Welcome to Corcovado National Park. Often described by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on Earth in terms of biodiversity.” With so many tours that you can do on the Osa Peninsula. Corcovado National Park should be at the top of your list.
What to expect in Corcovado Park
The New York Times says Corcovado Park is one of the top 4 places to see in the world for 2026. Understandable in one word, amazing. There are over 500 different trees, 400 different birds, 140 mammals, all 4 monkeys, all 6 large cats, 40 different hummingbirds, and 100 different amphibians.
“Corcovado is a sanctuary for some of the world’s rarest creatures. During your visit, keep your eyes peeled for the ‘Big Four’ monkeys: the Spider Monkey, Howler Monkey, White-faced Capuchin, and the endangered Squirrel Monkey. The park is also one of the few places to spot the Baird’s Tapir, Northern Tamandua (anteater), and White-lipped Peccaries. If you are lucky, you may even cross paths with a Puma or see the tracks of a Jaguar.”
100 different butterflies, 10,000 insects, and 30 different frogs. Then include all the flora. Yes, the Corcovado Park has all of the above.
Best time to visit Corcovado Park
Best time to visit Corcovado Park. 16 years ago, when I first visited the park. Only 300 visitors were allowed into the park a day. Now the Costa Rica government is going to allow 700 people a day to visit the park. Add guides to the equation, and you could be looking at close to 800 people in the park at peak season.
La Sirena Ranger Station.
Now that boats are taking visitors from Puerto Jiménez to La Sirena Ranger Station, and some from Drake Bay. You will have over 300 people at the ranger station on a busy day.
My recommendation is to go to Corcovado Park in the afternoon, staying the night at La Sirena ranger station. All visitors will leave the park by 2 pm at the latest.
When all the visitors are gone, you will have the afternoon to explore without the crowd. In the morning, you will have from sunrise till 8 am before the boats show up with visitors. Take one of the boats back to Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay.
My first visit to the park.
It was 16 years ago that I first visited Corcovado National Park. I had a little break from running my boat in Alaska; the first thing that came to my mind was PALM TREE! I jumped on a plane and ended up in Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula. This wasn’t my first time to the Osa Peninsula. The year before, I was leading a photography tour. We drove into Puerto Jimenez, I took one look around, and knew I had found a place I could drop my anchor.
I went to a tour company and booked a private tour for the next day, with a guide who could speak English. Paid the amount, and they told me to meet them at the bakery at 5.30 am the next morning.
Woke up at 4 am, with the sound of howler monkeys greeting the day. Wow, I’m already in the jungle, I thought as I was having my coffee. At 5.00 am, I started to walk down the deserted main street to the bakery. All of a sudden, there were hundreds of green parrots flying around in the sky, screeching. The movie, The Birds, came to mind. Now I was really getting excited to see Corcovado’s park. My guide was at the bakery, and she told me all about the pastries. I got two sandwiches and another cup of coffee.
The ride to the park.
We jumped into a 4 by 4 sports vehicle and were off. My guide told me that someone had spotted some pygmy owls on the way to the park. ok this morning was getting better. Off to the left, I could see the sweet gulf, or in Spanish, Golfo Dulce. The water was bright blue, then a dozen Scarlet Macaws flew by; all were in pairs. Ok, I was getting excited; so far it was a great morning. 20 min later, we came to a stop. I could see there were two other vehicles stopped, and everyone was taking photos of something in a tree.
While in Rome do what the Romans do
While in Rome, do what the Romans do. I jumped out of the SUV and walked over to the people and looked up. nothing? Then my guide pointed in the right direction. Sitting on a branch were 5 pygmy owls. All of them had to be maybe 6 inches tall, camouflaged; they blended into the tree.
By now, I was understanding that the Osa Peninsula was a special place. We got back into the SUV, and all the way there were incredible Birds; even the cattle in the fields had white egrets on their backs with a background of dense jungle, a photographer’s dream.
After crossing three rivers, we got to the trailhead and parked the SUV. After 30 meters into the trail, we came across another river. My guide took off her boots and socks. She told me I should do the same. Being a tough Alaska boat captain, I walked through the river with my boots on. My guide crossed the river, dried her feet off, and put on her socks and boots. Another 50 meters down the trail, we came around a corner, and there was a family of white-faced Capuchins monkeys. They were in a tree only 20 feet away from us.
We saw all four monkeys.
I had never been this close to monkeys before; another rush of excitement hit me. The monkeys seemed not bothered by us being so close, like they knew they were safe inside the park. We saw all 4 monkeys in the Corcovado park that day. The mantled Howler monkey, squirrel monkey, white-faced capuchin monkey, and Geoffroy’s spider monkey. It was an amazing experience.
Another 100 meters and Coatis
We went another 100 meters and turned a corner in the trail. We witnessed over 100 coatis scratching under the layer of leaves for food. They were everywhere. They would walk right past us. Coatis are cute little animals, but they have razor-sharp teeth. My dog Alaska ran a coati down on our favorite beach. The Coatis turned and attacked Alaska. Alaska ended up with a gash in her throat. She almost died. Alaska ended up wearing the cone of shame for over a month.
My guide and myself became friends
My guide and I became friends. We started talking about our lives. Her life was dedicated to preserving the Osa Peninsula for tourism. I told her about my wanting to live in this paradise called the Osa Peninsula. She said it was her birthday. I asked her what she truly wanted for her birthday. A machete, she said. Oh yes, I thought; we live different lifestyles. Not your typical gift.
The conversation changed to Wild cats.
My guide told me about the wild cats of the Osa Peninsula. Well, I thought, how cool would it be to see a wild cat? I told her that I wanted to see one. She smiled at me. It’s a jungle out here; you never know what you will see.
The almond tree full of Scarlet Macaws.
Another 200 meters and we came to a beach almond tree full of Scarlet Macaws. We were only 10 feet away from the tree. There had to be at least 30 Scarlet Macaws eating the Almonds. Once again, my excitement meter hit 100. I have never witnessed so many Scarlet Macaws in one place and so close.
La Leona Ranger Station
We got to the La Leona Ranger station in two hrs. We signed the guest book. Took a 5-minute rest, and then we kept going another 200 meters into Corcovado Park. We came to another river. We had lunch at the river overlooking the Golfo Dulce. As we were eating, my guide pointed to the left. I turned, and 10 feet away was an anteater looking for ants in a fallen tree.
The Puma.
After lunch, we started back down the trail to Carate. We were almost to Carate when we crossed a river, and there, sitting in the jungle watching the Golfo Dulce, was a Puma. Now this was a dream come true for me. Yes, the Corcovado Park is worth a visit.
The Machete
When we got back to Puerto Jimenez the next day, I bought a machete and a leather case for it. I went to my guide’s office and gave her the machete. We are still good friends 16 years later.
Three ranger stations
There are three ranger stations in Corcovado Park that you can go to. The first one is La Leona Ranger Station. The best way to visit it is by hiking the trail from Carate. The trail is flat and an easy hike. The second station is Sirena Ranger Station; the best way to visit is by boat, leaving from the new dock in Puerto Jimenez. The third ranger station is San Pedrillo. The best way to get to this ranger station is from Drake Bay, either walking or by boat.
Hiring a guide.
To visit the park, you will need to hire a guide. It is one of the only parks in Costa Rica where you need a guide. The reason is that it is easy to get lost or hurt going off the main trails in the park. A professional guide helps you to spot the hidden wildlife you might otherwise miss.
The cost to visit Corcovado National Park.
All tour companies have different tours, from a day hike to spending days in the park. Tours will range from $124.00 to over $600.00 for more than one day. These costs typically cover your park entrance fees, professional guide services, and transportation. Remember that investing in a high-quality tour is the best way to guarantee a safe and educational experience in this primary rainforest.
If you want to spend more than one day, you will be sleeping at one of the ranger stations, such as Sirena. This is the heart of the park’s wildlife activity. They provide all meals, showers, and beds. Sleeping in the middle of the jungle is an unforgettable experience where the sounds of howler monkeys and tropical birds serve as your morning alarm.
It is frowned upon to bring in your own food to prevent attracting wildlife to the stations. So make sure you follow the park rules strictly to help preserve this delicate ecosystem. Proper waste management is crucial in keeping Corcovado pristine for future generations.
Getting to Corcovado National Park
Getting to the park depends on your chosen route. If you are starting your hiking tour at the beginning of Carate, you will get there by a hired Van (included in the tour package). You will meet at the Panaderia (bakery) in Puerto Jimenez at 5 am in the morning. This early start is necessary to beat the midday heat and catch the wildlife at their most active hour.
The bakery opens at 4:30 am. This is a great place to have breakfast with a cup of fresh Costa Rican Coffee. My favorite is the breakfast burrito, which provides the perfect energy boost for a long day of trekking through the jungle.
From the panaderia, you will take the road to Carate for about 2 hours. Along the way, your guide will point out different wildlife, stop for photos, and continue to Carate. The journey itself is beautiful, passing through secondary forests and local landscapes.
Once in Carate, the trailhead will take you along the beach to the first ranger station, Sirena. During the hike. You will encounter incredible wildlife. Stunning ocean views, four species of monkeys, and if you’re lucky, maybe even a wild cat like a Puma or Ocelot. The above photos were taken during the hike from Carate to the Sirena ranger station.
Corcovado National Park by Boat
The second way to get to Corcovado National Park. If you do not want to hike all day, it is by boat. This is a popular option for those staying in Puerto Jiménez who want a faster route to the Sirena or San Pedrillo stations.
You will meet your guide at the new Puerto Jiménez Dock. Depending on your tour company, departures vary. Most boats leave in the early morning to take advantage of the calm seas and better wildlife viewing opportunities.
The boat ride is an adventure all by itself. As you cross the Golfo Dulce, keep your eyes peeled for Humpback Whales (in season), Dolphins, and Sea Turtles. The coastal views of the peninsula from the water are absolutely breathtaking.
The boat will drop you off at the ranger station. There are trails throughout the station area where you can see wildlife all day long. At the end of the day, the boat will come pick you up and take you back to Puerto Jimenez, often arriving just in time for a beautiful sunset over the gulf.
If you’re in Drake Bay, you can also access the park easily by boat or by hiking to the San Pedrillo ranger station, which offers lush forest trails and stunning waterfalls.
Important!! You must reserve your tour at least a day before, though booking weeks in advance is highly recommended. Park permits are limited and sell out quickly. You cannot book a tour on the day you want to go. Plan ahead to ensure you don’t miss out on this world-class destination.
El Tigre Trailhead to Corcovado Park
El Tigre trailhead into the Corcovado Park is located only 30 min from Puerto Jiménez. If you do not want to travel a total of 4-plus hours, El Tigre is close. The El Tigre trailhead is located in a small town called Dos Brazos.