Corcovado National Park Costa Rica

• High Season (Dec 15 – Apr 15): Dry weather, easier hiking, excellent wildlife viewing. Expect more visitors.

• Green Season (May – early Dec): Fewer crowds, lush scenery, more intimate experiences.

• October: Sirena Sector is closed in October for conservation and maintenance. Other Corcovado sectors may remain open.

Wildlife sightings are spectacular year-round, and we can also guide you to quieter, lesser-known trails beyond the main routes.

Corcovado has no hotels inside the park, Sirena Ranger Station is the only overnight option and requires advance booking.

• Overnight Stays: Must be booked via ADI Corcovado at reservaciones@adicorcovado.org.

• Day Tickets: Reserve through SINAC at reservaciones.pnc@sinac.go.cr.

• Guides: Required for Sirena, recommended for all other routes.

You can reach Sirena on foot from La Leona (Carate) or Los Patos (La Palma) entrances, or by boat from Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez.

For those seeking a more personal adventure, our private tours are fully tailored to your interests, wildlife photography, rainforest ecology, or simply soaking in the beauty at your own pace. While boat transfers to Sirena are shared for efficiency, all land-based experiences remain entirely private.

Transparent pricing. No hidden fees. Just authentic, unforgettable ecotourism.

Prices vary based on tour type, length, and group size. Rates do not include administrative fees or guide-related expenses. Rainfall averages 5,500 mm in the mountains and 3,500 mm along the coast, so pack accordingly.

Osa Tourism designs eco-tours that bring you deep into the park, whether you dream of:

• A boat journey to Sirena Station, the heart of the park.

• A coastal hike from La Leona, where rainforest meets the Pacific.

• A multi-day trek with overnight stays in the jungle.

Led by ICT-certified naturalist guides, every tour is designed to be safe, seamless, and deeply enriching. We arrange all logistics, permits, guides, meals, and transport so you can focus entirely on the experience.

Do you need a guide for Corcovado National Park?

Yes. Visitors to Corcovado National Park should visit with a registered local guide. SINAC recommends that visitors be accompanied by a properly registered guide, and a guide is required on the La Leona–Sirena and Los Patos–Sirena trails. Also you will need a guide when entering Sirena via boat. Because Corcovado is a remote rainforest with challenging trails, changing conditions and abundant wildlife, traveling with an experienced local guide is strongly recommended for safety and the best wildlife-viewing experience.

How do you get to Corcovado National Park?

Corcovado National Park has several official sectors, and the best way to reach the park depends on which sector you plan to visit. Sirena can be reached by boat from Puerto Jiménez, Drake Bay or Sierpe, or by hiking in from La Leona or Los Patos. La Leona is accessed through Carate, while San Pedrillo is commonly reached by boat from Drake Bay. Los Patos is accessed from the Puerto Jiménez area and involves a more challenging overland and hiking route.

For most visitors staying in Puerto Jiménez, a guided boat trip to Sirena or a guided hike through La Leona provides the most practical way to experience Corcovado.

Which entrance to Corcovado is best?

There is no single best entrance…it depends on what you want to experience.

Sirena is the most popular choice for visitors interested in wildlife because it is located deep inside the park and has a network of approximately 20 kilometers of local trails. It can be reached by boat or by hiking from La Leona or Los Patos.

La Leona is a good option for visitors who want a challenging coastal rainforest experience and access to the trail toward Sirena.

San Pedrillo is a popular choice for day trips from Drake Bay and offers rainforest trails, waterfalls and coastal scenery. We do not mention this trail because it does not really offer the splendour of the wildlife associated with Corcovado.

Los Patos provides access to the interior of the Osa Peninsula and is better suited to experienced hikers looking for a more demanding adventure.

For first-time visitors primarily interested in wildlife, Sirena is usually the best choice. Your guide or local tour operator can help determine which sector makes the most sense based on your schedule, transportation and interests.

Can I visit Sirena in one day?

Yes. A one-day visit to Sirena is possible, and boat access from Puerto Jiménez, Drake Bay or Sierpe makes it one of the more accessible ways to experience the interior of Corcovado. Sirena has approximately 20 kilometers of local trails where visitors can explore the rainforest and look for wildlife.

A day trip is a good option if you have limited time. However, visitors who want more time for hiking and wildlife watching may prefer to stay overnight. The journey to Sirena by land is considerably more demanding: the La Leona–Sirena route is approximately 16.5 kilometers and takes about 6–7 hours, while the Los Patos–Sirena route is approximately 23 kilometers and takes about 8–9 hours.

Can I stay overnight in Corcovado?

Yes. Overnight stays are available in Corcovado, at the Sirena but they require advance reservations. Sirena offers lodging and food service by prior reservation.

Staying overnight can be an excellent option for travelers who want more time to explore the rainforest and local trails rather than trying to experience Corcovado in a single day. Availability is limited, so reservations should be arranged well in advance.

What wildlife can I see in Corcovado?

Corcovado is famous for its exceptional biodiversity and is one of the best places in Costa Rica to experience rainforest wildlife. Depending on the sector, season and conditions, visitors may encounter Baird’s tapirs, scarlet macaws, several species of monkeys, coatis, anteaters, peccaries, sloths and a variety of birds, reptiles and amphibians. The park is also home to elusive wild cats, including pumas, ocelots and margays.

Around the Sirena area, visitors may also see crocodiles and, during high tide, bull sharks near the mouth of the Sirena River. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but traveling with a knowledgeable local guide can greatly improve your chances of finding and identifying animals while respecting the park’s wildlife rules.

When is the best time to visit Corcovado?

The dry season from December through April is generally the easiest time for hiking in Corcovado, with less rainfall and drier trail conditions. The rainy season generally runs from May through November, with September and October among the wettest months.

That doesn’t mean the rainy season is a bad time to visit. The rainforest is especially lush, and wildlife viewing can be excellent throughout the year. However, heavy rain can affect trails, river crossings and access to individual park sectors.

Always check current park conditions and sector availability before your visit, since access can change because of weather and other conditions.

Is Osa Peninsula Corcovado National Park worth visiting?

Yes, Corcovado National Park is widely considered one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, offering unmatched wildlife encounters and pristine rainforest experiences.

It is considered a top-5 National Park in the world.