Parque Nacional Corcovado
Corcovado National Park is a remote rainforest park on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, known for scarlet macaws, monkeys and tapirs along its trails.
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Corcovado National Park covers much of the southwest of the Osa Peninsula, on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The park protects lowland rainforest, sandy beaches and mangroves. Most people come to see wildlife, including scarlet macaws, howler and spider monkeys, and tapirs. Jaguars and pumas live here too, but they are rarely seen, though their tracks can show up on the trails.
The park is divided into sectors, each with its own entry point and ranger station, and the sector you choose decides how you arrive. Some are reached by boat, some by small plane, and others by long walks through the forest, so sort out transport before you plan your days. Puerto Jiménez is the main town for trips into the park, and Drake Bay is another starting point, reached by boat or small plane. Corcovado suits travelers who want to hike, watch wildlife and accept basic lodging with few services. It is a poor match for anyone who wants resort comforts. The dry season, roughly December to April, has less rain and easier walking.
Parque Nacional Corcovado in five
- Reserve through SINAC before anything elseSINAC's Spanish page says visiting Corcovado requires a prior reservation, made by email with its reservations office, open 7am to 4pm daily except public holidays. El Tigre reserves through a local association.SINAC Corcovado page
- Walk Sirena routes only with a guideSINAC says the La Leona to Sirena and Los Patos to Sirena routes must be walked with a tourist guide, and prefers a registered guide on every entry. Night walks and leaving the trail are not allowed.
- Choose a sector by how you want to arriveSINAC's Spanish page lists six sectors: San Pedrillo, Sirena, La Leona, Los Patos, Los Planes and El Tigre. Sirena, the central station, has an airstrip; Los Patos and La Leona are long walks toward it.
- Avoid Sirena in OctoberSINAC's English page says Sirena closes in October while other sectors stay open; the Spanish page does not repeat it, so confirm when you reserve. SINAC's sector page gives September and October as the wettest months.
- Stay on the trail and out of the waterSINAC rules prohibit leaving established paths, swimming at the park beach because of strong currents, and feeding or touching wildlife. Bull sharks and crocodiles can appear near the Sirena river mouth at high tide.
Things to do in Parque Nacional Corcovado
See all attractions in Parque Nacional Corcovado
Need to know
- Entrance
- SINAC reservation; $16.95 non-resident adults (Spanish page)
- Permits
- Guide required on the two Sirena routes; preferred elsewhere
- Season
- Open daily 7:00 to 15:00; Sirena closed in October (English page)
- Nearest town
- Puerto Jiménez, Drake Bay or Carate
- Getting there
- Boat, small plane or road, depending on the sector
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry seasonJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season
- FebruaryRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry seasonFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season
- MarchRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°DriestMarchRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 112 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest
- AprilRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Late dry seasonAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 283 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Late dry season
- MayRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Rainy seasonMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 577 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JuneRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 663 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain31 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Rainy seasonJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 616 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- AugustRain31 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Rainy seasonAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 665 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- SeptemberRain30 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Heavy rainSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 589 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heavy rain
- OctoberRain31 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Heaviest rainOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 912 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heaviest rain
- NovemberRain30 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Rains easeNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 742 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- DecemberRain26 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Dry season startsDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 226 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season starts
Average daily high and low in Sirena, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Parque Nacional Corcovado
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Parque Nacional Corcovado
10:24 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today27°23°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue27°22°98%Tuesday: Rain. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed25°23°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu26°22°98%Thursday: Rain. High 26°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Fri27°22°100%Friday: Rain. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat25°23°100%Saturday: Rain. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun29°22°100%Sunday: Fog. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 08:42 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 454.9 CRC
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Drake Bayboat from Sierpe or Sirena sectorA coastal gateway north of the park, with day trips by boat.Read the guide
- Puerto Jiménezroad or short flight from San JoséThe gulf-side town with a SANSA airstrip, shops and guides.Read the guide
- Caño Island Biological Reserveboat from the Osa coastAn island about 20 km west of the peninsula, with reefs and archaeology.
Before you go to Parque Nacional Corcovado
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Rules for Parque Nacional Corcovado, checked
- Corcovado requires a prior reservation through SINAC's reservations office by email; hours are 7am to 3pm daily and night walks are not permitted (SINAC).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Two routes into Sirena, from La Leona and from Los Patos, need a tourist guide; do not leave the path or swim at the park beach (SINAC).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Non-resident adults pay $16.95 and children $5.65 (SINAC Spanish page); Sirena closes in October per its English page.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Parque Nacional Corcovado
Corcovado within a longer route.
Read the guidePuerto JiménezThe Osa's town base, flights and supplies.
Read the guideSouthern Costa Rica and the OsaHow to link the whale coast and the Osa.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCheck remote-area and evacuation cover.
Read the guideWhen to go to Costa RicaDry season, green season and which coast.
Read the guideParque Nacional Corcovado FAQ
Can you visit Corcovado without a guide?
Some visits do not strictly need one, but SINAC prefers a registered guide on every entry and requires one on the two routes into Sirena. Its older English sector page says entry can be denied without an ACOSA-registered guide, so arrange a guide first.
How far ahead should I book Corcovado?
Reserve by email with SINAC's reservations office as soon as dates and sector are fixed. SINAC's older English sector page says reservations are personal, non-transferable and can be made up to 6 months ahead; confirm the lead time with the office.
Which Corcovado sector is best?
Sirena is the central station, with local trails totalling about 20 km and an airstrip. Los Patos and La Leona are long walks toward it, San Pedrillo has shorter trails and El Tigre a 7 km hard walk with viewpoints. Match the sector to your fitness and days.
When is the best time to visit Corcovado?
SINAC gives mid-December to mid-April as the dry season, with sporadic rain, and mid-April to mid-December as the rainy season. Annual rainfall averages 3,500 mm on the coast and 5,500 mm in the mountains. Dry months make walking easier, though rain is always possible.
Is Corcovado a day trip?
It can be. SINAC says the Los Patos to Sirena to La Leona route is best done in three days, or you can choose one trail for a single day. Ask your lodge which sectors accept day visits on your dates.