Corcovado National Park
Famously named as one of the most biologically diverse places in the world by National Geographic, Corcovado National Park is one of the most important natural preserves on this planet.
If You’re Lucky, You’ll See:
- Baird’s tapirs
- One of wild cat species (Jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay and jaguarundi)
- All four species of monkey found in Costa Rica
- White tailed deer
- Large herds of white-lipped peccaries
- As many as 375 species of bird
- 140 species of mammal
- 117 species of amphibian or reptile
- 40 types of freshwater fish
- more than 10,000 insect species
- 700+ tree species
The incomparable Corcovado National Park has a wealth of wildlife that is so accustomed to human proximity that it is a commonplace to see large animals up close, peccaries, tapirs, even pumas during visits into the park. It was created in the year 1975 and, measuring 44,484 terrestrial acres in size, it accounts for one third of the Osa Peninsula. Since February 2015 visitors must be accompanied by a guide, so this has made it more costly to visit the park. Nevertheless, it should be at the top of most visitors’ bucket lists after exploring the Golfo Dulce.
If you only have time for a day visit, we organize this for you to Dos Brazos, Los Patos, La Leona, San Pedrillo or Sirena ranger stations. If you have a bit more time, a 3 day 2 night trip is a must where you get to sleep right in the heart of the park. No matter which option you choose, remember that the experience is somewhat gruelling. You should be in good physical condition or pass on this. Be sure to bring a hat, plenty of water, proper footwear, and insect repellent.
Waterfalls and beaches, birds and mammals, orchids and sea turtles, Corcovado has it all. The plant and wildlife diversity is mind-boggling. There are 13 distinct vegetation types and more than 25 distinct ecosystems in Corcovado supporting endangered plant and animal species, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world. Corcovado is most famous for its large population of Scarlet Macaws, for its pristine forests and unusually high level of biodiversity.
What to Wear: comfortable hiking clothing (quick dry is best), sunscreen (please use reef friendly products like Reef Friendly Sun Block: SPF 30 or SPF 45+), water sandals or flip flops for beach landing.
What to Bring: Closed-toed hiking shoes or rubber boots w knee socks so the boots don’t rub your calf where they end (rubber boots are as much for safety as for muddy conditions), bathing suit, Sunscreen, hat, towel, sunglasses, insect repellent (PLEASE USE ECO FRIENDLY products), seasick medicine, bottle of water and snacks, binoculars, camera (with protective plastic bag) and a raincoat / poncho. Please always apply insect repellent away from other people) bathing suit, Sunscreen, hat, towel, sunglasses, insect repellent (PLEASE USE ECO FRIENDLY products), seasick medicine, bottle of water and snacks, binoculars, camera (with protective plastic bag) and a raincoat / poncho. Please always apply insect repellent away from other people.
There are five main ranger stations in the park, of which we can arrange single and multi-day excursions to all:
- San Pedrillo – The northern most station; Take a boat from Drake Bay or Sierpe.
- Sirena – park headquarters located about one hour from Drake bay by boat
- La Leona – the southern entrance to the park near Carate, about 2+ hours from Puerto Jimenez by land
- Los Patos – the eastern inland entrance, a 45 minute drive from La Palma
- El Tigre – the newest station open to the public, this check point is located about 20 minute drive from Puerto Jimenez.
San Pedrillo Ranger Station:
This is the northern most station and is popular with visitors coming from Drake Bay and Sierpe for day trips by boat or foot. It is a 4-6 hour hike from Drake Bay to the San Pedrillo ranger station, mostly along the beach (forest from Drake to Punto Marenco, then beach to the station).
Day Tour to San Pedrillo Ranger Station:
San Pedrillo is the closest (northern-most) Corcovado ranger station to Sierpe and Drake Bay. Spend the day hiking the easy to moderate trails with a naturalist guide exploring waterfalls, primary rain forest, rivers and beaches, all the while looking for wildlife … It’s a truly nature lovers dream! The naturalist guide will choose a trail best suited for the group. Your bilingual naturalist guide will lead a 3 hour hike through the primary and secondary forest, locating wildlife and explaining the extensive rainforest ecology.
Depart in the early morning from:
- Manuel Antonio* (we can arrange transportation to Sierpe)
- Dominical or Uvita (by shuttle for Sierpe)
- Sierpe in the early morning and travel 45 minutes thru the beautiful Sierpe Mangrove Forest out into the ocean and then another 30 minutes to Caño Island
- Drake Bay around 7:30am for a 45 minute boat ride to Caño Island
And then…
- Arrive San Pedrillo via wet beach landing Sign into ranger station and begin morning hike which will last 3-4 hours
- Return to ranger station for picnic lunch (bathrooms and running water)
- After a picnic lunch at the park ranger station, there is a second shorter hike to a beautiful waterfall – bring your bathing suite for a refreshing swim in the cool clear water!
- Return to ranger station once again and board boat for return trip home
Our arrival at the beach is a wet landing, so bring your water sandals in addition to sturdier footwear to use on the trails. Hiking in sport sandals is not recommended.
This Corcovado day hiking tour is available from Quepos & Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal, Sierpe and Drake Bay.
San Pedrillo Trails: There are several short trails that fan out from the station, all good for wildlife observation and some have waterfalls and river pools suitable for swimming.
- San Pedrillo to Sirena Trail: This cross park trail is sometimes closed. When open, it is a 24km (15 miles, 11 hours approx.) difficult hike (crosses three rivers and is mostly along the beach with little to no shade).
- Catarata Trail (2km): A short hike through primary forest to a beautiful waterfall with a safe swimming pools. The trail is windy and minimally hilly, with several small creek crossings. It is slightly more technical than the Rio Pargo trail due to roots, small creek crossings and switchbacks.
- Rio Pargo Trail (3km): A flat forest trail slightly inland from the beach that winds through mostly secondary forest and loops back around through the primary forest, or you can return to the station by walking on the beach. When you reach the Pargo River, there is a swimming hole. If you continue south, the trail becomes the Las Marias trail and goes to Llorona Point, then it dissipates as an official trail and merges into the beach. Las
- Marias Trail (10km): From the Rio Pargo, the trail changes names to the las Marias Trail and goes to the Llorona waterfall via a longer hike into the forest. Good for bird watching and wildlife observation.
- Palo Hueco: passes through primary forest passes by a huge dead tree with a hole filled with bats. This trail loops to the La Catarata trail (hike up this one and return via La Catarata)
- San Josecito Trail: This trail branches off of the Palo Hueco trail and goes to Playa San Josecito and Drake Bay.
Sirena Ranger Station:
Sirena is the heart of Corcovado National Park, nestled in the middle of the park along the coast, south from the San Pedrillo station near the beach. It is only reachable by boat, plane or by foot trails. There are no roads into Sirena. Since this station is less accessible, there is greater opportunity to spot some of the rarest rainforest wildlife, including tapir and peccary.
Day Tour to Sirena Ranger Station:
Depart in the early morning from:
- Manuel Antonio* (we will arrange transportation to Sierpe)
- Dominical (by shuttle for Sierpe)
- Sierpe in the early morning and travel 45 minutes thru the beautiful Sierpe Mangrove Forest out into the ocean and then another 45 minutes to Sirena
- Puerto Jimenez around 6am for a 2 hour boat ride or 15 minute chartered flight to Sirena
- Carate around 6am for a 7 hour hike or around 7am for a 7 minute plane flight to Sirena
- Drake Bay around 7:30am for a 45 minute boat ride to Sirena
And then…
- Arrive in Sirena via wet landing, hiking or chartered flight
- Then begin hiking in Sirena. Duration of hike is about 5 hours including a one hour lunch break on the trail.
- Begin return trip home by about 2pm. For hiking in tours, you will take a boat or plane back out (or vice versa).
This Corcovado day hiking tour is available from Quepos & Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal, Sierpe, Puerto Jimenez, Carate and Drake Bay.
Sirena Ranger Station Trails:
There are many different trails to be explored and a variety of wildlife can be seen. If you’re lucky, you might get a glimpse of a Baird’s Tapir which are critically endangered or absent in the rest of the country. The Sirena River empties into the ocean where bull sharks and strong rip currents define the river mouth. Near the river you are likely to see American crocodiles, caimans, and several species of waterfowl including egrets, herons and others. Plus 4 species of monkey, 2 species of sloth, coatis, snakes, lizards and many more animals can be encountered on the inland trails.
- Sirena Ranger Station to La Leona Ranger Station Trail (16km, 10 miles, 7 hours approx.): This is a hot beach hike requiring careful timing in regards to river crossings and tides. There are a few rocky outcroppings you can either cross over at low tide or look for a trail that goes inland around the rocks. The trail goes inland and parallels the beach under the shade of the forest canopy as you approach the La Leona Station. Always keep an eye out for crocodiles when crossing the rivers. As you leave Sirena you will first cross the Rio Claro and continue walking on the beach for a little while until the trail picks up again under the shelter of the forest to Salsipuedes. After Salsipuedes, you will walk on the beach for 40 min – 1hr. to La Chancha Point. When its high tide, look for the short trail that crosses inland, but when its low tide you can walk on the beach. Cross the La Chancha river (it’s very small), and after the river, walk on the beach again for 30 minutes or so. When its high tide, there are lots of rocks—try to cross here a at low tide too. The trail picks up again in the forest and it’s another 6km to La Leona. You can walk on the beach from the Madrigal River to La Leona at low tide if you want. Trail ends at the station.
- Sirena Ranger Station to Los Patos Ranger Station (20km, 12.5 miles, 9hours approx.): This is an inland trail traversing steep ravines and primary forest. It is mostly flat for the first 15 km, with the last 5km after the Sirena River traversing 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.
- Rio Sirena Trail (1km): This is a flat, short trail passing through a 30+ year old second- growth forest from the Station to the Sirena River mouth.
- Guanacaste Trail (2km): A hour-long loop hike that goes to the Sirena River and connects this trail to the Los Patos and Espaveles trail back to the Ranger Station.
- Espaveles Trail (2km): A self guided trail with interpretative 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:
This is the southern most station and is popular with visitors coming from Puerto Jimenez, Matapalo and Carate. It is a 3.5km walk along the beach (or a forest trail) from Carate to the La Leona Station.
Day Tour to La Leona Ranger Station:
*One might consider staying in Carate for a few nights to enjoy this precious village. Please contact us for our recommendations.
Depart in the early morning from:
- Puerto Jimenez around 6am for a 2 hour car ride to Carate and then a 1 hour hike to the La Leona park entrance
- Matapalo around 7am for a 1 hour car ride to Carate and then a 1 hour hike to the La Leona park entrance
- Carate for a 1 hour hike to the La Leona park entrance
And then…
- Arrive in La Leona by foot
- Then begin hiking in La Leona. Duration of hike is about 4-5 hours including a one hour lunch break on the trail.
- Begin return trip home by about 12-1pm.
This Corcovado day hiking tour is available from Puerto Jimenez, Matapalo and Carate.
La Leona Trails: There is one main trail at La Leona and it is the same trail that eventually goes to Sirena. Visitors may hike along the trail, which is mostly in the forest, for several miles and then turn around. It is mostly flat, parallels the beach and passes by an old miners graveyard and settlement.
Los Patos Ranger Station:
The Los Patos Station is the eastern entrance to the park accessed from La Palma, the closest town on that end of the park. If you decide to give a car ride a miss, it is a wet three-hour walk from La Palma to the ranger station, as you cross the Rincon River many times.
The area is heavily forested with primary, old growth trees and is the highest in elevation with pre-montane and cloud forests.
Day Tour to Los Patos Ranger Station:
Depart in the early morning from:
- Puerto Jimenez around 6:30am for a 1.5 hour car ride to Los Patos park entrance
- La Palma around 7:30am for a 45 minute car ride to Los Patos park entrance
And then…
- Arrive in Los Patos by car
- Then begin hiking in Los Patos. Duration of hike is about 4-5 hours including a one hour lunch break on the trail.
- Begin return trip home by about 12-1pm.
This Corcovado day hiking tour is available from Puerto Jimenez and La Palma.
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.
El Tigre
The newest station open to the public, this check point is run by the local El Tigre village community and located about 20 minutes drive from Puerto Jimenez.
Day Tour to El Tigre Ranger Station:
Depart in the early morning from:
- Puerto Jimenez around 7am for a 20 minute car ride to El Tigre park entrance
- El Tigre- you are at the entrance already!
And then…
- Arrive in El Tigre Then begin hiking in El Tigre. Duration of hike is about 4-5 hours including a one hour lunch break on the trail.
- Begin return trip home by about 1pm.
This Corcovado day hiking tour is available from Puerto Jimenez and El Tigre.
