Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Changes to park regulations in early 2014 mean that all visitors to Corcovado must be ac-
companied by an ICT-certified guide. Besides their intimate knowledge of the trails, local
guides are amazingly informed about flora and fauna, including the best places to spot
various species. Most guides also carry telescopes, allowing for up-close views of wildlife.
Guides are most often hired through the Área de Conservación Osa
park office
in Puerto
Jiménez, or through hotels and tour operators. Two recommended local offices are the
super-reliable, locally run
Osa Wild
in Puerto Jiménez and
Corcovado Info Center
in
Bahía Drake. Prices vary considerably depending on the season, availability, size of your
party and type of expedition you want to arrange. In any case, you will need to negotiate a
price that includes park fees, meals and transportation.
Sleeping & Eating
Camping costs US$4 per person per day at any of the ranger stations; facilities include
potable water and latrines. Sirena station has a covered platform, but other stations have no
such luxuries. Remember to bring a flashlight or a headlamp, as the campsites are pitch
black at night. Camping is not permitted in areas other than the ranger stations.
Simple dormitory lodging (US$8 per person) is available at Sirena station only. Here,
you'll find vinyl mattresses and simple bunk beds. The station serves decent meals (break-
fast is US$20, lunch or dinner is US$25) by advance reservation only; if packing in your
own food, no cooking is allowed, so be sure it's edible as is or with cold preparation.
All visitors are required to pack out all of their trash.
Information
Information and maps are available at the office of
Área de Conservación Osa
in Puerto
Jiménez. If you hire a guide through a tour agency, the agency will make all the arrange-
ments for you and include the required fees in the package price. If you hire a guide inde-
pendently, you may have to make the reservations for lodging and meals yourself. Be sure
to make these arrangements a few days in advance, especially in dry season, as there's a
daily limit to the number of visitors allowed in the park and facilities sometimes hit their
maximum capacity.
Park headquarters are at Sirena ranger station on the coast in the middle of the park.
Other ranger stations are located on the park boundaries: San Pedrillo station in the north-
west corner on the coast; La Leona station in the southeast corner on the coast (near the
