There are few places as stunningly biodiverse as Corcovado National Park. Located on the Osa Peninsula—where sweeping development and hordes of tourists have yet to dominate the landscape—the national park is a must-visit for intrepid travelers and those looking for a unique jungle experience. Ready to learn more about this hidden gem in Costa Rica?
Here are three reasons why you need to visit Corcovado National Park:
The Adventure
It’s no easy feat to arrive at Corcovado, but that’s almost half the fun. The lack of infrastructure surrounding the park, the restriction of commercial development, and the necessity to obtain various park permits means that it’s imperative that you plan your trip in advance and hire a park guide. But the effort is certainly well worth the reward. The highlight of the adventure for many is a 16km hike from Leona Station to Sirena (approximately 7 hours). The trek is primarily along the beach, and offers gorgeous wild snapshots. It’s particularly important to know the tides—there is a river crossing, and during high tide crocodiles and bull sharks call this river home. For more on the ultimate guide to adventure in Corcovado, don’t miss this awe-worthy blog post by Expert Vagabond.
The Eco-Luxury
If you’re not up to eight hour days of hiking or camping in the wilderness, don’t worry—Casa Corcovado was crafted just for you. The eco-luxury resort is as close to the park as you can get without actually being in the reserve itself. But because of this close proximity, much of the same plant and animal life in Corcovado Park can also be found around the Casa Corcovado hotel grounds. You’ll get luxury accommodation, convenience to the park, and all the paperwork/park permits obtained for you. Casa Corcovado also provides hiking boots, nature guides, and all of your meals. You won’t be able to venture as far into the national park as you would on a three-day hike, but you will still be able to enjoy all the highlights.
The Diversity
Simply put, there’s just no place in the world quite like the Corcovado National Park. National Geographic has even named it “one of the most biologically intense places in the world”; with thirteen different ecosystems and some 2% of the world’s biodiversity, it’s easy to see why. Corcovado National Park is also the only remaining Pacific lowland rainforest of sustainable size, with the region’s densest population of tapirs, jaguars and scarlet macaws. Not to mention the countless monkeys, birds, sloths and creepy-crawlies that also call the jungle home. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast or you simply can appreciate the riveting beauty of nature, Corcovado National Park will not disappoint.
Have you been to Corcovado before? What did you think?
