From Wikitravel

Parque Nacional Corcovado is located on the Osa peninsula in South Costa Rica.

[edit] Understand

While the park is one of the more remote in the national park system, Corcovado provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

[edit] History

• The park was established on October 24, 1975.

[edit] Landscape

[edit] Flora and fauna

Corcovado boasts all four monkey species of Costa Rica (squirrel, white-faced, howler, and spider), many endangered large cat species and other mammals, birds, and a host of exotic frog, fungi, and insect species. Corcovado has such an impressive biodiversity partly because it encompasses many different microclimates and types of terrain, but mostly because it is isolated from heavy human impact.

[edit] Climate

• Dry season. Running from mid-December until mid-April with occasional rain showers.
• Wet season. Running mid-April until mid-December.

[edit] Get in

Travel to and through the park is perilous and is best accomplished during the dry season.

• Puerto Jimenez. This is the nearest sizeable town to the park and most people entering the park will probably need to pass through this town.
• Park Entrances:
  • From the north. Travel along the beach through San Pedrillo.
  • From the south. Travel along the beach through Carate.
  • From the east. Through Los Patos. It is a 13km hike from La Palma to Los Patos.

[edit] By bus

• Regular bus service is available to Puerto Jimenez. Passenger truck service from Puerto Jimenez to the southern entrance at Carate occurs on a biweekly or greater basis. The journey generally takes between 3-5 hours by road depending on weather, traffic conditions. In May 2007 passenger trucks were on a twice a day schedule (morning, and late afternoon).

[edit] By 4WD

All roads on the Osa Peninsula exhibit the disrepair characteristic of Costa Rica outside of the main tourist destinations. The road from Puerto Jimenez to Carate require a 4WD vehicle as it is a gravel road with several required river fordings. It recommended that this drive should only be attempted during the dry season. Note that Carate is next to the beach. Take care not to pass Carate as it is poorly marked. Parking is available by paying the store/bus stop which is Carate.

• 4WD Taxis are available for the passage from Puerto Jiminez to Carate. They are easy to find on the main strip of Puerto Jiminez.

[edit] By foot

• From Carate, it is a 4 km walk on the beach to the park entrance at the ranger station Las Leonas. Park permits and camping are available at the ranger station.

[edit] By air

• Small planes fly from the city of Golfito on the mainland directly to the small airstrip at the central ranger station.

[edit] Corcovado Drivers Map

Corcovado Map

[edit] Fees/Permits

Permits must be reserved in advance. You must have a permit to stay overnight at Sirena. In practice, the Park often allows campers with their own food to enter without advance reservations and prepayment, but during busy times of the year even the camping areas are filled, especially Sirena Ranger Station. Sirena is the only ranger station that offers dormitory lodging and hot meals in addition to camping. La Leona, San Pedrillo, and Los Patos offer only camping with no food service. It is possible to secure park permits directly from the Ranger Station in Puerto Jimenez, but they do not accept credit cards, so it requires passing through Puerto Jimenez and a trip to the bank to make the payment or costly international wire transfers. CafeNet El Sol offers a reservation service for a fee of $25, details on their Corcovado [1]page, enabling travelers to obtain their permits in advance by credit card payment without having to travel to Puerto Jimenez or carry cash to the Park. Please note that the Park Service (MINAE) does not issue park permits more than one month in advance of anticipated arrival.

[edit] Get around

[edit] Trails

• Carate to La Leona. 3.5km hike along the beach.

• La Leona to La Sirena. The 16km long hike to La Leona is on a trail which is on and off the beach. It is imperative that visitors time the hike so as to arrive at the river fording 2 km shy of La Sirena at the lowest possible tide. There is potable water at a stream "Quebrada la Chancha" (Chancha Stream) just east of "Ponta La Chancha" (Chancha Point).

• Los Patos to La Sirena. This 20km hike is approximately eight hours through secondary rainforest. The trail slopes slightly down toward La Sirena.

• San Pedrillo to La Sirena. This 29km hike is approximately thirteen or fourteen hours and is almost entirely along the beach. As of May 2007 it was closed.

• Drake to San Pedrillo. This trail is outside of the park and leads to its entrance. The hike is approximately six hours along the beach and just inside the forest.

There are several short trails in and around Sirena

• Ria Clero
• Espaveles
• Naranjos
• Guanaenste
• Ollas Corcovado

[edit][add listing] See

• Wildlife. The park is home to:
  • Over 350 species of birds including Scarlet Macaws .
  • 116 types of amphibians and reptiles including poison dart frogs.
  • 139 mammals, including Tapirs, Squirrel Monkeys, and large cats such as Puma and Jaguar.
• Natural Beauty:
  • Natural rock formations.
  • Waterfalls.
  • Beaches.
  • Rivers.
  • Rainforest. It grows reaches right up to the oceans.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Visit La Sirena. In fact it is recommended that you spend as much time as possible here since it makes a good central base for exploring the park. It is located 20km from each entrance.
• Take pictures. Take as many as possible so as to enjoy the beauty long after you have left.
• Kayak. Ask the locals for a kayak ride through the rainforest.
• Hire a guide. The guides know the animals' habits and are able to tell you where the tapirs normal routes are. However, be sure to also make sure to take the time to explore on your own.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• There is nothing for sale within the park, including food or souvenirs.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Meals are available at the central ranger station with advance reservation.
• People often bring food inside the park with them. Commonly it is food that is easy to pack, lightweight, and non-perishable such as pastas, rice, beans, or soup packets.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• There is potable water available at each Ranger Station.
• Remember to carry plenty of water during your hikes. If staying for multiple days, many people choose to bring powdered drink mixes.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Lodging

• Beds are available at the Sirena ranger station with advance reservation. You will need to bring your own bedsheets.
• Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge This beautiful property is situated in a private reserve of 170 acres surrounding the Corcovado National Park. The lodge offers electricity 24 hours a day generated by a solar system. Comfortable, with delicious foods, and knowledgeable guides very familiar with the area to accompany you on the tours. nights. It is important to know that the order of the tours included in the package might change due to weather Deluxe rooms at Casa Corcovado is included for the three conditions. Corcovado to Sierpe, ground transfer from Sierpe to Palmar Day 04 Breakfast at the lodge. Boat transfer from Casa included at the lodge. Cano island (entrance fee and box lunch included). Dinner Day 03 Breakfast at the lodge and Full day tour to included). Dinner included at the lodge.
• La Leona Eco-Lodge, [2]. A tent-camp lodge offering packages with or without meals. Located at the La Leona station at the southeast border of the park.

[edit] Camping

• Camping is possible only at the ranger stations at the entrances and at the central ranger station. Sirena station is a series adjoining structures connected by covered walkway. A covered platform next to a kitchen area and restroom provides needed shelter for pitching free standing tents and mosquito nets. As the platform is covered, you do not need to bring a fly if you are bringing a tent. Showers are available.

[edit] Backcountry

• Backcountry camping is not permitted within the park due to the fragile ecosystem.

[edit] Respect

The reason Corcovado is so amazing is because it has been so remote and a conscious decision to keep it beautiful is required.

• Carry out all trash and waste and leave no trace.

• Please pick up any trash you see that was left inside the park.

• Encourage others to do the same.

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Basic considerations

• Drinking water. The water at the ranger stations is supposedly potable, but it is highly advised to bring some sort of portable water purifier or sterilizer as it is unrealistic to cart all of your own water in. Be especially careful while hiking from La Leona to Sirena Station- the park recommends the bare minimum of 1.5 liters but at least 3 liters is safer. Dehydration and heat exhaustion can and do kill very quickly.
• Sunscreen. The walk from La Leona to La Sirena is very exposed and it is very ill-advised to not wear proper protection.
• Bugspray. Malaria is not a concern in Corcovado, but Dengue fever is a possibility.
• Buddy or Guide. Stay safe, walk as a team. The river crossings are often underestimated and can be especially dangerous for solo hikers.

[edit] Other precautions

• Avoid swimming. The ocean tides in this area are extremely powerful, while crocodiles and bullsharks are present in both the Rio Claro and Rio Sirena. River crossings should be done quickly and carefully. NEVER risk crossing either of these rivers at high-tide or during stormy weather. Caimans may be present in all rivers and streams but are not considered a threat to humans.
• Snakes. There are Fer de Lance and various other poisonous snakes here. Fer de Lance or Tercioepelo, as it is known locally, is most active at night commonly along stream beds. * Nature's defenses. Be careful of trees covered by thorns, spines, or ants.
• Peccaries Also know as Javelinas. There are two different species of peccaries in Corcovado, the Collared and the White-lipped Peccary. They run in packs and can be very aggressive. If threatened by a group of peccaries, climb a tree until you are six feet or higher off the ground.

• Emergencies. Park officials all own short wave radios and there is a pilot on-call. There are landing strips at Drake, La Sirena ranger station, and in Puerto Jiminez. There is also a local doctor in Drake.

• Maps Best maps locally are given out by the rangers, and are hand-drawn and not to scale. You may want to bring your own topo.

[edit] Get out

This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!