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Looking for the best tours of Corcovado National Park? In this blog, I go over the 5 best out there!
Costa Rica is known for its nature, so the fact that Corcovado National Park is the biggest park in the country will make any nature enthusiast excited. Considering you need a certified guide to visit, there are plenty of tours out there, but not all are worth your time and money.
Having lived in Costa Rica for years and visited the park several times, we know which tours are the best. From single-day tours to overnight excursions, we narrowed it down to the best of the best.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this full-day tour of Corcovado National Park! With a scenic boat ride and guided nature walk, you’re sure to spot creatures from tapirs to rare birds and monkeys. It’s the ideal way to see the park in just a day.
Check out the 300+ raving reviews and book your spot HERE!
Tip: This tour is popular and only has room for 10 people per day, so book in advance to guarantee your spot.
1. Full Day Wildlife Spotting in Corcovado National Park and Scenic Boat Ride
- Price: $110 USD
- Duration: 7 to 8 hours
- Time: 6 am
- Highlights: Take a scenic boat ride to Corcovado National Park and a guided nature walk of Sirena Station to spot wildlife such as howler monkeys, tapir, anteaters, sloths, and other rare birds
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, round-trip transportation from Drake Bay, all park and boat fees, lunch
- Pickup from: Drake Bay, Rancho Corcovado Lodge
- Rating: 5 Stars (Read the 325+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: No
If you only have one day to explore Corcovado National Park I can confidently say nothing beats this full-day experience. Our guides were top notch and we were spotting wildlife left, right, up, down, and all around!
For me, starting the day with an hour-long boat ride along the scenic Osa Peninsula was the perfect way to capture the spirit of adventure. There’s even a chance you’ll spot some marine wildlife! Unfortunately, we didn’t, but our guides told us all about the various plants and animals you can find along the coast.
Once we made it to Corcovado, we began trekking along the lush, rugged terrain of the park near Sirena Ranger Station. Hiking boots are a must for this and will make your day so much easier! Over the next 5-hours, we were spotting tapirs, howler monkeys, tons of birds, and even a sloth! I love Corcovado National Park because it’s so untouched and it’s easy to see how healthy the environment is.
Overall, the trekking was easy, and navigating its paths was straightforward with the help of the guides. As a bonus tip, I suggest bringing binoculars if you have some. But hey, enough reading, don’t miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime, and book your spot on this tour today!
Reserve your spot on this popular tour here!
2. All-inclusive 2-Day Trekking Tour of Corcovado National Park
- Price: $399 USD
- Duration: 2 days
- Time: 6 am
- Highlights: Sightseeing for two full days in Corcovado National Park, scenic boat rides, guided treks of both Sirena and San Pedrillo Stations, spot wildlife such as howler monkeys, tapir, bats, sloths, and other rare birds
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, round trip transportation from Drake Bay, all park and boat fees, all meals, accommodation
- Pickup from: Drake Bay
- Rating: 5 Stars (Read the 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: No
The only thing better than spending a day in Corcovado National Park is spending two days! That’s why I’m such a fan of this multi-day trekking experience that had us spotting twice as much wildlife and exploring so much more of the park.
After a stunning hour-long boat ride along the Osa Peninsula to Corcovado, we began the first day of trekking near the Sirena Ranger Station. In total, we walked about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles), so hiking boots are a must since the terrain varies greatly.
On the first day, we spotted tons of monkeys, tapir, and even some snakes (yikes!). The guides are excellent and incredibly knowledgeable about not just animals, but plants too. Believe it or not, there are over 500 different species of trees in Corcovado! But my favorite part of day one was taking a boat to the San Pedrillo sector of the park which contains 3% of the world’s rainforest species (that’s a lot!).
The accommodation at Sirena Ranger Station was simple and clean, and waking up in the jungle was incredible. Day two was just as magical as we explored the deeper regions of the park that most people never see. With the help of our guide and his telescope, we spotted even more animals than the first day!
Seriously, if you’re coming to Costa Rica for its wildlife and hiking, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Do yourself a favor and don’t miss out on booking this incredible tour!
Related Read: One of the best snorkeling spots in the whole country is also easily reached from Drake Bay – check out our guide to Cano Island here!
3. Day Trip to Corcovado National Park from Puerto Jiménez with Beach Time and Swimming
- Price: $170 USD
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 5:30 am
- Highlights: Explore Corcovado National Park, scenic boat ride, a guided walk of Carate beach, opportunity to swim in natural pools, spot a variety of wildlife such as howler monkeys, tapir, bats, sloths, and other rare birds
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, round trip transportation from Puerto Jiménez, all park and boat fees, telescope, water, juice, and snacks
- Pickup from: Puerto Jiménez, Cabinas Carolina or Hotel Hoja de Oro Corcovado
- Rating: 5 Stars (Read all the reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
There’s a lot I love about this day trip to Corcovado National Park. For starters, it’s led by local guides who are as knowledgeable as they are passionate and know the area like the back of their hands. On top of that, you get the chance to take a guided beach walk to spot tons of reptiles and even stop by some natural pools for a refreshing swim!
What stands out about this tour is starting the day with a gorgeous drive from Puerto Jiménez to Carate with stops along the way. I think this is a bonus because guides know places to pull over to spot things like baby sloths, crocodiles, and monkeys! Most people would drive on by, but not these guides.
The day is split between a casual 6.4-kilometer (4-mile) walk through Corcovado National Park and another 1.6-km (1-mi) walk on the beach of Carate. Most tours skip the beach, so it’s super cool this one includes it! Speaking of cool, all that walking can get sweaty, so bring your swimsuit because you’ll have the chance to swim in some natural pools throughout the day.
Book this tour from Puerto Jimenez here to access FREE cancellation!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. 2-Day Corcovado Adventure Tour from Puerto Jiménez
- Price: $551 USD
- Duration: 2 days
- Time: 6 am
- Highlights: Sightseeing for two full days in Corcovado National Park’s Sirena Sector, scenic boat rides, guided treks to spot wildlife such as howler monkeys, tapir, pumas, sloths, and other rare birds
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, round trip transportation from Puerto Jiménez, all park and boat fees, all meals, accommodation
- Pickup from: Puerto Jiménez, Ferry Terminal
- Rating: 5 Stars (Read reviews here)
- Free cancellation: No
If you’re staying in Puerto Jiménez and you’re a nature lover I can’t recommend this tour enough. It’s packed to the brim with animal spotting over its two days and for me, the cherry on top is getting to wake up in one of the prettiest jungles in the world.
Kicking off this epic adventure is a boat ride to Corcovado National Park and I love the opportunity to spot dolphins along the way. The Sirena Sector of Corcovado is famous for its plant and animal diversity with tapirs and sometimes even pumas just walking across the path in front of you! While up in trees, sloths and monkeys play and keep an eye out for the rare (and my favorite bird) scarlet macaw.
I love hiking, so the 20 km (12.5 mi) of trails this tour covers is the perfect amount in my opinion. Most of the terrain is flat, but there are some more technical parts, so bring good hiking boots! You’ll be feeling like Indiana Jones as you explore remote areas of the park and work your way through its lush plant life.
As I mentioned above, the thing that I love the most about this tour is staying the night in the jungle. Waking up to the sounds of birds, drinking coffee, and setting off for a day of trekking is an amazing experience. But don’t just read about it, go do it!
You can book your spot for this tour here!
5. Day Trip to Corcovado National Park from San José with Waterfall Swimming
- Price: $510 USD
- Duration: 16 to 17 hours
- Time: 3 am
- Highlights: Explore Corcovado National Park, swim in San Pedrillo waterfall, scenic boat ride, wildlife spotting
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, round-trip transportation from your accommodation in San Jose, all park and boat fees, all meals (breakfast and lunch)
- Pickup from: Any hotel in San Jose
- Rating: 5 Stars (Read all the reviews here)
- Free cancellation: No
While getting up early is never fun, this tour to Corcovado National Park from San Jose makes sure it’s worth it. I love that it has wildlife spotting in my favorite area of the park, San Pedrillo, and even gives you the chance to swim at a waterfall!
After getting picked up from your hotel, you’ll have about a 4-hour drive to the boat launch to get to the park. Although I’m going to guess you’ll be sleeping the whole way! The air-conditioned van is incredibly comfortable, so catching some Z’s shouldn’t be a problem.
Are you ready for some adventure? I know I am! The 1-hour boat ride along the Osa Peninsula is beautiful in the morning and there’s even a chance you’ll spot dolphins! But it just keeps getting better after you arrive at the park and begin your hike through the jungle. It’s here where the real magic happens as you spot tapir, sloths, monkeys, and maybe even some pumas.
The hike itself is more like an easy walk, but I’d still wear boots for the best experience. Either way you’ll probably work up a sweat, but that’s okay because at the end of the trail is San Pedrillo waterfall! I’ve only swam here once, but it was awesome. After a delicious lunch, you’ll backtrack the way you came and then return to San Jose.
If you’re based in San Jose, book this tour here to experience Corcovado!
Related Read: For more adventures in this part of Costa Rica, our complete guide to the Osa Peninsula is full of ideas!
Where to Stay near Corcovado National Park
The best places to stay before/after your visit to Corcovado National Park are Puerto Jimenez and Drake Bay. Luckily, there are some great hotels suited for all budgets in both towns!
Puerto Jimenez
Iguana Lodge Beach Resort and Spa – $$$
If luxury accommodation right on the beach is what you’re looking for, then Iguana Lodge Beach Resort and Spa has gotta be your top pick! It sits on Playa Platanares, just 3.2 km (2 miles) from the center of Puerto Jimenez. Here, you can expect a terrace, a garden, an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center, spa, free private parking, and water sports facilities.
Room rates start at $242 USD/night. You can check availability and book Iguana Lodge Beach Resort and Spa here.
Hotel Hoja de Ora Corcovado – $$
If you want a more mid-range option, Hotel Hoja de Ora Corcovado is also a top choice in Puerto Jimenez. It sits only 200 m (650 ft) from the town center. The hotel also houses a common kitchen, free private parking, and a shared lounge/TV area.
Room rates start at $58 USD/night. You can book a room at Hotel Hoja de Ora Corcovado here on Booking.com.
Palapa Hut Nature Hostel & Campground – $
For those on a tight budget, the Palapa Hut Nature Hostel & Campground is perfect. Here you can choose from dorms, private rooms with AC, or even a campground. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas. The grounds are covered in gorgeous gardens with plenty of wildlife.
Rates begin at $54 USD/night for two guests. You can book a spot at Palapa Hut Nature Hostel & Campground here.
For more options, check out our complete guide to the best hotels in Puerto Jimenez!
Drake Bay
Las Caletas Lodge – $$$
If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Drake Bay, Las Caletas Lodge is one of the top choices to consider. The lodge only has 8 rooms on offer, making it a small boutique hotel where you can enjoy personalized service. It is surrounded by the jungle and is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle.
All of the rooms have private balconies. Rates begin at $212 USD/night. You can book a room at Las Caletas Lodge here.
Cabañas Bajo Bosque Drake – $$
In terms of mid-range Drake Bay hotels, Cabañas Bajo Bosque Drake is our personal recommendation. I personally love this place as it is tucked away in the jungle outside the town, offering a quiet atmosphere, a chance to see monkeys and birds up close, and a great view of nature! Another great aspect of staying here is that the town and beach are only a short drive away. It’s also great value for money!
Room rates begin at $50 USD/night. You can book a room right here!
Corcovado Jungle Hostel – $
Right near the beach and not far from the center of town, Corcovado Jungle Hostel is great for your adventures in the area. You’re close to the water for swimming or snorkeling, and of course, the boat ride out to Caño Island or exploring Corcovado National Park.
There’s a wide variety of rooms so you can grab a cheap stay in a dorm room for about $20 USD per night or a private room for two for roughly $48 USD. Book your room either on Booking.com here or HostelWorld here.
You can learn more about the best hotels in Drake Bay in our detailed guide!
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
Discovering Corcovado National Park is one of those experiences that will really make you realize how diverse Costa Rica is! We loved having a guide as we explored to help us navigate the trails and spot wildlife. It’s also pretty cool to spend a night in the park if you can.
If this blog was helpful for your trip, have a look at our other blogs about the Osa Peninsula or get inspired for your dream trip with our Costa Rica travel inspiration section.
17 Things to KNOW Before Visiting Corcovado National Park
The BEST Time to visit Costa Rica: What to Expect Every Month of the Year
Wildlife in Costa Rica: 25 Must-See Animals and Where to See Them!