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Location: Province of Puntarenas, on the Pacific coast of the Osa Peninsula, 335 km (208 mi.) from San Jose via Inter-American Hwy; less than 9° north of the equator in Costa Rica
See South Pacific Tourism Region
Size: 44,484 terrestrial acres (104,900 hectares), 1/3 of the Peninsula de Osa
Date of Creation: October 1975
Elevations: from sea level to 2,444 feet
Part of: Osa Conservation Area
About:
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 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 and for its pristine forests.
Corcovado is one of the last remaining sizeable lowland tropical forests on earth and it contains the largest acreage of primary forest left in the Americas from Mexico to South America. 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.
The extensive variety of vegetation types, including mangrove swamps, jolillo forests, montane forests, cloud forests and prairie forests, among others, lays the groundwork for an immense variety of life to exist within its boundaries. It is considered one of the most biologically diverse places on earth harboring the most significant populations of many rare and endangered species like the scarlet macaw, Baird’s tapir, at least four species of wildcat, white-lipped peccaries, and tapirs. It is the home to the largest population in Central America of the much-endangered scarlet macaw and great curassow, and it is one of the only other homes in Costa Rica to the squirrel monkey, other than Manuel Antonio National Park. Additionally, four species of sea turtle nest on its shores.
Touring the Corcovado park requires careful planning and an adventurous spirit. It is a large park with relatively few entry points and roads. Many ranger stations are best reached by either flying into one of several small airports or by hiking to and from small villages and ranger stations. Some of these hikes may take up to fifteen hours and are quite strenuous. Shorter trails, fanning out from the various stations, offer short day hikes with plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities.
In general, the terrain is hilly. Narrow ridges and steep ravines characterize the rugged uplands, which ascend from isolated beaches, where creeks and rivers flow into the ocean. There is an undulating plateau in the northwest (north of Punta Llorona) which increases in altitude and irregular relief as you go southeast. The park's highest and most rugged terrain, produced by intense tectonic activity, is in the southeast part of the park where the highest points, Cerros Rincon and Mueller are located. Up to ten tremors a day sometimes occur in the region.
There are several ways to visit the park on a day trips. The lodges in the Drake Bay area offer guided tours to the San Pedrillo and Sirena ranger station entrances. Sierpe de Osa is another convenient option where several tour companies offer guided day trips too. From Puerto Jimenez and Carate, the southern entrances of Corcovado, El Tigre and La Leona, may be visited.
If you have a backpack and healthy legs, you can spend days walking and camping deep in this wilderness. Just make sure to call one of the ranger stations ahead of time to check trail conditions and advisories.
There are two main archeological sites in the park: El Cedral located in a terrace of the Sirena River; and Sirena, south of the park where some Indian artifacts have been found.
Read about our experiences in our Corcovado Travel Blog
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Weather:
140-240 inches of rain per year—it rains a lot here. It is considered a very humid tropical forest and is thus hot and humid year round. Temperatures range from 75°-90°.
Torrential rains from April to December (September to November being the most intense) can make hiking or arriving at Corcovado cumbersome, if not dangerous.
Activites:
Hiking the trails and bird and wildlife viewing are featured activities. Visitors can also enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving and observe some of the whales of Costa Rica.
Camping is permitted by reservation only in designated areas at all of the park’s ranger stations. Facilities include fresh potable water and latrines. Bring your own tent for camping and your own sheets for the cabins.
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Facilities:
There are four main ranger stations in Corcovado National Park:
Sirena
San Pedrillo
La Leona
Los Patos
The park’s headquarters are located in Sirena where you will find an airstrip and research station. Sirena, known as the place to visit if you want the best Corcovado experience, is nestled in the middle of the park along the coast.
The other three stations are located at each of the entry points at the Park’s boundaries: San Pedrillo, La Leona and Los Patos. All four of the stations permit camping with reservations. They all also have latrines and potable water. Meals are also available and require reservations two weeks or more in advance.
Sirena Ranger Station:
The park’s headquarters at Sirena is located a little more than halfway down the Pacific boundary on the coast. The Sirena River empties into the ocean here where bull sharks and strong rip currents appropriately describe the waters. Crocodiles, bull sharks and sting rays can also be found inland in the Sirena River due to the brackish water. Swimming is not advised in the Ocean or Sirena River. The nearby Claro River (slightly south of the Station) is safer for swimming. Canoes may be rented from the station for river exploration. The Sirena Ranger Station is only reachable by boat, plane or by walking.
The Sirena research station hosts a wide range of researchers studying anything from the Central American Squirrel monkey to endemic plants.
San Pedrillo Ranger Station:
This station is at the northwest entry point where visitors coming from Drake and other northern points usually enter. It is a four to six hour hike from Drake to the San Pedrillo ranger station, mostly along the beach. Boat taxis may be also be hired. The Rio Claro must be crossed at low tide, but there are often boats available to take you across.
From here in San Pedrillo, visitors can embark on a rigorous 25 km, 10-15 hour hike to the Sirena station or enjoy several of the shorter trails that fan out from the station, all good for wildlife observation and waterfalls.
La Leona Ranger Station:
The La Leona Ranger Station is Corcovado’s southern entrance on the Pacific Coast. There are no internal trails here other than the one that goes to the Sirena ranger station. Hikers should bring their own tents and food, there are no longer cabins or food available at La Leona. It is a three and a half kilometer walk along the beach from Carate to the La Leona Station.
Los Patos Station:
The Los Patos Station is the eastern entrance to the park accessed from Las Palmas, the closest town on that end of the park. It is a wet three-hour walk from Las Palmas to the ranger station, as you cross the Rincon River many times. Taxis are available for this journey during the dry season.
El Tigre Station:
This station is outside of the Park’s boundaries. Mostly for park rangers, about 10 minutes before the small or Dos Brasos de Río Tigre.
Los Planes:
Outside the park too Between Rancho Quemado and Bahía Drake. Only for park rangers.
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Trails:
There are many trails within the park ranging from short, flat, less than hour-long loop hikes to trails traversing the park from one ranger station to another, lasting ten hours or more. These longer hikes (10-12 miles), joining the ranger stations, may be strenuous and require several river crossings, which can be dangerous. At high tide, the river’s currents are strong and the likelihood of encountering crocodiles and bull sharks increases. If hiking these longer more arduous trails, hire a guide and time your river crossing carefully according to low tides. Bring plenty of water. Check with park officials for trail closures, conditions and tides.
A. Sirena Ranger Station Trails
B. San Pedrillo Ranger Station Trails
C. Los Patos Ranger Station Trails
D. La Leona Ranger Station Trails
A. Sirena Ranger Station Trails:
There are seven trails leaving from the Sirena station. Three trails lead to the other three ranger stations (cross-park trails) and four shorter trails loop around ranging from a half mile to three miles long.
Cross-Park Trails (Ranger Station to Ranger Station)
1. Sirena - San Pedrillo Trail
2. Sirena - La Leona Trail
3. Sirena – Los Patos
1. Sirena Ranger Station to San Pedrillo Ranger Station (25km): CLOSED
The trail to/from San Pedrillo from Sirena passes through coastal rainforest before it empties onto the beach for the last 18km. Three river crossings, Rio Llorona, Rio Corcovado and Rio Sirena add to the difficulty of the trails. The Sirena River is the most dangerous and should only be crossed at low tide, when even then, water can be chest high.
Local guides recommend hiking this trail from Sirena to San Pedrillo because it is easier to time the river crossings according to tide levels, rather than the other way around. The major river crossings, including the biggest and most dangerous, Rio Sirena, are closer to Sirena than San Pedrillo. Leave Sirena about two hours before low tide to cross at the safest time. Eight to ten hours of walking are required to complete this journey. Camping is not permitted along the trail and the trail is only open from December through April.
RECENTLY CLOSED (as of February 2007) -- Tourists are not permitted to hike this section of the park due to a lack of facilities along the way (fresh water). Contact the Osa Conservation office in Puerto Jimenez (735-5036 or 735-5580) for details. See contact information below.
2. Sirena Ranger Station to La Leona Ranger Station Trail (16km):
This is another hot beach hike requiring careful timing in reference to the tides as well. There are a few rocky headlands to cross, where trails often cut inland around the rocky outcroppings. The trail parallels the beach in the forest for the last see below fix this as you approach the La Leona Station. Look for crocodiles near the Río Claro crossing. Approximately, it is a seven-hour hike.
You walk on the trail, cross the Río Claro then four to five minutes on the beach the trail picks up again in the shelter of the woods to Salsipuedes. After Salsipuedes, you walk on the beach for 40 minutes to one hour 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 (very small like the Edionda) after the river, walk on the beach again for 30 minutes. When its high tide, there are lots of rocks—try to cross here at low tide too. The trail picks up again and it's 6 km more to La Leona – El Barco trail to La Edionad, then Paraiso trail to Río Madrigal, trail changes to Sendero Río Madrigal (2.5 km from Río Madrigal) You can walk on the beach from rio Madrigal to La Leona at low tide if you want. Trail ends here and youll have to walk on the beach to Carate.
3. Sirena Ranger Station to Los Patos Ranger Station (20km):
This is an inland trail traversing steep ravines and primary forest. It is mostly flat for the first 15 km, with the last 5 km after the Río Sirena traversing several ridges with steep climbs and descents. River crossings include the Río Sirena and Río Pavo. 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. Approximately it is an 8-10 hour hike.
Other Sirena Ranger Station Trails
(Trails that are for exploring around the station)
Rio Sirena Trail (1 km): This is a flat, short trail passing through a 30+ year old second-growth forest from the Station to the Sirena River mouth.
Rio Pavo Trail (3 km): This trail goes to Los Patos.
Guanacaste Trail (2 km): A hour-long loop hike that goes to the Río Sirena and connects this trail to the Los Patos and Espaveles trail back to the Ranger Station.
Espaveles Trail (2 km): A self guided trail with interpretative signs along the way identifying several species of tree.
Other Trails: The Las Ollas, Río Claro, Los Naranjos and the Corcovado trail.
B. San Pedrillo Ranger Station Trails:
San Pedrillo to Sirena Trail: See Sirena to San Pedrillo trail above-- CLOSED!
Catarata Trail (2 km): A short hike through primary forest to a beautiful waterfall with a safe swimming hole. The trail is windy and minimally hilly, with several small creek crossings. Slightly more technical than the Río Pargo trail.
Pargo Trail (3 km): A forest hike along several rivers.
Las Marias Trail (10 km): A longer hike into the forest, ending at the La Llorona waterfall. Good for bird watching and wildlife observation.
C. Los Patos Ranger Station Trails:
Sirena to Los Patos Trail: See cross park trails for Sirena Ranger Station.
D. La Leona Ranger Station Trails:
Sirena to La Leona Trail: See cross park trails for Sirena Ranger Station. There are no other trails at the La Leona Station.
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Flora & Fauna:
As one of the most “biologically intense places on earth” (National Geographic), Corcovado National Park 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 land mass of the Americas.
A montane forest covers more than half the park. The highest regions of the park are cloud forest, richly populated by oaks and tree ferns. At lower elevations there are swamp forests, flooded year round; a jolillo forest, covered mainly with palm trees; a mangrove swamp, located on the estuaries of the Llorona, Corcovado and Sirena Rivers; and a freshwater herbaceous swamp.
One third of all the Costa Rica's tree species are found here (300 in all). Some of the larger trees include the purple heart, poponjoche, nargusta, banak, cow tree, espave and crabwood. Up to 100 species can be found growing on just 8/10ths of an hectare (2 acres) of land.
There are 140 species of mammals, 375 species of bird, 117 amphibians and reptiles, 40 types of freshwater fish, and upwards of 6,000 types of insects in the park.
Anteaters, Baird’s tapirs and wildcats like the ocelot, puma, jaguar and margay are found in higher numbers here, than in any other location in Costa Rica . All four species of Costa Rica’s monkeys are also encountered here. You can see large herds of white-lipped peccary as well as howler, spider monkeys and squirrel monkeys.
Birding in Corcovado is an especially rich 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.
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Beaches:
There are almost 20 km of interrupted beaches in Corcovado National Park. There are breathtaking cliffs and coves with pocket beaches and a long stretches of unspoiled sandy beaches. Some of the named beaches include Playa Corcovado, Playa Madrigal and Playa Serena. The surf is often very rough and swimming should be done with extreme caution with reference to oceanic wildlife (sharks, stingrays, etc) and to currents. There are marine caves at Punta Salsipuedes, north of the La Leona Station.
Fees and Schedule:
The Ranger Stations are open year round, though some trails may be close during the rainy season (mid-April – mid-December)
Admittance Fee: $8 per person per day/ Nationals
Camping: $6 per person/per night meals are additional, call for availability
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Getting There:
To arrive at the Sirena Ranger Station, one must arrive by boat, plane or by walking. Charter flights leave from Golfito on the mainland, from Puerto Jiménez on the Osa Peninsula and from San Jose. Boats are available from Drake for both the Sirena and San Pedrillo Stations. Boats are also available from Puerto Jimenez—go to the marina and ask.
To arrive at the San Pedrillo Station, one may hire a boat or walk the beachside jungle trail, a 18 km hike from Drake.
To arrive at the La Leona Station, one can walk from the nearby town of Carate (3.5 km away) along the beach or walk the long beach hike from the Sirena Station.
Carate may be reached from Puerto Jiménez by four-wheel drive (45 km or two plus hours) by following the bumpy road that crosses a few rivers along the way. There is a daily collectivo taxi leaving Puerto Jiménez at 6:30 a.m. and 1:40 p.m. to Carate, returning from Carate at 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Private taxis may also be hired from Puerto Jiménez to Carate (much more expensive approx $70 total).
Flights depart from Puerto Jiménez and San Jose arriving in Carate. Its an 8 minute flight from Puerto Jimenez to Carate and less than an hour from San Jose. Costa Rica Expeditions has a lodge near the La Leona Station in Carate; You can stay at their facility for a night and then hike to La Leona and on from there.
The Los Patos station my be reached from Puerto Jimenez by taking a bus to the small town of La Palma where you can take a taxi to Guadalupe. From Guadalupe to Los Patos its two and a half hour walk, but in the dry season you can take a taxi to the last river before Los Patos. Then you have to walk for an hour.
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Recommendations:
1) January through April is the best time to visit and these are considered the drier months. Be prepared for rain year round by bringing several changes of socks, quick dry clothing, comfortable and durable walking shoes, sunscreen, insect repellant, a hat and/or sunglasses and a bandana. Bottles to carry plenty of water and snacks are good to buy ahead of time.
2) Make reservations with plenty of advance notice—they are required for all camping locations and for meals.
3) Hire a guide! You will see much more wildlife and guides can help you navigate safely from one ranger station to another.
4) Take these cross-park trails seriously. There are no facilities along the trails, so if you become sick or are injured, you are in trouble.
5) Crossing rivers at high tide is dangerous. You are likely to be swept away with the current or attacked by a bull shark or crocodile. Time your crossings carefully and consult park officials for schedules.
6) Bring plenty of water—it is hot and humid. Some trails are out on the beach in the blazing hot sun.
7) Purchase food and other necessary supplies in Puerto Jiménez or Drake.
Contact info:
ACOSA: Osa Conservation Area
(506) 735-5036 or 735-5580
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