Difficulty Levels
The most fulfilling way to experience Corcovado National Park is to arrive at the Sirena Station by foot. It isn't just the destination, but the journey itself that makes this expedition so rewarding. Along the path, we see a variety of wildlife, providing many opportunities for up-close and intimate encounters with a mix of interesting creatures, surrounded by pure rainforest. A couple of river crossings along the way add to the adventure.
This tour is bookended with a stay at the La Leona Eco-Lodge before and after the trek, allowing for a relaxing stay in a luxury tent situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Tour Highlights
Exploring the trails in search of wildlife in one of the world's premiere biological hotspots
Observing animals foraging and hunting in the rainforest at sunrise and sunset
Searching for the Baird's Tapir
Seeing monkeys in the only place in Costa Rica where all 4 species can be seen in the same place
Observing the charismatic birds that call Corcovado home
Searching for crocodiles and other reptiles
Looking for Bull Sharks at the mouth of the Sirena River
Travelling by boat through the largest mangrove forest in Central America
Hiking in from La Leona and observing wildlife on the journey to Sirena
Relaxing in luxury eco-tents before and after the tour, listening to the sounds of the ocean while falling asleep
What's Included
- ✓ Permits to National Park (for desired length of stay)
- ✓ Multiple guided tours with a licensed local guide
- ✓ Overnight accommodations at the Sirena Station
- ✓ Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner while staying at Sirena Station
- ✓ Accommodation at La Leona Eco-Lodge before and after tour
What to Bring
- → Comfortable hiking shoes for walking on the trails
- → Sandals are recommended for walking inside the Sirena Station since entering with shoes is prohibited
- → Water: for long treks from the La Leona Station, 2 liters of water is recommended
- → Rain jacket & dry bag: appropriate clothing and bags to protect electronics in the event of rain
- → Plastic bag: for wet clothing since there will be some river crossings
- → Lightweight, quick-drying clothing for rain and the hot, humid weather
- → Sunscreen and hats for protection from the sun
- → Repellent
- → Flashlight, for use at night in the Sirena Station
Important Details
- ! A minimum of 2 people is required to book the tour
- ! There are a limited number of park permits issued per day. In order to ensure availability, reservations need to be requested in advance, with a minimum of at least 48 hours before the scheduled tour.
- ! Visitors cannot bring single-use plastic water bottles - only reusable bottles are permitted
- ! No outside food is permitted in the National Park
- ! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are mandatory expenses for all overnight visitors to the Sirena sector of Corcovado National Park
- ! Children of all ages are welcome on the tour
- ! Gratuity is not mandatory but it is kindly accepted in cash paid directly to the guide
There are no refunds for cancellations made by the client. If the National Park or National Wildlife Refuge closes or cancels tours due to natural events or phenomena that affect the safety of the visitors, tours will be rescheduled or refunded at the discretion of the Park Administration.
Sample Itinerary
This 5-day, 4-night expedition includes a night at La Leona Eco-Lodge before and after a 3-day, 2-night stay at the Sirena Ranger Station.
Day 1
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Arrive at the town of Carate and begin the 3.5 km hike to La Leona Eco-Lodge |
| 2:00 PM | Arrive at La Leona, receive welcome drink, settle into tents |
| 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Relax on the porch of the tent, read, explore trails, or sleep in hammocks |
| 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Dinner |
| 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Walk on the beach, looking for sea turtles (season permitting) and other animals, including possible tapirs |
| 9:00 PM | Fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean, getting ready for the hike the next day |
Day 2
| 5:00 AM - 6:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 6:00 AM | Enter Corcovado National Park through the La Leona entrance |
| 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Observe the flora and fauna of the rainforest while hiking on the way to the Sirena Ranger Station |
| 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM | Stop for lunch. Note: clients are responsible for bringing their own lunch on this day (Corcovado National Park makes exceptions for their policy of not bringing in outside food for those visitors hiking in from either the La Leona or Los Patos entrances). All trash must be carried to the station and disposed of properly. |
| 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Resume hike to Sirena, while continuing to search for wildlife |
| 3:00 PM | Arrive at Sirena Station to check in and receive sleeping arrangements |
| 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Head out at sunset to search for animals when they are more active as they search for food before going to sleep |
| 6:00 PM | Return to the station for dinner and relaxation before going to bed |
Day 3
| 5:00 AM - 7:00 AM | Sunrise hike to look for wildlife. This is one of the best times to see animals because they forage and hunt for food after waking up. |
| 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM | Breakfast at the station |
| 7:45 AM - 11:30 AM | Continue to explore and look for wildlife we haven't seen |
| 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM | Lunch at station, relaxation time |
| 1:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Explore some of the trails, rivers, and beaches we haven't seen in search of wildlife before sunset |
| 6:00 PM | Return to the station for dinner and relaxation before going to bed |
Day 4
| 5:00 AM - 6:30 AM | Sunrise hike to look for animals as they are waking up |
| 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the station, pack up for return trip |
| 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Begin hike back to La Leona, searching for wildlife along the way |
| 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM | Stop for lunch. Packed lunch will be provided by the cafeteria in the Sirena Station. All trash must be carried out of the park and disposed of properly. |
| 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Continue hike and observe flora and fauna |
| 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Arrive back at the La Leona Station, exit the national park, check in at La Leona Eco-Lodge, relax |
| 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Dinner |
Day 5
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Checkout and return back to Carate |
Simbiótica Adventures is licensed by the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT), and all of our guides are proudly insured by the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS)