Corcovado National Park Day Tour

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World famous for its dense vegetation, diverse wildlife and scenic views, Corcovado is a biologically and extremely rich neotropical National Park.

As the first protected wildlife area established in the Osa region, a large and concentrated population of endangered animals remain in the tropical rain forest of Corcovado making this zone the most biodiverse of the Pacific coast in Central America. It is actually one of the few sites in all Central America where still inhabit free in the forests viable populations of threatened species such as jaguars, pumas, tapirs, ocelots, margays, squirrel monkeys, scarlet macaws, great curassow and crested guan.

Other large mammal species observed include the collared peccary, the white-lipped peccary, the red brocket deer, the white-tailed deer, the mantled howler monkey, the white-faced capuchin monkey, the two-toed and three-toed sloth, the paca, the striped hog-nosed skunk, the river otter, the grison, the crab-eating raccoon, the white-nosed coati, the kinkajou, the agouti, the tayra, the nine-banded armadillo, the tropical red-tailed squirrel and a number of rats and mice, bats, the bottle-nose dolphin and two species of whale.

Spectacular bird species fascinate as well; among others: parakeets, trogons, toucans, cotingas, woodpeckers, woodcreepers, honeycreepers, tanagers, flycatchers, herons, pigeons, kingfishers, vultures, eagles, hawks, macaws, owls, ibis, iguanas, pelicans, cormorants, and frigatebirds.

Willing to live something really wild? Escape town and discover the last humid tropical forest refuge of the Pacific Coast!

Tips on Being in the Park:

• Heat and humidity are extremely high. Dehydration and heat-exhaustion are common illnesses in the park. Be prepared and bring enough water (in reusable bottles only) and hydrating drinks/energy tablets. You should drink 200 ml of liquid per hour. 
• The water is potable at each ranger station. Refill your bottles every time you stop at a station. 
• Depending on the itinerary you choose there might be stretches under the sun along the beach. We recommend wearing sunscreen, a hat and a long sleeved shirt.
• Hiking endurance and a good physical condition is a must for the long hikes between Sirena and La Leona or Los Patos. These trips are not recommended for people with asthma, heart, knee or ankle problems and/or any other health conditions.
• Meals
  • There will be no meals or snacks available for purchase in La Leona, San Pedrillo and Los Patos. You must bring your own. Foods permitted in the park are limited to: sandwiches, granola, grains, nuts, dried fruit and energy bars.
  • Bringing food to Sirena is strictly prohibited and enforced. You can only bring hydrating drinks and water. You will need to have an early breakfast at your hotel or bring some snacks to eat in the boat before the hikes. The park ranger will inspect backpacks upon your arrival. Lunch is included only for the Sirena boat in – boat out itineraries. You will be able to buy additional snacks at Sirena station as well. Inform us of your diets, allergies and/or intolerances.
• If you wish to provide your own transportation to Carate or Drake Bay, you will need a 4×4, as you will cross rivers (to Carate) and drive on slippery and mountainous terrain. The parking in Carate costs $5 each day. In Drake Bay, make sure you ask your hotel where you can park your car safely. Not every hotels have a secured parking lot.
• While walking in the park, cross rivers carefully, quickly and at low tide (applies for the long hike between Sirena and La Leona). Otherwise, the currents and tides might be quite powerful. In addition, beaches and the mouth of rivers are home to crocodiles and bull sharks. Follow the instructions of your experienced guide to cross rivers.
• In case of emergency, bring your medicine, a copy of your passport and your travel insurance information.
• Have your backpack ready the day before the tour. Some questions may occur while packing. Make sure you have everything you need, but most important DO NOT OVERLOAD your backpack with unnecessary items. Regardless of the itinerary selected, you will carry your backpack.
• An additional fee may apply if you request a private guide and/or a French speaking guide.

Some Rules and Regulations

• You must be accompanied by a certified guide at all times outside the stations.
• You must have a prepaid reservation to be registered upon arrival at any station. (We take care of it.)
• You must bring your passport, a printed copy or a digital copy/picture on your phone. The park ranger will compare your identity with the one your reservation to register you in the park. The information must match with your prepaid reservation.
• Closed-toe shoes or boots are required for walking on rainforest trails. Sandals or open shoes are permitted on the beach and inside the stations.
• Respect the environment: trash in / trash out. No animal feeding or hunting.
• Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited anywhere in the park including the instalations, the trails and the beach. 
• Drugs and alcohol are prohibited.
• Traveling off trails or without your guide is prohibited.
• Bringing pets or horseback riding is prohibited.

All rules are for the protection of humans, animals and the environment. When in doubt, follow the instructions of your guide.

Failure to comply with the National Park rules will result in legal sanctions, which may include expulsion at your own expense, fines, and notification to the police, immigration authorities, and your embassy.

There are stations available in different locations on the Osa Peninsula:

• La Leona
  • From Puerto Jiménez / Matapalo / Carate
• Sirena
  • From Puerto Jiménez
  • From Drake Bay
  • From Sierpe
• Los Patos
  • From Puerto Jiménez
  • From La Palma
• San Pedrillo
  • From Drake Bay
  • From Sierpe
• El Tigre (La Bonanza and La Torre)
  • From Puerto Jiménez

About Puerto Jiménez:

• There are 2 ATMs in Puerto Jiménez if you need to withdraw money. We accept colones (the local currency) if you do not have US dollars.
• If you have a vehicle, we recommend that you choose a hotel with a safe parking space to leave it while you are on your tour and walk up to the meeting point.
• There is a secure, low-cost parking lot located diagonally across from the dock.
• You can reach Puerto Jiménez from San José by:
  • Taking a national flying with Sansa Airline
  • Taking a shuttle with Transfer del Sur
  • Renting a car and driving (paved road all the way)
  • Taking the public bus with Transporte Blanco Lobo

• If your next destination after taking a day tour in Sirena is Drake Bay, you can take a boat out from Sirena directly to Drake Bay (extra fee may apply for luggage transfer and your guide returning to its original destination).

About Drake Bay:

• Boat transfer from Sierpe to Drake Bay: $20 per person at 11:30 AM or $25 per person at 3:30 PM. Prices are subject to change without notice.
• Boat transfer from Drake Bay to Sierpe: $20 per person at 7:15 AM or $25 per person at 2:30 PM. Prices are subject to change without notice.
• Boat transfers are 7 days a week all year round. No reservation. You need to arrive 30 to 60 minutes before departure in Sierpe.
• If you need to take the boat back from Drake Bay to Sierpe the same day you have your Corcovado tour please let us know to coordinate the transfers accordingly.
• Parking in Sierpe: $6 per day at Restaurante Don Jorge La Perla del Sur
• You can also fly to Drake Bay with the national airline Sansa or drive (4×4 needed). 
• If your next destination after taking a day tour in Sirena is Puerto Jiménez, you can take a boat out from Sirena directly to Puerto Jiménez (extra fee may apply for luggage transfer and your guide returning to its original destination).

There is no ATM in Drake Bay. Withdraw money before your arrival to avoid high commission fees using Paypal or your credit card. The closest banks & ATM are in Puerto Jiménez or Palmar Norte.

Cancelation Policy:

• A full refund can be offered up to 6 months before the date of your tour.
• Once your entrances are paid, there is no refund possible. Corcovado National Park does not provide any refunds. Therefore, refunds are only possible if the park is SOLD OUT on your selected dates and we are unable to make a reservation for you.
• Please note, the park policies may change without notice.
• In the event that weather conditions prevent access to the park, but the park remains opened, refunds are not available. However, the park typically offers a date change valid for use within the following 30 days when it closes due to a meteorological alert. This rarely happens more than 5 days a year.
• Transport will be charged if it leaves without you for any reason.

To check availability and ask for a quote, let us know:

• Date (Please specify if your dates are flexible, including the range of possible dates and your order of preference.)
• Full name and passport number of EACH participant (required to to get your pre-reservation)
• Nationality
• Station to visit or itinerary
• Does transport is needed
• Where are you staying (hotel name or village)

Let us know your travel plans, physical capacity and expectations to design your custom itinerary in the Corcovado National Park with an experienced, naturalist and certified guide. Corcovado is a gorgeous must-see park packed with unexpected wildlife encounters.

To book this exciting tour, a deposit is required.

Contact us today to check availability.

Additional information