Corcovado National Park: Sirena Ranger Station

Corcovado National Park:

Sirena Ranger Station

Overnight Tour

Corcovado National Park is a biological hotspot. While the entire park is teeming with activity, the highest concentration of wildlife is around the Sirena Biological Station. Here we will walk the trails, searching for the unique wildlife that inhabit the rainforest. Staying overnight allows for the opportunity to explore the trails at sunrise and sundown when animals are most active. Afterwards, visitors can listen to the sounds of the rainforest while drifting off to sleep.

Tours from Uvita and the Costa Ballena area arrive by boat via Sierpe. Special arrangements can be made to enter by boat from Puerto Jimenez or to enter or exit by foot from either the La Leona or Los Patos stations.

Price

$442 per person

Duration

2 days/1 night - meet at 5:30 AM (boat departs from Sierpe at 7:00 AM)

Difficulty

By Boat: Moderate - multiple hikes per day, each about 5 to 6 km/3 to 3.5 mi

On Foot: Difficult - the hike from the La Leona or Los Patos stations to Sirena is 20 km/12.5 mi

Highlights

  • Exploring the trails in search of wildlife in one of the world's premiere biological hotspots
  • Observing animals foraging and hunting in the rainforest at sunrise and sunset
  • Searching for the Baird's Tapir
  • Seeing monkeys in the only place in Costa Rica where all 4 species can be seen in the same place
  • Observing the charismatic birds that call Corcovado home
  • Searching for crocodiles and other reptiles
  • Looking for Bull Sharks at the mouth of the Sirena River
  • Travelling by boat through the largest mangrove forest in Central American
  • Looking for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine life on way to and from the National Park

What's Included

  • Boat transport from Sierpe to Sirena and back
  • Permits to National Park (2 days)
  • Multiple guided tours with a licensed naturalist guide
  • Overnight accommodations
  • Breakfast, 2 Lunches, and Dinner at Sirena Station

Important Details

  • A minimum of 2 people is required to book the tour
  • Client provides transportation to and from Sierpe, but transportation can be arranged for an additional $25 per person
  • There are a limited number of park permits issued per day. In order to ensure availability, reservations need to be requested in advance, with a minimum of at least 48 hours before the scheduled tour.
  • Transport from Sierpe to Sirena is by shared boat and is subject to availability
  • Visitors cannot bring single-use plastic water bottles - only reusable bottles are permitted
  • No outside food is permitted in the National Park
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner are mandatory expenses for all overnight visitors to the Sirena sector of Corcovado National Park
  • Children of all ages are welcome on the tour
  • Gratuity is not mandatory but it is kindly accepted in cash paid directly to the guide

What to Bring

  • Comfortable hiking shoes for walking on the trails
  • Sandals are recommended for walking inside the Sirena Station since entering with shoes is prohibited
  • Water: for long treks from Los Patos and La Leona Stations, 2 liters of water is recommended
  • Rain jacket & dry bag: appropriate clothing and bags to protect electronics in the event of rain
  • Plastic bag: for wet clothing since there will be some river crossings
  • Lightweight, quick-drying clothing for rain and the hot, humid weather
  • Sunscreen and hats for protection from the sun
  • Repellent
  • Flashlight, for use at night in the Sirena Station

Sample Itinerary

The following is based on a tour that begins and ends from the Uvita area. For tours that originate from Puerto Jimenez, or tours on foot that enter/exit from the La Leona or Los Patos stations, the itinerary will look different.

Day 1

5:30 AM

Meet up and drive to the boat dock in Sierpe

6:30 AM

Arrive at Sierpe and enjoy complementary coffee, while preparing to embark on the boat

7:00 AM

Depart Sierpe en route for the Sirena Ranger Station. Along the way, we will travel through the Térraba-Sierpe National Wetlands (the largest in Central America) and enter the open ocean, where we may have the opportunity to see whales, dolphins, or sea turtles, depending on the season.

9:00 AM

Arrive at Sirena entrance for boat passengers

9:30 AM

Arrive at Sirena Station to check in and receive sleeping arrangements

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Explore the trails around Sirena, searching for wildlife and learning about the flora and fauna of the area

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Lunch at the Sirena Station, relax before going on afternoon hike

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Continue to explore and observe animals in the rainforest, rivers, and beaches around the station. Around sunset, animals will become more active as they search for food before going to sleep.

6:00 PM

Return to the station for dinner and relaxation before going to bed

Day 2

5:00 AM - 7:00 AM

Sunrise hike to look for wildlife. This is one of the best times to see animals because they forage and hunt for food after waking up.

7:00 AM - 7:45 AM

Breakfast at the station

7:45 AM - 11:30 AM

Continue to explore and look for the wildlife we haven't seen

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Lunch at station, pack up for return trip

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Final hike to observe animals in the rainforest, rivers, and beaches around the station

2:00 PM

Embark on the boat to return to Sierpe. On the return trip, we will pass through the mangrove forest and learn about the importance of this unique ecosystem

4:00 PM

Arrive back in Sierpe (more complementary coffee available)

5:00 PM

Return to Uvita

All guides are licensed by the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) and insured by the Insituto Nacional de Seguros (INS)