Corcovado National Park Guide
The main natural attraction of the Osa Peninsula is Corcovado National Park. Corcovado National Park is one of the richest and most diverse tropical areas on the planet. It covers nearly half of the entire peninsula and has the largest lowland rainforest in Central America. Corcovado has one of the largest populations of scarlet macaws in Costa Rica, second only to Carara National Park. All four species of monkeys and both sloth species live in the park. The park also houses five species of wild cat including Ocelots, Jaguarondi, Margays, Pumas, and Jaguars. Beginning in 2014, all visitors must have a guide in the park. Nearly all of the lodges in the region offer day tours to the park.
Corcovado National Park was established on October 24th, 1975 by presidential decree during the Daniel Oduber Quirós administration. At this time Corcovado was settled by gold miners and farmers who were eventually relocated by the government in order to protect the flora and fauna of the park.
Today Corcovado protects the largest tract of Pacific Lowland Rainforest in all of Central America and is home to the country’s most endangered animals. Hiking through Corcovado’s impressive forests and experiencing the park’s rich biodiversity is truly memorable and highly recommended.
Visitors travelling to the Corcovado National Park may access the park by visiting either established ranger stations: San Pedrillo or Sirena. Both stations are boat access only. Reservations are required for day trips as well as overnight stays.
The park has a strict reservation system that requires getting permits in advance with each visitor's name and passport numbers. Reservations should be made at least a week in advance. Each station only allows 100 visitors per day!
Corcovado Reservations, Certified Guides & Food Regulations
Certified Guides Required for all Visitors
“Through the administrative decision number; R-SINAC-ACOSA-D-011-2013 it is official that as of February 1st of 2014, all visitors to Corcovado National Park will be required to be accompanied by a specially certified local tour guide”
The only legal way to enter Corcovado is on a group or private tour purchased from a certified operator and accompanied by local guide who has registered in advance with the park service. Freelance guides are not permitted (even if they have ICT certification).
Big changes arrived at Sirena station in the first half of 2017. Services previously provided by SINAC (the parks service) have been taken over by the Asociación de Desarollo Integral (ADI) of Carate, a nonprofit consortium of local hotel owners tour operators.
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No Camping is allowed. Overnight visitors must reserve a bunk and mosquito net in the bunkhouse (arranged by your chosen tour company)
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No Outside food is allowed (no not even a Powerbar). Meals must be purchased at the cafeteria (your tour company arranges this).
Which station should I go to?
From Drake Bay there are two options for day trips to Corcovado: the Sirena Station and the San Pedrillo Station. Most tour agencies go to Sirena, however, both stations have their own charm depending on what you are looking for. The average cost to visit San Pedrillo is $100 and Sirena is $120.
Sirena Station
The Sirena Station is much more popular than the San Pedrillo Station, therefore, you should expect many more tourists there than at San Pedrillo. The entry limit of each station is 100 tourists per day, and the Sirena Station tends to fill those spaces days to weeks in advance. The reason for its popularity is because it is believed to guarantee more animal sightings. The rain forest at Sirena is secondary growth, which means it has been cut down before and later revived. The Sirena Station has dorm beds and a cafeteria for those participating in overnight tours. Visitors can also buy snacks and souvenirs at this station.
A tour to the Sirena Station from Drake Bay starts with a 40 minute boat ride to the Station. Once there, you will make a 4 to 5 hour guided walk along the trails. Visitors can see a variety of wildlife, including monkeys, birds, peccaries, coatis, sloths and hopefully the tapir. Lunch is given out where the guide thinks is appropriate. Then you walk back to the boat and go to Drake Bay at 12:30 to 13:00.
