Corcovado National Park is one of the largest and most biologically diverse parks in Costa Rica, covering one-third of the Osa Peninsula in the southern part of the country. Established in 1975, this park spans 42,000 acres of tropical rainforest and is home to a staggering array of wildlife and flora, including 13 different ecosystems ranging from lowland rainforests and cloud forests to mangrove swamps and beaches.
Corcovado is not a zoo or a wildlife park with designated places for wildlife; the animals here are free, protected, and wild. The park’s unique biodiversity and unspoiled natural beauty make it a must-visit for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
After hearing my friends raving about this unique national park in Costa Rica, I knew we had to visit. My husband and I decided to explore Corcovado National Park alone without the kids first. Despite the challenging trek, it was worth the visit. We saw a tapir and a puma for the first time. We can’t wait to make a trip with the kids!
Key Takeaways From This Article
Wildlife spotting in the vast Corcovado National Park depends on a guide. You might see fewer animals than you would like, but you can enjoy the park’s natural setting.
- You can only enter the park with a certified local guide. It’s illegal even to try, plus it’s not safe. The park is vast, and you can easily get lost.
- Access to the park is through Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay. You can use a boat or hike to any of the five ranger stations to enter the park.
- It’s illegal to carry food inside the park. You can only eat food from the lodge at Sirena Ranger’s station.
- Due to several months of heavy rainfall, the park remains closed in October. The best time to visit is December to April. Certain parts of the Park are closed during the rainy months of May to November.
Corcovado National Park Overview?
Corcovado National Park is the largest park in the Costa Rican conservation area, covering 42,000 acres of tropical rainforest. It is in the Osa Peninsula, in the southern part of Costa Rica. The Government of Costa Rica declared it a national park in 1975. Previously, the area was threatened by illegal mining and gold panning, leading to deforestation and water contamination.
Corcovado National Park has mountains that rise 700 meters above sea level. It also has several rivers, rocky beaches, lagoons, and sedimentary lands. It’s illegal to feed any animal within the park. Riptides are very common in the park’s waters, and you should only swim with permission from the rangers.
How To Get To Corcovado National Park
The access points to Corcovado National Park are either from Purto Jimenez or Drake Bay. Puerto Jimenez is on the eastern side, while Drake Bay is on the western side of the Osa Peninsula. Fortunately, both towns have airports and comfortable accommodation options. If not flying, you must reach Sierpe by road and take a boat to Drake Bay.
Once you arrive in Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay, you proceed to the various ranger stations, which you can access by four-wheel drive, boat, or hike.
| Access Points | Details |
| Puerto Jimenez | Eastern side of the Osa Peninsula; has an airport and comfortable accommodations. |
| Drake Bay | Western side of the Osa Peninsula; has an airport and comfortable accommodations. |
| Sierpe to Drake Bay | Reach Sierpe by road, then take a boat to Drake Bay. |
You can access the park through any of the following ranger stations.
| Ranger Station | Access Details | Additional Information |
| Sirena Ranger Station | Access by boat from either Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez; hike 1 km from beach landing. | Most popular for wildlife viewing; offers a lodge for overnight stays. |
| Las Planes Ranger Station | Closest to Drake Bay. | Not open to the public. |
| Los Patos Ranger Station | Accessible by road from Puerto Jimenez or La Palma; hike 5 km during the rainy season. | Dense area with steep trails; not ideal for animal viewing; suited for serious hikers. |
| San Pedrillo Ranger Station | 30-minute boat ride from Drake Bay. | Known for unique flora and fauna; not prominent for wildlife. |
| El Tigre Ranger Station | Access from Puerto Jimenez to Dos Brazos; trail begins at Dos Brazos. | Trail features snakes, frogs, and other reptiles; larger mammals are rare; no connection to other trails. |
| La Leona Ranger Station | Accessible from Puerto Jimenez by road through the village of Carate; hike 3.5 km along the beach or coastal trail. | Best known for hiking and sea turtles nesting. |
Requirements For Visiting Corcovado National Park
One requirement when visiting Corcovado National Park is a certified local guide. The guide will help you avoid getting lost and see as much wildlife as possible. The forest is very dense, and getting lost when you wander away from the trails is easy. Guides also help to protect the park from misbehaving visitors.
The second requirement is a national park permit ($15 per person daily). Most tour companies will provide the permit and the guide. The park fees are $16 for adults and $5 for kids.
You must book the overnight tour at least one week in advance. The ranger station has few beds and quickly fills up.
You cannot carry food inside the park. You can only eat it at the ranger’s station for around $20-25 per person. Unless you stay overnight, I recommend you have lunch outside the park, either at Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay, which will be cheaper.
What To See At Corcovado National Park
While it might not be possible to see all the wildlife at the park, you’ll at least see some. The park hosts 13 different ecosystems and the largest rainforest in Costa Rica. The number of wild animals that call Corcovado National Park home is too many to list.
However, here is a minor breakdown of some animals you might see at the park.
| Wildlife in Corcovado National Park | |
| Costa Rica’s big cats | Pumas, jaguars, ocelots. |
| 350+ bird species | Owls, hawks, toucans, macaws, eagles, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, etc. |
| 150+ mammals | Sloths, coatis, anteaters, Baird’s Tapir, four monkey species, and peccaries. |
| Marine life | Whales, dolphins, sea turtles, bull sharks(seasonal). |
| Reptiles | Crocodiles, snakes, frogs, caiman. |
When To Visit Corcovado National Park
The weather pattern in the Osa Peninsula is similar to that of the rest of Costa Rica. However, due to the lush rainforests, the dry season is shorter in the Osa Peninsula, and rains are common throughout the year.
The best time to visit the park is from November to April. There is a lower chance of rainfall lower humidity, and the trails are less muddy.
However, some animals, like the tapirs, prefer moist conditions. From May to October, the Osa Peninsula experiences a lot of rainfall, which is also a good time for wildlife spotting. However, hiking during the wet season is more complicated, with rivers swelling and roads impassable.
Corcovado National Park remains shut in October after several months of intense rainfall.
What To Bring When Visiting Corcovado National Park
Since you’ll be wading in the water from the boat to the beach, hiking shorts are more viable than trousers. A singlet, t-shirt, or long-sleeve shirt is also suitable. Hiking boots are only necessary for longer hikes, while trainers are ideal for shorter hikes.
I recommend you pack some shoes to get in and out of water. These could be sandals or water shoes. Some people prefer to walk barefoot but don’t get the shoes you will be hiking in wet. You’ll also need the following items.
| Items To Carry To The Park | |
| Sunglasses | Poncho or raincoat (even during the dry season) |
| Re-usable water bottles | Phone, camera, different lenses, with fully charged and spare batteries. |
| Sunscreen | Waterproof protection for camera, phone, or other items. |
| Binoculars | Natural bug repellent |
| A small first-aid kit | Towel and swimming costumes |
| Changing clothes ( overnight stay) | |
Day VS Night Tour At Corcovado National Park
Day tours are shorter and usually start at 6:00 AM from Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay. You’ll take a boat ride to Sirena Ranger Station, where you’ll hike around the station for four hours. The guide will point out various animals along the trails while explaining the flora and fauna typical around the area. The tour ends at noon when you return to Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay.
Night tours start the same way, but instead of ending at noon, you’ll take a buffet lunch at the Rangers station. After allocating beds, you will head out for a second hike, which lasts up to four hours, before dinner. An early morning hike awaits before having breakfast. Another three-hour hike before the tour ends. After collecting your things at the Rangers station, you head to the beach for a boat ride back to Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez.
The night tour offers much more to see. Though a bit more expensive, it allows you to spend at least 13 hours on the trails, seeing a lot of wildlife. Another benefit of the night tour is that the park is less crowded once the others leave at noon. Ensure you book with reputable tour companies at Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay.
Apart from touring the national park, if you’re vested in exploring nature’s beauty, you can also check out our Full Guide to Rincon de la Vieja.
Conclusion
Corcovado National Park should be on your bucket list when you visit Costa Rica. We had a wonderful time there and saw a lot of animals in one place. I recommend the overnight stay if you want to explore the park extensively.
Did you enjoy your visit to the Corcovado National Park? Please share your experience.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
