Named one of the most biologically diverse places in the world, Corcovado National Park is one of the most important natural preserves in the Americas and is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers and for those who just want to be in the heart of nature.

Corcovado National Park, created in 1975, is located on the Pacific coast of the Osa Peninsula, 335 km. (208 mi.) south of San Jose via Route 1, the Inter-American Hwy. It covers 44,484 terrestrial acres and accounts for 1/3 of the Osa Peninsula. Its elevations range from from sea level to 2,444 feet.

In a Nut Shell...

Corcovado is well known among naturalists and wildlife lovers as 'the place to go' to experience nature at its best. Its enormous, ancient towering trees, vast expanses of dense primary rain forest and miles of pristine beaches support thirteen distinct vegetation types and more than 25 different ecosystems where endangered plant and animal species live, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world.

Large populations of scarlet macaws and other endangered animals like the tapir, jaguar and other wild cats, great curassow, white-lipped peccary and the titi monkey are all found in the park. The ocean waters near Corcovado are teeming with wildlife too. Dolphins can be spotted year round and whales, especially humpback whales are very commonly sighted almost every month of the year. The peak months are August thru the end of November when the whales migrate to the warm waters to mate and give birth.

Corcovado is one of the last remaining size-able low land tropical forests on earth and it contains the largest acreage of primary forest left in the Americas south of Mexico. As one of the most important natural preserves in the Americas, Corcovado offers a multiplicity of plant and wildlife found in no other Costa Rican National Park.

Corcovado presents numerous physical challenges for those wanting to explore its depths. In addition to the extreme heat and humidity, hilly terrain and torrential rains (even in the 'dry' season) can make navigating the trails difficult. Several of the cross park trails cross rivers where crocodiles and bull sharks lurk beneath the surface, so timing the crossings with low tide is essential. Also, the lack of potable water along the cross-park trails can make hiking dangerous. For those planning multi-day adventures into the park, careful planning and accompaniment by a certified naturalist guide (required!) will make the journey as safe and pleasurable as possible. Let us help you plan an adventure.

Weather:

Hot and Humid!
Average annual temperature: Ranges from 45 °F – 70 °F

Average annual rainfall: 140-240 inches, Rain most days or afternoons (sometimes torrential) from April to December (September to November being the most intense)

Fees, Facilities & Trails:

There are four main ranger stations in the park. The El Tigre station is not listed here as it is not used as a tourist checkpoint. It is used by park rangers who patrol and guard the park from poachers and other illegal uses. It is located in the southeast part of the park and has the most rugged terrain and the highest points, Rincon and Mueller.

1. San Pedrillo - the northern most station about 45 minutes by boat from Drake Bay
2. Sirena - park headquarters located about one hour from Drake Bay by boat
3. La Leona - the southern entrance to the park near Carate, about 2+ hours from Puerto Jimenez by land
4. Los Patos - the eastern inland entrance

Admission: $10 per person, per day; camping is $4 per person, per day; a cot in Sirena costs $8; and meals in Sirena cost per person: $12 breakfast, $17 for lunch or dinner.

Camping is permitted at all four of the stations, but reservations are required. Latrines, showers and potable water are available at all the stations too. Sirena ranger station is the only one that offers prepared meals for purchase, but with reservations made at least two weeks in advance.

Important! All visitors must be with a certified guide while hiking or visiting the park. You will be turned away when you arrive if you do not have a certified guide with you! (per the Management Plan developed in 2009)

All visitors who visit the park HAVE TO HAVE advance reservations with pre-paid passes. This is a new law effective November 2009. So no matter if you are just visiting for the day or want to camp and spend multiple nights in the park, you need advance reservations!

For those visitors who arrive without reservations, park rangers reserve the right to deny admittance to the park. Because of the long hike and considerable effort required to reach these stations in the first place, it is highly recommended that all visitors make arrangements in advance to ensure that there are no unpleasant surprises upon arrival.

San Pedrillo Ranger Station:

The northern most entrance to the park, San Pedrillo is popular with visitors coming from Drake Bay and Sierpe for day trips. Most usually arrive via boat on tours that include guide, entrance fee, lunch and round-trip transportation. Prices range from $70 - $130, depending on group size and where you are coming from.

You can hike from Drake Bay to San Pedrillo. The hike takes 4-6 hours and alternates between beach and forest hiking. The largest river crossing is at the Rio Claro, and it must be crossed at low tide. Alternatively, there are usually boats available to take you across.

San Pedrillo Trails:

Several short trails fan out from the station. Wildlife is plentiful and there are a few trails that pass by waterfalls with natural pools suitable for swimming.

• San Pedrillo to Sirena Trail: This cross park trail is permanently closed.
• Catarata Trail (2km): A short hike to a beautiful waterfall with safe swimming pools.  The trail is windy and changes elevation minimally, with several small creek crossings and passes through primary forest. It is slightly more technical than the Rio Pargo trail due to roots, small creek crossings and switchbacks.
• Rio Pargo Trail (3km): A slightly inland trail that is mostly flat and winds through secondary forest and then loops back around through the primary forest. You can also return to the station by walking on the beach. At the junction of the Pargo River, there is a swimming hole. Continuing south, the trail changes to the Las Marias trail.
• Las Marias Trail (10km): From the Pargo River, the Las Marias Trail picks up and continues to Llorona Point where it dissipates as an official trail and merges into the beach. The Llorona waterfall is nearby.
• Palo Hueco: passes through primary forest and by a dead tree with a huge hole filled with bats. This trail loops to join the La Catarata trail.
• San Josecito Trail: Branching off the Palo Hueco trail, this trail goes to Playa San Josecito and Drake Bay.

Sirena Ranger Station:

The park’s headquarters and 'heart of the park' are located at Sirena where you will also find an airstrip and research station. Known as the place to visit if you want the best Corcovado experience, Sirena is nestled in the center of the park along the coast, south of San Pedrillo, about halfway between San Pedrillo and La Leona.

The Sirena river mouth is nearby. Where it empties into the ocean, bull sharks and strong rip currents are often present. Crocodiles, bull sharks and sting rays can also be found upstream in the brackish river. Needless to say, swimming is not advised!

Slightly south of the station is the Claro River which is safer for swimming. You can rent canoes from the station for river exploration. Always keep an eye out for crocodiles.

The Sirena research station hosts a variety researchers studying everything from the central American squirrel monkey (titi monkey) to endemic plants and their possible uses.

The Sirena Ranger Station is only reachable by boat, plane or by foot trails. There are no roads into Sirena. The station offers basic accommodations like dormitories, showers and potable water and it actually is quite comfortable to stay here, though on the rustic side. You need to be prepared with all your own personal items such as sheets, towels, soap and snacks. The park rangers re not available to cater to guests. Meals can be ordered with two weeks advance notice.

Sirena sometimes closes for the month of October due to heavy rains. Check with us for more info.

Sirena Ranger Station Trails:

• Sirena  to La Leona Trail (16km - cross park trail): A hot beach hike requiring careful timing in regards to river crossings and tides. There are a some rocky outcroppings along the way that you can either cross over at low tide or look for trails that go inland around the rocks. Most of the hike is on the scalding hot beach, but the trail goes inland and parallels the beach under the shade of the forest canopy as you approach the La Leona Station. It takes about seven hours to walk from Sirena to Leona.
• Sirena to Los Patos (20km): This is an inland forested trail traversing steep ravines and primary forest. It is mostly flat for the first 15 km (if hiking from Sirena), with the last 5km after the Sirena River ascending several ridges with steep climbs and descents. River crossings include the Sirena and Pavo Rivers. Guides recommend walking this trail from Los Patos to Sirena so that the hardest part of the hike is at the beginning of the hike, not the end. It takes 8-10 hours (or more) to hike it.
• Rio Sirena Trail (1km): This is a short flat trail passing through a thirty + year-old second  growth forest that goes to the Sirena River mouth.
• Guanacaste Trail (2km): A short loop hike that goes to the Sirena River and connects to the Los Patos and Espaveles trails
• Espaveles Trail (2km): An interpretative walk with signs along the way identifying several species of tree.
• Other Trails: The Las Ollas, Rio Claro, Rio Pavo Trail (3km), Los Naranjos and the Corcovado trail.

La Leona Ranger Station:

Popular with visitors coming from Puerto Jimenez and Carate, this ranger station is the southern-most entry point to the park. It is 3.5kms from Carate (you must walk on the beach) to the La Leona Station. Camping is permitted, but you must have reservations and bring your own tent and camping gear, as well as your own food and cooking equipment.

La Leona Trails:

There is one main trail at La Leona and it is the same trail that eventually goes to Sirena. The forested trail crosses the Madrigal River. This is a nice place to rest and cool off. The trail is mostly flat, parallels the beach (for 5 kms before dissipating into the beach) and passes by an old miners graveyard and settlement

Los Patos Ranger Station:

The Los Patos Station is the eastern inland entrance to the park located near La Palma, the closest main town. It is a wet three-hour walk from La Palma to the ranger station, as you cross the Rincon River many times (six kilometers from Guadalupe (La Palma) to the park boundary and another 45 minutes to the station). Taxis are available for the six km. stretch during the dry season, or you can rent horses to take you to the park boundary.

The area is heavily forested with primary, old growth trees and this south-eastern area is the highest in elevation with pre-montane and cloud forests.

Los Patos Trails:

There are a few trails at Los Patos. One goes to Sirena, one connects to the nearby Guaymi Indian Reservation and another extends from the park boundary near La Palma to the ranger station.

Wildlife & Plants:

As one of the most “biologically intense places on earth” (National Geographic), Corcovado has more than 124 species of mammal which accounts for 10% of total mammal species in all of the Americas, even though it only encompasses 0.000101777 percent of the landmass of the Americas. One third (700 or so) of the all the tree species in Costa Rica can be found in the Corcovado area, including one-half of the endangered trees and more than 2,400 species of plants. Up to 100 tree species can be found growing on just 8/10th of an hectare (2 acres) of land.

The ocean waters near the park celebrate the longest humpback whale season in the world. Manta rays, crocodiles, dolphins, marine turtles and sharks are all also residents of these tropical waters.

A montane forest covers a large portion of the park. The highest sections of the park in the south-eastern section are cloud forests, richly forested with oaks and tree ferns. At lower elevations there are swamp forests that are flooded year round, jolillo palm forests, mangrove forests located on the estuaries of the Llorona, Corcovado and Sirena Rivers, a freshwater herbaceous swamp and several other types of environments.

Anteaters, tapirs and wildcats (5 species including the elusive jaguar) are found in higher numbers here than in any other park in Costa Rica. All four species of Costa Rica’s monkey (white faced, howler, titi (squirrel) and spider monkey) are also encountered here.

Birding in Corcovado is an especially fulfilling experience. Birds like the turquoise cotinga, white-crested coquette, red-throated caracara, scarlet macaw, slaty-tailed trogon and the harpy eagle all call Corcovado their home. Also, the king vulture, white hawk, short-billed pigeon, tovi parakeet and bronze-tailed sicklebill may be found here.

Other well known inhabitants are: Titi Monkey, white tailed deer, large herds of white-lipped peccaries, sea turtles (4 species), as many as 375 species of bird, 140 species of mammal, more than 110 species of amphibian and reptile, 40 types of freshwater fish, and frighteningly enough, more than 10,000 insect species!

Beaches:

The beaches in the park are picturesque and beautiful, but not for swimming! Rough surf, rocks, strong currents and the possibility of encountering a bull shark or crocodile (especially when close to a river mouth) make it very un-advisable to swim.

There are almost 20km of un-interrupted beaches in Corcovado National Park.

Some of the named beaches include Playas San Pedrillo, Corcovado, Madrigal and Serena. The surf  along the shore is often very rough making arriving by boat challenging at times. Dolphins and whales are commonly sighted when arriving by boat. There are marine caves at Punta Salsipuedes, north of the La Leona Station.

How do I Get There?

Tours!

Contact us to book a tour from Drake Bay, Sierpe, Dominical or Puerto Jimenez, find a guide or make camping reservations.

From:

From Dominical: take a shuttle or drive yourself to Sierpe, or we can help arrange a tour to pick you up in Ballena.

From Sierpe: Day trips to Corcovado (San Pedrillo or Sirena) and Cano Island are available. Sierpe is only one hour from Dominical, two hours from Quepos and three hours from Jaco (driving time). Tours depart daily or by reservation and pass thru the scenic Sierpe - Terraba Mangroves on the way to the Park. There is the option to be dropped off in Drake bay on the way back.

From Drake Bay: Book a day tour to either San Pedrillo or Sirena. For those interested in multi-day trips or onward trips to Puerto Jimenez, please contact us.

From Puerto Jimenez: You can take the public shuttle to Carate (2 hours) and then hike about 1 hour on the beach to the La Leona entrance. The last shuttle from Carate to Puerto Jimenez is at 3pm. We recommend staying at an eco-lodge in Carate for a few nights so that you have time to hike and enjoy the park. It is also possible to pay a taxi to take you to Carate.

Charter Flights: from Puerto Jimenez to Carate or Sirena. From San Jose to Carate or Sirena

There are also day and multi-day trips into the forest near Los Patos available. There are a few cabinas outside of the park boundary available to rent with kitchens for those who want an extended stay or who just want a little more comfort than camping.

TO:

To Sirena: One must arrive by boat, plane or by walking. Charter flights leave from Golfito on the mainland, from Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula and from San Jose. Boats are available from Drake and usually depart daily.

To San Pedrillo: Either arrive by walking the beach-side jungle trail, an 18km hike from Drake, or by boat from Drake Bay or Sierpe.

To La Leona: Walk from the nearby town of Carate (3.5km away) along the beach or walk the long beach hike from Sirena.

To Los Patos: From Puerto Jimenez, take a bus to the small town of La Palma where you can take a taxi to Guadalupe. From Guadalupe to Los Patos its 2.5 hour walk (or you can rent horses), and in the dry season you can take a taxi to the last river before Los Patos. Then you have to walk for an hour to reach the park station.

Recommendations:

1. The best time to see wildlife is early in the morning.
2. Bring a bandanna and plenty of water, its hot!
3. Hire a naturalist guide, it's required! There is so much to see that without the trained hawk eyes of a naturalist guide, you will miss too much.
4. January - April is the dry season. Be prepared for rain year round by bringing several changes of socks, quick dry clothing, comfortable and durable walking shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat and/or sunglasses.
5. Make reservations with plenty of advance notice — they are required for all day visits, camping and for meals.

Places to Stay:

It is most convenient to visit the San Pedrillo and Sirena stations from either Drake Bay or Sierpe. Visit the La Leona station by staying at an eco-lodge in Carate. Contact us and we'll help you.

Contact:

Contact us for specific questions and help making reservations.

Nearby Parks & Attractions:

• Cano Island Biological Reserve: diving, snorkeling and archaeological remains
• Sierpe - Terraba National Wetlands: mangrove tours, kayaking and night crocodile tours
• Ballena National Marine Park: mangroves, whales and beaches