3 1/2 hours). All four of the sea turtle species that nest in Costa Rica visit the beaches of Corcovado as well. One can fly into the park (via chartered aircraft) to Estación Sirena, from where one can follow relatively short loop-trails. It encompasses the only remaining old growth wet forests on the Pacific coast of Central America, and 13 major ecosystems including lowland rain forest, highland cloud forest, jolillo palm forest, and mangrove swamps, as well as coastal marine and beach habitats. We walked 11 miles (18 km) of beach one day and saw one other person. It’s unlikely you’ll be fortunate enough to see them unless you are looking hard, but be careful reaching where you can’t see. The abundance in wildlife can in part be explained by the variety of vegetation types, at least 13, including montane forest (more than half the park), cloud forest, jolillo forest (palm swamp), prairie forest, alluvial plains forest, swamp forest, freshwater herbaceous swamp and mangrove, together holding over 500 tree species, including purple heart, poponjoche, nargusta, banak, cow tree, espave and crabwood. There are several ways to enter Corcovado. The diversity found on the Osa peninsula is not surpassed by any region of similar size anywhere on earth. The Los Planes Station and trail are currently closed. Riptides are common, Check with rangers before swimming in unknown waters. The trail is 5 miles/8 kilometers long and takes between six and eight hours; depending upon walking speeds and time taken to stop to view wildlife. Corcovado National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Corcovado) is a National Park on the Osa Peninsula in Osa Canton, southwestern Costa Rica (9° North, 83° West), which is part of the Osa Conservation Area.It was established on 24 October 1975, and encompasses an area of 424 square kilometres (164 sq mi). Both crocodiles and hammerhead sharks patrol the waters of the estuaries of the Ríos Claro and Sirena. Both species of sloths and all four species of monkeys native to Costa Rica are common in Corcovado and best seen on a day hike or multi-night trek accompanied by a naturalist guide. For a rough idea the last time we checked we found the possibilities below, 699 Puerto Jiménez-Express departures daily from San José, outside Terminal Atlántico Norte, 6:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 378 km, 10 hours, Atlántico Norte, Telephone (506) 2256-8963 The Osa conservation area administrative headquarters just east of Puerto Jiménez next to the landing strip. (Get a current detailed roadmap printed on waterproof tear resistant synthetic. Just 30 minutes from Corcovado National Park, the hotel is located in Drake Bay one of the most beautiful bays in Costa Rica. Larger animals, especially, need a large habitat free of human activity. It has developed into a budget travelers haven, with a large number of inexpensive cabinas, restaurants, travel services and rental outlets. American crocodiles are also present within the river, but most are small and recent surveys indicate that the population may be much smaller than initially believed. We were told by these affable scofflaws that it is still possible to purchase permits and camping reservations at the main station in Jiménez in person without producing an accompanying guide or guide permit. Other places in the park still allow visitors to bring food but please – PACK IT IN PACK IT OUT! Increased tourism has led to an increased presence of humans in the park, which may threaten the long-term survival of the park's larger mammals. To walk through the park one needs a reasonable fitness, at least two or three days (except on El Tigre trail which is a one-day hike), good planning and caution. Take note that researchers get preference over other visitors (though there is usually enough room for self-catering campers). It is widely considered the crown jewel in the extensive system of national parks and biological reserves spread across the country. The right turn for the track (seriously 4WD, typically impassable in rainy season) towards the Los Patos station is 9 km further along at La Palma and towards Dos Brazos and the Tigre station 18 km past that. One track runs Northwest to Southeast along the coast to La Leona ecolodge, with the Estación Sirena roughly in the middle. Alternatively head west on the “new” Caldera road (Hwy 27)  from San José towards Jacó and follow the Coastal route (Hwy 34) to Palmar where it intersects the Pan American and you can pick up the instructions above. The Central American squirrel monkey is most often seen in Manuel Antonio National Park and Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica. People thinking “oh, it’s natural, it will degrade” then tossing food scraps in the bushes was one of the main motivations for the strict new “no food allowed” regulations at Sirena station. There are two tracks, one coastal and one inland, and four ranger stations in the park where one can stay overnight; three at the park entrances and one at the intersection of the two tracks. [2][3][4] Whale watchings for these species are also available. Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica, no obligation custom trip plan & price quote, please see the details of a number of regulatory changes, Reservations and guide services are required, Poás Volcano – Tickets & Visitor Information, Juan Castro Blanco/Parque de Aguas National Park. If you will be camping, you probably want to try for the drier months of January through April. With luck one might even spot a tapir, even though they are nocturnal. Researchers petitioned President Daniel Oduber to protect the area, which he did by making it a National Park. Manatees have been hunted historically in Costa Rica, resulting in today's small numbers left. Upstream Rio Claro is a popular night swimming spot amongst guides and their groups, therefore it is doubtful that attacks by crocodiles or sharks in this river are a concern. Take care where you swim, there are areas where hammerhead sharks school (there has never been a reported attack), and crocodiles and bull sharks are common in Corcovado Lagoon and the estuaries of the Ríos Claro and Sirena. It is estimated that 38% of the park (16.000 hectares) have been exploited by gold miners. The park's rivers and lagoons are home to populations of both the American crocodile and spectacled caiman, along with bull sharks. Despite the ominous sounding declaration that violations will be “sanctioned by Article 307 of the Penal Code of Costa Rica which stipulates prison of up to one year.” we spoke with visitors inside the park early in 2016 who were unaccompanied. Inland, the greatest danger is losing the trail on the other side, or during the rainy season being upended and bruised on the rocks (the water can be waist deep). Corcovado National Park is open to the public and can be visited on day trips and for overnight visits, as of February 1, 2014 all Corcovado visitors must be accompanied by certified professional guides. Rumors that large American crocodiles are present within Laguna Corcovado are false. Not only is the park very popular with tropical ecologists, a visitor can expect to see an abundance of wildlife. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. Carate (near Estacion La Leona), also has an airstrip and road access from Puerto Jimenez. Corcovado is also a good place to spot the red-eyed tree frog, as well as the glass frog with its transparent skin, and the enamel-bright poison-arrow frogs. As of August 2014, admission is $15 per person per day for non-Costa Rican residents. Purrujas (no-see-ums) are mosquito’s super evil microscopic twins (not biologically accurate, but the sentiment is valid)  that come out on beaches and in marshy areas around dusk. Costa Rica is in Central America, sandwiched by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. If you have ever imagined yourself swimming up to a deserted golden sand beach lined with coconut palms, then rinsing off under a waterfall surrounded by the verdure of the rainforest. Experience the unspoiled beauty of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula Drake Bay Resort is an award-winning wilderness lodge near Costa Rica’s renowned Corcovado National Park. The inland track to Estación Los Patos goes through secondary growth for much of the way, but it is still a beautiful walk with a little more variation and it is easier walking with no sand and no sizable river crossings. [12] The other three species have wider ranges within Costa Rica, each being found in forests over much of the country. Small American crocodiles and spectacled caiman are also present within the Rio Claro, albeit in smaller numbers than Rio Sirena. There is, however, still some illegal mining going on (using more destructive modern mining methods), considered the second invasion, there are about 400 miners currently. If you have the fortitude to withstand afternoon showers and a really good drenching or two, a visit during the rainy season may be rewarded (if you can get to the park…) with empty trails and better wildlife viewing in the absence of the crowds. Costa Rica is one of the great wonders of the world because it has the densest biodiversity found on Earth. Corcovado has the largest population of collard and white-lipped peccaries in Costa Rica, they are both endangered and dangerous. Reservations for overnight visits in the park can be made in Puerto Jiménez on the east coast of the peninsula. Dodging back and forth while running is better than running in a straight line (but don’t trip) and there’s always that Warner Brothers standby of diving in the pond and breathing through a reed until the bees move on, but be warned they are very patient. Three access routes for the park branch off of the road to Puerto Jiménez. Continue south on the Pan American Highway to Chacarita/Piedras Blancas to where you turn right (southwest) on 245 towards Puerto Jiménez. All four Costa Rican monkey species can be seen within the park, including the endangered Central American squirrel monkey, white-faced capuchin, mantled howler, and Geoffroy's spider monkey. Be sure to note the 25 lb baggage restrictions and other recommendations, especially if you are traveling with surfing or scuba equipment. Corcovado National Park is the backpacking experience of a lifetime. It is wet, remote and rugged, but the trails are relatively good, and the camping areas near the ranger stations are grassy and well drained. They are impressive to see but harmless if left in peace. Highly recommended of course since we publish it). They are not particularly interested in attacking humans, but their eyesight is weak, and they can be very aggressive when startled or if they think you are challenging them.