Hiking Corcovado National Park
The Corcovado National National Park named by National Geographic as “One of the most biodiverse places in the world” is a sanctuary for life of incomparable beauty. This National Park covers 40% of the Osa Peninsula, and is considered the most important of Costa Rica due to its virgin old growth forests which captivates visitors and envelopes them with the smells and sounds of the jungle.
The incredible variety of ecosystems that Corcovado National Park possesses includes forests, beaches, coral reefs, mangroves, rivers, and marshland. There are 375 species of birds of which 18 are native to this part of the world, 124 species of land based mammals (58 of these being bats), 61 species of sweet water fish, approximately 8000 species of insects, 71 species of reptiles, and 46 species of amphibians. This park is a bastion of biological diversity, as it is home to half of our countries animal species, one of these examples being the largest population of red scarlet macaws. There are also many other species present which are in danger of extinction, like the Baird tapir, the giant ant eater and the largest bird of prey the harpy eagle.
This tour departs by boat from Punta Uvita beach at 7:30 am, and arrives approximately 1.5 hour later to San Pedrillo Ranger Station in Corcovado National Park. A safety talk and a review of the itinerary will be held in the operation before departing, also there will be access to a coffee station (Coffee, Tea, fruit, toast, natural juice) . As soon the boat arrives at Corcovado the guide will lead the group to the ranger station, there are facilities like toilets and showers. The trails at San Pedrillo station are flat and easy for all types of people however the tropical forest is warm during the dry season December to April and rainy from May to November.
You would be able to hike in one of the most extensive trails of this sector of Corcovado with a duration of approximately 2.5-3 hours. The path is totally flat and crosses primary forest as well as income towards the beach where the guides will show very interesting coastal vegetation. Along this trail you might be able to see many mammals such as spider, howler, and white-faced monkeys, sloths, coatis, raccoons, and tapirs as well as a great variety of birds, plants, and trees with over one hundred years of existence and in danger of extinction.
Then you will return to the ranger station to get on board again and navigate 10 minutes to a beautiful beach named San Josecito beach where you will enjoy a delicious lunch in front of the ocean. After lunch and if there is enough time, the guide will offer a short hike to look for more wildlife or just a time for swimming or relaxing on the sand made of shells and corals. The boat will leave the beach at 2.30 pm and expected to arrive in Uvita between 3.30 and 4.00 pm.
During boat transit from Uvita beach to Corcovado National Park you may observe whales, dolphins, turtles, marine birds and fantastic views of the southern pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Start time: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
Duration: All day
Price: Adults US $140/ Children US $90 (under 10 years old)
Limit: Minimum 5 people
Includes: Bilingual naturalist guide, bottled water & fresh fruits, entrance fee to Corcovado national park and Picnic style lunch at the park.
Terraba & Sierpe Mangrove Hike
Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands is an internationally recognized RAMSAR wetland site and includes the estuary of the Térraba and Sierpe rivers. It is one of the largest mangrove wetlands in all of Central America and serves as vital habitat for many species of birds, fish, mammals and reptiles.
This boat tour departs from one of the arms of the Térraba river and enters the complex mangrove wetlands giving visitors an intimate magical experience with some of mother nature’s most interesting flora and fauna. The guides will explain the role of every component in the ecosystem and help spot wildlife throughout the tour.For the Mangrove Walk we recommend light clothing, binoculars, repellent and a bottle of water.
Start time: Depending on the Tide
Duration: 3.5 hours
Price: Adults US $95 / Children US $52 (under 10 years old)
Limit: Minimum 2 people
Includes: Bilingual naturalist guide, bottled water & box with tropical fruits and entrance fee to the park.
Night in the Jungle
This tour takes you deep into the jungle. After the hike up to the camp, you can sit and relax as the sun goes down and listen to the sounds of the jungle as the daytime animals and birds settle for the night and the nocturnal ones come to life.
Your Naturalist Guide will prepare a traditional Costa Rican charcoal broiled dinner. After dinner, you can stay at the camp or venture out on a night hike with your Naturalist Guide. Your guide will look for poison dart frogs, tree frogs, owls, tarantulas, kinkajou and if you’re up for it, even snakes.
You’ll wake up to the sounds of birds foraging in the trees that surround your tent. We promise the coffee will already be brewing. After breakfast, hike to the base of some 165 foot or 50 meter rainforest trees.
Start time: 03:00 pm
Duration: 19 hours approximately
Price: US $149
Limit: Minimum 2 people
Includes: Guide, admission fee, dinner & breakfast.
