Official wooden sign of Corcovado National Park featuring a tapir at the entrance to Sirena Station.
Swainson toucan in Corcovado
Howlanders traveler crossing bridge in Corcovado park
A Baird's tapir relaxing and bathing in a muddy water pool in the jungle.
guide in corcovado followed by howlanders traveler
Red eyed tree frog in Costa Rica
white faced monkey in corcovado
two peccarys in corcovado park
Costa rica crocodile leaving river
A plate filled with rice, black beans, fresh salad, steamed vegetables, and tortilla chips.
A basilisk lizard perched on a mossy tree trunk in the rainforest.
Corcovado park entrance from La Sirena
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Tour to Corcovado National Park

One-Day Tour to Corcovado National Park

Corcovado is limited to just 100 visitors per day. Book in advance.

Location
Drake Bay
Duration
1 day
Language
English & Spanish

Tour highlights

Tour to Corcovado National Park

Discover one of the most biodiverse areas of the Osa Peninsula on this one-day Corcovado National Park tour from Drake Bay.

You'll start early to reach the park in the morning, when wildlife is usually more active. From Drake Bay, you'll take a boat to Corcovado and explore the park's trails with your guide in a small group of no more than 8 people, looking for the wildlife that inhabits this remarkable rainforest.

You'll spend around four hours hiking through Corcovado with your guide. With a little luck, you may spot monkeys, scarlet macaws, sloths and even tapirs, one of the park's most iconic animals. After a morning exploring Corcovado National Park, you'll take the boat back to Drake Bay and enjoy lunch by the beach.

Tour details

Tour to Corcovado National Park

Starts
From Drake Bay meeting point at 5:45 a.m
Ends
To Drake Bay meeting point at 3:00 p.m

Included

  • Boat roundtrip
  • Access ticket to Corcovado National Park
  • Professional guide
  • Snacks
  • Lunch

Not included

  • Alcoholic drinks at lunch

Important information

LIMITED AVAILABILITY: Corcovado National Park has a very limited daily capacity, with only 100 visitors allowed per day.

BOAT TRANSFER: Two groups may travel together on the boat, but the visit inside the park is always in a small group of no more than 8 people. Please note that passengers who are prone to motion sickness may feel seasick during the boat ride.

CHILDREN: Children under 5 can join the tour, but a private guide must be booked. Contact us to make a reservation.

Cancellation policy

If you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of the tour, you will receive 50% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of no-show, no refunds will be made.

Tour itinerary

Tour to Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park day tour from Drake Bay

Low difficulty
5 : 45 AM

Meeting in Drake Bay

At 5:45 a.m., your guide will be waiting for you at the meeting point in Drake Bay (Agujitas de Drake). Once the whole group is together, we’ll set off for Corcovado National Park at 6:00 a.m. The boat ride takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.

By 8:00 a.m., we’ll already be inside the park, the perfect time to spot wildlife, as the animals are much more active during the early morning hours!

👆 Tip: If you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend sitting at the back of the boat and taking motion sickness medication if you think you’ll need it. For views of the coastline, sit on the left side of the boat.

Travelers getting into the boat from Drake Bay
8 : 00 AM

Visit Sirena Biological Station

Little by little we will go into the park, first through the secondary forest area until we reach the Sirena Biological Station (where the Park Rangers and the travelers who take the Corcovado 2 Day Tour reside). We will make a technical stop to drink and register as visitors and continue our way into the park.

Keep in mind that this is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, so it’s essential to be extremely respectful of the environment and stay on the designated trails. To have the best chance of spotting as much wildlife as possible, it’s important to keep quiet, follow your guide’s instructions, and pay close attention to your surroundings.

La Sirena station in Corcovado Costa Rica
12 : 00 PM

Return to Drake Bay

After approximately four hours of walking, we will start our way back to the beach through which we entered the park, where the boat will be waiting for us. On the way back, if schedules permit, we will be able to see the "La Llorona" waterfall, a spectacular waterfall directly into the sea.

guide and travelers spotted a tapir
1 : 30 PM

Lunch in Drake Bay

We will arrive at the beach from where we left Drake Bay around 13:30, and it is right there where we will have lunch together at a beachfront restaurant. If you have already read about the typical Costa Rican gastronomy you will know that good rice and beans are a must 🙂 When we finish eating, we will say goodbye to the guide and the rest of the group and end the tour. You will be just a few meters away from your accommodation in Agujitas de Drake.

Howlanders traveler sea view Costa Rica

What to bring

Tour to Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures, high humidity, and frequent rainfall. You will hike along trails that may be wet, muddy, or slippery, so we recommend wearing lightweight clothing and appropriate footwear, and bringing protection from both rain and sun.

  • Small backpack to carry your essentials
  • Clothing: T-shirt and lightweight pants (long or short sleeves—you decide)
  • Shorts or swimsuit (for walking from the boat to the park entrance)
  • Rain jacket
  • Athletic shoes
  • Sandals or water shoes (for walking from the boat to the park entrance)
  • Sunglasses
  • High-SPF sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Reusable water bottle (single-use containers are not allowed in Costa Rica’s national parks)
  • Snacks

Where does the tour start

Tour to Corcovado National Park

The tour starts at the meeting point in Drake Bay. You will receive all the details in your booking confirmation.

Questions & Answers

Tour to Corcovado National Park

  • Where can I find more details about the Corcovado tour?

    On the Howlanders blog, you'll find our experience visiting Corcovado, with more information about the route, the surroundings and what it's like to take this tour from Drake Bay. My experience in Corcovado National Park: the review

  • What language does the guide speak on the Corcovado National Park tour?

    The tour is conducted in English and Spanish. Depending on the participants and group size, the guide may give explanations in both languages or travelers may be divided into separate English- and Spanish-speaking groups.

  • Why is the boat ride so long?

    This area of Corcovado National Park is reached by boat from Drake Bay, and the journey takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. If you're prone to seasickness, we recommend sitting toward the back of the boat.

  • Does the tour visit San Josecito Beach?

    No. The tour currently returns directly to Drake Bay after visiting Corcovado, where you'll have lunch at a restaurant by the beach.

  • How do I get to the meeting point?

    The meeting point is in Agujitas de Drake, in Drake Bay. You'll receive the exact location and all the information you need in your booking confirmation email.

  • Can I be picked up from accommodation outside Agujitas de Drake?

    In some cases, pickup can be arranged from other locations along the route between Agujitas and Corcovado. Contact us with the name of your accommodation and we'll confirm whether pickup is possible and where your meeting point will be.

  • Do you have any other tips for the Corcovado National Park tour?

    The tour starts very early, so we recommend preparing your backpack the night before and having breakfast before departure or bringing something to eat. Make sure to bring enough water, sunscreen, insect repellent and a rain jacket.

  • What animals can I see in Corcovado National Park?

    Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed because the animals roam freely. Corcovado is home to tapirs, monkeys, scarlet macaws, sloths, anteaters, coatis, jaguars and pumas, among many other species. The tour starts early to take advantage of the morning hours, when wildlife tends to be more active.

  • How difficult is the Corcovado National Park day tour?

    The tour is rated as easy, but you'll spend approximately four hours hiking. Trails can be wet, muddy or slippery due to Corcovado's tropical climate, so you should be comfortable walking for several hours and wear appropriate footwear.

  • What should I wear for the Corcovado National Park tour?

    We recommend lightweight, comfortable clothing, a rain jacket and suitable walking shoes. You'll also need shorts or swimwear and sandals or water shoes for getting on and off the boat, as well as sunscreen, insect repellent and a reusable water bottle.

to Corcovado National Park tour reviews with Howlanders

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