Short Hiking Tours in Corcovado National Park

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Three days of hiking in Corcovado National Park
    • Rustic lodging in the wild rainforest for 2 nights
    • All meals during the hike
    • Park entrance fees and permits for 3 days of hiking
    • Transportation to/from the trailhead
    • Boat transport for Boat Ride tours
    • Bathrooms with toilet paper
    • Bedding (sheets, blanket, pillow, and mosquito net)
    • Showers with soap dispenser
    • Light inside the installations (turned off at 8:00 PM)
    • Internet WiFi (weak signal)

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to the meeting point
    • Transportation for the La Leona and Sirena Hiking Tour (possible for an additional fee)
    • Snacks and water
    • Towels
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
• How fit do I need to be?

  The best thing about hiking in Corcovado is that there are incredible options for both beginners and more experienced & more fit hikers.

  Hiking from La Leona to Sirena is suitable for less experienced hikers. There are plenty of beginner to intermediate trails in the area. If you can walk for four to six hours with little elevation gain, you are good to go! 

  It is essential to have previous trekking experience and an excellent physical condition to hike from Sirena to Los Patos. Walking at a moderate-fast speed is necessary. Be prepared for broken topography and humidity, very warm weather, slippery land and the weight of your backpack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

• What can I see on the boat ride?

  Traveling by boat is the most popular option for those who don’t want to spend 6–9 hours hiking through the rainforest. Boats to Sirena Ranger Station depart daily from Drake Bay.

  The waters around Osa Peninsula contain 23 marine mammal species, including superpods of spinner dolphins and migrating humpback whales. Boat ride allows you to see some wildlife and sights that can’t be seen from the mainland. Observe marine life such as bull sharks and sea turtles, watch out for mammals on the beach, and once you reach Drake Bay, enjoy the views of the Llorona waterfall—a 100-foot waterfall that marks the end of the Las Marias Trail from Corcovado’s Sirena Station.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 35-45L bag)
    • Hiking poles — optional
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Water filter & tablets
    • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
    • Sandals or flip-flops
    • Spare clothes for layering
    • Waterproof rain jacket
    • Sunhat
    • Towel
    • Raincoat
    • Dry bags
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
    • Headlamp or flashlight
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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• What will the weather be like?

  Remember that you are in the tropics. On the Osa Peninsula, temperatures seldom drop below 27°C (80°F) in the rainy season and may exceed 35°C (95°F) in the dry season. Combined with the high humidity (60 – 100%), conditions here can become uncomfortable. Physical activity in such conditions is much more tiring than in cooler climes, and unless you take the appropriate precautions, sunburn, heat exhaustion, sunstroke and dehydration are likely consequences. Your guide will give you precautionary advice during adventure tours.

  Corcovado expects 4 to 7 meters (160 to 280 inches) of rainfall annually, mainly between the months of April and November, heaviest in October. During this period, it rains every day, with heavy showers in the afternoon and evening. These thunderstorms, if they persist, can interrupt schedules as a result of swollen rivers and flooding. During such times Corcovado Park can be inaccessible and roads impassable. Throughout the rainy season forest trails will be muddy and in places slippery.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For these private adventures, groups usually consist of 4-6 guests and 1 guide.
    • The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family! 

  Hiking in Corcovado National Park can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Is a single occupancy room available?

  A single occupancy room is not available on this Corcovado National Park tour. You’ll be staying at dormitory-style rustic lodging in the rainforest, meaning that rooms are shared. Only twin bunk beds are available.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Corcoavdo, most people fly into San Jose International Airport about 6 hours from the Osa Peninsula. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service to the meeting point. 

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location in Puerto Jiménez or Drake Bay.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. 

  • • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to ninety (90) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund. 
    • For cancellations ninety (90) to seventy-five (75) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. 
    • For cancellations seventy-five (75) to thirty (30) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount paid when Booking. 
    • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to car and boat rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.

  Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.