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The Los Patos Ranger Station is located by the eastern entrance of the park and is accessed through Las Palma, the only town on this side of the park. This is a humid, if not wet hike, a three hour walk that takes you across the Rincon river many times. It is possible to do this trail horseback riding, and taxis are available during the dry season. This is a region of primary forests, pre-montagne and cloud forests. There are many trails in Los Patos. One of them goes to La Sirena, connecting the Guayami Indian Reserve.
The La Leona Ranger Station is located at the southern most tip of the Osa Peninsula. This entrance is particularly popular with people coming from Carate and Puerto Jimenez. This 3.5-kilometer beach walk starts in Carate all the way to Leona. There are camping areas but tents are not provided. You will also need food and cooking equipment. From here you can continue on the same trail to the La Sirena Ranger Station. It is flat parallel to the beach and even pass by an old miners settlement and graveyard!
The La Sirena Ranger Station is where you will find the ranger station headquarters and is the heart of the Corcovado National Park. Located right on the coast, you can stay overnight at this station before continuing on throughout the rest of the park. This is the hardest station to get to, but well worth it for those who take the time to make the trip. La Sirena to La Leona is a hot 16 kilometers beach hike that takes 7 hours to complete. Timing is important here because of the tide and also for the heat. This trail passes through rocks on the shore that can be crossed at low tide or else there is another trail that goes inland that is parallel to the beach, and that provides more shade. Beware of the Crocodiles at tide crossing and for extended hikes it is recommended going with a guide.
Located to the northern entrance of the park, The San Pedrillo Ranger Station is about 45 minutes by boat south of Drake Bay. It is mostly visited by people coming from Sierpe and Drake Bay and the closest station to Corcovado Adventures Tent Camp. Visitors come there for day trips, a 5-hour hike from Drake Bay to the ranger’s station that follows the beach from Drake Bay to Punto Marenco. The Rio Claro can be crossed at low tide however boats are also available. The short trails of San Pedrillo are excellent for wildlife observation and some even have beautiful waterfall and rivers that are great for swimming.
Eight Species of Mangrove in Terraba Sierpe
Eight species of mangroves are found in Sierpe, of which the tallest of the world. The black mangrove, the red mangrove, the tea mangrove and the grey mangrove are the most common ones. Mangroves are incredible plants with very big long roots that have evolved to survive in spite of low oxygen content and in salty water. The mangroves of Tarraba Sierpe are the most impressive of the world and they also attract large colonies of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic life forms. Right below the surface live pools of fresh water fish and mollusks, of which many find their way on the tables of some of the restaurants of the area.
Multitudes of birds and wildlife
These fantastic mangroves attract myriads of rare birds thus all the birdwatchers visiting the area are pleasantly surprised by the abundance of resident and migratory feathered creature that visit or live in these swamps. Two endemic hummingbird species, the yellow billed hummingbird and the mangrove hummingbird are common to the area, as well various species of herons: the tiger-throated, the great blue, the boat-billed, and the green-backed, to name a few. There are also pelicans, egrets, mangrove black hawks and various types of toucans. It is no wonder birdwatchers are pouring in from all over the planet.
The Sierpe Boca Beach
Once the Sierpe river emerges from the mangroves it reaches the Pacific Ocean forming the Sierpe Boca Beach. This splendid hidden paradise is only accessible by boat, and is pristine and totally unexploited. It does resemble a small paradise for its myriad of exotic trees, of which many grapefruit fruit trees, and miles of untouched beach to explore with the great possibility to catch a glimpse of whales and dolphins. This is Osa at its best, offering you moments of awe and peace, surrounded by magnificent natural beauty. Swimming there is also fantastic and it is possible to surf the Boca waves a little further out, if you are brave or keen enough! It is highly recommended to bring sufficient water, a hat and a good sunscreen.
Cano Island rises like a giant emerald from the sea.
Soaring coastal cliffs, white-sand beaches and a densely forested interior make this island one of the most dramatic landmasses in the area.
Indigenous pre-Columbian burial grounds on the island have contributed to its designation as a protected archeological and biological reserve.
There are several trails inside the island that lead to the Indian burial sites. Here you can contemplate the perfectly store spheres that they used to adorn their sacred sites. It is still a mystery to the scientific community how these spheres were made.
The diving and snorkeling crowd will be treated to an underwater playground of caves, cliffs and canyons at seven separate dive sites.
White-tipped shark, barracuda, red snapper, dog-toothed snapper, and several varieties of rays are a few of the marine species awaiting you.
Snorkelers will enjoy schools of colorful tropical fish closer to shore.
Caño Island is surrounded by five platforms of low reefs where over a dozen species of coral grow abundantly. These shelves house countless life forms like sea urchins, lobsters, and all sorts of giant conchs.
After a picnic lunch shaded by almond trees on the beach, guests are free to explore the island's burial sites on self-guided trails, play a friendly game of beach volleyball, go for another round of swimming, snorkeling, diving, or simply relax on the sun-warmed sand.
The emerald forests, crystal-clear waters, abundant marine and bird life, and several intimate beach coves will make your trip to the island a memorable adventure.
The Osa Peninsula is a large peninsula situated in the south of Costa Rica, between the Golfo Dulce and the open Pacific Ocean. The Osa Peninsula is famous for its extensive tropical lowland forests, covering the majority of the area. The Corcovado National Park, the Golfo Dulce reserve and many private nature reserves create a unique and large habitat for many species of wildlife, including animals, trees and plants. The Osa Peninsula is home to Costa Rica`s second largest population of Jaguars, and other large mammals include the Tapir and many more. Corcovado Adventures Tent Camp Lodge is situated in the Osa Peninsula, specifically north west of the northernmost part of Corcovado National Park. Corcovado Adventures Tent Camp serves as a perfect entrance gate to explore this amazing network of jungles, canals, rivers, lagoons and trails.
Extraordinary Flora and Fauna of Drake Bay
The highlight of visiting Drake Bay is of course the Corcovado National Park. This is probably the most awesome place to visit in Costa Rica, a wonder of the world home to species found nowhere else in the world, a refuge of endangered flora and fauna. You can expect to see Red Macaws, tapirs, quetzals, red-eyed tree frogs, and various species of monkeys to name just a few. This tropical heaven also has miles after miles of pristine wild beaches, impressive coves and lagoon that are perfect for scuba diving, decorated by the spectacular palms that grown long the shoreline. Drake Bay is the perfect refuge for a peaceful vacation as well as for those seeking active adventure.
National Parks and Refuges
There are other protected zones that are a must see; the Punta Rio Claro National Wildlife Refuge, located on the hills south of the little town of Agujitas, is a beautiful combination of beach and tropical forest over an area of 500 hectares, and further down the coast you will find the Campanario Biological Reserve. They offer very basic lodgings and you even can enroll in Neotropical Ecology classes. The small town of Los Planes, near Agujitas, is a real little rain forest dwelling, asbsolutely ideal either for hiking or horseback riding. The Naguala waterfall is great for swimming and for fishing Tilapia. In Tesoro Verde, the owner of the restaurant, Alfredo has the biggest collection of 70s music of the country!
Rangers Stations Near Drake Bay
The San Pedrillo Ranger Station is only accessible by foot, through a 4-hour hike, or by boat, which takes about one hour; most hotels can arrange for the boat trips. It is located about 16 kilometers south of Drake Bay, along the palm-lined coastline. Once inside the station, you can wander amidst the multitude of trails that zigzag through the park. You will soon understand why this land is considered to be a wonder of the world.
The hike goes through beautiful beaches and up the hills surrounding the coastline. There are various eco-resorts where you can stay in harmony with nature. Guides can take you to some extraordinary waterfall where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. The trail to La sirena is considered to be extremely difficult and is only for the fittest. The Sirena-San Pedrillo trail is currently closed to the public.
The Corcovado National Park is located on the Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in the Osa Peninsula. The park has been referred to as “the most biologically intense place on Earth” by National Geographic. With one visit to this lush tropical paradise you’ll understand why. It has become one of the top eco-tourism destinations of the planet, not to mention Costa rica. It is home to a plethora of wildlife and exotic fauna that are unique to the Osa Peninsula, for it used to be an island thus species had started to evolve separately until it rejoined the mainland.
Flora and Fauna of Corcovado
Corcovado is home to a large population of animals including many endangered species; various types of monkeys, jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, and anteaters to name just a few, a plethora of birds including the resplendent Quetzal and the Red Macaw, amphibians like the Red-Eyed Tree Frog, and of course many reptiles and insects. Corcovado is also close to the Marino Ballena National Park that is the best place to watch whales and dolphins. The humpback whales use these waters as a mating and nursery ground. Corcovado functions as a marine sanctuary, protecting coral reefs, lagoons, rivers and estuaries.
Getting to Corcovado
Most people prefer to fly to the Osa Peninsula as it is one of Costa Rica’s most remote destination and farthest from the capital city of San José. There are two local airlines that offer daily flights from San Jose or Quepos to Drake Bay, Nature Air & Sansa. This is the airport we recommend flying into, as it is the closest to the Corcovado Adventures Tent Camp. From Drake Bay you can hike into the northern ranger station at San Pedrillo or take a 1-½ hour boat ride down the coast to the Sirena Station. Another option is to drive or fly to Palmar Sur, from where you catch a taxi that will take you to Sierpe; from there you take a boat for a mesmerizing and adventurous trip through the mangroves on the river Sierpe. Finally, if you plan on entering the Corcovado National Park through either the Los Patos or Leona Stations – plan on flying to Puerto Jimenez, which is located on the east side of the Osa Peninsula on the Gulf.
Ranger Stations and Trails of Corcovado
Corcovado’s number one activity is of course hiking. There are four main rangers stations in the park, each with its sets of trails.
