Multi-day Tour

Multi-day tours of Corcovado National Park offer a true adventure and real jungle experience. Hiking and staying overnight in the rainforest is the best way to connect with Corcovado’s wild nature. Arrangements can be made to arrive by boat or to hike in through the La Leona or Los Patos entrances, both about 20 km to Sirena Ranger Station. There is also an option to enter on foot and exit by boat, or the other way around, from Sierpe or Puerto Jimenez.

Duration: 3 days/2 nights or more

Difficulty Level

• By Boat: Moderate - multiple hikes per day, each about 5 to 6 km/3 to 3.5 mi

• On Foot: Difficult - the hike from the La Leona or Los Patos stations to Sirena is 20 km/12.5 mi

Highlights 

• Exploring the trails in search of wildlife in one of the world’s premiere biological hotspots

• Observing animals foraging and hunting in the rainforest at sunrise and sunset

• Searching for the Baird’s Tapir

• Seeing monkeys in the only place in Costa Rica where all 4 species can be seen in the same place

• Observing the charismatic birds that call Corcovado home

• Searching for crocodiles and other reptiles 

• Looking for Bull Sharks at the mouth of the Sirena River

• Travelling by boat through the largest mangrove forest in Central American

• Hiking in from either La Leona or Los Patos and observing wildlife on journey to Sirena

• Looking for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine life on way to and from the National Park

Included 

• Boat transport from Sierpe to Sirena and back (if applicable)

• Permits to National Park (for desired length of stay)

• Multiple guided tours with a licensed naturalist guide

• Overnight accommodations 

• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner while staying at Sirena Station

Important Details 

• A minimum of 2 people is required to book the tour

• There are a limited number of park permits issued per day. In order to ensure availability, reservations need to be requested in advance, with a minimum of at least 48 hours before the scheduled tour.

• Transport from Sierpe to Sirena or Puerto Jimenez to Sirena is by shared boat and is subject to availability

• Visitors cannot bring single-use plastic water bottles - only reusable bottles are permitted

• No outside food is permitted in the National Park

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner are mandatory expenses for all overnight visitors to the Sirena sector of Corcovado National Park

• Children of all ages are welcome on the tour

• Gratuity is not mandatory but it is kindly accepted in cash paid directly to the guide

What to Bring

Please note that single-use plastics and outside food are prohibited in the park. You must bring your own reusable water bottle.

• Comfortable hiking shoes for walking on the trails

• Sandals are recommended for walking inside the Sirena Station since entering with shoes is prohibited

• Water: for long treks from Los Patos and La Leona Stations, 2 liters of water is recommended

• Rain jacket & dry bag: appropriate clothing and bags to protect electronics in the event of rain

• Plastic bag: for wet clothing since there will be some river crossings

• Lightweight, quick-drying clothing for rain and the hot, humid weather

• Sunscreen and hats for protection from the sun

• Repellent

• Flashlight, for use at night in the Sirena Station

Sample Itinerary

The following is based on a 3-day tour that begins and ends on foot from the La Leona Entrance. For tours that originate from Los Patos, or tours that enter/exit via boat, the itinerary will look different. Arrangements can also be made for tours that last over 3 days.

Day 1

• 6:00 AM: Enter Corcovado National Park through the La Leona entrance

• 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Observe the flora and fauna of the rainforest while hiking on the way to the Sirena Ranger Station

• 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Stop for lunch. Note: clients are responsible for bringing their own lunch on this first day (Corcovado National Park makes exceptions for their policy of not bringing in outside food for those visitors that are hiking in from either the La Leona or Los Patos entrances). All trash must be carried to the station and disposed of properly.

• 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Resume hike to Sirena, while continuing to search from wildlife

• 3:00 PM: Arrive at Sirena Station to check in and receive sleeping arrangements

• 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Head out at sunset to search for animals when they are more active as they search for food before going to sleep

• 6:00 PM: Return to the station for dinner and relaxation before going to bed

Day 2

• 5:00 AM - 7:00 AM: Sunrise hike to look for wildlife. This is one of the best times to see animals because they forage and hunt for food after waking up.

• 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM: Breakfast at the station

• 7:45 AM - 11:30 AM: Continue to explore and look for wildlife we haven’t seen

• 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM: Lunch at station, relaxation time

• 1:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Explore some of the trails, rivers, and beaches we haven’t seen in search of wildlife before sunset

• 6:00 PM: Return to the station for dinner and relaxation before going to bed

Day 3

• 5:00 AM - 6:30 AM: Sunrise hike to look for animals as they are waking up

• 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM: Breakfast at the station, pack up for return trip

• 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Begin hike back to La Leona, searching for wildlife along the way

• 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Stop for lunch. Packed lunch will be provided by the cafeteria in the Sirena Station. All trash must be carried out of the park and disposed of properly.

• 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Continue hike and observing flora and fauna

• 4:30 PM: Arrive back to the La Leona Station, exit the national park