlaBlaCar, 05/30/2026 |
| Certified guide | Not disclosed; paid separately | ICMBio (undated) |
How do you get to Serra da Capivara?
Overland, to São Raimundo Nonato (PI). The town’s airport (code SWKQ, 1,650 m paved runway, according to DECEA) has no commercial flights: a Portal SRN report from 09/11/2026 notes the lack of flights, and on 10/01/2026 Eita Piauí reported talks between the operator and Azul, Gol and LATAM to resume them. Regular flights for sale: none found during our check.
In practice, the nearest commercial airport is Petrolina (PE), about 300 km and 5 to 6 hours by road, according to BlaBlaCar. From Teresina it’s 520 km, “eight hours or more.” Options include buses, rental cars, private transfers and rideshares. If you’re coming from the coast, you can use Recife as a starting point for the Northeast, but the sources we consulted don’t give a distance or travel time from Recife to the park. For another backlands itinerary, see Cânion do Xingó.
From downtown São Raimundo Nonato, ICMBio reports 26 km to the Boqueirão da Pedra Furada gate and 19 km to the Serra Vermelha gate. Without a car, arrange transport with your guide or your hotel.
Is a guide mandatory?
Yes. ICMBio says a guide is required for all tours, with groups of up to 8 people per guide, and that payment is made directly to certified guides. The list of certified guides is on the visitation page; park contact: parnaserradacapivara@icmbio.gov.br.
Advance booking: the only requirement cited by ICMBio is scheduling in advance, at the Visitor Center, the night lighting at Boqueirão da Pedra Furada. For the other circuits, mandatory reservations weren’t confirmed, but booking your guide before you arrive keeps you from being left without a spot on holidays. A group of up to 8 splits the guide’s cost, which weighs more heavily on solo travelers.
How many days should you stay?
Two full days cover the main circuits, according to BlaBlaCar; all 14 circuits take about 7 days. The blog’s take: after 2 or 3 days, the park tends to feel repetitive for travelers passing through. If you’re coming from far away and spending a full day on the road each way, add that time in: 4 to 5 nights in town is a realistic plan to see the essentials and the museums.
What’s the best time to go?
BlaBlaCar recommends May to mid-October, in the dry season, with less chance of rain. ICMBio says you can visit year-round: from January to July the climate is milder and the vegetation provides more shade, and August to November is the hottest period. In the caatinga, the heat sets the pace: start early (the park opens at 6am), bring water and sunscreen, and save long hikes for the morning. To compare with other months, see where to travel in June.
Where to stay?
The best range of lodging and services is in São Raimundo Nonato, according to BlaBlaCar, and that’s where the gates are (19 and 26 km away). Compare hotels in São Raimundo Nonato by distance to downtown and ask your hotel for guide contacts. Coronel José Dias, next to the park, also appears in official sources as home to the Centro de Memórias dos Povos da Serra da Capivara.
Are the Museu do Homem Americano and Museu da Natureza worth visiting?
Yes, as a complement to the park. ICMBio lists the Museu do Homem Americano, the Museu da Natureza, the Museu Zabelê (MUZAB) and the Centro de Memórias dos Povos da Serra da Capivara (Coronel José Dias, free entry). According to BlaBlaCar, the Museu do Homem Americano holds part of the region’s archaeological collection, with original pieces, skeletons and tools, and the Museu da Natureza features about 12 multisensory rooms with projections and interactive sets. Hours and prices for both weren’t available in the sources consulted on 11/03/2026; contact FUMDHAM at (89) 3582-1612 or museus@fumdham.org.br.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay admission to Serra da Capivara?
Not to enter the park, according to ICMBio (Ordinance 196/2018). The certified guide is paid separately, and there are reports of an entry fee (TPAT) of R$ 20 on the first day and R$ 10 on subsequent days, still to be confirmed.
Can you visit without a guide?
No. ICMBio requires a certified guide on all tours, with up to 8 visitors per guide.
Are there flights to São Raimundo Nonato?
During our check on 11/03/2026, no regular flights were found for sale. The airport exists, but news from Sep and Oct 2026 mentions a resumption still under negotiation. The nearest commercial airport is Petrolina (PE).
What are the opening hours?
According to BlaBlaCar (2026), 6am to 6pm every day, with tickets sold at the gates until 5pm. ICMBio doesn’t list hours on the visitation page.
How many days do you need?
Two full days cover the main circuits, according to BlaBlaCar (2026). To see all 14 circuits, the itinerary grows to about 7 days, counting only time in São Raimundo Nonato, not the round trip.
Where is the park relative to the town?
26 km from downtown São Raimundo Nonato to the Boqueirão da Pedra Furada gate and 19 km to the Serra Vermelha gate.
How I researched this
Voyage Voyage survey from Nov 2026, using ICMBio’s visitation page, the BlaBlaCar blog (05/30/2026), the SWKQ aerodrome record at DECEA and news from Portal SRN (09/11/2026) and Eita Piauí (10/01/2026). We couldn’t find the guide’s price or official confirmation of the entry fee (TPAT); once confirmed, this article will be updated.