List of protected areas of Peru


Peru is recognized as one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries, due to its high concentration of species and diverse ecosystems. Peru’s protected areas are continental and marine regions formally designated by the State to conserve the country’s biological diversity and associated cultural, scenic and scientific values, while contributing to sustainable development. These areas are administered at three levels: by the National System of State‑Protected Natural Areas under the National Service of Natural Protected Areas ; by regional governments as regional conservation areas ; and by private individuals or communities as private conservation areas.
, Peru has 258 protected natural areas covering terrestrial and marine environments: 78 managed nationally by SERNANP, 35 by regional governments, and 145 under private administration. These areas cover 21.67% of the country’s terrestrial territory and 7.89% of its marine territory. The system includes 15 national parks, 18 national reserves, 9 national sanctuaries, 4 historic sanctuaries, 2 landscape reserves, 3 wildlife refuges, 11 communal reserves, 6 protected forests, 2 game reserves, and 8 reserved zones, representing the country’s altitudinal gradients from the Amazon lowlands through Andean highlands to Pacific coastal deserts. Protected Natural Areas Day is celebrated annually on 17 October, recognizing their critical role in biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and sustainable development for present and future generations. This list includes all terrestrial and marine areas formally designated as protected under Peruvian law—at the national, regional, or private level—as of 2025.

National System of State‑Protected Natural Areas

The National System of State-Protected Natural Areas is the only network of nationally administered protected areas, managed by the National Service of Natural Protected Areas, which is under the Ministry of the Environment. The system’s objective is to support sustainable development by conserving representative samples of Peru’s biodiversity. SINANPE sites, established with definitive status or with provisional status pending further study as reserved zones, are classified into ten legal categories, including national parks, reserves and sanctuaries.

National parks

National parks are areas established by law to preserve one or more representative ecosystems in their natural state, safeguarding associated wildlife, cultural features, and scenic values. Human activities are restricted to indirect uses: scientific research and regulated tourism in designated zones. Peru currently has 15 national parks.
NameLocation EstablishedArea Annual visitors
Cutervo National ParkCajamarca
20 September 1961698
Tingo María National ParkHuánuco
14 May 1965163587
Manu National Park Cusco and Madre de Dios
29 May 197313701
Huascarán National Park Ancash
1 July 1975273568
Cerros de Amotape National Park Tumbes and Piura
22 July 1975Unknown
Rio Abiseo National Park San Martín
11 August 1983740
Yanachaga–Chemillén National Park Pasco
29 August 19866943
Bahuaja-Sonene National ParkMadre de Dios and Puno
17 July 19965
Cordillera Azul National ParkSan Martín, Loreto, Ucayali, and Huánuco
21 May 20013
Otishi National Park Junín and Cusco
14 January 2003Unknown
Alto Purús National ParkUcayali and Madre de Dios
18 November 2004Unknown
Ichigkat Muja – [Cordillera del Cóndor National Park]Amazonas
9 August 2007Unknown
Güeppi-Sekime National ParkLoreto
25 October 2012Unknown
Sierra del Divisor National ParkLoreto and Ucayali
9 November 2015Unknown
Yaguas National ParkLoreto
10 January 2018Unknown

National reserves

National reserves are legally constituted, permanent areas aiming both to conserve biodiversity and to permit sustainable use of wild flora and fauna. As direct‑use zones, they operate under management plans that authorize traditional resource use by local communities alongside conservation goals. There are 18 national reserves in Peru.
NameLocation EstablishedArea Annual visitors
Pampa Galeras – Barbara D'Achille National ReserveAyacucho
18 May 19671373
Junín National Reserve §Junín and Pasco
7 August 1974209
Paracas National Reserve §Ica
25 September 1975593723
Lachay National ReserveLima
21 June 197760038
Titicaca National Reserve §Puno
31 October 197824171
Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve §Arequipa and Moquegua
9 August 19791949
Calipuy National ReserveLa Libertad
8 January 1981426
Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve §Loreto
25 February 197214889
Tambopata National ReserveMadre de Dios
4 September 200072368
Allpahuayo-Mishana National ReserveLoreto
15 January 20041977
Tumbes National Reserve Tumbes
7 July 2006Unknown
Matsés National ReserveTumbes
26 August 2009Unknown
Guano Islands, Islets, and Capes National ReserveAncash, Arequipa, Lima, Ica, Moquegua and Pacific Ocean
31 December 2009631182
Pucacuro National ReserveLoreto
23 October 2010Unknown
San Fernando National ReserveIca
9 July 2011759
Dorsal de Nasca National ReservePacific Ocean
5 June 2021Unknown
Illescas National ReservePiura
24 December 2021872
Mar Tropical de Grau National ReservePacific Ocean
26 April 2024Unknown

National sanctuaries

National sanctuaries safeguard the habitat of a particular species or community of plants and animals, as well as natural formations of scientific or scenic interest. They allow indirect uses only, such as scientific study and tourism, but strictly within zones designated for those activities. Peru is home to 9 national sanctuaries.
NameLocation EstablishedArea Annual visitors
Huayllay National SanctuaryPasco
7 August 197872496
Calipuy National SanctuaryLa Libertad
8 January 1981426
Lagunas de Mejía National Sanctuary §Arequipa
24 February 19846892
Ampay National SanctuaryApurímac
23 July 19875503
Tumbes National Sanctuary">Tumbes Region">Tumbes National SanctuaryTumbes
2 March 19882199
Megantoni National SanctuaryCusco
17 October 2004Unknown
Pampa Hermosa National SanctuaryJunín
26 March 2009298
Tabaconas Namballe National Sanctuary §Cajamarca
20 May 1988104
Cordillera de Colán National SanctuaryAmazonas
9 December 2009Unknown

Historic sanctuaries

Historic sanctuaries preserve areas that combine significant natural values with archaeological or monumental heritage, or sites where key events in national history took place. Like other indirect‑use categories, they permit research and regulated tourism only in specified sectors. There are 4 historic sanctuaries in Peru.
NameLocation EstablishedArea Annual visitors
Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary Cusco
8 January 1981190246
Chacamarca Historic SanctuaryJunín
7 August 197427492
Ayacucho Historic Sanctuary">Ayacucho Region">Ayacucho Historic Sanctuary Ayacucho
14 August 1980231725
Bosque de Pómac Historic SanctuaryLambayeque
1 June 200114950

Wildlife refuges

Wildlife refuges protect areas of particular ecological importance, often rare habitats or breeding sites, to maintain or restore populations of wild species. They are direct‑use areas where, under management plans, local communities may continue traditional resource uses that support both livelihoods and conservation. Peru contains 3 wildlife refuges.
NameLocation EstablishedArea Annual visitors
Laquipampa Wildlife RefugeLambayeque
7 July 20060
Pantanos de Villa Wildlife RefugeLima
23 June 200660608
Bosques Nublados de Udima Wildlife RefugeCajamarca
21 July 2007Unknown

Landscape reserves

Landscape reserves maintain geographic areas where human activity and the natural environment have coexisted harmoniously, yielding significant natural and cultural values. They allow sustainable traditional resource use by local populations under management plans that ensure both conservation and livelihood needs. Peru currently designates 2 landscape reserves.
NameLocation EstablishedArea Annual visitors
Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape ReserveLima and Junín
1 May 2001118533
Cotahuasi Subbasin Landscape ReserveArequipa
23 May 2005Unknown

Communal reserves

Communal reserves are managed through contracts between rural communities and SERNANP to conserve wildlife for the benefit of neighboring populations. Under these agreements and management plans, communities act as co‑administrators and carry out sustainable traditional uses of natural resources. There are 10 communal reserves in Peru.
NameLocation EstablishedArea Annual visitors
Yanesha Communal Reserve Pasco
28 April 1988Unknown
El Sira Communal Reserve Huánuco, Pasco, and Ucayali
22 June 2001Unknown
Amarakaeri Communal ReserveMadre de Dios
9 May 2002Unknown
Asháninka Communal ReserveCusco and Junín
14 January 2003Unknown
Machiguenga Communal ReserveCusco and Junín
14 January 2003Unknown
Purús Communal ReserveUcayali
18 November 2004Unknown
Tuntanain Communal ReserveAmazonas
10 August 2007Unknown
Chayu Nain Communal ReserveAmazonas
9 December 2009Unknown
Airo Pai Communal ReserveLoreto
25 October 2012Unknown
Huimeki Communal ReserveLoreto
25 October 2012Unknown
Bajo Putumayo Yaguas Communal ReserveLoreto
26 September 2025Unknown

Protected forests

Protection forests conserve fragile lands such as upper watersheds, riverbanks, and other erosion‑prone areas to stabilize soils and safeguard water resources. These are direct‑use areas where sustainable, traditional harvests by local communities are allowed under formal management plans. There are 6 protection forests in Peru.
NameLocation EstablishedArea Annual visitors
Aledaño Bocatoma del Canal Nuevo Imperial Protection ForestLima
19 May 1980Unknown
Puquio Santa Rosa Protection ForestAmazonas
2 September 1982Unknown
Pui Pui Protection ForestJunín
31 January 1985Unknown
San Matías–San Carlos Protection ForestAmazonas
20 March 1987Unknown
Pagaibamba Protection ForestCajamarca
19 June 1987Unknown
Alto Mayo Protection ForestAmazonas
23 July 1987631

Game reserves

Game reserves are protected areas set aside for regulated sport hunting of wild species, governed by detailed management plans. They allow local residents to engage in traditional hunting practices within established quotas and seasons to ensure sustainable use. Peru has 2 game reserves.
NameLocation EstablishedArea Annual visitors
El Angolo Game ReservePiura
1 July 1975165
Sunchubamba Game ReservePiura
22 April 1977Unknown

Reserved zones

Reserved zones are areas that meet the basic criteria to be designated as protected natural areas but require further studies to determine their appropriate boundaries, category, and management feasibility. They are considered provisional protections pending full classification within the national system. Peru currently has 8 reserved zones.
NameLocation EstablishedArea Annual visitors
Chancaybaños Reserved ZoneCajamarca
14 February 1996Unknown
Santiago-Comaina Reserved ZoneAmazonas and Loreto
21 January 1999Unknown
Cordillera Huayhuash Reserved ZoneAncash, Huánuco, and Lima
20 December 2002Unknown
Sierra del Divisor Reserved ZoneLoreto
5 April 20069674
Río Nieva Reserved ZoneAmazonas
1 October 2010Unknown
Bosque de Zárate Reserved ZoneLima
13 October 2010Unknown
Cerro Khapia Reserved ZonePuno
28 May 2011Unknown
Ancón Reserved ZoneLima
28 November 2011Unknown

Regional conservation areas

Regional conservation areas are protected natural areas administered by Peru’s regional governments and established by Supreme Decree at their request. As part of the Natural Protected Areas System, they are created on state lands free of exclusive rights and, under an approved management plan, allow sustainable use of resources, particularly by local communities, in accordance with conservation objectives.
NameLocation EstablishedArea
Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation AreaSan Martín22 December 2005
Ventanilla Wetlands Regional Conservation AreaCallao6 September 2012
Albúfera del Medio Mundo Regional Conservation AreaLima6 June 2013
Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Communal Regional Conservation AreaLoreto15 May 2009
Vilacota Maure Regional Conservation AreaTacna27 August 2009
Imiria Regional Conservation AreaUcayali15 June 2010
Choquequirao Regional Conservation AreaCusco23 December 2010
Puya Raymondi–Titankayocc Forest Regional Conservation AreaAyacucho23 December 2010
Ampiyacu-Apayacu Regional Conservation AreaLoreto18 March 2011
Alto Nanay–Pintuyacu–Chambira Regional Conservation AreaLoreto18 March 2011
Angostura Faical Regional Conservation AreaTumbes18 March 2011
Huacrupe–La Calera Forest Regional Conservation AreaLambayeque22 June 2011
Moyán–Palacio Forest Regional Conservation AreaLambayeque22 June 2011
Huaytapallana Regional Conservation AreaJunín21 July 2011
Dry Forests of Salitral–Huarmaca Regional Conservation AreaPiura21 July 2011
Huacachina Lagoon Regional Conservation AreaIca6 August 2014
Maijuna Kichwa Regional Conservation AreaLoreto16 June 2015
Tres Cañones Regional Conservation AreaCusco24 August 2017
Vista Alegre–Omia Regional Conservation AreaAmazonas17 June 2018
Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests of the Marañón Regional Conservation AreaAmazonas17 June 2018
Shunté and Mishollo Forest Regional Conservation AreaSan Martín15 December 2018
El Chaupe, Cunía y Chinchiquilla Forest Regional Conservation AreaCajamarca1 October 2019
Lomas de Lima System Regional Conservation AreaLima7 December 2019
Ausangate Regional Conservation AreaCusco12 December 2019
Carpish Montane Forest Regional Conservation AreaHuánuco1 January 2020
Chuyapi Urusayhua Regional Conservation AreaCusco25 March 2021
High Andean Forests and Páramos of Jaén and Tabaconas Regional Conservation AreaCajamarca6 May 2021
Marañón Dry Forests Regional Conservation AreaCajamarca13 May 2021
Pozuzo Bend Regional Conservation AreaHuánuco24 July 2021
Q’eros-Kosñipata Regional Conservation AreaCusco24 July 2021
Alto Tamaya–Abujao Communal Regional Conservation AreaUcayali24 July 2021
Amaru–Huachocolpa–Chihuana Cloud Forest Regional Conservation AreaHuancavelica6 November 2021
Inter-Andean Dry Forests of Cutervo Regional Conservation AreaCajamarca17 May 2025
Putumayo–Algodón Regional Conservation AreaLoreto6 June 2025
Velo de la Novia Regional Conservation AreaUcayali20 June 2025
San Pedro de Chonta Conservation AreaHuánuco12 August 2025

Private conservation areas

Private conservation areas are voluntary commitments by individual or collective landowners, such as titled native communities or private entities, to dedicate part or all of their property to biodiversity conservation. Recognized by ministerial resolution of the Ministry of the Environment, private conservation areas bolster the System’s coverage by protecting sites of high ecological or scenic value, supporting ecosystem services, scientific research, environmental education and specialized tourism under a long-term conservation framework.
NameLocation EstablishedArea
ChaparriLambayeque and Cajamarca19 December 2001
Bosque Natural El CañoncilloLa Libertad16 September 2004
PacllónÁncash13 December 2005
HuayllapaLima13 December 2005
HuiquillaAmazonas30 November 2006
San AntonioAmazonas9 March 2007
JirishancaHuánuco24 April 2007
Abra Patricia – Alto NievaAmazonas16 October 2007
Abra Málaga Thastayoc – Royal CinclodesCusco16 January 2009
Hatun Queuña – Quishuarani CcollanaCusco16 January 2009
Tambo IlusiónSan Martín6 May 2010
TilacanchaAmazonas6 July 2010
Refugio K'erenda HometMadre de Dios6 September 2010
Bosque Seco AmotapeTumbes1 December 2010
Hierba Buena – AllpayacuAmazonas7 June 2011
San MarcosHuánuco16 June 2011
CopallínAmazonas24 June 2011
Lomas de AtiquipaArequipa26 July 2011
Huaylla Belén – ColcamarAmazonas26 July 2011
La Huerta del ChaparríLambayeque11 November 2011
Pillco Grande – Bosque de PumatakiCusco22 December 2011
PanguanaHuánuco22 December 2011
Japu – Bosque Ukumari LlaqtaCusco22 December 2011
CheccaPuno11 June 2012
Bosque de Palmeras de la Comunidad Campesina Taulia MolinopampaAmazonas20 September 2012
Gotas de Agua IICajamarca28 September 2012
Los ChilchosAmazonas21 November 2012
Camino Verde BaltimoreMadre de Dios28 December 2012
Larga Vista ISan Martín21 January 2013
PucunuchoSan Martín15 February 2013
Bosque BerlínAmazonas4 March 2013
Bosques de Neblina y Páramos de SamangaPiura18 April 2013
Selva VirgenLoreto11 July 2013
La Pampa del BurroAmazonas16 July 2013
Las Panguanas 3Loreto9 December 2013
Las Panguanas 4Loreto9 December 2013
Las Panguanas 2Loreto27 December 2013
Paraíso Natural IwiratiLoreto14 January 2014
Amazon ShelterMadre de Dios14 April 2014
Espíritu del MonteMadre de Dios26 May 2014
Las Panguanas 1Loreto23 June 2014
Kakiri UkaLoreto25 July 2014
Cavernas de LeoAmazonas15 September 2014
Lagunas y Páramos de Andinos de San José de TapalPiura31 March 2015
Llamapampa – La JalcaAmazonas17 April 2015
Wacan NumiLoreto24 April 2015
Bosque de Nogal y Bosque de PuentecillaPiura26 May 2015
Bosques de Cuyas CuchayoPiura8 June 2015
Ronsoco CochaSan Martín8 June 2015
Siete Cataratas – Qanchis PacchaCusco21 August 2015
San LuisCusco1 December 2015
El CortijoLoreto30 December 2015
San Pedro de ChuquibambaAmazonas30 December 2015
BotafogoMadre de Dios22 January 2016
AuroraLoreto9 February 2016
Mangamanguilla de la Asociación Agraria Manga Manga de SalitralPiura2 March 2016
Los Bosques de Dotor, Hualtacal, Pueblo Libre, La Jardina y Chorro BlancoPiura4 April 2016
Bosque Seco de la Comunidad Campesina Cesar Vallejo de Palo BlancoPiura27 April 2016
Bosques Montanos y Páramos Chicuate – ChinguelasPiura4 June 2016
PalmonteSan Martín21 June 2016
SabalilloLoreto21 June 2016
Santuario de La VerónicaCusco8 July 2016
Fundo RositaLoreto13 July 2016
Machusaniaca IICusco21 July 2016
Lomas del Cerro CampanaLa Libertad26 July 2016
Machusaniaca ICusco26 July 2016
Bosques Montanos y Páramos de HuaricanchaPiura26 July 2016
Yacila de ZambaPiura26 July 2016
Bosque Seco de Chililique AltoPiura26 July 2016
Bosque de Neblina Aypate – OllerosPiura27 July 2016
Fundo CadenaCusco27 July 2016
Los Bosques de Overal y Palo BlancoPiura27 July 2016
Ebio KiabameneMadre de Dios27 July 2016
Tambopata Eco LodgeMadre de Dios20 October 2016
Fundo Las NeblinasPasco20 October 2016
Sumac QuillaLoreto2 November 2016
Lakshmi AmazónicaLoreto2 November 2016
Sumac PachaLoreto2 November 2016
Sumac IntiLoreto8 November 2016
WayqechaCusco22 November 2016
Chakra EducativaLoreto9 December 2016
Bahuaja 1Madre de Dios5 January 2017
Bosque Seco de Colina Juan Velasco AlvaradoPiura15 February 2017
Santa Catalina de MozaPiura15 February 2017
ZaragozaPasco12 May 2017
MatoriatoCusco12 May 2017
Páramos y Bosques Montanos de la Comunidad Campesina San Juan de SalliqueCajamarca23 August 2017
Zoo PerúLoreto15 September 2017
Bosque Seco San Juan de los GuayaquilesPiura15 September 2017
Bosque de ChurumazúPasco2 November 2017
Darshan AshramLoreto7 November 2017
Las NaranjasSan Martín18 April 2018
Bioparque Amazónico: Bosque de HuayoLoreto24 July 2018
Comunal CujilloCajamarca24 August 2018
Refugio LupunaMadre de Dios24 October 2018
El Cortijo Centro PiedrasMadre de Dios11 December 2018
Páramos y Bosques Montanos San Miguel de TabaconasCajamarca11 December 2018
Naturaleza Viva RyoMadre de Dios16 December 2018
MashekeMadre de Dios7 February 2019
Páramos y Bosques Montanos, Paraíso de la Comunidad Campesina San FelipeCajamarca12 February 2019
Knoya – SupruMadre de Dios15 February 2019
Comunal San Pablo–Catarata GoctaAmazonas29 April 2019
Arroyo NegroAmazonas1 May 2019
Hakim & CumorahLoreto5 May 2019
Comunidad Nativa Tibi Playa I Zona Río UcayaliLoreto11 November 2019
Zoo Perú 1Loreto2 December 2019
Kuntur WachanaCusco16 January 2020
PumahuasiCusco16 January 2020
Fundo San Isidro El LabradorLoreto20 January 2020
Buen RetiroLoreto3 February 2020
Bosque CachilCajamarca7 February 2020
La Niebla ForestJunín26 February 2020
Comunidad Nativa San Jorge del Río MarañónLoreto23 August 2020
UnchogHuánuco23 November 2020
Bosque UrumLambayeque18 February 2021
Potsom Posho´IIPasco31 March 2021
Lomas de Quebrada Río SecoLima9 July 2021
Ni MerayaLoreto22 September 2021
Paraje Capiro LlayllaJunín25 September 2021
Comunidad Nativa Once de Agosto Río UcayaliLoreto30 September 2021
San LorenzoAmazonas17 October 2021
Nihii Eupa FranciscoMadre de Dios31 December 2021
Predio Collpapampa Cusco31 December 2021
Los AmigosMadre de Dios31 December 2021
MisquiyacoCusco31 December 2021
Tambopata Eco Lodge IMadre de Dios31 December 2021
JuningueSan Martín29 January 2022
El Bosque Encantado de Sho'lletPasco29 May 2022
Suttoc y PacchacCusco24 June 2022
Fundo Miguel IUcayali13 August 2022
Campo VerdeUcayali29 September 2022
Pablito IIUcayali18 October 2022
Yasgolca–Santa Lucia, MontevideoAmazonas22 February 2023
PampacorralCusco22 February 2023
UtcoCajamarca22 February 2023
San Juan BautistaMadre de Dios6 September 2023
TotorabambaAyacucho25 October 2023
Huella VerdeLoreto22 June 2024
Bosque Nublado MirafloresPasco27 September 2024
Don AarónMadre de Dios8 February 2025
Comunidad Nativa Nueva UniónLoreto27 February 2025
Don AbrahamMadre de Dios13 June 2025
Lluvias EternasPasco28 June 2025
Comunidad Nativa Nueva YorkLoreto2 July 2025
AusangateCusco6 August 2025
Palmas del Shanusi IILoreto3 October 2025