Corcovado National Park Calling

The Corcovado national park is home to myriad ecosystems. It is a wonder for the conservation of wildlife species. The Osa Peninsula, which  lies in an unaltered and pure state, is home to the national park. The park’s location is remote.

The Corcovado national park contains the largest, tropical lowland forest in the world. It conserves several endangered and rare plant and animal species.

The Corcovado National Park was built in 1975. The primary aim of the Corcovado National Park was to prevent illegal gold mining in the area. Presently, it serves as a destination for ecotourism. The park cannot be readily accessed and is therefore peaceful and quiet. This makes it home to scarlet macaws and quetzals. Other rare species include the tree frog and tapir, which is the largest terrestrial mammal in Central America.

The Corcovado National Park is lush green and comprises an astonishing thirteen different ecosystems, which range from mangroves to Jolillo palm groves. Other ecosystems include montane forests, lagoons, herbaceous swamps, beaches and lowland forests.

The Corcovado National Park is spread over 41,000 hectares. There are more than 140 mammal species and nearly 400 bird species. Nearly 20 of the bird species are endemic in nature. Till date, there are 116 amphibian and reptile species, 40 fish species, and 500 species of trees. The rare squirrel monkey and harpy eagle have made the park their home. Other endangered species include pumas, jaguars, sea turtles, arrow frogs, and crocodiles.

The climate of the area is hot and humid. The Corcovado National Park receives plenty of rainfall throughout the year. Hiking in the dense forests is a popular activity. The forests lead to some of the most exquisite beaches. The Corcovado National Park is a haven for adventure and nature lovers. There are four ranger stations located strategically from each other. Several guided tours are available to the park. Most of the tours begin from Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez.

Puerto Jimenez can be reached directly by a flight from San José. To get to Drake Bay, catch a flight from Palomar Sur. You can then avail of taxi service to get to Sierpe. From here, a boat ride is all it takes to get to the park.

The Corcovado National Park is the crown jewel of the Costa Rican ecosystem. You need to devote at least three days to the Corcovado National Park to get complete value for money. Once in Sirena rent the pango, which is a boat made by hand using tree wood, and paddle up the river. This increases your chances of encountering a tapir. The mouth of the river is full of crocodiles and sharks.

The sister concern of the Corcovado national park is the Piedras Blancas Park. Once part of Corcovado, it is now an individual park. Escondido Trex, a tour company based in Pt. Jimenez, operates tours, specializing in kayaking. Gulfo Dulce offers the best opportunities for kayaking. The accommodations available are only accessible by boat. Daily tours to the Corcovado National Park park include the animal rehabilitation center.