Corcovado National Park Review

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Corcovado National Park

  • Directions: La Leona, the southernmost entrance, is 43 km (27 mi) from Puerto Jiménez to Carate, then a 3-km (2-mi) hike. La Sirena entrance is another 13 km (8½ mi). Los Patos entrance is a 25-km (16-mi) drive from Puerto Jiménez to La Palma, then a 12-km (7-mi) hike. San Pedrillo entrance is accessible from Drake Bay by a 20-min boat ride or, in dry season only, via a 25-km (16-mi) hike along the Pacific-side beach
  • Phone: 735-5036 National Parks Service in Puerto Jimenez

Fodor's Review:

Comprising 435 square km (168 square mi) and covering one-third of the Osa Peninsula, the Parque Nacional Corcovado is one of the largest and wildest protected areas in Costa Rica. Much of the park is covered with virgin rain forest, where massive espavel and nazareno trees tower over the trails, thick lianas hang from the branches, and animals such as toucans, Spider Monkeys, Scarlet Macaws, and poison dart frogs abound. Corcovado is also home to seldom-seen boa constrictors, jaguars, anteaters, and tapirs. In and around the park you will find some of Costa Rica's most luxurious jungle lodges and retreats.

The easiest way to visit remote Corcovado is on a day trip from one of the lodges in the nearby Drake Bay area, or from the Corcovado Tent Camp; but if you have a backpack and strong legs, you can spend days deep in its wilds. There are three entrances: La Leona (to the south), San Pedrillo (to the north), and Los Patos (to the east). The park has no roads, however, and the roads that approach it are dirt tracks that require four-wheel drive most of the year. A very limited number of bunks are available at the La Leona and (more remote) Sirena ranger stations—you'll need sheets and a good mosquito net. A limited number of meals can be arranged at the La Sirena station if you reserve in advance. Check with the National Parks Service office in Puerto Jiménez before you go into the park without food supplies.

During the dry season, the park takes reservations for bunks and camping on the first day of each month for the following month. You may be asked to deposit money into the Environment Ministry's account in the Banco Nacional to reserve space. Be sure to reconfirm your reservation a few days before you enter the park. Camping is allowed at the Sirena, La Leona, Los Patos, and San Pedrillo stations, but only 35 people are allowed to camp at any given station, so reservations with the National Parks Service are essential in high season.

  • Cost: $8 per day; $17 per person for stays of 4-5 days
  • Open: Ranger stations are officially open from 8 AM to 4 PM daily, but you can walk in almost any time as long as you pay in advance
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