How to Visit Corcovado National Park: Permits, Tours, and What to Expect

Post summary: All you need to know about Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

If you love wildlife, rainforests and off-the-beaten-path adventures, traveling Costa Rica NEEDS to be on your bucket list. And if you want to experience the wildest part of it, head to Corcovado National Park.

Tucked away on the Osa Peninsula, Corcovado is the most remote part of Costa Rica and one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. It’s hands down one of the most memorable places I’ve been to date.

Whether it’s been on your radar for a while or you’re just hearing about it now, I can promise you that this place will leave you feeling like you just stepped into a real life version of The Jungle Book.

But getting there isn’t as easy as hopping in a rental car. Getting to Corcovado takes a bit of planning, so here’s everything you need to know before you go.

While you’re there: There’s so much to see and do around here! If you need some ideas, here’s a full list of the best things to do in Drake Bay.

Where Is Corcovado National Park?

Corcovado National Park (Parque Nacional Corcovado) is the most remote part of Costa Rica. It sits along Costa Rica’s southwest coast on the Osa Peninsula, just above Panama.

It’s about 26 miles from Drake Bay and 42 miles from Puerto Jiménez, which are the two main jumping off points for visiting the park.

Since Corcovado is so remote, you’ll need to plan how you’re getting there in advance (more on that later).

 

Why Is Corcovado So Special?

So what sets Corcovado apart from any other national park? For starters, it’s one of the most biodiverse places on Earth – so much so that National Geographic once called it “the most biologically intense place on Earth” (here’s the article!).

In fact, Corcovado protects 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, with over 500 species of trees and hundreds of species of wildlife.

The park covers 164 square miles of rainforest, hiking trails, rivers, coastline, and lakes.

While you’re there, expect to see:

• 140+ species of mammals – including tapirs, sloths, four species of monkeys, and even elusive big cats like jaguars, ocelots, and pumas.
• 360+ species of birds – from vibrant scarlet macaws to rare harpy eagles.
• 117 amphibians and reptiles, 40 freshwater fish, and 6,000+ insects – there’s always something moving in the jungle.

And that’s only what’s been discovered. There is so much untouched rainforest in Corcovado National Park that there are likely hundreds (or thousands) of species that haven’t even been identified yet.

Something that adds to the magic of Corcovado is how remote it is. It’s one of the last truly wild places in Costa Rica, where nature is still raw and untamed. If you want to experience the rainforest in its purest form, this is one of the best places to do it.

Corcovado was named “most biologically intense place on Earth” by National Geographic!

Getting to Corcovado National Park

Getting to Corcovado can be quite the adventure since it’s one of the more difficult-to-access national parks.

The two main gateways are Drake Bay and Puerto Jiménez, but if you want the best access to the park, staying in Drake Bay is the way to go.

Drake Bay (Best Access to Corcovado)

The main entry point is Drake Bay, which is why it’s unofficially known as the “Gateway to Corcovado.”

Most Corcovado tours depart from here and pretty much every lodge in the area specializes in organizing guided hikes into the park.

In fact, all I had to do was message our hotel upon booking to say we were interested in touring Corcovado and they had tours booked for us within the hour.

How to Get to Drake Bay:

• By Domestic Flight: The fastest way to reach Drake Bay is by taking a 30-minute flight from San José (SJO) with Sansa Airlines or Costa Rica Green Airways. Make sure you tell your hotel if you plan to fly in because they might charge extra to pick you up from the airport.
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• By Boat: Drive or take a bus to the town of Sierpe. From there, it’s a 1-hour boat ride to the shore of Drake Bay. Most hotels plan to pick you at the meeting point on the beach.

From Drake Bay, you’ll take a second boat to Corcovado National Park.

The boats pick you up around 6AM from Playa Colorado, the main beach in Drake Bay, and drop you off at the beach in Corcovado.

It’s a wet landing so bring water shoes or hiking sandals and change into your hiking boots once you get to land!

Puerto Jiménez (Limited Corcovado Access)

Puerto Jiménez is a more accessible town with more amenities, but it doesn’t offer the same direct access to Corcovado as Drake Bay does.

While you can visit the park from here, most lodges in Puerto Jiménez don’t offer the same Corcovado tours. Instead, they focus more on general rainforest experiences around the properties, which are mostly on the direct outskirts of Corcovado.

How to Get to Puerto Jiménez:

• By Domestic Flight: A 50-minute flight from San José with Sansa Airlines or Costa Rica Green Airways.
• By Car: A 7-8 hour drive from San José on paved roads (no 4WD needed).
• By Bus: Public buses run from San José, but the journey takes 8+ hours.

Drake Bay vs. Puerto Jiménez: Which Should You Choose?

If your main goal is to hike Corcovado National Park, Drake Bay is the best choice. While getting to Drake Bay is a little harder, the lodges there can easily organize different guided tours directly into the park.

While Puerto Jiménez is a great place for exploring the Osa Peninsula in general, it’s not as convenient for visiting Corcovado unless you’re up for a long trek from Los Patos.

For the best Corcovado experience, book a stay in Drake Bay and arrange a guided hike from there.

How to Visit Corcovado National Park (Hikes, Guides, Permits)

As I mentioned earlier, you can’t just show up and wander around Corcovado on your own.

The park is highly regulated to protect its biodiversity, which means you must visit with a guide. You’ll also need a permit, which you can arrange with your guide when you book the tour.

In terms of actually exploring the park, you’ll find that there’s a lot of ground to cover. Because of its size, the park has six ranger stations that serve as entry points.

• Sirena Ranger Station – The main and most visited station. Most guided tours go here.
• San Pedrillo – Closest to Drake Bay, with beautiful coastal trails.
• La Leona – A great spot for spotting tapirs and other wildlife.
• Los Patos – A more remote entry point, typically used for multi-day hikes.
• Los Planes – The least visited station, with fewer trails.
• El Tigre – A newer entrance with steep, challenging hikes.

Almost all day tours take you to Sirena Station, since it offers the best chance to see wildlife. However, the exact route depends on your guide and what kind of experience you’re looking for.

Left: A howler monkey in a tree in Corcovado National Park; Right: A juvenile tapir napping on the trail in the park

Recommended Corcovado Tours from Drake Bay

Most tours depart from Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez, but if you want the easiest access, Drake Bay is the better choice. It’s closer, and most eco-lodges here organize Corcovado tours.

Tours typically range from single-day excursions to multi-day treks, depending on how deep into the park you want to go.

You can generally just book a general day tour through your hotel in Drake Bay, but you should try to book ahead if you want a more specialized tour or multi-day trek.

Here are some of the best guided tours that depart from Drake Bay:

• Corcovado National Park Sirena Station with lunch from Drake Bay – A great day trip from Drake Bay.
• 2-Day Tour in Corcovado, Sirena and San Pedrillo Stations – Covers two of the best stations for wildlife spotting with an overnight stay in Corcovado National Park
• 2 Days 1 Night in Corcovado Sirena From Drake Bay – 2 days in Corcovado with an overnight stay at Sirena Station

Sirena Station, Corcovado

Hiking in Corcovado National Park

The best thing to do in Corcovado National Park is to go hiking. There truly isn’t a better way to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the park than by trekking through its wilderness.

A few special hiking tours offer overnight stays and longer, more complicated hikes, but almost all guided tours will take you one of these three routes:

1. Sirena Ranger Station Trails (Most Popular – Easiest Single Day Hike)

• Route: Loop trails around Sirena Station
• Distance: Varies (2-6 miles round trip)
• Duration: Half-day
• Trail Rating: Easy

 For the highest chance of seeing a ton of wildlife in a short amount of time, the trails around Sirena Ranger Station are your best bet.

The station sits in a biodiverse hotspot, where you can see tapirs, four species of monkeys, sloths, and even jaguars. We saw all of these plus a ton of tropical birds!

Almost all day tours take you here by default. The trails are relatively flat and easy to navigate, making them great for all hiking levels.

2. La Leona Ranger Station to Sirena Ranger Station Trail (Most Popular Multi-Day Hike)

• Route: La Leona Ranger Station → Sirena Ranger Station
• Distance: ~12-13 miles (19-21 km) one way
• Duration: 7-9 hours (one way)
• Trail rating: Hard
• AllTrails: La Leona Ranger Station to Sirena Station

This one-way coastal trek is one of the most well-known hikes in Corcovado. It follows the coastline from La Leona to Sirena Station.

The hike takes you through dense jungle, river crossings, and exposed beach sections, where you might spot macaws, anteaters and even tapirs napping in the dense foliage along the trail.

Most hikers spend a night at Sirena Station and return the next day (or take a boat back). It’s long and challenging, but absolutely worth it.

3. Sirena to San Pedrillo Trail (Longest and Most Remote Hike)

• Route: Sirena Ranger Station → San Pedrillo Ranger Station
• Distance: 16 miles (25-26 km) one way
• Duration: 8-10 hours (one way)
• Trail Rating: Hard

This route isn’t as traveled as the Sirena route, but it’s an adventurous trek deep into Corcovado’s remote rainforest.

The Sirena to San Pedrillo trail is about 16 miles (25-26 km) and takes a full day to hike. It’s usually done as part of a multi day tour with an overnight stay at the Sirena Station.

It’s a challenging route with dense jungle, muddy trails, and several river and stream crossings, but nothing extreme unless there’s heavy rain.

Wildlife sightings here are incredible. Expect to see monkeys, tapirs, scarlet macaws, and maybe a puma (if you’re lucky!). Like everything else in Corcovado, this hike can only be done with a guide and requires a permit and advanced planning.

What to Pack for a Day Trip to Corcovado National Park

Packing the right gear can make or break your Corcovado experience. Prepare for a long day of hiking through hot, ultra-humid rainforest and possibly crossing rivers.

Here’s what to bring on a day trip to Corcovado:

• Hiking Backpack: If you’re only doing a day tour, you don’t need a crazy huge backpack. Just something big enough to carry extra clothes, water, and a few essentials. Make sure it’s comfy enough to carry all day and bonus points if it has a rain cover. Here are some nice hiking backpacks for women.
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• Hiking Shoes: You’ll be trekking all day and trails can be veryyy muddy, so wear sturdy, broken-in hiking boots or trail runners with good grip. Waterproof is a plus.
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• Sandals or Water Shoes: You have to jump into the water when you arrive, so wear Tevas, Chacos, or water shoes on the boat. You’ll change into your hiking boots once you get to shore.
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• Lightweight, Breathable Clothing: Stick to moisture-wicking fabrics to stay cool and dry. Long sleeves and pants help with sun and bug protection.
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• Reusable Water Bottle: Bring at least 2 liters of water (it’s hot, and you’ll sweat a lot). A hydration bladder is even better.
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• Quick-Dry Towel: It’s a wet landing when you arrive at Corcovado, so this is handy for drying off your feet before you put on your hiking boots.
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• Camera: Don’t forget a long lens to capture photos of wildlife from a safe distance!
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• Natural Insect Repellent: We didn’t find a need for DEET, but you might want it if you’re sensitive to bugs.
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• First Aid Kit: While your guide carries first aid supplies, having your own small kit with band-aids, antiseptic, and blister pads is always a good idea for jungle hikes.

FAQs | Corcovado, Costa Rica

Before we wrap up, let’s go over some of the most common questions about visiting Corcovado.

How Long to Spend in Corcovado National Park?

The majority of people spent 1 day in the park, but we also saw a lot of travelers spending the night at Sirena Station as part of multi-day tours. If you’re short on time, a day trip is fine. But staying overnight gives you a better chance at spotting wildlife and immersing yourself in the experience.

Is It Worth It to Go to Corcovado?

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! There aren’t many places in the world where you can experience this level of biodiversity and natural beauty. Visiting Corcovado should definitely be on your bucket list.

Happy (and very sweaty) at the Corcovado National Park sign!

Where to Sleep in Corcovado?

You’ll likely sleep in the primitive bunks at Sirena Station for multi-day tours. Your tour guide will take care of the logistics for you, so need to book accommodation in the park separately.

Outside of the park, the best place to stay for easy access to Corcovado tours is in Drake Bay. Most guided tours depart from here. Plus since most people visit Drake Bay because of Corcovado, pretty much every lodge can help you arrange tours to explore the park.

A few great options in Drake Bay include:

Corcovado Wilderness Lodge – The closest lodging option to Corcovado National Park.

Copa de Arbol Beach & Rainforest Lodge – All inclusive beachfront eco-resort with gorgeous little cabins and an onsite restaurant.

Las Contingas – Humble lodge in the center of Drake Bay with comfy rooms and ocean views.

Sunset Lodge – Modest, rustic cabins on a hill overlooking Drake Bay.

When is the Best Time to Visit Corcovado National Park?

Corcovado is open year round, but the best time to go is during the dry season, which runs from December to April.

It still rains a lot in the dry season, but overall the trails are less muddy and wildlife is easier to spot. However, this is also peak season, so tours and lodges book up really fast. Only 100-200 people are allowed per trail per day in Corcovado, so try to book as far in advance as possible if you go during this time.

Did you find this Corcovado National Park Guide helpful? Let me know in the comments!

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