01 · Costa Rica · Puntarenas, Osa Peninsula

Corcovado National Park

41,788 hectares of rainforest, lagoons and beach on the Osa Peninsula – entered only with a licensed guide.

Photo: User: (WT-shared) Velorian at wts wikivoyage ↗ · CC BY-SA 1.0 ↗

Corcovado National Park: landscape and origins

Sirena station is the destination of almost every visit – a clearing in the middle of the park where planes land and boats come ashore.

Sirena lies where the Río Sirena flows into the sea. Trails lead from the station through the forest, along rivers and lagoons. The ICT lists information, a ranger post, trails, toilets, drinking water, an airstrip, a campsite, radio and rustic lodging here.

Day trips leave Drake Bay early in the morning, run along the coast and land on the beach in front of the station. Then you walk for several hours with a guide through the forest; in the afternoon the boat takes you back.

If you stay longer, you sleep at the station and are out at dawn and dusk. In October Sirena stays closed because of the rain and for maintenance.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

The park in numbers

Location: south-west coast of the Osa Peninsula
Access: boat or light aircraft
Facilities: airstrip, campsite, lodging
Fee, international: US$15 a day
Guide: mandatory
Closed: all of October
Boat from Drake Bay: day trip about 8 hrs

Visiting Corcovado National Park: rainforest on the Osa Peninsula

41,788 hectares

That is the area the park protects, according to the ICT: shallow lagoons, marshes, mangroves, rivers, rainforest and low-altitude cloud forest, plus 46 km (29 mi) of sandy beach.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Guide required

“It is mandatory to enter with an authorized guide”, the ICT says. You may not enter on your own; the checked tours below include the guide.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Four sectors

The ICT lists Leona, San Pedrillo, Los Patos and Sirena as sectors with an entrance fee. Sirena is in the heart of the park, San Pedrillo in the north-west, La Leona in the south and Los Patos on the eastern edge.

ICT: Admission fees and hours of Costa Rica's national parks (Leona, San Pedrillo, Los Patos, Sirena sectors) ↗

Wildlife in numbers

According to the ICT, some 6,000 insect species, 500 tree species, 367 bird species, 140 mammal species, 117 amphibian and reptile species and 40 freshwater fish species live here.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Contact

Parque Nacional Corcovado, Puerto Jiménez, Puntarenas. Phone +506 2735-5036. Bookings via reservaciones.pnc@sinac.go.cr, according to SINAC.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Field book 03 · TicketsCorcovado is not sold through the online shop of the protected-areas agency.Field book 01 · WhenIn October, Sirena closes because of heavy rain.Field book 02 · Getting thereFrom San José it takes a day to reach the park – or an hour by plane.

02 · Places

Map: Sirena, San Pedrillo, Drake Bay and Puerto Jiménez

Stations, landings and towns around the park, every point referenced in OpenStreetMap.

Photo: Bernard Gagnon ↗ · CC0 ↗

Place in the park

Sirena Station

The heart of the park, reached by boat or light aircraft.

Facilities: airstrip, campsite, lodging
Closed: October
Access: only with a guide

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Place in the park

San Pedrillo

The north-western sector, right by the sea.

Location: north-west coast
Access: boat from Drake Bay or Uvita
Fee, international: US$15 a day

GetYourGuide: day trip Uvita–San Pedrillo (evidence for the crossing and whale watching) · Ad ↗

A bare-throated tiger heron wades through the Río Sirena in Corcovado National Park — Photo: Mikeschafer.wildlife ↗ · CC BY 4.0 ↗

Place in the park

Along the Río Sirena

Riverbanks where the animals show themselves.

Bird species in the park: 367
Mammal species: 140
Amphibians and reptiles: 117 species

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Place in the park

The rainforest

Wet lowland forest with buttress roots, lianas and clear streams.

Tree species: about 500
Insect species: about 6,000
Freshwater fish: 40 species

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

A clear river flows over stones through the dense rainforest of Corcovado National Park — Photo: François Bianco ↗ · CC BY-SA 2.0 ↗

Place in the park

The coast

46 km (29 mi) of sandy beach between San Pedrillo and La Leona.

Beach: 46 km (29 mi)
Southern access: La Leona via Carate
Gravel road Puerto Jiménez–Carate: 40 km (25 mi)

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Map

11 places on the map

Stations, landings and towns around the park, every point referenced in OpenStreetMap.

Open map3D terrain · details and photos for every place

Water2
Arrival5
Surroundings4

03 · Out and about

Tours & day trips: guided hikes, day tours and nights at Sirena

If you see Corcovado, you see it on foot – on trails leading from the beach into the forest.

Photo: rob Stoeltje from loenen, netherlands ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗

“There is no road through this park – only boats, planes and your own feet.”
Corcovado National Park · rainforest on the Osa Peninsula

Tours & day trips: guided hikes, day tours and nights at Sirena

Day trip to Sirena

By boat from Drake Bay, then several hours guided through the forest around the station. A checked offer including the park fee is listed below.

GetYourGuide: day trip Drake Bay–Sirena (evidence for itinerary and meeting point) · Ad ↗

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San Pedrillo from Uvita

The north-western sector lies right by the sea; from Uvita the boat takes about one and a half hours.

ICT: Admission fees and hours of Costa Rica's national parks (Leona, San Pedrillo, Los Patos, Sirena sectors) ↗

Show on the map

Several days in the park

The ICT lists trails, basic campsites and rustic lodging. If you stay overnight at Sirena, you are in the forest in the early morning and the evening, when many animals are about.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Arriving by air

If you prefer less hiking, the ICT says you can also experience the park by boat or land by plane at Sirena station.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Pacheco Tours · Day trip from Drake Bay · 8 hours

Drake Bay: Corcovado National Park Sirena Station and Lunch

By boat along the coast of the Osa Peninsula to Sirena station, then about five hours with a guide through the rainforest looking for tapirs, monkeys and peccaries, a picnic at the station and back to Drake Bay.

4.6 out of 5 stars278 reviews on GetYourGuidefrom €97.72as of 4 Oct

8 hours
Return boat trip
Park fee included
Lunch

Departure Rancho Corcovado Lodge in Drake Bay.

According to the list of inclusions, the trip covers the return boat ride, an experienced guide, the park entrance fees and lunch; tips and travel insurance are not included. The operator needs each guest's name and passport number for the ticket. The booking is non-refundable.

View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 4 Oct 2026

Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide

Pacheco Tours · Two days, one night at Sirena

From Drake Bay: 2 days and 1 night at Sirena station

The night in the park: two days around Sirena station with a guide, with overnight stay, breakfast, two lunches and dinner – and the morning and evening hours when the forest is most alive.

4.6 out of 5 stars80 reviews on GetYourGuidefrom €324.24as of 4 Oct

2 days
Overnight at Sirena
Park fees included
All meals

Departure Drake Bay; arrival by boat.

According to the list of inclusions, the tour covers transport, guide, park fees, overnight stay, dinner, breakfast and two lunches; tips are not included. Not suitable for children under 5. Names and passport numbers are needed for the park tickets. The booking is non-refundable.

View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 4 Oct 2026

Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide

Ad · we may earn a commission if you book through this partner link – at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the atlas. Offer details checked 4 Oct 2026. See official ticket information.

Nature in Corcovado: tapirs, macaws and whales

Many habitats

Shallow lagoons, marshes, mangroves, rivers, wet forest and low-altitude cloud forest – the ICT calls Corcovado one of Central America's most unique ecosystems.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Endangered species

According to the ICT, you can see whales and macaws here, as well as many other endangered animals.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

367 bird species

That is the ICT's count for the park, along with 140 mammal species.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

46 km of beach

The coast between San Pedrillo, Sirena and La Leona is sandy beach (29 mi), and in many places the forest reaches the water.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Field book 04 · Where to stayInside the park there is only basic lodging and camping.Field book 05 · RulesThe most important rule comes first: no guide, no entry.

04 · Before you go

Places nearby

Photo: User: (WT-shared) Velorian at wts wikivoyage ↗ · CC BY-SA 1.0 ↗

Field book 07 · Sources6 sources, checked 4 Oct 2026

Field book · Corcovado National Park

checked 4 Oct 2026

Corcovado at a glance · PDF, 2 pages ↓

00My visit

Nothing saved yet. Every place card has a pin, and so does every place on the Map. What you save collects here, with days, notes and a preview you can share.

01Best time to visit: all sectors except in October

In October, Sirena closes because of heavy rain.

Sirena closed in October

Sirena station is closed for the whole of October, according to the ICT – because of heavy rain and for maintenance. The ICT lists the other sectors as open seven days a week all year.

ICT: Admission fees and hours of Costa Rica's national parks (Leona, San Pedrillo, Los Patos, Sirena sectors) ↗

Show on the map

Opening hours

The ICT fee overview gives 7:00 to 16:00 for all four sectors, the ICT park page 8:00 to 15:30 including holidays. The boat tours start early in the morning.

ICT: Admission fees and hours of Costa Rica's national parks (Leona, San Pedrillo, Los Patos, Sirena sectors) ↗

Rain is part of it

SINAC does not refund tickets for cloud, rain or other weather; a rain jacket and sturdy shoes belong on every tour.

SINAC: online purchase and booking system (SICORE), frequently asked questions ↗

Whales off the coast

The operator of the boat tour from Uvita mentions humpback whales between January and April on the crossing to San Pedrillo; dolphins and sea turtles are often seen all year.

GetYourGuide: day trip Uvita–San Pedrillo (evidence for the crossing and whale watching) · Ad ↗

Climate through the year

Weather and climate in Corcovado National Park

Best months by the climate data: January to March. Average daytime highs of 29 to 30 °C, lows of 27 to 28 °C, 44 to 76 mm of precipitation a month. The wettest month is July (362 mm), the driest February (44 mm).

All monthly values as a table

Monthly averages 2001–2020, NASA POWER model
Month	High °C	Low °C	Precipitation mm
January	28.6	26.9	76
February	29.4	27.4	44
March	29.8	27.8	62
April	29.2	27.6	147
May	28.2	27.1	331
June	27.8	26.9	283
July	27.7	26.7	362
August	27.7	26.7	317
September	27.4	26.5	285
October	27.0	26.2	334
November	27.0	26.1	332
December	27.8	26.4	154
Year			2,727

Modelled values, not a weather station: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) for a grid cell of about 55 × 70 km around the map point Laguna Corcovado (8.55° N, 83.61° W), with an average cell elevation of about 30 m. Averages for 2001–2020. Higher ground and valleys can differ markedly.

Source: NASA POWER, climatology 2001–2020 ↗ · retrieved 4 Oct 2026

02How to get there: by boat from Drake Bay or Uvita, via Puerto Jiménez or by air

From San José it takes a day to reach the park – or an hour by plane.

By boat

According to the ICT, boats leave from Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, Sierpe, Drake Bay and Bahía Uvita; depending on the starting point the trip takes 30 minutes to one and a half hours.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Show on the map

Flights from San José

Sansa, Sky Way and Aerobell fly daily to Drake Bay, Puerto Jiménez and Golfito; from San José the ICT puts the flight at about one hour.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

By car

Via the Inter-American Highway to the La Chacarita petrol station, then on gravel roads to Puerto Jiménez or Drake Bay, about seven hours from San José each. From Puerto Jiménez it is 40 km (25 mi) of gravel, about one and a half hours, to Carate.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Show on the map

By bus

Transportes Blanco Lobo runs directly from San José to Puerto Jiménez, about nine hours. From there a shared truck leaves at 6:00 and 13:30 for Carate, taking about two hours.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Show on the map

To Los Patos

A private shared taxi from La Palma goes to Los Patos station on the eastern edge, according to the ICT.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Show on the map

Marino Ballena Tours and Info · From Uvita · 8 hours

From Uvita: day trip to the San Pedrillo sector

About one and a half hours by boat along the Pacific coast, with chances of dolphins and, between January and April, humpback whales, then a guided hike in the San Pedrillo sector and lunch.

4.6 out of 5 stars318 reviews on GetYourGuidefrom €164.34as of 4 Oct

Departure Operator's office in Uvita, boat from Playa Uvita.

According to the list of inclusions, the trip covers water transport, a certified bilingual guide (Spanish, English), lunch, fruit and snacks, water and the park entrance; pickup, breakfast and parking are not included. The tour runs with a minimum of seven people, otherwise you get a full refund. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

View tour ↗Ad · partner link · checked 4 Oct 2026

03Tickets & entrance fees: US$15 a day, booking by email

Corcovado is not sold through the online shop of the protected-areas agency.

Check official fees ↗

International visitors: US$15

Under the fee decree, non-residents pay US$15 for one day in the park, or the equivalent in colones. The same day also covers the Isla del Caño Biological Reserve.

Executive Decree 38295-MINAE: fees for protected areas, current version (Costa Rican legal information system SCIJ) ↗

Residents: 1,600 colones

Residents pay 1,600 colones a day. Under the decree, non-resident children aged 2 to 12 pay US$5 and children under two nothing.

Executive Decree 38295-MINAE: fees for protected areas, current version (Costa Rican legal information system SCIJ) ↗

Booking by email

For Corcovado and Isla del Caño, SINAC says you book via reservaciones.pnc@sinac.go.cr and pay by bank transfer. Buying at a ticket window is not offered here.

SINAC: online purchase and booking system (SICORE), frequently asked questions ↗

Usually included with a tour

On the day trips from Drake Bay and Uvita below, the park fees are part of the price according to the list of inclusions; operators need each guest's name and passport number for the ticket.

GetYourGuide: day trip Drake Bay–Sirena (evidence for itinerary and meeting point) · Ad ↗

No refunds for rain

SINAC does not refund tickets for bad weather: conditions in Costa Rica's protected areas are changeable.

SINAC: online purchase and booking system (SICORE), frequently asked questions ↗

Free on 24 August

On National Parks Day, entry to all protected areas is free for everyone, according to the agency's FAQ, citing a decree from 1986.

SINAC: online purchase and booking system (SICORE), frequently asked questions ↗

04Where to stay: Drake Bay, Puerto Jiménez or Sirena station

Inside the park there is only basic lodging and camping.

At Sirena station

The ICT lists a campsite, rustic lodging, drinking water, toilets and radio at the station. The two-day tour below covers a bed, meals and park fees.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Show on the map

Drake Bay

The village on the bay is the starting point of most boat tours; lodges and small hotels sit by the water.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Show on the map

Puerto Jiménez

On the Golfo Dulce, with an airstrip and a bus to San José. From here you head to Carate and Los Patos.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Show on the map

05Rules in Corcovado National Park: guide, booking, no pets

The most important rule comes first: no guide, no entry.

A licensed guide is mandatory

According to the ICT, you may only enter the park with a licensed guide. This applies to day visits as well as to several days.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Tickets are personal

The ticket is issued in your name with your ID number and cannot be transferred to someone else; bring your ID.

SINAC: online purchase and booking system (SICORE), frequently asked questions ↗

No pets

Pets are not allowed in the protected areas.

SINAC: online purchase and booking system (SICORE), frequently asked questions ↗

No gas stoves, no fires

Bringing prepared food is allowed in many protected areas, gas stoves, grills and campfires are not; take your rubbish home.

SINAC: online purchase and booking system (SICORE), frequently asked questions ↗

Official entrances only

The fee decree allows access to protected areas only through the official stations.

Executive Decree 38295-MINAE: fees for protected areas, current version (Costa Rican legal information system SCIJ) ↗

06Frequently asked questions: Corcovado National Park

How much is the entrance fee for Corcovado National Park?

Under the fee decree, international visitors pay US$15 a day and residents 1,600 colones. Non-resident children aged 2 to 12 pay US$5. On the same day the ticket also covers Isla del Caño.

Executive Decree 38295-MINAE: fees for protected areas, current version (Costa Rican legal information system SCIJ) ↗

Do I need a guide for Corcovado?

Yes. According to the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT), you may only enter the park with a licensed guide. The guided tours from Drake Bay and Uvita include one.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

How do I book Corcovado?

Not through SINAC's online shop but by email to reservaciones.pnc@sinac.go.cr, with payment by bank transfer. If you book a tour, the operator takes care of it.

SINAC: online purchase and booking system (SICORE), frequently asked questions ↗

How do I get to Corcovado National Park?

Usually by boat from Drake Bay, Sierpe or Uvita, 30 minutes to one and a half hours. Light aircraft fly from San José to Drake Bay and Puerto Jiménez in about an hour; by car it is about seven hours.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

When is Sirena station closed?

For the whole of October, because of heavy rain and for maintenance.

ICT: Admission fees and hours of Costa Rica's national parks (Leona, San Pedrillo, Los Patos, Sirena sectors) ↗

Can you stay overnight in Corcovado National Park?

Yes, according to the ICT there is a campsite and rustic lodging at Sirena station. Operators in Drake Bay offer multi-day tours with guide, meals and park fees.

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Corcovado National Park – area, guide rule, getting there ↗

Do I get a refund if it rains?

No. SINAC does not refund tickets for cloud or rain.

SINAC: online purchase and booking system (SICORE), frequently asked questions ↗

07Where the information comes from

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT), fee decree 38295-MINAE and the FAQ of the protected-areas agency SINAC.

How current is this information?

Researched 4 Oct 2026. Not a live status. Dates apply only to the year stated. A successful automatic fetch is not an editorial confirmation; outdated automatic values are hidden and replaced by the source link.

Current information from the park ↗

Image and map credits

Stage, overview Photo: User: (WT-shared) Velorian at wts wikivoyage ↗ · CC BY-SA 1.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Place · Sirena Station Photo: Bernard Gagnon ↗ · CC0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Place · San Pedrillo Photo: Cephas ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Place · Along the Río Sirena Photo: Mikeschafer.wildlife ↗ · CC BY 4.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Place · The rainforest Photo: François Bianco ↗ · CC BY-SA 2.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Place · The coast Photo: François Bianco ↗ · CC BY-SA 2.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
Quote Photo: rob Stoeltje from loenen, netherlands ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt
offer · From Uvita: day trip to the San Pedrillo sector Photo: User: (WT-shared) Velorian at wts wikivoyage ↗ · CC BY-SA 1.0 ↗ · verkleinert, WebP, Darstellungszuschnitt

Location sources: All points come from OpenStreetMap and are referenced individually by object number. Their position relative to the park was checked against the OpenStreetMap boundary of Corcovado National Park (relation 1308865): Sirena, San Pedrillo, Laguna Corcovado and the Río Sirena lie inside; the Los Patos and La Leona stations lie on the park edge; Drake Bay, Sierpe, Uvita, Puerto Jiménez and Carate lie outside. Markers do not imply that access is permitted. Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coastlines of the chapter map: Natural Earth.

End of the field book · Park authority ↗