Corcovado National Park - Nationaal park Corcovado

Corcovado National Park is located in the extreme south on the peninsula osa of the province Puntarenas in Costa Rica.

Info

History

The park was established in October 1975 and further expanded in February 1980. It covers an area of ​​41788 ha and lies at a maximum height of 782 meters above sea level. The grounds of the park are highly susceptible to erosion caused by human activities such as logging, farming and grazing. That is one of the reasons why the area, including the Corcovado lagoon, is protected.

Landscape

The park contains 42570 hectares on land and 5375 hectares at sea, the furthest point of which is about 500 meters from the coastline. It contains a variety of ecosystems such as forests, beaches, coral reefs, mangroves, and freshwater swamps. The national park includes watersheds that drain into the Corcovado plain between Punta Llorona and Punta Salsipuedes. Placer gold is found throughout the park and throughout the peninsula through a complex process of mineralization.

Flora and fauna

It is estimated that the Osa Peninsula is home to 375 bird species, 18 of which are endemic, 124 terrestrial mammal species (of which 58 bat species), 61 freshwater fish species, approximately 8,000 insect species, 71 reptile species, and 46 amphibian species. Between 30% and 50% of all known species of Costa Rica occur in the area.
It's not for nothing that National Geographic Corcovado National Park to the most biologically intense place on earth exclaimed. And this is no exaggeration. Large numbers of all four monkey species found in Costa Rica (howler monkey, squirrel monkey, spider monkey and capuchin monkey) live in the park. Two crocodile species (the large and salt-tolerant American crocodile and the lesser caiman) occur in all major wetlands in the park, as does the bull shark. The jaguar population in the park is the healthiest in all of Central America, but it is very unlikely that a visitor will encounter one. Many other elusive cats are at home in the park, including the cougar, ocelot, jaguar and margay. The park is one of the last strongholds of Central American tapir, and hundreds of them can be found in close proximity to the Sirena park ranger station. There are dozens of snake species, many of which are poisonous. The largest snake in the park is the non-venomous boa constrictor. Numerous other small mammals and reptiles are common in the park including the coati, sloth, pine anteaters, basilisk and the ctenosaura lizard. The endangered scarlet macaw, tiger heron, black vulture, toucan and hundreds of other birds, such as the endangered harpy eagle, are found in the park.

climate

The climate is rainy and humid. The dry season is from mid-December to mid-April with occasional showers. The rainy season is from mid-April to mid-December.
Average annual rainfall is 5500 mm in the mountainous area. In the coastal zone falls 3500 mm.

Arrive

By car
Save on the Pan American Highway (N2) down direction Puerto Jimenez and Parque Nacional Corcovado (N245). Something over Rincon can you turn right to Agujitas (Bahia Drake) or continue to Puerto Jiménez. The total distance from San Jose to Puerto Jiménez is 395 km, approx. 9 hours. It is 30 km from Rincon to Agujitas (Bahia Drake). The roads are largely unpaved and especially on the peninsula a 4WD is necessary.
Tip: Due to the poor condition of the roads on the Osa Peninsula, you can also go toSierpe drive and from there take the boat to Agujitas (Bahia Drake). In Sierpe you can park your car for $5 a night and the boat trip to Agujitas (Bahia Drake) only takes an hour and is beautiful.

By bus
San Jose to golfito. Tracopa terminal. Daily. 07:00 and 15:00. Travel time 8 hours. From there take the ferry to Puerto Jiménez.
San Jose to Palmar Norte. Tracopa terminal. Daily. 05:00, 07:00, 08:30, 10:00, 13:00, 14:30 and 18:00. Travel time 6 hours. From there by taxi or bus to Sierpe. In Sierpe you take the boat to Agujitas (Bahia Drake).
San Jose to Puerto Jimenez. Atlantico North terminal. Daily. 06:00 and 12:00. Travel time 10 hours.

By boat
Ferry to Puerto Jiménez from Golfito. Departures from Municipal Dock (Muelle) every day at 11:00 AM. Back at 06:00. Duration 1.5 hours.From Sierpe there is a boat to Agujitas (Bahia Drake) twice a day (except in October).

By plane
There are daily flights from Juan Santamaría to Golfito, Puerto Jiménez and Agujitas (Bahia Drake), all for $170 with Nature Air or Sansa Airlines.
It is also possible to charter a plane to Carate or Sirena.

Entrance

The park has five entrances through the park ranger's offices:

• San Pedrillo is located in the northwest on the coast. Depending on the type of boat, the station can be reached by charter boat from Agujitas (Bahia Drake) in 20 to 60 minutes. You can also go on horseback or on foot along the coastal trail to San Pedrillo. You need to set aside a few hours for this. Along the way you have to cross 2 rivers. The station is closed from mid-April to mid-November. Water is available but no food. It offers camping facilities with toilets and showers. There is a $4 charge for the use of the camping facilities.
• Los Patos park ranger station is on the eastern border of the park. It is located on a ridge between the Rincon and Pavon rivers. Los Patos can be reached on foot from three different directions. A steep path with steps lies between the station and the Rincon valley at the park boundary. In Guadalupe, near La Palma, you can hire horses for the six-kilometer route along the Rincon River that you have to travel to reach the trail in the park. However, horses are not allowed into the park and must be left at the park boundary. It is a 45-minute walk from the park boundary to Los Patos station. Those who plan to continue walking to Sirena must be at Los Patos before 11:00 AM, otherwise they will not be allowed to enter the park unless they can prove that they have booked an overnight stay in Sirena. The path to the Sirena station is 21 kilometers long. Finally, there is a third trail that connects the Los Patos station to the Guaymi Indian Reservation village. The station is open all year round and offers the same overnight facilities as San Pedrillo.
• El Tigrec in the far east. This is the most recent park ranger station. The entrance can be reached via a turn-off north of Puerto Jiménez on the 14 km unmade Dos Brazos road. You cannot reach the other stations from this station.
• La Leona in the south. This can be reached by driving 40 km west from Puerto Jiménez to Carate. From there it is a short 2 km walk.
• siren between San Pedrillo and La Leona. This station is the park ranger headquarters. From outside the park it is only accessible by boat or charter flight to the small airstrip at the station. From the other stations, except El Tigre, it can be reached via the park trails. Set aside a day for that. Realize that if this is your goal, you must arrange overnight accommodation in advance. You may find yourself in an unpleasant situation if it turns out that there is no more room. Admission and overnight stays are pre-arranged at the National Park Administrative Headquarters in Puerto Jiménez. Overnight stays must be booked 1 month in advance.
  

ACOSA (Area de Conservacion de OSA):
Address: Endificio de ACOSA frente al aeropuerto de Puerto Jimenez
Phone: ( 506) 2735-5036 or ( 506) 2735-5580
Email: [email protected]

A day ticket to the park can be purchased for $10 at any office.

Trails

• Carate to La Leona. This trail is outside the park and runs 3.5 km along the beach.
• La Leona to Sirena. This 16 km path alternates along the beach. Please note that you will be walking at low tide, otherwise you will have a problem fording the river that awaits you 2 km before Sirena. The water from the Quebrada la Chancha brook is drinkable. This one is just east of the Ponta La Chancha.
• Around Los Patos. Here are 2 trails:

• baco. This path runs more or less around the Los Patos station and is 2.5 km long and should take you about an hour. It comes along a beautiful waterfall of the Quebrada Tarde.
• guaymic. This is not an official trail but it can be used to walk from Los Patos to the Guaymi Indian Reserve.

• Los Patos to Sirena. This trail slowly descends over 20 km through secondary rainforest.
• Around Sirena. Here are 8 trails plotted: Pavo, Claro, Guanacaste, Espaveles, Ollas, Sendero Corcovado, Sirena and Naranjo.
• San Pedrillo to Sirena. This path is probably closed to tourists. It runs for 29 km along the beach, which will take you about thirteen to fourteen hours.
• Around San Pedrillo. Here are 3 trails:

• catarata. A 2 km circular trail that passes a refreshing waterfall (1 hour).
• pargo . A 3 km long path through the forest along several rivers (2 hours).
• Las Marias. A 10 km long trail especially for spotting birds and small mammals. It ends at the La Llorona waterfall (4 to 5 hours).

• Bahia Drake to San Pedrillo. This path is located outside the park and alternates between beach and forest. You need about six hours for this.
• El Tigre trails. There are two trails at El Tigre. Sirena cannot be reached from here.
  

An extensive description of the trails with photos can be found on the Corcovado Guide website. http://www.corcovadoguide.com/trails.htm

Supplies

• Clothes for warm weather. The weather is warm and humid all year round. Prepare for heavy rainfall and profuse sweating.
• An insect repellent. Mosquitoes and other insects are already looking forward to your arrival.
• Rubber boots for hoses, mud and for crossing creeks.
• A flashlight with extra batteries
• A remedy for blisters
• Sun protection (headgear, sunscreen, etc)
• Compass
• water bottle
• Camera
• Food if you don't have a meal reservation
• Camping gear if you do not have a reservation for a sleeping place (covered sleeping places are only available in Sirena)
• Mosquito net and sheet if you have reserved a place to sleep
• toilet paper
• Towel

To look at

• The park. Try to spot wildlife and birds. Enjoy the rock formations, waterfalls, beaches, rivers and rainforest.
• Guaymi Indian Reservation is a 27.1 square kilometer protected reserve, which borders the northeastern border of the Corcovado National Park. Although unofficial, there is a trail that connects the Los Patos park ranger station to the largest village on the Indian reservation. In the Guaymi village you can buy local handicrafts. There is an entrance fee of $5 per visitor. You can also reach the Guaymi Reserve from Guadalupe. Take the path that starts at the confluence of the Pavon and Rincon rivers.

To do

• If you want to take full advantage of the park, it is highly recommended to go to Sirena and spend one or more nights there.
• Hire a guide

To buy

• Guaymi handicrafts

Food

Only the Sirena stations offer meals (breakfast $15, lunch $20, dinner $20). This must be requested when booking the overnight stay.
You are allowed to bring your own food into the park. Cooking facilities are available at the stations.

stay overnight

In the park

• Camping. Camping facilities are available at all park rangers. You must bring your own camping equipment. Toilets and showers are available.
• Dorm. It is only possible to spend the night in a bed at the Sirena station. You must bring your own bedding. A sheet is enough for most people.

Outside the park

Carate

• Finca Exotica Eco Lodge, Carate beach, ☎ 506 8828 0817, e-mail: [email protected]. Cabins, tents and luxury chalets. The hotel organizes a wide range of activities.
• Laguna Vista Villas, Carate, ☎ 39 06 583 30763, e-mail: [email protected]. Villa, swimming pool.
• Luna Lodge, Carate, ☎ 506 2206 5859, e-mail: [email protected]. Bungalows with lots of privacy. Swimming pool. SPA.

Guadalupe

• Danta Cordovado Lodge, Guadalupe, ☎ 506 2735 1111, e-mail: [email protected]. Rooms and bungalows. Many activities including canopy and trails on the private property of 30 hectares.

Bahia Drake

• Guaria de Osa Ecolodge, Bahia Drake (Between Bahia Drake and San Pedrillo), ☎ 1 506 235 4313, e-mail: [email protected]. Rooms for 30 guests on two floors. An observation terrace on the open third floor. NB Reservations are made through the California, US office.
• Punta Marenco Lodge, Bahia Drake (Between Bahia Drake and San Pedrillo), ☎ 506 8877 3535, e-mail: [email protected]. Cabinets without electricity with the exception of sunset until 10:00. Each cabinet has its own bathroom, but without hot water. Big beds.

Safety

• Be careful when swimming. The current can be quite good and crocodiles and bull sharks can swim around. Do not cross a river at high tide.
• There are venomous snakes in the park such as the highly venomous Bothrops asper. The snake is most active at night, mostly along riverbanks.
• Be careful of trees that may be covered with thorns, spines or ants.
• Peccaries (umbilical hogs) live in groups and can be aggressive. If you are attacked, climb a few meters into a tree.
• Emergencies. Park rangers all have their own shortwave radio and a pilot is available on call. There are airstrips at Drake, Sirena, and in Puerto Jiminez. There is a local doctor in Bahia Drake.
• Don't go out without a map. These can be obtained from the park guard.
  

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