Park Attractions
Corcovado National Park Costa Rica. Within the park is the drainage of Corcovado
Basin, a broad sediment-filled oceanic embayment between Punta Llorona and
Punta Río Claro (near Sirena), which extends inland from the Pacific
Ocean 2-10 km eastward. The basin's low plain is dominated by creeks and
meandering rivers, and is rimmed except to the west by uplands, which increase
in altitude and irregular relief from an undulating plateau in the northwest
part of the park (north of Llorona), to 2,444 feet in the southeast on the
peninsula's highest cerros, Rincón and Mueller.
The rugged uplands, produced by intensive tectonic activity and weathering
(including frequent landslides), are dominated almost throughout by eroded
narrow ridges and long steep slopes, with dense drainage networks.
Corcovado National Park Costa Rica. A virtually uninterrupted sandy beach extends for 20 km, with cliffs and
pocket beaches at the northern and southern park headlands; there is a marine
cave near the southern point. Up to ten tremors a day sometimes occur in
the region, and crustal elevations have been observed.
Driving Directions
Travel to
the south of the country on the Interamerican highway, 180 miles from San Jose, Costa Rica until Chacarita. The
Rio Rincon crossroad is 20 miles past Chacarita. From this crossroad the
west branch will take you to Drake (20 miles), and the south branch will
take you to La Palma (3 miles) and then Puerto Jimenez (25 miles past La Palma).
It is also possible to reach San Pedrillo
Station by taking a boat from the town of Sierpe, through Drake Bay to Corcovado
National Park.
Charter flights can be arranged which land at the airstrip at Sirena Biological Station.
Corcovado National Park Costa Rica. The park protects various threatened plant and animal species,
and is known to have about 124 species of mammals (over 50 bats); 375 species
of birds (perhaps 5-8 endemics); 117 species of reptiles and amphibians (2
crocodilians, 4 sea turtles); 66 freshwater fish species; and 70 species
of marine crabs. Among the mammals are
4 monkey species (e.g. Central American squirrel monkey, white-faced capuchin),
anteaters, sloths, southern river otter, crab-eating raccoon, 5-6 cat species
(e.g. ocelot, margay, jaguar), peccaries and Baird's tapir. Other nearby Costa Rica Parks include Piedras Blancas National Park, Carate Wildlife Refuge, Donald Peters Hayes Wildlife Refuge, and Terraba - Sierpe Wetlands.
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Park Facilities and Hours
Sirena Biological Station
Lat/Long 8°29'N and 83°36'W
The Sirena beach is a high
energy beach with rip currents and bull sharks. The Sirena River is home
to a population of crocodiles and due to its brackish water, bull sharks
and sting rays can be found there. Swimming is not advised. However, you
can swim in the Claro River.
Rio Sirena Trail:
Flat terrain. The trail measures 1 km. It goes through a second-growth forest
that has been regenerating for approximately 20 years.
Rio Pavo Trail:
Flat terrain. The trail measures 3 km and leads to Los Patos Station. Los
Campgrounds at Patos Station has a camping area. From Los Patos Station there is a way out
to the highway, walking an hour and a half. On this trail you can see a regenerating
second-growth forest.
Guanacaste Trail:
Flat terrain. The trail is 2 km long and takes about 1 hour to walk it. This
trail joins Sirena and Rio Pavo Trails. One of its major attractions
is the earpod tree (guanacaste).
Espaveles Trail:
Flat terrain. This is a self-guided trail with interpretative signs along
the way and is about 2 km long. Research findings state there are over 14
species per hectare in this sector.
There are other trails, such as Ollas, Rio Claro, and Los Naranjos, going through more rugged terrain. See Trail map above.
La Leona Station
This sector does not have internal trails. At La Leona there are cabins to
spend the night. You can request food service in advance. There is a trail
going from La Leona Operating Center to Sirena Biological Station. This trail
is about 21 km long that takes 6 hours to walk. You have to take tides into
account when following this trail, because you need low tide to be able to
cross without problems. If you are going to take this hike, you should report
it in advance to the Osa Peninsula office.
Corcovado Costa Rica
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Park Facilities and Hours
Entrance to Corcovado National Park is permitted through ranger stations at San Pedrillo
in the northwest, La Leona in the southeast, and Los Patos in
the northeast. Camping is allowed at these stations campgrounds, or there are modest accommodations
at the park headquarters and research center in Sirena, located on the Pacific
shore within the park boundaries.
San Pedrillo Station
There is a camping area at this point. Trails in the San Pedrillo Sector
go through the forest near the ocean. These camprgrounds and trails are especially good for
bird watching and sighting different species of mammals unique to Costa Rica.
Catarata Trail:
The hike ends in a refreshing waterfall. It is a circular trail measuring
2 km in length. It takes approximately 1 hour to walk it.
Pargo Trail:
This hike goes through the forest, bordering several rivers. It measures 3 km and it takes approximately 2 hours walking.
Las Marias Trail:
Special for bird watching and sighting smaller mammal species. It ends in
La Llorona waterfall. It measures 10 km and you need between 4 and 5 hours
to walk it.
The Sirena-San Pedrillo trail:
It is a restricted access trail. It is only open December through April.
It is a strenuous trail and people who follow it must bring their own water
and food. No camping is allowed along the way. The trail measures about 25
km and requires some 8 to 10 hours walking.
Corcovado National Park Costa Rica
For reservations or camping permits, contact
ACOSA (Area de Conservacion de OSA) in Puerto Jimenez through email, fax
or phone. Proof of reservation, provided by ACOSA, is required at each
station.
Mauricio Delgado
(Encargado de Turismo for ACOSA)
Edificio
de ACOSA
frente al aeropuerto de Puerto Jimenez
Peninsula
de OSA
Costa Rica, Centroamerica
Telephone:
(506) 735-5036 or (506) 735-5580
Email:
corcovado@minae.go.cr
El Tigre Station (Dos Brasos)
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