An Adventure at Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica

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Visit Corcovado National Park: The Amazon of Costa Rica

Located in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park is one of the most unique and biodiverse places on Earth. At 164 square miles, the park is relatively small, but it contains more than five percent of the world’s animal population including endangered species like jaguars, tapirs, and scarlet macaws. From cloud forests to mangrove swamps and lowland rainforests to waterfalls, Corcovado National Park Costa Rica is a dream come true for eco-tourists!

Did You Know? The Trees of Corcovado National Park

A large section of Corcovado National Park is covered in dense, impenetrable forest. When you visit Corcovado National Park, you’ll find more than 500 tree species, which make up almost 40 percent of all tree species found in Costa Rica. The park is home to tree species such as canelo, mañío, lenga, coigüe, ñirre, and ciprés de las guaitecas. In some areas of the park, you can also find alerces, a species of cypress that can grow to towering heights in the wild.

Pack Your Bags for Adventure!

If you are planning to visit Corcovado Park Costa Rica, you’ll need to know how to get there. The best (and easiest) way to reach to park is to fly from San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Domestic flights from the capital are relatively inexpensive, costing anywhere from $80 - $100. Alternatively, you can charter a private flight from the Sirena Ranger Station, which is located in the middle of Corcovado National Park. A third option is to fly into the Palmar Sur Airport in Sierpe and then drive to the park, although the roads are quite rugged and you will need to rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Corcovado National Park?

The best time to visit Corcovado National Park is during the dry season when the weather is sunny, the trails are accessible, and wildlife sightings are frequent. Corcovado’s dry season runs from December to April, but keep in mind that this is also the peak tourist season and there will be more crowds. During the Green Season, from May to November, you’ll encounter fewer crowds; however, the heavier rainfall means access to certain areas of the park will be limited.

Top 5 Must-Do Activities at Corcovado National Park

To visit Corcovado National Park is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream! Adventurers can hike, kayak, dive, and explore the park to their hearts’ content. Even experienced beach-goers will be amazed by the park’s pristine beaches and expansive marine ecosystem.

  • Hiking: There are more than 25 miles of well-maintained trails winding through Corcovado National Park Costa Rica. These trails run through some of the most diverse landscapes in the world, including dense rainforests, mangrove swamps, river crossings, and coastlines. There are trails for every experience level, ranging from moderate to challenging, with elevation changes that start at sea level and soar to 2,000 feet in certain areas. However, if you plan to hike while you visit Corcovado National Park, please note that you need to have a guide! You can reserve a tour through the park with a tour operator, or you can contact one of the five ranger stations at the park to ask for a guide. Your guide will help you navigate the rugged terrain so that you can gain access to stunning viewpoints, secluded beaches, and riverbanks during your trek.
  • Wildlife watching: As we mentioned above, Corcovado National Park is one of the most biodiverse parks in the world, and wildlife watching is one of the top things to do if you visit! One of the highlights of this activity is the chance to spot the elusive jaguar. Though these majestic felines are often difficult to track down, exploring the park with a guide will help. But even if you don’t see a jaguar on your visit, you’ll be sure to spot howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, tapirs, sloths, and the colorful poison dart frogs. Other animals that call Corcovado National Park home include sea turtles, anteaters, butterflies, crocodiles, various snakes, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and the white-faced capuchin monkeys. If seeing exotic animals is on your travel bucket list, a visit to Corcovado National Park will check all the boxes.
  • Birdwatching: There are more than 400 exotic species of birds in Costa Rica, all of which thrive in the diverse ecosystems found within Corcovado National Park. Some of the most vibrant birds in the world can be found within the park’s borders, including the scarlet macaw, with its red, blue, and yellow plumage, and the quetzal, which is famous for its iridescent green feathers and long tail. The park is even home to numerous species of migratory birds, which flock to Corcovado to escape colder climates. Some of the most popular birds in Corcovado National Park include: the black-cheeked ant-tanager; Baird’s Trogon; the King Vulture; the Great Currasow; the Harpy Eagle; the Yellow-throated Toucan; and the Red-capped Manakin.
  • Camping: If you’ve ever wanted to camp under the stars in a jungle, Corcovado National Park is the place to live out your dreams. Camping sites are available at La Sirena Ranger Station, where guests can enjoy the rainforest’s cacophony as they are lulled to sleep under the stars. Then, as dawn breaks, enjoy a guided tour of the park and take photos of the native species that your guide points out.
  • Snorkeling and diving: When you visit Corcovado National Park, don’t forget your bathing suit. The park is a hotspot for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts, offering access to some of Costa Rica’s most vibrant and untouched marine ecosystems. The park’s coastal waters are home to colorful parrotfish, graceful sea turtles, and playful dolphins. You can even explore the reefs near Corcovado, where you will discover thriving coral formations that provide shelter for an array of aquatic species. The two best places to snorkel in the park are Caño Island Biological Reserve and San Josecito Beach.

Just remember, when you visit Corcovado National Park, you want to be careful to respect the park’s delicate marine environment. Always use reef-safe sunscreen, avoid touching the coral, and do not disturb the wildlife. Listen to your guide and help preserve the park for more visitors to enjoy.

An Up Close Look At Corcovado’s Sea Turtles

Costa Rica is home to five of the seven sea turtle species found worldwide, which makes it a prime destination for turtle enthusiasts. The country’s diverse ecosystems provide vital nesting sites and feeding grounds for the turtles. Corcovado National Park is home to four major turtle species.

  • Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea): The largest of all sea turtles, reaching lengths of up to six feet. Leatherback turtles are listed as a vulnerable species and are protected by law in Costa Rica. Peak nesting occurs from October through December.
  • Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas): Named for the greenish tint of its fat, this turtle is considered an endangered species. Like Leatherback Turtles, peak nesting occurs during October, November, and December.
  • Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata): This species is easily recognizable by its distinctive beaked-like mouth and is also considered an endangered species. Peak nesting occurs from June to September.
  • Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea): The most abundant sea turtle in the world, it is commonly seen in the waters of Costa Rica. Peak nesting occurs particularly from August to October.

Corcovado National Park Costa Rica offers turtle-nesting beach tours to its visitors. These tours are a popular form of ecotourism that allows visitors to witness the nesting habits of sea turtles without disturbing the creatures. The tours are usually led by local turtle conservation groups or professional guides, who are knowledgeable about the sea turtle species found in the area and can help tourists safely observe them without causing harm.

Plan Your Visit To Corcovado Today!

Corcovado National Park is a treasure unlike any other in the world! If you’re interested in seeing this bucket-list destination, book a trip with Gondwana Ecotours today. From the 1,000 species of plants to the incredible insects and amazing animals, Corcovado National Park embodies the best of Costa Rica’s exotic flora and fauna. Book now to reserve your adventure today and get ready for a trip unlike any other that you’ve ever experienced.

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