Corcovado National Park
Corcovado National Park
4.5
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- KulturcatUnited Kingdom153 contributionsThe main attraction!Once you have made it to Bahia Drake a trip to Corcovado National Park is a must. There are a great many tour operators that will take you the one hour boat trip from Drake to the national park and then provide you with a guided tour of the park. We used Pacheco Tours and were more than satisfied with our hugely experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide, Eric. However, I would also like to mention Top Trails Corcovado, an outfit that looked very professional.Visited December 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 25 January 2024
- JulietravelsalotPlainview, Minnesota201 contributionsDo NOT use Osa Great Adventure as your outfitter.We stayed 1 night/2 days at Sirena Station. The wildlife was very good and our guide, Max, did a great job. Unfortunately, I have to give Osa Great Adventure a bad review. The only consistent factors were confusion, excuses, mansplaining, and gaslighting. We would have been denied lunch at Sirena if not for Max. 2 of our other excursions with Osa Great Adventure were missing lunch.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 February 2024
- FasturtleVancouver, Canada14 contributionsMust-SeeAmazing park full of wildlife and scenic beauty. The park is popular and well controlled. Tour groups run into one another frequently, yet there is plenty for everyone to see. Hopefully the government will keep a limit on day visitors to preserve this park as a must-see for Costa Rican wildlife lovers.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 February 2024
- Kyle_P1Boston, Massachusetts382 contributionsBeautiful coastal forest with light hikingWe started at the Leona Lodge. When we arrived, the area was enveloped in a cloud, which was nice as it kept the temperature lower. We saw all four species of Monkeys! We trekked through the forest while hearing the surf break. Our guide pointed out a lot of the smaller critters like poison dart frogs and birds. Our guide carried a monocular so we could get very close looks at the birds. We got a rare sighting of the King Vulture, which was special. We also saw a large group of coatis with babies and the young. They were so active.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 May 2024
- Kris L67 contributionsCorcovado is a great park for seeing animals in Costa Rica!We enjoyed seeing many different animals, including a tapir; squirrel and spider monkeys; a mother tent-maker bat with her baby; an Iguana on the beach; an American Crocodile in the river; Leaf-cutter and Army ants; a Collared Peccary in the distance on the beach; birds including Great Curassow, Crested Guan, a Crested Owl, and a Trogon. There were lots of butterflies and dragonflies in the grassy field. Part of the tour includes lunch. We were there during the rainy season, considered "winter" in Costa Rica, getting to the park required a 1-hour, 15 minute boat ride with a water landing. We saw humpback whales on the way to the park in the morning. Mosquitoes were not a problem. All hikes have to be led by a park guide, it is necessary to register for hikes in advance, participants need to bring a passport or a copy as proof of identification. The hike was easy and safe.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 29 July 2024
- CayetanaLima, Peru508 contributionsGreat wildlife encounter!!Located in Peninsula Osa, Corcovado is the southern part of Costa Rica. Arriving to Drake Bay via car or small planes. Entering the national park by sea on boats. Tons of wildlife....wildboards, monkeys, birds, and many more. Great trekking and rapel on falls on the rivers. If you can sleep on one of the lodges inside tbe park is marvelous...listening the wildlife at night!Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 19 September 2024
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4.5
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murielbekto
Zug, Switzerland157 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We took a one day tour, we were brought by boat from Drake Bay. On the way we encountered whales. When we arrived there were wild pigs. We then headed to an open area where there was a restaurant , there we saw a squirell monkey with a red face. Then we continued the walk and saw very little. The guide was not really motivated to show us anything. Very disappointing tour for 100 $...at least we saw the whales. Probably a two days tour is much better.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mjaldrich7
Albany, NY14 contributions
Feb 2022
Ok so this review is primarily on the experience itself, not the tour company. We used Surcos which I left a separate review.
Honestly, we did had a nice time on our overnight stay at the park.
That being said, I wouldn't recommend it and I certainly wouldn't do it over again based mostly on the cost of actually getting down there. The plane rides back and forth to Drake Bay, lodging 2 nights while there and the tour package we had to buy made for an underwhelming experience. Don't get me wrong, we did see a good amount of wildlife (though mostly caterpillars and small birds) but you should know a couple things:
1). without a guide (which isn't even an option) you'd most likely only see monkeys and birds from far away
2). when you do see something, it's has to be viewed through the guides very expensive telescope
3). There is no night walks allowed at the park
Keep in mind every experience is different, and yes we did see a lethargic Tapir and a snake or two but most of the wildlife is high up in the canopy of the rainforest well hidden from the naked eye. I recommend bypassing Corcovado and save the money. Oh I almost forgot, expect lots of ticks. I had two removed after hiking there
Honestly, we did had a nice time on our overnight stay at the park.
That being said, I wouldn't recommend it and I certainly wouldn't do it over again based mostly on the cost of actually getting down there. The plane rides back and forth to Drake Bay, lodging 2 nights while there and the tour package we had to buy made for an underwhelming experience. Don't get me wrong, we did see a good amount of wildlife (though mostly caterpillars and small birds) but you should know a couple things:
1). without a guide (which isn't even an option) you'd most likely only see monkeys and birds from far away
2). when you do see something, it's has to be viewed through the guides very expensive telescope
3). There is no night walks allowed at the park
Keep in mind every experience is different, and yes we did see a lethargic Tapir and a snake or two but most of the wildlife is high up in the canopy of the rainforest well hidden from the naked eye. I recommend bypassing Corcovado and save the money. Oh I almost forgot, expect lots of ticks. I had two removed after hiking there
Written 8 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeresaB25
Tulsa, OK301 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
We reserved our trip to Costa Rica with the best outfitter who takes guests to this remote location. We stayed at the closest lodging to it, and this park met all our expectations. We had a guide who works on jaguar research take us through the park each morning. We were given “Wellies” to wear by our lodge to comfortably accomplish several wet crossings and some muddy trails. You know you are in a remote wilderness once there. Coati troops traveled along beside us because their predators fear humans. The plants and birds were unlike other places we visited. If you are fit and interested, a trip here is remarkable.
Written 16 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Punita Koustubhan
Salt Lake City, UT9 contributions
Nov 2019
Visiting Corcovado from SIRENA station was incredible. Hiking through old growth forest and seeing so many animals and plants is a once in a lifetime experience. This is a very unique jungle rich in biodiversity yet very safe to hike through. Just make sure you book at least a week ahead so you can get a guide and be registered to visit
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrés
10 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
This is the place in the world, that holds most biodiversity in the planet!!! You will be very close to wild animals, is like a zoo but without railings. You literally can’t get something similar in other country. The visit is totally an unforgettable experience.
Written 13 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin G
San Diego, California, United States1 contribution
Sept 2020
We spent a whole day with Carlos in the Corcovado National Park and it was by far the most challenging but also most interesting hike we did in Costa Rica.
Carlos is a patient, knowledgeable and entertaining guide. I can warmly recommend him to anyone who visits Drake Bay or Corcovado National Park. You can write him on carlosguiacorcovado@gmail.com or call him +506 6013 8027
Carlos is a patient, knowledgeable and entertaining guide. I can warmly recommend him to anyone who visits Drake Bay or Corcovado National Park. You can write him on carlosguiacorcovado@gmail.com or call him +506 6013 8027
Written 18 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HelenaF
Playa Carrillo, Costa Rica2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
I have made several visits Corcovado National Park in the past 20 years. I wished to share my love of place with a group of friends (we are all world travelers and over 55 ). Our experience at Sirena was lovely and our guide was simply fantastic with a scholarly knowledge of the area and those that inhabit it... But 2 things were shocking to us all
1. Too many people - Guide’s with large groups of tourists trying to pass other guides with large groups of people on small paths and everyone speaking in loud voices - I am sorry but if I was an animal, I would run for the hills and I think most animals do!
2. The most disgusting thing we saw was a Guide who in an effort to make his group happy , walked up to a sleeping baby Tapir, threw rocks at it to wake it up. The baby Tapir stood up in fear.... This should never happen!!!! I think the park rangers need better oversight of the guides they allow to do tours into the park.
This would be a 5 star review except for the 2 issues but please understand I love Corcovado National Park and will keep coming back.
1. Too many people - Guide’s with large groups of tourists trying to pass other guides with large groups of people on small paths and everyone speaking in loud voices - I am sorry but if I was an animal, I would run for the hills and I think most animals do!
2. The most disgusting thing we saw was a Guide who in an effort to make his group happy , walked up to a sleeping baby Tapir, threw rocks at it to wake it up. The baby Tapir stood up in fear.... This should never happen!!!! I think the park rangers need better oversight of the guides they allow to do tours into the park.
This would be a 5 star review except for the 2 issues but please understand I love Corcovado National Park and will keep coming back.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaBreeziana
8 contributions
June 2023 • Solo
I did the two day and one night trek - perfect amount of time to see animals, get your hike fix satisfied, and swim in a waterfall. We had a group of four and the entire lodge to ourselves - I highly recommend “rainy” season if you don’t like crowds. It only rained the first hour of the trip and the last hour of the trip - amazing time in June! (I only recommend a day trip for people over 50, for those who don’t go to the gym or on hikes regularly, and for those who can’t handle heat/humidity. It gets very hot, steep, muddy, and dangerous even for those who are younger, experienced, and in great shape.
Written 17 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shelterform
Santa Fe, NM154 contributions
Jan 2020
If your into botanicals, snakes and birds but don't mind steam bath humidity and a trek to get there then this might be for you. There is a reason that this park is not visited by packaged tours; Getting to this place requires a 4wd and not minding jarring rough dirt roads and crossing hubcap deep rivers. Once at the park you have to hire a registered guide to enter. Once inside the park the jungle is pristine with giant fig trees, beautiful wild flowers, lush jungle. Seeing the wildlife requires some patience as the birds are usually up in the canopy. The guides carry spotting scopes so you will undoubtably see some scarlet Macaws. We saw some rather large snakes, lizards, huge spiders. Bottomline; you have to be a dedicated wildlife spotter or into botanicals to endure the trip to get here. That being said the town where we stayed at Playa Lapa VRBO has no power grid, no ambient artificial light, so the nights on the beach will render a spectacular star display that you will not forget. Plan on staying at least 3 nights if you want to experience the park in any depth.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee F
Salem, MA44 contributions
Jan 2022
Reading other reviews of how wonderful the park experience had been, I thought maybe we were in the wrong place! Yes the park was beautiful, but the tour did not get very deep into the jungle and the area was quite crowded with other day hikers. We were not fortunate to see very much in the way of live critters so our guide (Who was excellent and knowledgeable) spent a lot of time telling us about trees and plants. Not really what I expected.
Arrival by boat is a challenge. The area where the boats unload is a rocky bottom with water just deep enough so you can’t see where you’re walking. You must have water shoes to navigate this comfortably. I was wearing hiking shoes in anticipation of hiking in the rainforest, so I had to go in barefoot from the boat. It was painful and I managed to injure my foot slipping on a rock. There is no place to dry your feet so socks and shoes went back onto wet feet… Not the most comfortable way to spend the day! Still… We were glad we went and enjoyed the day.
Arrival by boat is a challenge. The area where the boats unload is a rocky bottom with water just deep enough so you can’t see where you’re walking. You must have water shoes to navigate this comfortably. I was wearing hiking shoes in anticipation of hiking in the rainforest, so I had to go in barefoot from the boat. It was painful and I managed to injure my foot slipping on a rock. There is no place to dry your feet so socks and shoes went back onto wet feet… Not the most comfortable way to spend the day! Still… We were glad we went and enjoyed the day.
Written 6 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coq S
Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
Bonsoir, quel guide avec quelle agence avez vous fait le parc. Les prix sont un peu déments.
Merci Sylvie
Written 7 February 2024
That will depend on budget, if your driving or not, how close to the park do you want to be.
We stayed at El Castillo Luxury Boutique Hotel. Highly recommend the place. You can check out my review of the place on Tripadvisor.
Written 28 January 2022
Hi Kevin - I'm planning a trip to CR and read your post on Corcovado NP. How many days would you recommend spending in Drakes Bay and Corcovado? Did you drive to Drakes Bay or take the plane from SJ?
Thanks so much
Grace
Written 7 December 2020
A Tripadvisor member
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Are there capybaras, jaguars, or coyotes over there? If so, how can they be best spotted?
Written 28 July 2020
From our research only jaguars from the ones you mention, but obviously super tough to spot. Magical place otherwise!
Written 29 July 2020
Hallo,
Kann mir jemand Empfehlungen geben bzgl. Tagestour in den NP. Welchen Anbieter wĂĽrdet ihr empfehlen und ist der Start von San Pedrillo oder Sirena die bessere??
Ich hab nämlich oft gelesen dass man in San Pedrillo nicht so viel Tiere sieht im Gegensatz zu Sirena.. stimmt das?
Wir wollten von uvita aus starten...
Written 26 January 2020
Buona sera! Vorrei avere un'idea del prezzo a persona di un'escursione privata in giornata per due persone, provenendo da bahia Drake ed entrando a La Sirena, a gennaio.
Grazie!
Written 2 September 2019
My friend got seasick today. We are supposed to go to Corvovado tomorrow morn from Uvita. Does anyone know how much time is spent on the ocean to get there?
Written 17 August 2019
Hi there, you don't need to go from Uvita by water to reach Corcovado. You can go also by car, the only inconvenient is that it takes more time (max. 3 hours as I remember), but it worths seeing Corcovado.
Written 20 August 2019
Bonjour,
j'aimerais réserver une excursion de 3 jours et deux nuits. Nous sommes deux adultes avec mon fils qui aura presque 3 ans d'ici là . Que me conseillez-vous?
Merci!
Written 8 July 2019
Bonjour,
merci pour vos réponses, mais je ne demande pas si vous jugez ok ou pas le fait que je fasse l'excursion avec mon fils de 3 ans. On a un sac de portage, mon mari a fait divers iron man, donc capable de porter notre fils si besoin durant 20km sans aucun problème.
Ma question est de me conseiller les routes que vous avez fait et ce que vous en avez trouvé ;)
merci d'avance pour vos réponses,
Written 9 July 2019
Hola.
Planeo visitar con mis Hijos.
Cuánto tarda la caminata? Cuántos km?
Se debe reservar de antemano?
GuĂas donde se contratan?
Gracias de antemano.
Written 16 June 2019
in der leona lodge haben wir den Führer gebucht. Es dauert einen Vormittag. Sehr schön. Mit dem Führer braucht man etwas Glück. Nicht alle sind gleich motiviert
Written 29 June 2019
Buenas, alguien tiene algĂşn contacto para realizar excursiones por la selva que no sean tours comerciales? Estamos interesados en guĂas autĂłctonos para poder ver el máximo de fauna posible.
Written 24 May 2019
In any case you must take the guided tour. They do not allow tourists to visit park without guide. And besides high price there are also other good reason for this.In my case it wal local guide David. I was really happy about his work. He knew a lot of local birds and animals and helped me to find them. Without him I would see much less. I ordered the trip through the local travel agent.
Written 26 May 2019
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