The park is located in the pacific coast, in the Península de Osa, in the province of Puntarenas. It was establish by means of Executive Decree No. 5357-A, October 24, 1975. It has an area of 54. 538 hectares in the land part and 2.400 in the sea part.
Corcovado is located in the life zone that correspond to the very humid Tropical forest in the south pacific of Costa Rica and you can be sure that no other wild area in the country protects plants and animal as this park. This wild area is considered an excellent life laboratory, in which you can study the structure and function of the tropical ecosystems and the relationship between them.
The very humid forests of Corcovado, are some of the last places that still maintain the ecosystem of the very humid tropical forests in the American pacific, with precipitation over 5.000mm annual.
This park helps the investigation and scientific studies and allows the environment education.
There are like 500 species of trees in the whole park, which is equivalent to the fourth part of all the tree species in Costa Rica. The tropical rain forests protected in the area, no only constitute the best ecosystem in the pacific, but the last of them in Central America.
The flora of the park is constituted in the most by the very humid tropical forest with the following habitats: The mountain forest, the cloudy forest, the prairie forest, the swamp forest, the "Yolillal", the herbaceous swamp, the mangle, the sheer flora and the coast flora.
The park protects several endangered species like cats, big reptiles, species of birds of restricted distribution. We know the existence of 104 mammal species, 367 birds, 117 amphibian and reptiles and 40 species of fresh water fish.
In the wild life we can be notice the danta, the jaguar, the puma, the white face monkey, squirrel, congos, and others. This park is one of the most important conservation areas for the protection of lizards and crocodiles.
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.
Sirena Biological Station
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.
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.
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.
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.
