Learn more about the logistics, the best routes, and how to get to Mount Roraima. This article covers the main access points and what you need to plan before starting your adventure
Mount Roraima is one of the most incredible tepuis in South America. Its sheer cliffs and flat summit give it a unique appearance that has inspired legends, scientists, and travelers for generations. For many adventurers, learning how to get to Mount Roraima is the first step toward experiencing one of the most unique and oldest landscapes on Earth.
Trekking up Mount Roraima is an unforgettable adventure, crossing open landscapes and rocky paths before reaching the top of Mount Roraima. At the summit, you’ll find stunning views, rare plants, and rock formations that make this plateau unlike any other place on Earth.
Photo: Lucas Gobatti
De nombreux voyageurs se posent la question : Puis-je visiter le Mont Roraima? Oui, vous le pouvez ! Avec une bonne préparation, des permis et des guides locaux expérimentés, ce voyage est possible et gratifiant. PlanetaEXO, par exemple, propose des expéditions avec des guides locaux spécialisés, créant un impact positif grâce à des aventures durables sur le mont Roraima.
Si vous consultez une carte du mont Roraima, vous verrez que sa situation au carrefour du Brésil, du Venezuela et de la Guyane rend la planification essentielle avant votre départ. Poursuivez votre lecture pour découvrir comment se rendre au mont Roraima et les meilleurs itinéraires pour commencer votre randonnée :
How to get to Mount Roraima?
You can start your adventure to Mount Roraima from a few different locations, but the most popular and convenient entry point is through Boa Vista, in northern Brazil. This city, the capital of the state of Roraima, serves as the main gateway for travelers coming from other parts of Brazil and abroad.
Its location close to the Venezuelan border makes it a natural hub for expeditions heading toward the mountain. On a Mount Roraima map, Boa Vista is clearly the strategic base before crossing into Venezuela.
Since Mount Roraima lies at the meeting point of Brazil, Venezuela, and Guyana, reaching it always involves a sense of adventure and planning. Most travelers begin with a domestic flight to Boa Vista.
Photo: Andrezza Mariot
From Boa Vista to Santa Elena de Uairén
The airport (Atlas Brasil Cantanhede International Airport – BVB) is categorized as international, but in practice, it receives almost exclusively domestic flights from cities such as Brasília, Manaus, and São Paulo. This means that international visitors usually need to connect through another Brazilian city before arriving in Boa Vista.
From Boa Vista, the most common route is to travel by car or transfer along the BR-174 highway. From there, it takes around 3 hours by car to reach the border with Venezuela, followed by about 20 minutes more to arrive in Santa Elena de Uairén. This cross-border journey is a well-trodden path, particularly for Brazilian travelers joining organized expeditions.
There are several ways to make this trip:
- Private transfer: The most comfortable option, usually arranged by tour operators. A driver picks you up at your hotel or airport in Boa Vista and takes you directly to Santa Elena. This ensures flexibility with departure times and stops along the way. PlanetaEXO, for example, works with trustworthy local partners for this service.
- Shared van: A more affordable choice, where travelers join a small group for the ride. Vans depart regularly from Boa Vista and are commonly used by those joining expeditions. They may take slightly longer depending on stops and border procedures.
- Public bus: The cheapest but least convenient option. Buses connect Boa Vista to Santa Elena, but schedules are irregular, and the journey can be slower due to frequent stops. This option is not recommended for travelers with limited time or those who prefer more reliable logistics.
Photo: Lucas Gobatti
The beginning of the journey
Once in Santa Elena de Uairén, the town serves as a pivotal starting point for climbers and adventurers, offering simple accommodation, restaurants, and last-minute supplies before the trek.
From Santa Elena, the adventure continues with a scenic drive to the Community of Paraitepuy, the gateway to the trails leading to Mount Roraima. The drive itself offers stunning views of the Gran Sabana landscapes, passing the Tek and Kukenan rivers.
Along the way, trekkers may stop at rustic campsites and always count on the guidance of expert local guides connected to the indigenous traditions of the region. This is where the real journey to the top of Mount Roraima begins.
👉 Check out our package options for your adventure on Mount Roraima
Photo: Lucas Gobatti
Best access: Brazil or Venezuela?
When planning your trip, one of the most common questions is whether it’s better to enter through Brazil or Venezuela. Both routes are possible, but they offer very different logistics.
Entering via Brazil
For most travelers, entering Brazil is the easiest and safest option. Boa Vista is connected to major Brazilian cities with daily flights, making it relatively straightforward to plan an itinerary.
The infrastructure on the Brazilian side is generally reliable, with services in English or Portuguese and easier access to support if needed. Another advantage is that some nationalities that can enter Brazil for tourism (including Europeans and many Latin Americans) do not need a visa for short stays, making this route bureaucratically simpler.
After crossing into Venezuela, you’ll reach Santa Elena de Uairén, where most expeditions organize logistics before heading to Paraitepuy. This path is also highlighted on any Mount Roraima map, showing how Boa Vista is the most efficient hub for accessing the region.
Traveling this way allows you to rely on Brazilian airports and services for your arrival and departure, while only entering Venezuela for the trek itself.
Photo: Lucas Gobatti
Entering via Venezuela
It is also possible to fly directly to Santa Elena de Uairén, but this option is far less common. The local airport is small and operates with very few flights. For international travelers, there are usually no direct connections to Santa Elena, meaning you would need to travel first to Caracas or Ciudad Bolívar and then take a regional flight.
Additionally, while Santa Elena is a welcoming town for trekkers, it offers more limited infrastructure compared to Boa Vista. For this reason, unless you are already in Venezuela for other causes, starting your trip through Boa Vista, Brazil, remains the most reliable route.
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Visas and travel requirements
Whether you choose to enter through Brazil or Venezuela, it is crucial to check visa requirements in advance. For Brazil, most Western nationalities (including citizens of the EU, UK, and several countries in the Americas) are exempt from tourist visas for short stays. However, policies can change, and some countries may require an e-visa or consular application.
Official information can be confirmed through the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) or your nearest Brazilian consulate. Click here to see which countries need a visa to visit Brazil.
For Venezuela, requirements vary more significantly. Some nationalities can enter with only a passport, while others must secure a visa in advance. The most reliable way to confirm is to contact the Venezuelan consulate or embassy in your country before travel. Given the logistical challenges of entering through Venezuela, many travelers find that handling visas and documentation through Brazil first is much smoother.
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Traveling to Mount Roraima with PlanetaEXO
If you’re yearning for an exceptional escapade that pushes your boundaries and creates everlasting memories, seize the opportunity to team up with the knowledgeable local guides from PlanetaEXO.
Our local partners are deeply connected with the indigenous communities of the region, ensuring not only safety and logistics but also a culturally rich experience.
Get ready to begin an extraordinary journey to one of the world’s most fascinating tepuis. From the logistics of how to get to Mount Roraima to the adventure of trekking across its summit and reaching the top of Mount Roraima, we’ll make sure your expedition is unforgettable.
👉 Send us a message and start planning your adventure to Mount Roraima
