Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park is one of the most remote parks in Costa Rica's national park system, offering exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities unavailable elsewhere in the country. The park protects primary rainforest that grows right up to the ocean, creating a unique ecosystem where visitors can spot over 350 bird species, 139 mammals including Tapirs, Puma, and Jaguar, and 116 amphibians and reptiles. Its isolation has helped preserve an incredible biodiversity that draws nature enthusiasts from around the world.

The dry season runs from mid-December until mid-April with occasional rain showers, making travel to and through the park much safer and more manageable. The wet season runs from mid-April until mid-December, with increased difficulty navigating trails and higher risks of flooding. Travel to and through the park is perilous and is best accomplished during the dry season. High season brings more visitors, so permits fill quickly.

Drake Bay lies on the north side of the park and provides entrance and easy access to its trails, making it an excellent alternative to Puerto Jiménez. Puerto Jiménez is the nearest sizeable town to the park and most people entering the park will need to pass through this town. From the north, travel along the beach through San Pedrillo. From the south, travel along the beach through Carate. From the east, it is a 13-km hike (3 hours) from La Palma to Los Patos, crossing the Rincon River around 30 times, with taxis available during dry season.

Permits must be reserved in advance to stay overnight at Sirena, which is the only ranger station offering dormitory lodging and hot meals in addition to camping. La Leona, San Pedrillo, and Los Patos offer only camping with no food service. The Park Service (MINAE) does not issue permits more than one month in advance. Vendors like CafeNet El Sol offer reservation services for a fee of US$30, enabling travelers to obtain permits by credit card without traveling to Puerto Jiménez. The park does not accept cash or credit card payments directly—only in-country bank deposits. For the El Tigre trail, the fee is US$125 for two people including the US$30 park entrance fee, with the Tourism Office handling all permits.

The park is home to over 350 species of birds including Scarlet Macaws, 116 types of amphibians and reptiles including poison dart frogs, and 139 mammals including Tapirs, Squirrel Monkeys, Puma, and Jaguar. Natural attractions include rock formations, waterfalls, beaches, rivers, and rainforest that grows right up to the ocean. The trail from Los Patos to La Sirena is particularly noted for bird watching.

Visiting La Sirena is recommended as it makes a good central base for exploring the park, located 20 km from each entrance. Visitors should take as many pictures as possible to enjoy the beauty after leaving. Kayak rides through the rainforest can be arranged by asking locals. Hiring a guide is advisable as they know animal habits and can point out tapir routes, though visitors should also take time to explore independently.

Meals are available at the central ranger station (La Sirena) with advance reservation. Visitors often bring food inside the park that is easy to pack, lightweight, and non-perishable such as pastas, rice, beans, or soup packets. Potable water is available at each Ranger Station, but visitors should carry plenty of water during hikes. Many multi-day visitors bring powdered drink mixes.

Sirena is the only ranger station offering dormitory lodging and hot meals in addition to camping. La Leona, San Pedrillo, and Los Patos offer only camping with no food service. In practice, the park often allows campers with their own food to enter without advance reservations during less busy times, but during peak season even camping areas fill quickly, especially at Sirena Ranger Station. Nearby accommodations include Finca Exotica Wildlife Ecolodge near Carate Beach at US$80-120 per night with food included, and Casa Corcovado Lodge bordering the park in the jungle.

Nearby destinations include Chirripo National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, and Santiago de Veraguas. The Osa Peninsula offers numerous other attractions including Drake Bay for easy park access, Puerto Jiménez as a base town, and Carate for beach access near the park's southern entrance.

The park's beauty is preserved because of its remoteness and conscious effort to keep it pristine. Visitors should carry out all trash and waste following leave-no-trace camping principles. Please pick up any trash seen that was left inside the park and encourage others to do the same.