Corcovado National Park is easily one of my favorite places in the world.
The park has been dubbed by National Geographic as:
The most biologically intense place on Earth in terms of biodiversity.
That is a serious statement to make and Corcovado lives up to the expectation.
I had the privilege of visiting this park four times in the past three years and every time has blown my mind.
It’s the kind of place that makes you think about a time before humans inhabited the Earth and the animal kingdom was the only one around.
Trust me, this should be at the absolute top of your Costa Rica list, you won’t regret it.
Even if you see some things that might shock you like snakes and insects.
Embrace the weird!
Here are some reasons why Corcovado National Park is lo mejor de lo mejor.
1. Biodiversity
The amount of wildlife that you will encounter on your short visit will be enough to keep your mind dreaming for months after.
Animals that you have studied in textbooks growing up or have seen turned into cartoons have suddenly materialized right in front of your eyes.
They are no longer a thing for story books and tv shows, they are real and raw and not located inside a zoo.
Being immersed in such a biodiverse atmosphere kicks all of your senses into high gear. If I close my eyes I can still smell the salty ocean and feel the hot sun beaming down on my neck as I get ready to enter the park.
It’s like entering a fantasy land.
2. Eco-Lodge
Every time I've gone I've stayed at an Eco-Lodge called La Leona, which is conveniently located walking distance from the park.
This place takes glamping to a whole new level.
The large canvas tents are elevated with hardwood flooring and an impressive outdoor shower. One of my favorite parts about staying at this place is showering at night under a star filled sky.
Just thinking about it gives me butterflies.
All the tents have ocean views and some are more exclusive tucked further into the mountain.
What’s the benefit of staying in one of the more exclusive mountain tents you might ask? Well, you're surrounded by three out of the four species of monkeys in Costa Rica - which is why they call them "monkey rooms."
You can be sitting on your porch drinking coffee and see all three species in a single morning. Wow.
The lodge has a full bar and restaurant offering three meals a day as well as beer, cocktails, and smoothies. You will not go hungry at this place.
The other benefit La Leona offers are their extraordinary guides on site that you can hire to take you into the park. This will cost an extra fee but is a necessary expense since it is illegal to explore the park without one.
3. Location
This place is not for the faint-hearted. There is a reason why it’s considered a hidden gem - it’s totally off the grid and difficult to get to.
Most national parks in Costa Rica are fairly easy to access either by bus or car, but not Corcovado.
Not only is it located on the Osa Peninsula in the very southwest corner of the country but you need to either hike in or take a boat in order to arrive at the park - Indiana Jones style.
It is illegal to explore the park on your own, that’s how hardcore it is. You will need to go with a certified guide and sign in and out of the park at the entrance.
Corcovado is a beautiful slice of pure Earth and should be explored by all who are brave enough to take on the challenge.
Have you been to Corcovado? What was your experience like? Spill the details in the comment section!
We would love to hear about your adventures.
