Bull sharks are not believed to be present within the Rio Claro. It was decided to evict them. Travelair/Natureair operates out of Tobías Bolaños Airport in Pavas (about 10km from Juan Santamaría where the International Carriers arrive) and offers flights from there to Puerto Jiménez ($87 – $158), and Drake Bay ($87 – $158) and also serves Puerto Jiménez (via Tobías Bolaños) from Quepos ($99 – $209) and Bocas del Toro Panamá ($140). One can get to the Corcovado National Park via Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay. 3 1/2 hours). At high tide there are several rock outcroppings that block the way. Cross at the shallowest point, as far upstream as possible. Continue south on the Pan American Highway to Chacarita/Piedras Blancas to where you turn right (southwest) on 245 towards Puerto Jiménez. Take the Pan American Highway East out of San José, the road curves South and changes designation from Highway 1 to Highway 2, although it’s still the Pan American Highway. It was established on 24 October 1975, and encompasses an area of 424 square kilometres (164 sq mi). The first is the turnoff (right) for Drake Bay (4WD, typically impassable in rainy season) at Rincón 44 km from the Pan American Highway. Reservations and guide services are required and available from local lodges. Rio Sirena is commonly regarded as the most dangerous of crossings, primarily because it flows directly into the massive Laguna Corcovado in the isolated heart of the park. It is estimated that 38% of the park (16.000 hectares) have been exploited by gold miners. Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge is the closest accommodation to Corcovado National Park, the crown jewel of Costa Rica's extraordinary, worldrenowned national park system. Three access routes for the park branch off of the road to Puerto Jiménez. One may camp (for a maximum of four days)[5] or stay indoors at one of several ranger stations equipped with bunks. He goes on to note “The Corcovado forests exemplify the popular conception of the tropical rain forest, with a multitude of species, very tall trees, spectacular buttresses, large woody lianas and abundant herbaceous vines.”  Daniel Janzen, the editor of the same volume speculated that the peninsula contained the complete tropical insect ecosystem from Mexico to Panama. Despite the presence of these predators, by far the greatest risk you will face while crossing any river is the strong current. Ballena National Marine Park is specially designed for this species. [2][3][4] Whale watchings for these species are also available. If you are not a seasoned back country traveler & familiar with tropical trekking it’s best to use a professional guide for your own safety. Back off and if you have to climb a tree and wait for them to leave. In the region’s outlying reaches, bananas—the principal export—are grown. Riptides are common, Check with rangers before swimming in unknown waters. To walk through the park one needs a reasonable fitness, at least two or three days (except on El Tigre trail which is a one-day hike), good planning and caution. There are a total of six ranger stations for Corcovado. These gentle mammals can be observed occasionally at areas like Manzanillo Beach, Talamanca, and Limon. Located on the Osa Peninsula, on the south-western Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Corcovado is the last remaining large and sustainable lowland rainforest in Central America. Take care where you swim, there are areas where hammerhead sharks school (there has never been a reported attack), and crocodiles and bull sharks are common in Corcovado Lagoon and the estuaries of the Ríos Claro and Sirena. Highly recommended of course since we publish it). Corcovado has the largest population of collard and white-lipped peccaries in Costa Rica, they are both endangered and dangerous. In 41800 hectares, Corcovado houses 3% of the world's biodiversity. Just 30 minutes from Corcovado National Park, the hotel is located in Drake Bay one of the most beautiful bays in Costa Rica. The abundance in wildlife can in part be explained by the variety of vegetation types, at least 13, including montane forest (more than half the park), cloud forest, jolillo forest (palm swamp), prairie forest, alluvial plains forest, swamp forest, freshwater herbaceous swamp and mangrove, together holding over 500 tree species, including purple heart, poponjoche, nargusta, banak, cow tree, espave and crabwood. These two towns serve as the main entry points to the park. Larger animals, especially, need a large habitat free of human activity. If you have ever imagined yourself swimming up to a deserted golden sand beach lined with coconut palms, then rinsing off under a waterfall surrounded by the verdure of the rainforest. Experience the unspoiled beauty of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula Drake Bay Resort is an award-winning wilderness lodge near Costa Rica’s renowned Corcovado National Park. Note: if you’re planning a visit please see the details of a number of regulatory changes including food and camping restrictions and a prohibition against unaccompanied visitors (everyone must have a guide at all times). Inland, the greatest danger is losing the trail on the other side, or during the rainy season being upended and bruised on the rocks (the water can be waist deep). In fact, the Corcovado forests are just as impressive in height as the best forests I have seen in the Amazon basin or the dipterocarp forests of Malaysia and Indonesia.”. As of August 2014, admission is $15 per person per day for non-Costa Rican residents. From Estación Sirena one can follow many short tracks, on which one can also take short night-strolls into the forest with a good chance of running into a tapir. For this he received the Albert Schweitzer Award from the Animal Welfare Institute. The diversity found on the Osa peninsula is not surpassed by any region of similar size anywhere on earth. Carate is 26 miles (43 km) southwest of Puerto Jiménez along a rocky muddy road that deteriorates from a reasonable gravel surface to  a serious 4WD challenge as you round Cabo Matapalo. American crocodiles are also present within the river, but most are small and recent surveys indicate that the population may be much smaller than initially believed. If you’ve got a reservation with a lodge they’ll be happy to help you with travel arrangements and suggested routes. To help combat the threat of over-exposure, many agencies and other groups (including Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, WWF–U.S., rain-forest conservation groups in several countries, Catholic Relief Service, Organization of American States, and the Costa Rican, Danish, Dutch, Swedish and United States governments) have come together to provide aid to the conservation cause. Bull sharks are present within the river and can sometimes be seen at the river mouth during high tide. On the coastal track there are several rivers that need to be forded. There is, however, still some illegal mining going on (using more destructive modern mining methods), considered the second invasion, there are about 400 miners currently. All four of the monkey species (including the highly endangered Red-backed squirrel monkey), and all six of the feline species found in Costa Rica inhabit Corcovado. Carate (near Estacion La Leona), also has an airstrip and road access from Puerto Jimenez. Over 40 species of frogs including red-eyed tree, rain, glass, dink, and poison arrow varieties, dozens of snakes including a variety of Boas and the dreaded bushmaster, as well as 28 species of lizards. Most animal sightings can be expected on the coastal track, with scarlet macaws (the largest population in the country) flying overhead, hermit crabs on the beach, pelicans fishing in the sea and, on the sections that go slightly inland, spider monkeys (take care not to get urinated on when they are in a tree overhead), tamandua anteaters, pumas, white faced capuchin monkeys, lineated woodpeckers and coatis (to name just a few). During the wet months (July to November) parts of the park may be closed. [12] The other three species have wider ranges within Costa Rica, each being found in forests over much of the country. There is also sometimes space under a roof for your sleeping bag. There are two tracks, one coastal and one inland, and four ranger stations in the park where one can stay overnight; three at the park entrances and one at the intersection of the two tracks. Manatees have been hunted historically in Costa Rica, resulting in today's small numbers left. Take the stress out of travel abroad with Expert Advice from one of our Travel Experts. It is widely considered the crown jewel in the extensive system of national parks and biological reserves spread across the country. “Through the administrative decision number; R-SINAC-ACOSA-D-011-2013 it is official that as of  February  1st of  2014,  all  visitors  to  Corcovado  National  Park  will  be  required  to  be accompanied by a local tour guide”. From Sirena you can continue mostly along the beach (again only at low tide) to the San Pedrillo ranger station (14 miles, 23 km). Overnight visitors must reserve a bunk and mosquito net in the bunkhouse ($30 per person per night), No Outside food is allowed (no not even a Powerbar). Corcovado National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Corcovado) is a National Park on the Osa Peninsula in Osa Canton, southwestern Costa Rica (9° North, 83° West), which is part of the Osa Conservation Area. They are not particularly interested in attacking humans, but their eyesight is weak, and they can be very aggressive when startled or if they think you are challenging them. They consider DEET a treat, but thanks go out to C. Baker’s Moon handbook for tipping us off to Avon’s skin so soft. Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica, no obligation custom trip plan & price quote, please see the details of a number of regulatory changes, Reservations and guide services are required, Poás Volcano – Tickets & Visitor Information, Juan Castro Blanco/Parque de Aguas National Park. We were told by these affable scofflaws that it is still possible to purchase permits and camping reservations at the main station in Jiménez in person without producing an accompanying guide or guide permit. One can make day visits into the park from several lodging options on both the north and south entrances to the park, as well as through organized excursions that fly into the park. Other baleen whales also migrate through the area such as Bryde's whale. Mosquitoes and horseflies are constant pests, and spiders rebuild their webs across the trails at an absolutely astonishing rate. Other animals in the park include Central American squirrel monkeys, mantled howler monkeys, both two-toed and three-toed sloths, agoutis, giant anteaters, great curassows, black hawks, spectacled owls, hummingbirds, 220 species of butterflies, golden orb spiders (who build huge webs), otters and raccoons. Increased tourism has led to an increased presence of humans in the park, which may threaten the long-term survival of the park's larger mammals. (Get a current detailed roadmap printed on waterproof tear resistant synthetic. The elusive Jaguar is a large, beautiful and potentially intimidating feline but is generally regarded as shy and harmless. The already present goldminers were allowed to stay. Bunks and showers are available in addition to camping (reservation required). The park's rivers and lagoons are home to populations of both the American crocodile and spectacled caiman, along with bull sharks. Big changes arrived at Sirena station in the first half of 2017. For a rough idea the last time we checked we found the possibilities below, 699 Puerto Jiménez-Express departures daily from San José, outside Terminal Atlántico Norte, 6:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 378 km, 10 hours, Atlántico Norte, Telephone (506) 2256-8963 They travel in extended family groups of up to 30, and sharp teeth that are normally used to tear through rocky soil and roots while foraging, and … Corcovado is also a good place to spot the red-eyed tree frog, as well as the glass frog with its transparent skin, and the enamel-bright poison-arrow frogs.