Corcovado National Park
Protecting 41,788 hectares of shallow lagoons, marsh, mangrove swamps, rivers, wet forest and low-altitude cloud forest, as well as 46 kilometers of sandy beach, Corcovado is one of Central America’s most unique ecosystems. Within its extensive territory, visitors can observe some 6,000 insects, 500 trees, 367 birds, 140 mammals, 117 amphibians and reptiles, and 40 freshwater fish species.
The park has numerous hiking trails and rustic camping refuges. It is mandatory to enter with an authorized guide. Less adventurous visitors can also enjoy the park by boat or arrive by plane at the Sirena station. Visitors can see whales and macaws in Corcovado, as well as many other animals in danger of extinction. Visitor services include information, a park ranger station, trails, signage, restrooms, drinking water, a landing field, camping area, radio communication and rustic lodging.
Surface Area:
2,000.36
Hours of Operation:
Every day from 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., including holidays.
Telephone:
+506 2735-5036
Directions:
By bus:
From San José: Take a direct bus via the Inter-American with Transportes Blanco Lobo to Puerto Jiménez; this bus also stops at La Palma. The station is 50 meters from the San Carlos stop, at the Coca Cola, San José. Approx. 9 hours.
To Drake: Take a public minibus, private taxi, 4x4 vehicle or by boat from Sierpe.
From Puerto Jiménez: Take a collective truck to Carate. Approx. 2 hours. Departure times: 6 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Alternative route: Travel to Golfito on the Inter-American Highway with Transportes Tracopa, then take a public boat to Puerto Jiménez.
To Los Patos: Take a private collective to the station from La Palma.
To El Tigre: From Puerto Jiménez, take a collective at 11 a.m. or 4 p.m.
By Car:
Puerto Jiménez: From San José you can take the Inter-American Highway to La Chacarita gas station and then the dirt road to the right to Puerto Jiménez. Approx. 7 hours.
Drake Bay: From San José, take the Inter-American Highway to La Chacarita gas station and then the dirt road to the right to Rincón. Take the diversion to the right until you reach Agujitas in Drake Bay. Approx. 7 hours.
La Palma: From San José, take the Inter-American Highway to La Chacarita gas station and then the dirt road to the right to La Palma. Approx. 6½ hours.
Carate: In Puerto Jiménez, take the dirt road to Carate, 40 km. Approx. 1½ hours.
El Tigre: On the road to Puerto Jiménez, take the diversion in Gallardo to the second entrance on the left, and in 4 km you will arrive at the office of ACODOBRARTI.
By Air:
Two airlines offer daily flights: Sansa and Nature Air. Both have flights to Drake Bay, Puerto Jiménez and Golfito. Duration from San José to the Osa Peninsula is approx. 1 hour.
Also, there is a company that offers flight service from Puerto Jiménez and Drake Bay to Sirena. It is a private service booked directly with the company Alfa Romeo. The flight is approx. 30-40 minutes.
By Boat:
There are several routes, through Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, Río Sierpe (arriving from Palmar Norte) to Drake Bay, from Drake Bay and from the sector of Bahía Uvita. Trip takes between 30 minutes and 1½ hours, depending on where you take the boat.
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