Corcovado Nationwide Park Hike: A Jungle Hike for the Complete Household

Youngsters and adults love a superb journey!

In case your planning a household getaway that can excite the youngsters and amaze the dad and mom, Corcovado Nationwide Park on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula is bound to please everybody.

It’s thrilling for households to discover the center 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 climbing 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 without doubt one of the extra distant within the nationwide park system, Corcovado offers glorious wildlife viewing alternatives. 

Natural world within the Corcovado N.P. 

Nationwide Geographic referred to 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 massive numbers all through the park.

• Two crocodilians (the sometimes massive 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, nevertheless 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 house as effectively, together with the Puma (which is barely smaller and extra arboreal in Central American than in the USA, most likely resulting from competitors with the Jaguar,) Ocelot, Jaguarundi and Margay.
• The park is without doubt one of the final strongholds of the Baird’s Tapir and there are a whole lot inside first rate proximity from Sirena Station, often 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 most important snake inside the park is the non-venomous Boa Constrictor.
• Quite a few different small mammals and reptiles are frequent inside the park together with, however in no way restricted to, the White-nosed Coati, Sloth, Tamandua, Big Anteater, Basilisk, and Ctenosaur.
• Birds embody the extremely endangered Scarlet Macaw, the Tiger Heron, Black Vulture and the Toco Toucan, amongst a whole lot of others together with the critically endangered Harpy Eagle.

Getting there by bus

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

The journey usually takes between 3-5 hours by street relying on climate, site 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 street from Puerto Jimenez to Carate require a 4WD car as it’s a gravel street with a number of required river fordings.

It’s endorsed that this drive ought to solely be tried in the course of the dry season. Word that Carate is subsequent to the seaside. Take care to not go Carate as it’s poorly marked. Parking is obtainable by paying the shop/bus cease which is Carate.

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

Charges and permits

Permits should be reserved prematurely. It’s essential to have a allow to remain in a single day at Sirena. In follow, the Park usually permits campers with their very own meals to enter with out advance reservations and prepayment, however throughout busy instances of the 12 months 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 straight from the Ranger Station in Puerto Jiménez. In addition they do settle for bank cards now (visa/grasp).

Corcovado Nationwide Park Hike

Climbing within the tropical rainforest collectively as a household will help to construct a basis of affection for the open air and create household experiences that might be remembered over a lifetime.

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

Crucial consideration in enterprise an extended hike with kids is to okeep them engaged and by way of out the hike. One nice approach to hold them engaged is to maintain a listing of all wildlife encountered, after which to evaluate the record collectively over dinner.

Associated Learn: Chook Watching Ideas for Costa Rica

Each children and adults might be amazed on the variety of completely different species that they discovered within the forest. There are numerous video games that may be performed on the path collectively to retains child’s engaged, one other good one is to choose 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 so forth. 

It’s vital to do not forget that children and younger adults have completely different talents and stamina and oldsters have to actually assess if it’s each bodily and psychologically attainable for his or her baby to make a serious multi-day hike to Corcovado’s Sirena Organic Station or if a shorter day journey is extra applicable. Consider your baby’s skill to stroll on their very own for 6-8 hours, and make certain your children get pleasure from climbing and exploring.

Corcovado Nationwide Park hike particulars

One of the best 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 Could, June and July. From mid August by way of mid November is the thick of the wet season. The park is closed in October resulting from inclement climate. 

Park reservations are essential to enter the park, even for day journeys, so remember to prepare 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 and not using a information, guides are really helpful as they will spot, share and clarify the pure ecosystem and animals to your entire household. Carry 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 outdated and up and adults who get pleasure from severe climbing

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 and not using 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 climbing to Sirena Organic Station, the center day(s) are spent exploring the community of trails round Sirena, and may embody river swimming, waterfalls, and nature walks, and the ultimate day is spent climbing 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 selection skips the day lengthy hike, and gives superb 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 remember to carry loads of water (3 liters per particular person is really helpful), a hat and good sunscreen for this expedition. 

Ideas earlier than the hike

• Get your children open air usually to go searching for the small stuff – bugs, fungus, birds.
• Let children take part in working towards their climbing expertise earlier than the large journey. 
• Share maps, footage of animals, bugs and vegetation discovered within the tropical rainforest.
• Specific and share your individual sense of pleasure together with your children.

Ideas in the course of the hike

• Carry 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 vegetation, or river swimming is all the time enjoyable.
• Embrace the tempo set by the youngsters, cease usually to let children relaxation, watch, and gasoline up.
• Take a number of footage to recollect the enjoyable.
• Let children be children and be ready to alter 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: Should Have Climbing and Tenting Gear

Extra Ideas for climbing safely in Corcovado Nationwide Park Costa Rica

Consuming water

The water on the ranger station is potable, however if you’re involved, carry some sort 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 company drink this inside the first 2 hours. Know your self and your water wants, dehydration and heat-exhaustion are frequent sicknesses within the park.

Sunscreen

It’s really helpful 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

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

Solo Climbing? No

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

Don’t hike off-trail

Every year folks attempt to bushwack their approach to found areas of Corcovado, and annually the local people has to preform rescue missions to search out them after they go lacking. To your security and the security of others, it’s finest 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 evening.

Ants

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

Peccaries/Wild Pigs

There are two completely 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 bunch of peccaries, climb a tree till you might be six toes or larger off the bottom.

Is the Corcovado Nationwide Park hike price 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 house 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 might be a visit your loved ones will always remember.