Best of Corcovado National Park

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park is one of the largest rainforests in Central America and the best place in Costa Rica for wildlife watching and hiking. Dubbed "the most biologically dense place on Earth," visitors have the opportunity to encounter a large number of animals here: sloths, endangered birds, sea turtles, and even big cats like the puma, ocelot, and endangered jaguar. However, getting to Corcovado is an adventure in itself. It remains one of the most remote regions of Costa Rica, and visiting may involve multiple modes of transport—flight, car, and boat—just to arrive at your hotel.

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Corcovado National Park Essentials

Best Things to Do on the Osa Peninsula

Home to one of the largest rainforests in Central America (widely protected by Corcovado National Park), the Osa Peninsula is the wildlife and hiking jewel of Costa Rica. Dubbed "the most biologically dense place on Earth," you can see much of the country's famed wildlife by hiking through the jungle and watching whales and dolphins in Drake Bay. Then, take your adventures to the next level by surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving at Cape Matapalo and Isla del Caño Biological Reserve.

Top Active Experiences in Costa Rica

Sporty travelers, adventure seekers, and outdoor enthusiasts will find endless active experiences in Costa Rica, a country filled with rainforests, beaches, coral reefs, volcanoes, national parks, waterfalls, rivers, and more—all waiting to be discovered. In Costa Rica, you can rappel into canyons, raft through whitewater rapids, mountain bike near active volcanoes, hike through national parks, surf at world-renowned beaches, snorkel above reefs, zipline through the rainforest, and more!

Corcovado National Park Itineraries

See remarkable wildlife, including spider monkeys, on this quick jaunt to Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula

Wildlife Adventure on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula - 5 Days

Wildlife lovers will thrive on this quick trip around Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Five days may not seem like a lot, but this action-packed itinerary allows you to see the main highlights of the region. Hike through the world-renowned Corcovado National Park, snorkel among colorful fish, and traverse a mangrove forest by boat—with over half of all wildlife species in the country calling the peninsula home, you're sure to see some spectacular flora and fauna on each outing.

Experience unforgettable memories at Corcovado National Park

Luxury Costa Rica Eco-Escape to Corcovado National Park - 7 Days

Explore one of Costa Rica's most biodiverse regions on this luxury eco-escape to Corcovado National Park. The weeklong adventure begins and ends in the lively capital, San José, and includes a stay at an all-inclusive oceanfront resort in the Osa Peninsula's pristine rainforest. Spend your days trekking through Corcovado National Park to spot exotic wildlife and take a private boat trip to Caño Island Biological Reserve, where you'll snorkel among rainbow-hued marine creatures.

Spot Costa Rican wildlife like the tamandua on rainforest hikes

Luxury Costa Rica Wildlife Tour - 14 Days

Encounter Costa Rica's extraordinary animals on this luxury two-week wildlife adventure. Begin in Tortuguero to spot manatees and caimans by boat. Head inland for private rainforest hikes and bird-watching trips in Sarapiquí and Boca Tapada, and end in Corcovado to glimpse biodiverse marine life while snorkeling at Isla del Caño. Along the way, you'll settle into a succession of luxury hotels and exclusive wildlife lodges, chosen for their unique locations and wildlife-watching opportunities.

A secluded beach in Corcovado National Park

Costa Rica's Natural Wonders: Tortuguero, Los Quetzales, Corcovado & Manuel Antonio - 11 Days

This 11-day itinerary celebrates Costa Rica’s remarkable biodiversity and highlights four of the country’s magnificent national parks. Traverse the coastal Caribbean waterways of Tortuguero, see the mythical quetzal bird in the cloud forests of Los Quetzales, and search for jaguars and tapirs in the remote habitats of Corcovado. After a day of snorkeling with colorful sea life at Caño Island, travel up the Pacific coast to the white sand beaches and lush jungles of Manuel Antonio.

Spot diverse wildlife like spider monkeys in multiple national parks including Manuel Antonio

Luxury Costa Rica Discovery: Forests, National Parks & Beaches - 14 Days

This memorable two-week adventure in Costa Rica will take you both on and off the tourist trail as you explore the country's most spectacular national parks and nature reserves. See the highlights of San José, then venture south to the rugged paradise of Corcovado. After hiking, surfing, and boat trips along the southern coast, you'll enjoy the beaches of Manuel Antonio, followed by the cloud forests of Monteverde, finishing with more outdoor adventures in the shadow of the Arenal volcano.

Manuel Antonio beaches are known for sunset views

Costa Rica Hiking Adventure - 10 Days

Checking off three key regions in Costa Rica, this 10-day itinerary is perfect for adventurous travelers. The trip starts with a visit to Costa Rica's famous Arenal Volcano for hiking and natural hot springs before continuing to the Pacific Ocean for some beach time at Manuel Antonio National Park. Finish off in one of the country's most remote areas—Osa Peninsula—for undeveloped rainforests, rare wildlife, and near-empty coastline.

Luxury Costa Rica Adventure: Pacuare, Arenal, Manuel Antonio, Osa Peninsula - 11 Days

Enjoy active adventures and luxurious stays on this 11-day Costa Rica journey. Conquer whitewater rapids in Pacuare, before heading to the Arenal Volcano region with opportunities to zipline, hike, and soak in natural hot springs. Then, stop to visit the crocodiles along the Tarcoles River en route to coastal Manuel Antonio, where you'll explore the rainforest and snorkel in pristine waters. Next, hop a flight to an Osa Peninsula eco-lodge, before one last day of exploration in San José.

Costa Rica Nature Tour: Tortuguero, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, & Corcovado - 14 Days

This two-week nature tour is all about Costa Rica's biodiverse national parks. Begin in Tortuguero, where, depending on the time of year, you can embark on a nighttime turtle nesting tour. In Monteverde, explore the cloud forests via the hanging bridges and ziplines. Manuel Antonio provides the best of both worlds—rainforest and beach scenery–while a tour of the famous Corcovado National Park is a bucket list field trip for nature enthusiasts.

Coastal Costa Rica: Caribbean & Pacific Adventure - 14 Days

This 14-day seaside adventure takes you from scenic Uvita Beach on the south Pacific Coast all the way to Puerto Viejo, on the Caribbean side. Along the way, you’ll stop in Manuel Antonio, with its beautiful beaches and namesake national park. Then, enjoy a day exploring La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano. Mingle with monkeys, sloths, and other animals at the Jaguar Rescue Center on this family-friendly vacation that ends in the capital city of San José.

Wild beach in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula

Costa Rica Self Drive Adventure - 15 Days

This itinerary is designed for those who want a classic tropical excursion into Costa Rica's rainforests. Start with the remote Osa Peninsula, where you'll visit beaches and hike through the rainforest. Then, drive north along the Pacific coast to the white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park before heading northwest into the Monteverde region. Finally, pay a visit to Arenal, an active volcano and one of Costa Rica's most famous landmarks.

Wildlife, Rainforest & Beach Adventure - 14 Days

Go from coast to coast as you encounter wildlife, swim under jungle waterfalls, and unwind on magnificent beaches on this well-rounded Costa Rican adventure. You'll start in the rugged Osa Peninsula, where you'll find untouched shores and a plethora of tropical animals. Then explore the rainforests of Monteverde and Arenal before embarking on a two-day whitewater rafting trip down the famous Pacuare River. End your unforgettable stay in the Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo, where you'll snorkel, surf, and enjoy "pura vida".

Wildlife, Rainforest & Beach Adventure - 12 Days

Go from coast to coast as you encounter wildlife, swim under jungle waterfalls, and unwind on magnificent beaches on this well-rounded Costa Rican adventure. You'll start in the rugged Osa Peninsula on the remote southwestern coast, where you'll find untouched shores and a plethora of tropical animals. Then explore the rainforests of Monteverde and Arenal before embarking on a two-day whitewater rafting trip down the famous Pacuare River. End your unforgettable stay in the Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo, where you'll snorkel, surf, and enjoy the pura vida.

Howler monkey in a Costa Rica rainforest

Highlights of Costa Rica Wildlife - 12 Days

This itinerary is specifically tuned for wildlife lovers. Expect to get up early and stay out late to see monkeys, lizards, birds, insects, and other spectacular fauna that inhabit the virgin rainforest, cloud forest, and swampy estuaries covered here. The trip begins with a southwest journey from San José to Parque Nacional Corcovado (Corcovado National Park) before continuing northwest along the Pacific coast. Next, head inland to Monteverde for birdwatching and spotting wildlife in the unique ecosystem of the cloud forest.

A baby white-faced capuchin in Corcovado National Park

Family Adventure: Jungles, Beaches, and Volcanoes - 16 Days

This itinerary is designed for families who want a nature excursion with plenty of adventure mixed in. Your first adventurous destination is the remote Osa Peninsula, where you'll indulge in beaches and rainforest hikes. From here, you'll head inland to pay a visit to Arenal Volcano and the Monteverde Cloud Forest, where you'll hike among the treetops via suspension bridges and enjoy even more natural wonders. Finally, make your way to The Gulf of Papagayo to spend three days relaxing on pristine beaches.

Beach in Drakes Bay on the Osa Peninsula

Active Wildlife Adventure in Costa Rica - 9 days

This active 9-day itinerary is designed to appeal to nature lovers and adventure fiends of every stripe. It starts on the southern Pacific coast, in the remote, wild Corcovado National Park. Here you'll enjoy rugged hikes abounding with wildlife-spotting opportunities. Then it's off to the north where you'll explore the misty cloud forests of Monteverde and fly over the forest canopy on a zip-line tour. After a visit to the famed Arenal Volcano, it's time for another hike, this time to the Hule Lagoon, an ancient crater lake like something out of Conan Doyle's "Lost World."

Costa Rica Wildlife Adventure - 11 days

This active 11-day itinerary is designed to appeal to nature lovers and adventure fiends of every stripe. It starts on the southern Pacific coast, in the remote, Corcovado National Park. Here you'll enjoy rugged hikes abounding with wildlife-spotting opportunities. Then it's off to the north where you'll explore the misty cloud forests of Monteverde and fly over the forest canopy. After a visit to the famed Arenal Volcano, it's time for another hike, this time to the Hule Lagoon, an ancient crater lake like something out of Conan Doyle's "Lost World." Enjoy waterfall rappelling before ending your Costa Rican adventure with a wild rafting trip down the Pacuare River.

Other popular travel destinations in Costa Rica
Arenal/La Fortuna · San José · South Pacific Coast · Monteverde · Caribbean Coast · Manuel Antonio · Guanacaste Pacific Coast · Puerto Viejo de Talamanca · Nicoya Peninsula · Tamarindo · Tortuguero · Osa Peninsula · Gulf of Papagayo · Río Pacuare · Sámara · Rincón de la Vieja · Drake Bay · Nosara · Santa Teresa

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