Corcovado National Park: the jewel of the Osa Peninsula
Area | 104,900 acres |
Location | Osa Peninsula (8°27' - 8°39' N / 83°25' - 83°45' W) |
Max. Elevation | 2,444' Cerro Rincon |
Precipitation | 120 - 240 inches per year |
Temperature | Ranges from 75ºF to 90ºF |
Date of Creation | October, 1975 |
Within the park is the drainage of Corcovado Basin, a broad sediment-filled oceanic embayment between Punta Llorona and Punta Rio Claro (near Sirena), which extends inland from the Pacific Ocean 2-10 km eastward. The basin's low plain is dominated by creeks and meandering rivers, and is rimmed except to the west by uplands, which increase in altitude and irregular relief from an undulating plateau in the northwest part of the park (north of Llorona), to 2,444 feet in the southeast on the peninsula's highest cerros, Rincon and Mueller.
The rugged uplands, produced by intensive tectonic activity and weathering (including frequent landslides), are dominated almost throughout by eroded narrow ridges and long steep slopes, with dense drainage networks.
A virtually uninterrupted sandy beach extends for 20 km, with cliffs and pocket beaches at the northern and southern park headlands; there is a marine cave near the southern point. Up to ten tremors a day sometimes occur in the region.
Entrance to Corcovado National Park is through ranger stations at San Pedrillo in the northwest, La Leona in the southeast, and Los Patos in the northeast.
Sirena Biological Station. The Sirena beach is a high-energy beach with rip currents and bull sharks. The Sirena River is home to a population of crocodiles and due to its brackish water, bull sharks and stingrays can be found there. It is not recommended to swim at the beach; however, you can swim in the Claro River.
Rio Sirena Trail. This flat terrain trail measures 1 km. and goes through a second-growth forest that has been regenerating for approximately 20 years.
Rio Pavo Trail. This flat terrain measures 3 km. and leads to Los Patos Station. On this trail, you can see a regenerating second-growth forest.
Guanacaste Trail. This flat terrain trail is 2 km. long and takes about 1 hour to walk it. This trail joins Sirena and Rio Pavo Trails. One of its major attractions is the ear pod tree (Guanacaste).
Espaveles Trail. This flat terrain trail is a self-guided trail with interpretative signs along the way and is about 2 km. long. Research findings state there are over 14 species per hectare in this sector.
There are other trails such as Ollas, Rio Claro, and Los Naranjos, which go through more rugged terrain.
San Pedrillo Station. Trails in the San Pedrillo Sector go through the forest near the ocean. These trails are especially good for bird watching and sighting different species of mammals unique to Costa Rica.
Catarata Trail. The hike ends in a refreshing waterfall. This is a circular trail measuring 2 km. in length. It takes approximately 1 hour to walk it.
Pargo Trail. This hike goes through the forest, bordering several rivers. It measures 3 km. and it takes approximately 2 hours walking.
Las Marias Trail. Special for bird watching and sighting smaller mammal species, this trail ends in La Llorona waterfall. It measures 10 km. and you need between 4 and 5 hours to walk it.
The Sirena-San Pedrillo Trail. This restricted access trail opens only from December through April. It is a strenuous trail and people who follow it must bring their own water and food. The trail measures about 25 km. and requires some 8 to 10 hours walking.
