Visit Corcovado National Park is located on the Osa peninsula in southwest Costa Rica. It was created in 1975 to protect it from gold prospectors and the tourist industry. Corcovado National Park is an emblematic park whose reputation extends far beyond the borders of Costa Rica.
Corcovado's treasures are above all natural. Corcovado National Park is home to the largest primary forest in the American Pacific, with over 500 species of trees, including Guanacaste, Ceiba, el árbol de vaco and cedro. Animals such as Baird's tapirs, collared peccaries, monk capuchins, red-backed sapajous, black-handed spider monkeys and other endangered animals can be found here. This National Park contains 140 species of mammals, representing 10% of the mammals on the American continent, 367 species of birds, 117 species of reptiles, around 40 species of freshwater fish and it is estimated that there are over 6000 species of insects.
In fact, National Geographic considers Corcovado National Park to be the most biologically intense place on earth.
The region's other undeniable treasure is the people who have succeeded in integrating themselves here in complete harmony with nature. Numerous associations protect, educate, guide and act on a daily basis to promote sustainable tourism.
How do I get to Corcovado National Park?
The park is accessible by several means of transport.
We will first consider two main access zones:
By Bahia Drake
By Puerto Jimenez
Bahia Drake
By aircraft the company SANSA offers flights lasting about 1 hour from San José to Bahia Drake or Palmar Sur airport. A cab or transfer depending on the lodge will pick you up and take you to your lodge.
By car/boat Drive to the village of Sierpe. Once there, arrange to have your car guarded. You can park your car in a secure parking lot by asking the restaurant staff. They'll introduce you to the contact person, who you can follow by car to the parking lot, where the owner will give you a ticket with the day's date on it. When you return, present him with this ticket - the cost is + or - 3000 colones/day - and he'll take you back to the parking lot to collect your vehicle.
You'll then take a boat (either a public cab boat or one reserved by your lodge) to the village of Bahia Drake.
Boat times in the Sierpe-Bahia Drake direction: 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Return Bahia-Drake-Sierpe: 7.15 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.
Beware, the passage through the estuary is the scene of some impressive waves. Don't worry, the boat captains have been through this passage every day since they were children.
Puerto Jimenez
By aircraft Airport transfer: SANSA offers the possibility of landing at Puerto Jimenez airport. You will then take a cab or transfer to your lodge.
By car From San José, take the Interamerican Highway to San isidro del General (also known as Perez Zeledon), then head down the coast and south towards Palmar Norte. Then head for Piedras Blancas and turn right, following the signs for Puerto Jimenez.
How do I get to Corcovado National Park from Bahia Drake and Puerto Jimenez?
From Bahia DrakeThe only access is by boat. You can then choose to visit :
Corcovado National Park trail San pedrillo.
This is the closest park entrance to Bahia Drake. The San Pedrillo trail is less popular with travellers than the La Sirena trail.
Corcovado National Park trail La Sirena
This is the area of the park most visited by travellers. Indeed, its international renown has been built on the very high probability of seeing tapirs (America's largest mammal), monkeys, macaw macaws and many other animal and plant species. The word biodiversity takes on its full meaning here.
From Puerto Jimenez :
Corcovado National Park trail La Leona
Located over 40km from Puerto Jimenez, you'll first need to get to the Carate station. Then walk about 3.5km to reach the entrance to the La Leona trail national park. The walk takes around 4-5 hours.
Corcovado National Park trail Los Patos:
From Puerto Jimenez, drive to Guadalupe de la Palma, then 10 km to the national park entrance. Be careful, you'll have to cross a river. If the river level is low, you can cross it by 4×4. If it's higher, you'll have to cross on foot.
What to do in Corcovado
Corcovado National Park
Considered a wild "no man's land", this natural paradise was unknown until the 1960s. It is located on the Osa Peninsula in southwest Costa Rica. Corcovado National Park protects 54,500 hectares of land and 2,500 hectares of sea.
As we have seen, Corcovado National Park has several entrances:
"Los Patos", "Sirena", "San Pedrillo", "La Leona" and "Carate".
Important: A guide is required to visit the park.
If you wish to visit the park in one day, many service providers offer One Day Tour packages. These packages include transport, entrance to the national park, the services of a guide and often snacks on site.
You can also visit the park over several days. In this case, you'll need to book beds at the park's ranger stations. Please note that availability can be hard to come by.
Corcovado National Park contact details:
Open from 07:00 to 16:00
Tel: +506 27 35 50 36 / 83 23 86 95
For further information, please contact us: Parque Nacional Corcovado
If you reserve a place in advance but wish to cancel, you must request cancellation no later than 15 days before arrival. Reservations are personal and cannot be transferred to another person.
baby sloth poses for the camera on the treeRules for visiting Corcovado National Park :
Staying on the beaten path
Bathing banned in rivers, beaches and lagoons
No feeding, touching or oppressing animals
The introduction of alcohol is prohibited
Always be accompanied by a guide
Collecting garbage
Do not collect plant or animal samples
Isla del Caño National Park
Part of Corcovado National Park, Isla del Caño is located some 20 km from Bahia Drake.
It is best known for its diving sites.
Whether snorkeling or scuba diving, Isla del Caño is one of Costa Rica's finest diving destinations.
Day 9-MurcielagoThe 3 main dive sites are :
Barco Hundidobeginner level
Depth 15 -20 metres
Bajo del Diablointermediate level
Depth: 15-40 metres
Paraisointermediate level
Depth: 20 metres
The island was the site of pre-Columbian human activity. This activity left a legacy of perfectly circular spheres that are the source of many myths.
Corcovado National Park is one of Costa Rica's must-see sites. It alone is worth the trip from Europe. If you'd like to visit it and find out about our current favorites, please don't hesitate to contact us: info@morphocostarica.com
Corcovado's treasures are above all natural. Corcovado National Park is home to the largest primary forest in the American Pacific, with over 500 species of trees, including Guanacaste, Ceiba, el árbol de vaco and cedro. Animals such as Baird's tapirs, collared peccaries, monk capuchins, red-backed sapajous, black-handed spider monkeys and other endangered animals can be found here. This National Park contains 140 species of mammals, representing 10% of the mammals on the American continent, 367 species of birds, 117 species of reptiles, around 40 species of freshwater fish and it is estimated that there are over 6000 species of insects.
In fact, National Geographic considers Corcovado National Park to be the most biologically intense place on earth.
The region's other undeniable treasure is the people who have succeeded in integrating themselves here in complete harmony with nature. Numerous associations protect, educate, guide and act on a daily basis to promote sustainable tourism.
The park is accessible by several means of transport.
We will first consider two main access zones:
Considered a wild "no man's land", this natural paradise was unknown until the 1960s. It is located on the Osa Peninsula in southwest Costa Rica. Corcovado National Park protects 54,500 hectares of land and 2,500 hectares of sea.
As we have seen, Corcovado National Park has several entrances:
"Los Patos", "Sirena", "San Pedrillo", "La Leona" and "Carate".
Important: A guide is required to visit the park.
If you wish to visit the park in one day, many service providers offer One Day Tour packages. These packages include transport, entrance to the national park, the services of a guide and often snacks on site.
You can also visit the park over several days. In this case, you'll need to book beds at the park's ranger stations. Please note that availability can be hard to come by.
Corcovado National Park contact details:
Open from 07:00 to 16:00
Tel: +506 27 35 50 36 / 83 23 86 95
For further information, please contact us: Parque Nacional Corcovado
If you reserve a place in advance but wish to cancel, you must request cancellation no later than 15 days before arrival. Reservations are personal and cannot be transferred to another person.
The island was the site of pre-Columbian human activity. This activity left a legacy of perfectly circular spheres that are the source of many myths.
Corcovado National Park is one of Costa Rica's must-see sites. It alone is worth the trip from Europe. If you'd like to visit it and find out about our current favorites, please don't hesitate to contact us: info@morphocostarica.com
