• Visit La Sirena. In fact it is recommended that you spend as much time as possible here since it makes a good central base for exploring the park. It is located 20km from each entrance.
• Take pictures. Take as many as possible so as to enjoy the beauty long after you have left.
• Kayak. Ask the locals for a kayak ride through the rainforest.
• Hire a guide. The guides know the animals' habits and are able to tell you where the tapirs normal routes are. However, be sure to also make sure to take the time to explore on your own.

• Wildlife. The park is home to:
  • Over 350 species of birds including Scarlet Macaws .
  • 116 types of amphibians and reptiles including poison dart frogs.
  • 139 mammals, including Tapirs, Squirrel Monkeys, and large cats such as Puma and Jaguar.
• Natural Beauty:
  • Natural rock formations.
  • Waterfalls.
  • Beaches.
  • Rivers.
  • Rainforest. It grows reaches right up to the oceans.

Travel to and through the park is perilous and is best accomplished during the dry season.

• Puerto Jimenez. This is the nearest sizeable town to the park and most people entering the park will probably need to pass through this town.
• Park Entrances:
  • From the north. Travel along the beach through San Pedrillo.
  • From the south. Travel along the beach through Carate.
  • From the east. Through Los Patos. It is a 13km hike from La Palma to Los Patos.

By bus

• Regular bus service is available to Puerto Jimenez. Passenger truck service from Puerto Jimenez to the southern entrance at Carate occurs on a biweekly or greater basis. The journey generally takes between 3-5 hours by road depending on weather, traffic conditions. In May 2007 passenger trucks were on a twice a day schedule (morning, and late afternoon).

By 4WD

All roads on the Osa Peninsula exhibit the disrepair characteristic of Costa Rica outside of the main tourist destinations. The road from Puerto Jimenez to Carate require a 4WD vehicle as it is a gravel road with several required river fordings. It recommended that this drive should only be attempted during the dry season. Note that Carate is next to the beach. Take care not to pass Carate as it is poorly marked. Parking is available by paying the store/bus stop which is Carate.

• 4WD Taxis are available for the passage from Puerto Jiminez to Carate. They are easy to find on the main strip of Puerto Jiminez.

By foot

• From Carate, it is a 4 km walk on the beach to the park entrance at the ranger station Las Leonas. Park permits and camping are available at the ranger station.

By air

• Small planes fly from the city of Golfito on the mainland directly to the small airstrip at the central ranger station.

Corcovado Drivers Map

Corcovado Map

Trails

• Carate to La Leona. 3.5km hike along the beach.

• La Leona to La Sirena. The 16km long hike to La Leona is on a trail which is on and off the beach. It is imperative that visitors time the hike so as to arrive at the river fording 2 km shy of La Sirena at the lowest possible tide. There is potable water at a stream "Quebrada la Chancha" (Chancha Stream) just east of "Ponta La Chancha" (Chancha Point).

• Los Patos to La Sirena. This 20km hike is approximately eight hours through secondary rainforest. The trail slopes slightly down toward La Sirena.

• San Pedrillo to La Sirena. This 29km hike is approximately thirteen or fourteen hours and is almost entirely along the beach. As of May 2007 it was closed.

• Drake to San Pedrillo. This trail is outside of the park and leads to its entrance. The hike is approximately six hours along the beach and just inside the forest.

There are several short trails in and around Sirena

• Ria Clero
• Espaveles
• Naranjos
• Guanaenste
• Ollas Corcovado

• There is nothing for sale within the park, including food or souvenirs.

• Meals are available at the central ranger station with advance reservation.
• People often bring food inside the park with them. Commonly it is food that is easy to pack, lightweight, and non-perishable such as pastas, rice, beans, or soup packets.

• There is potable water available at each Ranger Station.
• Remember to carry plenty of water during your hikes. If staying for multiple days, many people choose to bring powdered drink mixes.