Corcovado National Park occupies about a third of Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula in the South Pacific, protecting rainforest, coastline, and lagoons across over 420 square kilometers.
Corcovado National Park occupies about a third of Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula in the South Pacific, protecting rainforest, coastline, and lagoons across over 420 square kilometers. You come here to spot tapirs, monkeys, coatis, and scarlet macaws in a forest that has been protected since 1975.The wildlife includes Baird's tapirs, white-lipped peccaries, agoutis, and several cat species, including jaguars, though you'll rarely see them. The park hosts the country's largest population of Scarlet Macaws, especially along the coast. Crocodiles inhabit the river mouths.You can only enter the park with a certified guide, even for day tours. The guide typically handles reservations with the SINAC conservation system; visitor numbers are limited per station per day. Most tours depart from Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez.At its heart is the Sirena biological station, offering basic accommodation and camping, accessible by boat or long hiking trails. Other access points include La Leona near Carate, San Pedrillo on the northwest coast, and Los Patos and El Tigre inland. Sirena, Los Patos, and El Tigre are closed to visitors every October, while San Pedrillo and La Leona remain open.The dry season from December to April offers the easiest conditions. During the rainy season, trails are muddy, and boat trips may be cancelled due to rough seas.
Sights in Corcovado National Park
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Park
1San Pedrillo Station
The northwest coast station is the usual entry for day tours from Drake Bay, with boats landing directly on the beach. From San Pedrillo, short trails lead into the forest. The long, two-day hike from here to Sirena requires camping equipment and is only open during the dry season. San Pedrillo remains accessible to visitors even in October, but daily visitor numbers are limited.
The station in the park's southwest is Corcovado's hub: Here, the long hiking trails from La Leona, Los Patos, and San Pedrillo converge, and shorter paths lead around the station along the Río Sirena. Simple accommodations and a limited number of campsites are available; meals must be booked in advance. Most visitors arrive by boat from Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez. Sirena is closed to visitors every October, and since September 17, 2026, a daily limit of 366 people has been in effect.
The park's southeastern access point is on the coast near Carate, which you can reach from Puerto Jiménez by shared taxi. From Carate, you walk about 45 minutes along the beach to the station. The Sirena trail covers about 16 kilometers, mostly just behind the beach, and is only continuously passable at low tide; allow five to six hours. La Leona also remains open to visitors in October.
A Park with Strict RulesCorcovado was founded on October 24, 1975, and is managed by the SINAC conservation authority via the Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA). For years, visitor limits per station have applied, which the authority adjusts as needed. Since September 17, 2026, Sirena has again permitted up to 366 people daily, split between day and overnight guests.Exploring with a GuideThe mandatory guide system has a practical basis: Guides know the animals, their tracks, and hazards in the terrain, like river crossings only passable at low water. Many guides come from surrounding villages, and these tours are a vital income source for them. Night tours within the park are not allowed.
Approaches and Stations
By Boat to SirenaMost visitors reach Sirena by boat: from Drake Bay in about an hour and a half, from Puerto Jiménez in around two hours. Boats land on the beach, expect wet feet. During rough seas in the rainy season, trips may be cancelled.On Foot via La Leona and Los PatosFrom Puerto Jiménez, a shared taxi, a pick-up truck with benches, goes to Carate, from there, you walk about 45 minutes to La Leona station. The coastal path from La Leona to Sirena is about 16 kilometers long and only fully passable at low tide. The trail from Los Patos to Sirena leads about 20 kilometers inland and is challenging. Groups usually reach San Pedrillo by boat from Drake Bay.
