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Corcovado National Park, on the Osa Peninsula, protects what ICT calls the last portion of Mesoamerican Pacific rainforest. It is managed by SINAC through the Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA). Plan around the guide rule, reservations, entry stations and access from Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez. It suits hikers, photographers and wildlife lovers who are ready to plan ahead.
Rules here come from SINAC's park pages and the park's public-use regulation in Costa Rica's legal database. We reviewed them in October 2026. Fees and hours change, so this page names who sets them instead of printing them.
Entry rules
- You need a registered local guide. SINAC's sector pages say your guide must be a local guide registered with ACOSA's sustainable tourism program before you book, or you will be denied entry.
- You need a reservation. The park's regulation requires a prior reservation through ACOSA, and SINAC says reservations can be made up to six months ahead.
- You pay by bank voucher. Corcovado isn't paid online. SINAC's online reservation system (SICORE) explains how to request a reservation and pay by bank voucher.
- Reservations are personal. Carry the ID you used to book.
- Enter only at official posts. The regulation requires you to report in at a control post with your registered guide.
- Fees and hours. Entry fees are set by national decree (38295-MINAE), and SINAC posts hours for each sector. Confirm both when you reserve.
Changes and refunds follow SINAC's own rules, so ask about them before you pay.
Sectors and stations
The park's regulation names control posts at La Leona, Los Patos, San Pedrillo, Sirena station and Los Planes. SINAC's Spanish-language park page also lists the El Tigre sector, which is booked through a local community association.
Each sector has its own hours, trails and rules for overnight stays. Your guide will know which one fits your fitness and your dates.
Getting there
You reach the park from two sides of the peninsula.
From the Drake Bay side. Tours to Corcovado leave from Drake Bay. If you're staying in Drake Bay, plan a full day and an early start.
From the Puerto Jiménez side. Guided boat trips to the Sirena sector leave from the Puerto Jiménez public pier. If you're staying in Puerto Jiménez, ask your guide which sector suits your dates.
For flights, roads and boats, read about getting to the Osa.
A guided day trip to Sirena
A day trip is one way to visit the Sirena sector from Puerto Jiménez. The tour below works within the guide rule, since its guide is certified by ICT.
- Corcovado day tour to Sirena: a guided wildlife walk in the Sirena sector, with a bilingual guide certified by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT). Your guide meets you at the Puerto Jiménez public pier at 5:20 am. The park entrance fee, the round-trip boat and lunch are included. The tour lasts about nine hours, and you'll need at least a moderate level of fitness. View on Viator Partner link
Access to Corcovado's Sirena sector can change with the season and park maintenance. Check the tour's available dates and SINAC's Sirena sector page before you book.
What to bring
Corcovado is humid and often wet. Pack rain gear, sturdy boots, insect repellent, binoculars and a rain cover for your camera.
- Rain ponchoView on Amazon Partner link
- Waterproof hiking bootsView on Amazon Partner link
- Insect repellent (picaridin)View on Amazon Partner link
- Waterproof binoculars (birding/wildlife)View on Amazon Partner link
- Camera rain coverView on Amazon Partner link
- Trekking polesView on Amazon Partner link
Carry water and food for the day, and take all your trash out with you. Pets aren't allowed in protected areas.
Planning tips
- Book your guide first. The guide must already be registered with ACOSA when you reserve, so choose the guide or tour before you fix dates.
- Your entry covers admission only. SINAC's help pages say guiding, transport, meals and gear are arranged separately with local providers.
- Food and trash. SINAC allows prepared food in protected areas but not gas stoves, grills or fires, and some areas don't allow food at all. Carry every scrap of trash out.
- Weather doesn't earn a refund. SINAC doesn't refund entry for rain or cloud. If a protected area closes for an emergency, SINAC allows a date change by email.
- Leave a spare day. Base yourself near the park for at least two nights, so a rough sea or a flooded trail doesn't cost you the visit.
Watching wildlife
Tapirs, peccaries and several monkey species can be seen in the park, and wild cats are present but rarely seen. Keep your distance, stay with your guide and never feed animals. Read more about responsible wildlife viewing.
Heavy rain can flood rivers and trails, and boat landings depend on the sea. Check current conditions with your guide the day before you go.
Where to stay
Lodges near Puerto Jiménez and in Drake Bay make practical bases for an early start. Compare places to stay near Corcovado.