Corcovado National Park

The park was established on October 24, 1975.

National Geographic magazine called Corcovado National Park the "most biologically intense place on Earth" and this is no exaggeration. All four of the monkeys species found within Costa Rica (Mantled Howler, Squirrel Monkey, Spider Monkey and White-faced Capuchin) exist in large numbers throughout the park. Two crocodilians (the occasionally large and saline tolerant American Crocodile and the small Spectacled Caiman) persist within all of the park's major waterways, as do Bull sharks. The Jaguar population within the park is the healthiest in all of Central America, however it is still extremely unlikely for a visitor to spot one (most locals have never seen them either.) Many other elusive cats call the park home as well, including the Puma (which is slightly smaller and more arboreal in Central American than in the United States, probably due to competition with the Jaguar,) Ocelot, Jaguarundi and Margay. The park is one of the last strongholds of the Baird's Tapir and there are hundreds within decent proximity from Sirena Station, usually found lounging in the shade or in shallow pools of stagnant water. There are dozens of snake species present, many of them venomous, including the Fer-de-lance (also known as terciopelo or "Costa Rican landmine",) the Bushmaster, the Eyelash Pit Viper, and the Coral Snake. The largest snake within the park is the non-venomous Boa Constrictor. Numerous other small mammals and reptiles are common within the park including, but by no means limited to, the White-nosed Coati, Sloth, Tamandua, Giant Anteater, Basilisk, and Ctenosaur. Birds include the highly endangered Scarlet Macaw, the Tiger Heron, Black Vulture and the Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan, among hundreds of others including the critically endangered Harpy Eagle.

• Dry season. Running from mid-December until mid-April with occasional rain showers.
• Wet season. Running mid-April until mid-December.

• Regular bus service is available to Puerto Jiménez. Passenger truck service from Puerto Jiménez to the southern entrance at Carate occurs on a biweekly or greater basis. The journey generally takes between 3 and 5 hours by road depending on weather, traffic conditions. In May 2007 passenger trucks were on a twice a day schedule (morning, and late afternoon).
• To Sendero El Tigre in Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre: In the center of Puerto Jiménez, the El Tigre colectivo (local minibus service) runs to Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre (12 km/7.5 mi west of Puerto Jiménez). M-F 11:00 and 16:00 at the Super 96 Supermarket. The fare is ₡1,300.

All roads on the Osa Peninsula exhibit the disrepair characteristic of Costa Rica outside of the main tourist destinations. The road from Puerto Jimenez to Carate require a 4WD vehicle as it is a gravel road with several required river fordings. This drive should only be attempted during the dry season, or after inquiring with local guides. Note that Carate is next to the beach. Take care not to pass Carate as it is poorly marked, but there is a well marked airstrip where the traditional walk on the beach towards the park starts. Parking is available by paying the store/bus stop which is Carate. Free parking is available next to the airstrip (do not leave valuables in the car).

From Puerto Jiménez to Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre (12 km/7.5 mi): it will take about 30 minutes. 4 km (2.5 mi) west of town, take your first left, after the Rio Tigre bridge where you will see signs for Dos Brazos and Parque Nacional Corcovado. After 3 km (1.8 mi), you will arrive in the town of Gallardo. Where you will pass a bar called Oasis and will take your 2nd left. Again you will see a signs for Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre. 5 km (3.1 mi) more down the road, you will arrive in the town of Dos Brazos del Rio Tigre. On your right before the bridge, you will see the Oficina de Turismo (Tourism Office). Park in the parking lot next to the Tourism Office. The drive to Dos Brazos is relatively easy with no river crossings and is safe to drive year round. The drive is possible with a small car, but a 4x4 is recommended.

• 4WD taxis are available for the passage from Puerto Jiménez to Carate. They are easy to find on the main strip of Puerto Jiménez. Taxis are also available to Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre from Puerto Jiménez and will cost around US$25.

• From Carate, it is a 4-km walk on the beach to the park entrance at the ranger station Las Leonas. Park permits and camping are available at the ranger station.

Park passes are required a month in advance of going into the park and can be purchased on line.

• From the tourism office in Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre, the Sendero El Tigre entrance is a 5-10-minute walk. Reservations can be made with the Tourism Office of Dos Brazos. The Tourism Office will handle all permits.

• Small planes fly from the city of Golfito on the mainland directly to the small airstrip at the central ranger station.
• You can fly to Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay with Skyway Airlines from San Jose in a 40 minute flight, then you will need to get a boat ride to the National Park.

Corcovado Map

• Sendero El Tigre. A 8-km (5-mi) looped trail. It is a medium-high difficulty trail with large hills at the beginning and end. It can be walked in four hours or less; but most finish in six to eight hours. Time depends on walking speeds and number of stops to view the abundant wildlife.
• Carate to La Leona. 3.5-km hike along the beach.
• La Leona to La Sirena. The 16-km-long hike to La Leona is on a trail which is on and off the beach. It is imperative that visitors time the hike so as to arrive at the river fording 2 km shy of La Sirena at the lowest possible tide. There is potable water at a stream "Quebrada la Chancha" (Chancha Stream) just east of "Ponta La Chancha" (Chancha Point).
• Los Patos to La Sirena. This 20-km hike is approximately eight hours through secondary rainforest. The trail slopes slightly down toward La Sirena.
• San Pedrillo to La Sirena. This 29-km hike is 13-14 hours and is almost entirely along the beach. Most of the trail has been closed since 2009. Only the San Pedrillo to Llorona section remains open (as of 2019).
• Drake to San Pedrillo. This trail is outside of the park and leads to its entrance. The hike is approximately six hours along the beach and just inside the forest.

There are several short trails in and around Sirena

• Ria Clero
• Espaveles
• Naranjos
• Guanaenste
• Ollas Corcovado

• Beds are available at the Sirena ranger station with advance reservation. You will need to bring your own bedsheets.
• Puerto Jimenez Hotels. 
• Carate Hotels. 
• Drake Bay Hotels. 
• . La Leona Eco-Lodge. A tent-camp lodge offering packages with or without meals. Located at the La Leona station at the southeast border of the park. 
• Poor Mans Paradise and Amaya Family Cabins is the only local Tico-owned and operated eco resort, near northern border of Corcovado National Park on the beachfront portion of the Amaya family farm (37 ha).

• Camping is possible only at the ranger stations at the entrances and at the central ranger station. Sirena station is a series adjoining structures connected by covered walkway. A covered platform next to a kitchen area and restroom provides needed shelter for pitching free standing tents and mosquito nets. As the platform is covered, you do not need to bring a fly if you are bringing a tent. Showers are available.

• Backcountry camping is not permitted within the park due to the fragile ecosystem. Outside of the park it is permitted and an attractive option for adventure trekkers looking for something more than a nice tidy three day park trip. See for a windy description of an out of park trail that dovetails nicely into a multi-day park trip and provides a deeper perspective into Osa history. This route used to be the route between Carate and Jimenez for those that could not afford to charter a bush plane.

• Drinking water. The water at the ranger stations is supposedly potable, but it is highly advised to bring some sort of portable water purifier or sterilizer as it is unrealistic to cart all of your own water in. Be especially careful while hiking from La Leona to Sirena Station- the park recommends the bare minimum of 1.5 liters but at least 3 liters is safer. Dehydration and heat exhaustion can and do kill very quickly.
• Sunscreen. The walk from La Leona to La Sirena is very exposed and it is very ill-advised to not wear proper protection.
• Bugspray. Malaria is not a concern in Corcovado, but Dengue fever is a possibility.
• Buddy or Guide. Stay safe, walk as a team. The river crossings are often underestimated and can be especially dangerous for solo hikers.

• Avoid swimming. The ocean tides in this area are extremely powerful, while crocodiles and bullsharks are present in both the Rio Claro and Rio Sirena. River crossings should be done quickly and carefully. NEVER risk crossing either of these rivers at high-tide or during stormy weather. Caimans may be present in all rivers and streams but are not considered a threat to humans.
• Snakes. There are Fer de Lance and various other poisonous snakes here. Fer de Lance or Tercioepelo, as it is known locally, is most active at night commonly along stream beds.
• Nature's defenses. Be careful of trees covered by thorns, spines, or ants.
• Peccaries Also known as Javelinas. There are two different species of peccaries in Corcovado, the Collared and the White-lipped Peccary. They run in packs and can be very aggressive. If threatened by a group of peccaries, climb a tree until you are six feet or higher off the ground.
• Emergencies. Park officials all own short wave radios and there is a pilot on-call. There are landing strips at Drake, La Sirena ranger station, and in Puerto Jiménez. There is also a local doctor in Drake.
• Maps Best maps locally are given out by the rangers, and are hand-drawn and not to scale. You may want to bring your own topo. However, topographic maps are neither required (the few trails are clearly visible) nor useful (almost impossible to find out where you are on the topographical maps).