Corcovado
Corcovado National Park of Costa Rica: The most remote National Park in the country. This is the best place to catch a glimpse of the vas biodiversity of flora and fauna that exists in Costa Rica.
Corcovado National Park, located on the southern Pacific coast, encompasses over 113,000 acres of land and more than 13,000 acres of ocean. It contains a large variety of unique ecosystems including forests, beaches, coral reefs, mangrove swamps, and fresh water marshes.
Corcovado has an unusually diverse biology that provides habitat for a great number of endemic species and species in risk of extinction, which makes Corcovado the, biologically speaking, most important protected area in Costa Rica.
The park area includes approximately 25 to 30 distinct ecosystems which are home to an incredible quantity of plant and animal species among which stand out the jaguar, puma, tapir and the wild boar. The fact that Corcovado maintains significant populations of these predators give an idea as to the comprehensiveness that the area possesses on a biological level.
In recent years scientists in the park have identified biological processes that are unique in the world. They have discovered that the Golfo Dulce gulf, located to the east of Corcovado, provides a breeding and rearing ground for the humpback whale, migrating equally from the northern as from the southern hemispheres. This was a previously unknown circumstance that could eventually be determined to be essential to the preservation of the species. These whales flourish within the limits of the protected area provided by the Corcovado National Park and the Caño Island Biological Reserve.
Recently, the Harpia Eagle, considered extinct in the zone since 1989, was once again spotted in the park.
Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula contain a wide diversity of species. Biologists have documented the existence of around 10,000 species of insects, 2,418 species of plants, 700 species of trees, 140 species of mammals, 367 species of birds, 117 species of amphibians and 40 species of fresh water fish. They estimate that 49 of the species of trees identified in the zone are considered in risk of extinction, 12 of which are endemic to Costa Rica.
Corcovado also contains notable quantities of higher level mammals in risk of extinction in Central America. These include the jaguars, pumas, ocelots, wild boars and tapirs.
The forests of Corcovado perfectly exemplify the popular concept of a tropical rain forest with its multitude of species, large trees, spectacular prawns, large tree-shaped lianas and vegetables.
In conclusion, Corcovado represents one of the most valuable resources for future study of rain forest ecosystems and of the conservation of its biodiversity.
Excursions to Corcovado
The easiest way to get to Corcovado National Park is by traveling down the Sierpe River (90 minutes) to its mouth at Drake Bay. From the mouth of the Sierpe River you will need to travel approximately 30 to 40 minutes further along the coast until arriving at the lodge (hotel) or campground. There are few available in the park since the entire zone is practically virgin.
Methods of Transportation:
Public Bus: From San José to Palmar Norte. Daily departures at 5am from San Jose. Travel time: approximately 5-9 hours (165 miles) to arrive to Palmar Norte. From there a driver/guide will take you to the town of Sierpe, where you will board a boat on the Sierpe River and motor for about 90 minutes.
Public Bus Fare: approximately US$12.00 per way.
Flights from San José: There are daily flights from San José to Palmar Norte or to Drake Bay. Guests will be either met at Palmar Norte and escorted by boat, as described above, to the lodge, or, met in Drake Bay and again escorted by boat along the ocean coast to the lodge.
Airfare: US$109.00 each way plus US$25 tax each way.
4X4 Vehicle Rental: Departing from San Jose you will leave your rental vehicle in the town of Sierpe. Guests will be picked up by a guide and taken to the Sierpe River where you will board the boat and travel as described above.
Ecological Tours to Corcovado Costa Rica
Two Nights Stay in Corcovado
Includes: land transportation to Palmar Norte to Palmar Sur then to Sierpe, transportation by boat from the town of Sierpe to Drake Bay, 2 night lodging, all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) beginning with lunch the day of departure from San Jose and ending with breakfast on the last day, Ecological Tour to Corcovado National Park with boat transfers, park entrance fees and guide. Lunch served during the tour.
Three Nights Stay in Corcovado
Includes: land transport to Palmar Norte to Palmar Sur then to Sierpe, transportation by boat from the town of Sierpe to Drake Bay, 3 night lodging, all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) beginning with lunch the day of departure from San Jose and ending with breakfast on the last day, Ecological Tour to Corcovado National Park with boat transfers, park entrance fees and guide, Exploration and Snorkeling Tour to Caño Island with lunch served during the tour.
Tours Categories: Budget Traveler, Standard, Superior and Deluxe.
E-mail: info@ivantours.com
