Costa Rica 2023: Day 11 & 12: Overnight at Corcovado National Park

March 13 & 14

What did we do?

Our overnight visit to Sirena Ranger station in Corcovado National Park was part of our trip I was both the most excited and most nervous about. I’ve wanted to visit for several years but had images of having to forge crocodile-filled rivers and slog through knee-deep mud in the oppressive humidity.

Except for the humidity, our 2-day/1 night trip was nothing like that. We were there in the dry season and the trails were well-groomed with only a bit of mud; the only time I got wet was during the beach landing where we had to get off the boat in knee-deep water. I am sure things must be very different at Sirena during the rainy season, and if you want to cross rivers, and climb hills there are options for that.

We left Drake Bay for Corcovado at 5:45 am in a tropical downpour complete with thunder and lightning, but by the time we got to Playa Sirena an hour later, the sun was almost shining. And, as if it were making a command performance, a large Tapir popped out of the bush just as we reached the registration booth on the edge of the beach.

A Tapir on a Beach

Over the course of the two days, we did four separate hikes around the station. The walking was easy over flat terrain, and at a slow pace as we stopped frequently to look at wildlife. We saw many different species of birds, waterfowl, Capuchin, Howler, Squirrel and Spider monkeys, a Tapir and her baby, peccaries, a sloth, crocodiles, and an anteater. The troop of twenty little squirrel monkeys playing in the trees just outside of arm's reach was one of the highlights for me.,

Squirrel Monkeys are my favorite. Can you hear the Toucan?

You can’t enter Corcovado Park without a guide, and a reservation. We booked our trip about four months in advance directly with our guide Edin Pavon whom I would highly recommend. He’s available on What’s App at +506 8579 4700.