Corcovado National Park
Remote, untamed, and impossibly alive.
Corcovado is considered one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. This is the only park in Central America where you can find all four species of Costa Rican monkeys, all six species of wild cats, and endangered Baird’s tapirs—all within a day’s hike. The park protects over 400 species of birds, nearly 140 species of mammals, and an astonishing range of plant life. For naturalists, wildlife lovers, and the truly adventurous, there may be no more rewarding destination.
Accessing the park requires effort, which only adds to the sense of magic and exclusivity. Most travelers begin their journey in Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez, embarking on guided treks that weave through mangroves, river crossings, and dense jungle trails. This is not a safari from the comfort of a vehicle—it’s immersive, sweaty, exhilarating. And it is absolutely worth it.
While the jungle dominates, Corcovado’s coastal ecosystems are equally captivating. Black sand beaches line the edges of the forest, where hermit crabs scuttle and crocodiles sun themselves on the banks. Offshore, dolphins and migrating humpback whales pass through regularly, and hammerhead sharks cruise the reefs of nearby Isla del Caño.
There is no luxury in Corcovado in the traditional sense—no spas, no minibars, no infinity pools. Instead, the riches here are measured in sightings, silence, and the profound feeling of connection to something ancient and wild. It’s an experience that humbles and awakens, leaving travelers transformed long after they leave the jungle behind.
