Parque Nacional Corcovado Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Entering the destination

From bahía drake

From Bahía Drake, you can walk the coastal trail that leads to San Pedrillo station (about four hours from Agujitas), or any lodge can drop you here as a part of their regular tours to Corcovado. Alternatively, you can charter a boat to San Pedrillo (US$80) or Sirena (US$120).

From la palma

From the north, the closest point of access is the town of La Palma, from where you can catch a bus or taxi south to Puerto Jiménez or north to San José.

Heading to Los Patos, you might be able to find a taxi to take you partway; however, the road is only passable to 4WD vehicles (and not always), so be prepared to hike the 14km to the ranger station. The road crosses the river about 20 times in the last 6km. It’s easy to miss the right turn shortly before the ranger station, so keep your eyes peeled.

From carate

In the southeast, the closest point of access is Carate, from where La Leona station is a one-hour, 3.5km hike west along the beach.

Carate is accessible from Puerto Jiménez via a poorly maintained, 45km dirt road. This journey is an adventure in itself, and often allows for some good wildlife spotting along the way. A collective 4WD jeep taxi travels this route twice daily.

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Air

By air

Alfa Romeo Aero Taxi (735 5353; Puerto Jiménez) offers charter flights from Carate to Drake, Sirena and Palmar Sur for about US$350. You can also fly to the Carate/Sirena airstrip from Puerto Jiménez (US$153/371), Golfito (US$275/357) or Quepos (US$633/633).

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