Location: on the Osa Peninsula, in southern Puntarenas province.
Carate Beach GPS Coordinates: 8.4430997, -83.4626198 (8°26’35.16″N, 83°27’45.43″W)
Drake Bay GPS Coordinates: 8.690428,-83.664175 (8°41’25.54″N, 83°39’51.03″W)
Size: 42,000ha (104,000acres)
Altitude: sea level to 745m (2444ft)
Schedule: from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Corcovado National Park Telephone: +506 2735-5036
Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) Telephone: +506 2735-5580 / +506 2735-5276
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Of all the national parks and other protected areas in Costa Rica, Corcovado is undoubtedly the most beautiful. Corcovado National Park was created in October 24th 1975 and is located in the Osa peninsula, in the southwest corner of the country. Considered to be one of the most important natural preserves in America, with the captivating visual beauty of its forest and of its coastline, with miles of 
uninhabited beaches and roaring cascades, it draws visitors from all over the world. At least thirteen distinct vegetation types can be seen in close proximity, including mangroves, palm swamps and blood weed forest, making Corcovado a botanist’s dream. With more than 500 species of trees, 140 species of mammals (which is 10% of all mammals in America), 367 species of birds – including 20 endemic, 40 species of freshwater fish, 117 species of amphibians and more than 10,000 types of insects – and 100 plus butterflies, it is easy to understand why Corcovado National Park has been called “the most biologically intense place on Earth” by National Geographic.
It has a wide biological diversity due to its remoteness and the fact that it has suffered little disturbance by humans in the past. The hot, wet climate – rainfall averages 4000mm (158in) – promotes eight habitats including mangrove swamps, montane forest, lowland rainforest, and Jollito palm groves. Corcovado also has sandy beaches, freshwater lakes and tidal estuaries. This is why it is considered a living laboratory where it is easy to study the structure and functioning of tropical ecosystems and the relationships between them.
The forest areas are spectacular, with some of the tallest trees reaching 50m (165ft) and sporting enormous buttresses, which help support the trees in the thin tropical soil. The trees are swathed with lianas and epiphytes, while there is a luxuriant shrub growth at lower levels. Biologists report over 100 different types of trees within one square hectare. Such a biomass supports an incredible range of wildlife.
All four of Costa Rica’s monkey species can be found here, the Howler, Capuchin, Spider and the endangered Squirrel. The country’s six wild felines, the jaguar, margay, ocelot, oncilla or tiger cat, jaguarondi and the puma. There is also a good chance of seeing 
other mammals including the Baird’s Tapir, peccaries, agouties, red brocket deers, coaties, raccoons, river otters, anteaters and sloths.
The beaches of Corcovado National Park provide nesting site for all four of Costa Rica’s sea turtles – the Hawksbill, the Olive Ridley, the Green and the Leatherback. Amongst the birds are around 1200 Scarlet Macaws. Although their population is relatively healthy, the macaws still suffer badly from poaching. The estuaries and the Corcovado Lake provide a fruitful habitat for a variety of egrets and herons, including the strange Boat-billed Heron. The rarest of Costa Rica’s vultures, the King Vulture, is also found here. The huge Harpy Eagle, which preys on arboreal mammals such as sloths and monkeys, is now nearly extinct in Costa Rica, but few pairs may remain in Corcovado. The park is also a great area for hummingbirds, supporting around 16 species. Reptiles and amphibians including crocodiles, which lurk around the estuaries, 40 species of frog (such as Red eyed Rain, Glass and Poison Arrow Frogs) and scores of snakes – amongst their number are the dangerous Boa Constrictors and Bushmasters. Finally, mention must be made of the 50 species of bats, including fruit and fish-eating varieties.
Corcovado has three entry points: San Pedrillo (Saint little Peter) at the northwest corner; La Leona (the lion) in the southeast, and Los Patos (the ducks) on the northern edge of the park (the Pedrillo-Sirena path is closed from May 1st to December 1st, every year). All have ranger stations. In addition, the park headquarters and research station at Los Planes (the plans) in the north. All of these have short trails and are linked with each other by longer hiking trails, some following beaches for long stretches. The lengthier hikes require considerable rainforest trekking experience, with wet-weather equipment essential. Hikers should be aware of some difficulties; the paths can be extremely muddy, especially in the wet season; insects such as mosquitoes and 
horseflies can be a major irritation. The park administration office is in Puerto Jimenez, next to the Banco Nacional (National Bank).
Getting to Corcovado National Park
Take the Interamerican Highway from San Jose to Piedras Blancas until the La Chacarita gas station and then exit to the right (dirt road) to Puerto Jimenez, or you can take the exit to Sierpe and then take a boat to Drake Bay. The total distance from San Jose takes about 7 hours.
BY BUS
Take a bus from the route San Jose – Puerto Jimenez, which takes about 8 hours (Transportes Blanco, +506 2771-4744). From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Corcovado National Park, which takes about 15 minutes. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.
You can also ake a bus from the route San Jose – Golfito, which takes about 8 hours (Tracopa-Alfaro, +506 2221-4214). From here you can take a boat to Puerto Jimenez and then rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Corcovado National Park, which takes about 30 minutes. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.
To get to La Leona (duration: 2.5 hours): From Puerto Jimenez take a bus to Carate beach and then walk about 1 hour until the La Leona Station.
To get to Los Patos (duration: 1 hour): From Puerto Jimenez take a bus to La Palma, once there you walk about 4 hours or you can hire a taxi to take you to Los Patos Station.
To get to San Pedrillo (duration: 1 hour): From Puerto Jimenez you take a bus to La Palma and then take another bus to Drake Bay and then take a boat, another route would be to take a boat in Sierpe. From Puerto Jimenez you can take a bus to La Palma, from there another bus to Drake Bay and then a boat to Corcovado National Park. Another route would be to take a bus from the route San Jose – Puerto Jimenez, which takes about 8 hours, and get off at Palmar Norte (Transportes Blanco, +506 2771-4744). From here go to Sierpe and there take a boat to Corcovado National Park.
BY PLANE
You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Puerto Jimenez Airport, Golfito or Drake Bay either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Corcovado National Park, which takes about 20 minutes. Charter flights to La Sirena station can be arranged.
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