National park · Costa Rica
Corcovado National ParkParque Nacional Corcovado
Enter at Los Leonas or Carate for a day hike on Sendero El Tigre (US$30 entry, guide included in the US$125 El Tigre package); for a multi-day stay, book Sirena station camping and a guide for the Los Patos–Sirena trek in December–April; check conditions in May–September when trails are muddy and rivers high.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
424 km² (164 sq mi)164 sq mi (424 km²)
approximate
Established
1975
Best months
Apr, Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
- South Pacific Costa Rica ↗Corcovado National Park entry needs a permit bought in advance through the official SINAC system; daily numbers are capped and ranger stations check names.
- South Pacific Costa Rica ↗Carry colones for sodas, parking and boat captains; cards work at hotels and tour operators.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 424 km² (164 sq mi)164 sq mi (424 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1975
- Best months
- Apr, Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
Corcovado National Park covers 424 km² of the Osa Peninsula, protecting lowland rainforest, mangroves, beaches and rivers. It is one of the most biodiverse places in Central America, with jaguars, Baird's tapirs, four monkey species and hundreds of birds. The park has three main entrances (Los Leonas, Carate, San Pedrillo) and a central ranger station at Sirena. Most visitors enter from Puerto Jiménez or Drake Bay. The dry season (mid-December to mid-April) gives the best trail conditions; the wet season (May–November) brings mud, swollen rivers and fewer visitors.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1975Established 24 October 1975.
Size and age
424 km² (164 sq mi)164 sq mi (424 km²) · national park since 1975
check
Why go
- One of the most wildlife‑dense protected areas in Central America.
- Remote rainforest with beaches, mangroves and waterfalls for varied day hikes.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry season, cooler mornings.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarDry, occasional showers.
- AprEnd of dry season, ideal trails.
- MayStart of wet season, trails get muddy – check conditions.
- JunRainy, rivers swell – check conditions.
- JulHeavy rain, some roads closed – check conditions.
- AugPeak rain, high humidity – check conditions.
- SepRainy, but wildlife active – check conditions.
- OctRain tapers, trails improve.
- NovTransition to dry, fewer crowds.
- DecDry season starts, excellent conditions.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar (rare sightings)All year · Rare; most locals have never seen one. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Baird's tapirAll year · Common near Sirena station; often seen in shallow pools. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Four monkey species (howler, squirrel, spider, capuchin)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Scarlet macaw and many other birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| American crocodile and bull shark (in rivers and estuaries)All year · Present in Rio Claro and Rio Sirena; do not swim. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Puerto Jiménez
Bus or taxi to Carate (4 km (2.5 mi) south), then walk 4 km (2.5 mi) north along the beach to the Los Leonas entrance; or take a taxi directly to Los Leonas.Bus or taxi to Carate (2.5 mi (4 km) south), then walk 2.5 mi (4 km) north along the beach to the Los Leonas entrance; or take a taxi directly to Los Leonas.
30 min–1 h
From Drake Bay
Boat to the northern entrance (San Pedrillo), then walk to the ranger station.
1–2 h
From Golfito (mainland)
Small plane to the airstrip at the central ranger station (Sirena), then walk to the station.
40 min flight + 15 min walk
From San José
Fly to Puerto Jiménez or Drake Bay (40 min), then proceed by road or boat to the park entrance.
4–5 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Los Leonas entrance | Main southern gate, parking, ranger station, basic facilities. | Open with entry permit. |
| Sirena ranger station | Central hub, accommodations, water, camping platform. | Open with permit; guide recommended for long hikes. |
| Carate entrance | Northern beach gate, limited services. | Open with permit; 4WD recommended. |
| San Pedrillo entrance | Western gate, access from Drake Bay, ranger station. | Open with permit; boat access only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for major access points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | US$30 | person | 2026 estimate – check. Payable at any ranger station entrance (Los Leonas, Carate, San Pedrillo, Sirena). |
| Guide for Sendero El Tigre (2 people) | US$125 | group | Includes park entry fee; book through Dos Brazos tourism office. |
| Guide for Los Patos–Sirena trek (per group) | US$100–200 | group | check – price varies by operator and group size. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Guide for longer treks permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$30
- US$125
- US$100–200
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- A licensed guide is required for the Los Patos–Sirena trek; check current requirements for other multi-day routes.
- Camping
- Allowed only at ranger stations (Los Leonas, Sirena, Carate). Backcountry camping is prohibited.
- Fires
- No open fires inside the park.
- Wildlife disturbance
- Do not approach animals; keep distance and stay on trails.
- River crossings
- Cross only at low tide and with a guide; never swim in rivers.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the park authorities (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Casa Corcovado Lodge
Jungle lodge bordering the park, meals included.
Near the park
Finca Exotica Wildlife Ecolodge
Eco‑lodge at Carate beach, offers guided hikes.
In the park
Sirena ranger station camping
Basic platform with shelter, water and toilets; bring own tent and food. Advance reservation required – check availability and cost.
Near the park
La Leona Eco-Lodge
Tent‑camp lodge at La Leona station, packages with or without meals.
Safety
Heat and steep sections medium
River crossing hazards high
Venomous snakes and crocodiles medium
Aggressive peccaries (javelinas) medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Ranger stations reachable by car; short walks to trailheads.
- Long treks involve steep, uneven terrain – not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish; use refillable water bottles.
- Hire local licensed guides to support park conservation.
- Stay only in authorized campsites or lodges.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Corcovado National Park?
The official entry fee is US$30 per person (2026 estimate – check), payable at any ranger‑station gate.
What are the best hikes in Corcovado National Park?
Sendero El Tigre (8 km loop) is the most accessible; for a longer experience try Los Patos → Sirena (20 km) or Carate → La Leona (3.5 km beach walk, tide-dependent).
When is the best time to visit Corcovado National Park?
The dry season from mid‑December to mid‑April offers the most reliable trail conditions; the shoulder months of October–November are also good. Check conditions in May–September.
Do I need a guide for all hikes?
A licensed guide is required for the Los Patos–Sirena trek; check current requirements for other multi-day routes at the park office.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only at the ranger stations (Los Leonas, Sirena, Carate). Back‑country camping outside the stations is prohibited. Advance reservation required – check availability.
How do I get to Corcovado from San José?
Fly to Puerto Jiménez or Drake Bay (40 min), then take a taxi or boat to the park entrance. Driving takes 6–8 hours via unpaved roads.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Corcovado National Park
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