Corcovado National Park Hike: A Jungle Hike for the Whole Family

Children and adults love a very good journey!

In case your planning a household getaway that may excite the youngsters and amaze the mother and father, Corcovado Nationwide Park on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula is certain to thrill everybody.

It’s thrilling for households to discover the guts of a tropical jungle collectively, and to see unique wildlife in it’s pure habitat.

One of many issues to do within the park is to do a Corcovado Nationwide Park hike.

This weblog put up shares our expertise of mountaineering in Corcovado Nationwide Park with children.

About Corcovado Nationwide Park

The Corcovado Nationwide Park is positioned on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. Whereas the park is likely one of the extra distant within the nationwide park system, Corcovado supplies glorious wildlife viewing alternatives. 

Natural world within the Corcovado N.P. 

Nationwide Geographic known as Corcovado Nationwide Park the “most biologically intense place on Earth” and that is no exaggeration. All 4 of the monkeys species discovered inside Costa Rica (Mantled Howler, Squirrel Monkey, Spider Monkey and White-faced Capuchin) exist in giant numbers all through the park.

• Two crocodilians (the sometimes giant and saline tolerant American Crocodile and the small Spectacled Caiman) persist inside all the park’s main waterways, as do Bull sharks.
• The Jaguar inhabitants inside the park is the healthiest in all of Central America, nonetheless it’s nonetheless extraordinarily unlikely for a customer to identify one (most locals have by no means seen them both.)
• Many different elusive cats name the park dwelling as effectively, together with the Puma (which is barely smaller and extra arboreal in Central American than in the US, most likely because of competitors with the Jaguar,) Ocelot, Jaguarundi and Margay.
• The park is likely one of the final strongholds of the Baird’s Tapir and there are tons of inside respectable proximity from Sirena Station, normally discovered lounging within the shade or in shallow swimming pools of stagnant water.
• There are dozens of snake species current, a lot of them venomous, together with the Fer-de-lance (also called terciopelo or “Costa Rican landmine”,) the Bushmaster, the Eyelash Pit Viper, and the Coral Snake.
• The biggest snake inside the park is the non-venomous Boa Constrictor.
• Quite a few different small mammals and reptiles are widespread inside the park together with, however certainly not restricted to, the White-nosed Coati, Sloth, Tamandua, Large Anteater, Basilisk, and Ctenosaur.
• Birds embody the extremely endangered Scarlet Macaw, the Tiger Heron, Black Vulture and the Toco Toucan, amongst tons of of others together with the critically endangered Harpy Eagle.

Getting there by bus

Common bus service is offered to Puerto Jimenez. Passenger truck service from Puerto Jimenez to the southern entrance at Carate happens on a biweekly or higher foundation.

The journey typically takes between 3-5 hours by highway relying on climate, visitors situations. 

Getting there by 4WD

All roads on the Osa Peninsula exhibit the disrepair attribute of Costa Rica exterior of the primary vacationer locations. The highway from Puerto Jimenez to Carate require a 4WD car as it’s a gravel highway with a number of required river fordings.

It is strongly recommended that this drive ought to solely be tried in the course of the dry season. Be aware that Carate is subsequent to the seaside. Take care to not cross Carate as it’s poorly marked. Parking is offered by paying the shop/bus cease which is Carate.

4WD Taxis can be found for the passage from Puerto Jiminez to Carate. They’re straightforward to search out on the primary strip of Puerto Jiminez. 

Charges and permits

Permits have to be reserved upfront. You could have a allow to remain in a single day at Sirena. In follow, the Park typically permits campers with their very own meals to enter with out advance reservations and prepayment, however throughout busy instances of the yr even the tenting areas are crammed, particularly Sirena Ranger Station.

Sirena is the one ranger station that gives dormitory lodging and sizzling meals along with tenting. La Leona, San Pedrillo, and Los Patos supply solely tenting with no meals service.

It’s attainable to safe park permits immediately from the Ranger Station in Puerto Jiménez. In addition they do settle for bank cards now (visa/grasp).

Corcovado Nationwide Park Hike

Mountaineering within the tropical rainforest collectively as a household can assist to construct a basis of affection for the open air and create household experiences that will probably be remembered over a lifetime.

Mountaineering within the tropical rainforest jungle with children and younger adults is totally different expertise than with a gaggle of solely adults. Children hike slower, their perspective is from a spot nearer to the bottom. Children are curious and have many questions on the brand new surroundings. There’s a actual pleasure in discovering the jungle from a younger individuals viewpoint.

Crucial consideration in enterprise a protracted hike with youngsters is to okeep them engaged and by way of out the hike. One nice strategy to preserve them engaged is to maintain an inventory of all wildlife encountered, after which to evaluation the record collectively over dinner.

Associated Learn: Bird Watching Tips for Costa Rica

Each children and adults will probably be amazed on the variety of totally different species that they discovered within the forest. There are lots of video games that may be performed on the path collectively to retains child’s engaged, one other good one is to select a letter and seek for issues within the jungle that begin with that letter. For instance, the letter is M, and so they spot Macaw, Monkey, Motmot, Morpho, and many others. 

It’s essential to keep in mind that children and younger adults have totally different talents and stamina and fogeys must actually assess if it’s each bodily and psychologically attainable for his or her youngster to make a serious multi-day hike to Corcovado’s Sirena Organic Station or if a shorter day journey is extra applicable. Consider your youngster’s capability to stroll on their very own for 6-8 hours, and be certain your children take pleasure in mountaineering and exploring.

Corcovado Nationwide Park hike particulars

The most effective seasons for doing the Corcovado Nationwide Park hike are the dry season from mid December by way of April and the start of the Inexperienced Season in Might, June and July. From mid August by way of mid November is the thick of the wet season. The park is closed in October because of inclement climate. 

Park reservations are essential to enter the park, even for day journeys, so make sure you organize your reservation by way of the park workplace or your information earlier than hand. 

Two nice hikes for households into Costa Rica’s Corcovado Nationwide Park each begin on the La Leona Ranger Station, accessed from the small city of Carate. A 3rd choice is to constitution a aircraft from Puerto Jimenez to fly you into the park.

1. Day journey to Rio Madrigal for youths age 6 and older and adults preferring shorter walks

This hike begins within the morning on the La Leona Ranger Station, and takes hikers 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) to Rio Madrigal. Alongside the path, search for scarlet macaws, monkeys, morpho butterflies, mushrooms, and different natural world.

Whereas this hike could be made with out a information, guides are really useful as they’ll spot, share and clarify the pure ecosystem and animals to your complete household. Convey a picnic lunch and your swimwear for a refreshing river swim after which hike again out to the La Leona Ranger Station within the afternoon.

2. Multi-day journey (3 or 4 days) to Sirena Organic Station for youths ~12 years previous and up and adults who take pleasure in critical mountaineering

This multi-day hike additionally begins within the early morning on the La Leona Ranger Station and takes hikers 17 kilometers (10 miles) from La Leona to Sirena Organic Station. Alongside the path your information will level out a variety of natural world from the forest ground all the way in which up into the rainforest cover. This hike shouldn’t be made with out a household pleasant information, as there are a number of river crossings and seaside outcrops to navigate in collaboration with the tides.

Day one is spent mountaineering to Sirena Organic Station, the center day(s) are spent exploring the community of trails round Sirena, and might embody river swimming, waterfalls, and nature walks, and the ultimate day is spent mountaineering out to La Leona Ranger Station.

3. Constitution a aircraft into Sirena Organic Station

A 3rd choice for households not in a position to hike into Sirena Organic Station is to constitution a aircraft from Puerto Jimenez (seats 6) to fly in / and or / out of the park. This feature skips the day lengthy hike, and provides wonderful aerial views of the Osa Peninsula. The touchdown on the grass airstrip in the midst of the jungle is one other expertise you’ll not quickly neglect. 

Hikes alongside the La Leona Path meander from seaside to forest, so make sure you carry loads of water (3 liters per particular person is really useful), a hat and good sunscreen for this expedition. 

Ideas earlier than the hike

• Get your children open air typically to go searching for the small stuff – bugs, fungus, birds.
• Let children take part in practising their mountaineering abilities earlier than the large journey. 
• Share maps, photos of animals, bugs and crops discovered within the tropical rainforest.
• Specific and share your personal sense of pleasure along with your children.

Ideas in the course of the hike

• Convey loads of snacks to eat and water to drink.
• Give children their very own daypack or camelpack full of water, emergency whistle, flashlight and snacks.
• Emphasize enjoyable: recognizing unique wildlife, humorous crops, or river swimming is at all times enjoyable.
• Embrace the tempo set by the youngsters, cease typically to let children relaxation, watch, and gasoline up.
• Take numerous photos to recollect the enjoyable.
• Let children be children and be ready to vary the plan if it’s not working.

What to carry on the hike

• Loads of water
• Snacks for hike in / out
• Hat & swimsuit
• Snug light-weight clothes
• Sunscreen & sun shades
• Closed toe, ankle excessive footwear
• Insect repellent
• Digital camera / binoculars
• Sheets / tent for Sirena
• Flashlight / different necessities

Associated Learn: Must Have Hiking and Camping Gear

Extra Ideas for mountaineering safely in Corcovado Nationwide Park Costa Rica

Consuming water

The water on the ranger station is potable, however if you’re involved, carry some kind of water air purifier. The park recommends you carry 1.5 liters of water for the La Leona and Los Patos hike, however I’ve seen my friends drink this inside the first 2 hours. Know your self and your water wants, dehydration and heat-exhaustion are widespread diseases within the park.

Sunscreen

It’s really useful to make use of sunscreen, a hat, and lengthy sleeved shirt on the hike from Sirena to La Leona. Whereas a lot of the hike is thru the jungle, there are lengthy stretches alongside the seaside that profit from solar safety.

Insect Repellent

Current outbreaks of Dengue Fever in Costa Rica are a priority. At present there isn’t any Malaria to be fearful about. Additionally, bug spray helps with the sand flies and no-see-ums…

Solo Mountaineering? No

It’s greatest to hike with a information or a mountaineering buddy. There are a number of tough river crossings and tough rocky ocean/seaside crossings that should be navigated at low tide…

Don’t hike off-trail

Annually individuals attempt to bushwack their strategy to found areas of Corcovado, and every year the area people has to preform rescue missions to search out them after they go lacking. On your security and the security of others, it’s greatest to stay to the marked trails.

No Swimming

Crocodiles and Bullsharks rule the ocean right here and like to swim on the mouth of rivers. As well as, the currents and tides are fairly highly effective.

River Crossings

Cross fastidiously and shortly, and by no means threat crossing the rivers at excessive tide or throughout heavy rain.

Snakes

Watch the place you step and contact. There are Fer de Lance and different toxic snakes within the area. Be particularly cautious round rivers and streams the place they arrive to eat frogs, particularly at night time.

Ants

Seemingly innocent, their bites sting for as much as one hour…

Peccaries/Wild Pigs

There are two totally different species of peccaries in Corcovado, the Collared and the White-lipped Peccary. They run in packs and could be very aggressive. If threatened by a gaggle of peccaries, climb a tree till you’re six toes or larger off the bottom.

Is the Corcovado Nationwide Park hike value it?

Whereas it’s actually a hike vs a stroll by way of the park, Costa Rica’s Corcovado Nationwide Park hike is an expertise of a lifetime. Corcovado is dwelling to five% of the world’s biodiversity and has been described by Nationwide Geographic as essentially the most “biologically intense” place on earth.

A visit into Corcovado will probably be a visit your loved ones will always remember.