Corcovado



Drake Bay Wilderness Resort tourists and their guides normally leave approx. 7:30 a.m. for the 20 minute boat ride to San Pedrillo Ranger Station in the 108,000 acre Corcovado National Park. After checking in at the Ranger Station, the guide will make a selection from several different hiking trails of an area suitable for the group and their hiking ability. A 3-hour hike is accomplished in the morning to enjoy the diversity of the park with eight different habitats. This is one of the wildest and least traveled areas in Costa Rica.

Hikers will see rich and varied vegetation. There are approximately 500 species of trees in the park such as: the giant mahogany reaching over 80 feet high, strangler fig trees, and the unusual garlie tree. A great variety of birds are seen - there are over 360 types of birds and the park protects the largest population of scarlet macaws in the country. Commonly seen are: toucans, green parrots, hawks, kites, and a large variety of hummingbirds. During the boat ride, the hikers can see all four kinds on monkeys living in Costa Rica. They are Howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, spider monkeys, and squirrel monkeys. Also many types of small animals are seen such as quatamundies, aguoutis, paca, and sloths. A giant hollow tree is an interesting home to a large number of fruit bats. Many times tourists have been fortunate enough to see a large herd of wild peccaries.

After a delicious picnic lunch, tourists have a choice of roaming the wild beach areas on their own or take the 30 min. hike to the beautiful San Pedrillo waterfall. One of the highlights of the trip is enjoying a cooling swim in the waterfall pool. Then it will be time to return to the resort for a good cup of hot Costa Rican coffee.

The Sirena Ranger Station is another option for tourists at Drake Bay Wilderness Resort. This tour is for the more adventurous, and physically fit traveler. An early start is necessary for the 1 hour and 15 min. boat ride directly into the heart of the vast Corcovado National Park. After check in at the Sirena Ranger Station, a longer hike begins going deeper into the park, and exploring the shoreline of the Sirena River. More wildlife is seen on this trip such as sharks swimming in the mouth of the river and hugh crocodiles. This is one of the easiest spots to see the elusive tapir. The tapir is an endangered species in Central America. All types of birds are numerous along the banks of the river as well as sea birds, and field birds. There are very few travelers in this part of the National Park. Also, most of the birds, and animals are seen on this trip as mentioned in the San Pedrillo trip. After a jungle lunch, everyone enjoys a cooling swim in a nearby river loggon. Normally there are biologist at the Ranger Station because, this section of the park is designated for scientific study. On the boat ride to the Ranger Station, you will see a beautiful coast line and the world famous Llorana Waterfall that falls directly on the beach. This area was featured in a National Geographic Special: "Wild Coast Lines of the World".