Walking Corcovado trek, Corcovado National Park, Peninsula de Osa, Costa Rica:

Map:

Corcovado trek in Peninsula de Osa is a great jungle trek that provides an opportunity to spot a lot of rear and unique animals. This trek was definitely the highlight of our Costa Rica travel and was also one of the best animals spotting treks we have ever done (but we have not been on Galapagos yet).

Walk description:

First day - from La Palma to Los Patos (14km, easy walk)

Second day - from Los Potos to Sirena station - La Leona - Carate  (18km)

Third day - from Sirena station to La Leona station (16km) and out to Carate (another 3km) 

An optional forth day can be spend at Sirena station and walking around it. Sirena station and its surrounding area are the best places to spot animals!

General Tips:

• Books and maps:

  • Lonely Planet Costa Rica

  • Basic schematic map

• Getting there and back:

  • The trek is usually organized from Puerto Jimenez (ferry from Golfito or buss).

  • In Puerto Himenez Oficina de Arena de Conservation Osa provides some basic information and also checking and booking camp spots. In a high season you might need to book in advance.

  • The usual route La Palma - Los Patos - Sirena - La Leona - Carate starts at the small village La Palma, reached by 30-60 min bus from Puerto Himenez.

• Alone or with a guide:  The route in the jungle is easy and no guide is needed to walk and find the animals yourself. That said, the guide is of course a worth while investment, as he will also help you spot the animals and explain about them. The guide is also quite expensive.

• Carrying your own stuff or hiring porters: No porters are available at Puerto Himenez and you need to carry your food and equipment yourself. It is however possible to buy some food at Sirena station (for very high price). You need to book the food in advance (check at ficina de Arena de Conservation Osa in Puerto Himenez)

• Equipment: You will need a tent and food. Plenty of water!!!!

• Finding partners for the trek: if you are alone and looking to find partners for the trek, I would suggest the following option: go to the hotel "Cabinas on the corner" or any other hotel with backpackers and just try to find someone who is going to the trek. Puero Jimenez is a small place and probably half the people who get there plan to hike this trek (especially if they came without the car, as getting there is not so easy). "Cabinas on the corner" is not for high end tourist, so this is the exact place to find such partners. This is what happened to us - different people there asked us if we were going and joined us.

• A shorter option: if you are short of time, cannot find partners or just don't want to walk in a humid and extremely hot jungle for 3 days, you have another, lighter option. One day version of the trek - take the earliest bus you can from Puero Himenz to Carate (2 hour bus/track) and walk all the way (or as much as you can) to the Sirena ranger station. Worth every step!

• Ticks: we were severely bitten by ticks, which reveals only after you finish the whole trek. Be prepared!

• Precautions: The jungle is extremely humid and hot. Carry a lot of water!

Last updated 26-01-2010