The crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national park system, Corcovado National Park, is comprised of an enormous 103,290 acres of tropical rainforest. The largest of Costa Rica’s parks, it encompasses about a third of the Osa Peninsula and embraces an unbelievable amount of its biodiversity. Corcovado Park represents a very diverse population of flora and fauna. As it is one of the most complex freshwater and saltwater ecosystems in the world, Corcovado is home to 500 species of trees, making up one quarter of the tree species in Costa Rica.

It is common for hikers to spend 2-3 days to get from one side of the park to the other, as camping is permitted. Hiking from one ranger station to another is a great way to experience the park and at the same time see Corcovado Lake. Be sure to bring plenty of food and water, insect repellent, sun block and good hiking shoes.

There are muddy, rugged trails that are marked throughout the park. When hiking it is important to be aware of the tide schedule; some spots might be easy to cross during low tide but impossible during high tide. As a word of warning, crocodiles are known to relax in the estuaries and mangroves of rivers so it is crucial to use caution and check in with one of the ranger stations before your voyage into the park.

The best time to visit is when the park receives the least amount of rain, which is from January to April. From May to December the park receives the most precipitation which can leave some of the trails unrecognizable. By bus or car, Corcovado National Park is approximately 10 hours from San Jose.