Corcovado: which entrance depending on your intentions and budget?
The Corcovado in economy class
A visit to Corcovado National Park, which is isolated on the Osa peninsula right in the south of the country, is expensive. How can you cut down on the costs and still enjoy the trip? Here are two possible itineraries, depending on your physical condition.
You don't have the means to hire a guide for a day and you want to walk? I recommend you take the bus to Puerto Jimenez, in the east of the peninsula. In this small town you will find modest and cheap accommodation and greasy-spoons for your meals. You can get the name of a guide from the park administration; contact them to organise the tour. The "collectivos" (lorries, in fact) do the trip in 2 hours down the chaotic track to Carate, 45 minutes from La Leona park entrance. In one day, the only hiking option possible is to follow the beach in the direction of Madrigual, which is located between La Leona and La Sirena, the camp where some travellers spend the night. Make sure you return early enough to catch the collectivo back, which is often taken by storm.
On a small budget, the best option for those who don't want to walk in the park too much is to enter via Bahia Drake, in the north of the peninsula. To do this, go to Sierpe by car or bus, a nice little holiday village in the middle of the mangrove. From there, book a day excursion which includes the boat trip to San Pedrillo, a picnic lunch and the services of a guide. The day is broken down into two walks (too short for my taste), without really moving away from the reception area. The advantage: you can see beautiful landscapes from the boat.
©
The Corcovado without counting your pennies
With an extensive budget, there are several great hikes to choose from in Corcovado. Seasoned hikers can arrive in Puerto Jimenez by plane and reach Carate by taxi. From there, a beautiful 2 or 3 day hike takes you to Los Patos via La Sirena, where you must obligatorily book accommodation and possibly the meals. Comprehensive packages are offered by local agencies. The second day of the 3-day hike is dedicated to exploring around La Sirena. The 1st and the 3rd days are reserved for an intense hike which lasts all day.
You don't want to walk? In this case, you'd best arrive in Bahia Drake by plane. From there, during the season, it is possible to make an excursion to La Sirena, which is much more interesting than San Pedrillo because you really enter the park. Certain wealthy Americans even arrive by private aircraft! Another option is to relax in the superb lodges of Bahia Drake. Here, too, everything is included and you can dive at Isla del Cano, do yoga, go fishing, etc.
You will have understood by now that Corcovado has much to offer and that everyone can find something for their taste, provided they have a minimum amount to spend. The ideal is to plan to spend 3 or 4 days during your trip.
