Getting to Corcovado National Park is an adventure in itself, as is the case for most special places. Its 2 primary gateways are Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez, both located on the Osa Peninsula and each offering unique access points and experiences.

Drake Bay is a small, remote beach town with a more rustic vibe. It’s a bit more wild and off-grid with less infrastructure, fewer services, and no ATMs. It’s a great launch pad for day or overnight trips to Corcovado, which is easily accessible by boat.

While Puerto Jimenez is more developed and offers more amenities, it’s best for those seeking multi-day hikes, as boat rides into the park are more limited.

By boat (recommended):

• Make your way to Sierpe (5-hour drive or 6-hour bus from San Jose).
• Take a 1.5-hour boat ride through mangroves and along the coast to Drake Bay. Boats typically leave at 11:30am and 4pm, daily.

By plane:

• Take a 50-minute flight on Sansa Airlines from San Jose.

By car (not recommended):

• Technically, you could drive a 4×4 vehicle across unpaved roads, river crossings, and rough terrain, but Drake Bay, itself, isn’t car accessible.

By plane:

• Take a 50-minute flight on Sansa Airlines from San Jose.

By car:

• Drive 7 hours from San Jose on mostly paved roads. 4x4s are recommended, especially in the rainy season. Unlike Drake Bay, Puerto Jimenez is car-friendly.

By bus:

• Take an inexpensive 7-hour bus ride across a very scenic route.

I’d dreamed of visiting Corcovado National Park for years, so I was beyond excited to finally plan this leg of our trip.

Since I wanted remote, off-the-beaten-path vibes, and I was determined to stay overnight at the ranger station, we decided to start our journey in Drake Bay.

Here’s how we got there:

Step 1: We picked up a rental car in San Jose and drove ~2.5 hours to San Gerardo de Dota, a peaceful mountain village tucked in the cloud forest of the Talamanca Range, famous for sightings of the vibrant and culturally significant Resplendent Quetzal.

Step 2: After a cozy night at a cloud forest ecolodge, we drove ~3.5 hours to Sierpe to catch the 4pm boat. Parking at Restaurante Don Jorge La Perla del Sur is just 6 USD / day – pull in, drop your car, and hang at the restaurant until departure.

Step 3: We hopped aboard and soaked in the 1.5-hour ride through the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands, one of Central America’s largest mangrove reserves. Once we hit the ocean, things got a bit bumpy, but the views stayed epic as we zipped along the Osa Peninsula before landing directly on Drake Beach (yes, your feet will get wet!).

We hit the jackpot with our hotel.

Drake Bay has plenty of options, from beachfront stays to jungle hideaways, but since we had an early start the next day, we chose to stay right on the beach.

Jinetes de Osa sits at the far end of the shoreline, tucked away from the cluster of other hotels and offering uninterrupted views of the bay. The on-site restaurant serves fresh, delicious meals, and, maybe most importantly, the rooms have solid air conditioning (a true luxury in the rainforest!).

Tip: Most Drake Bay hotels are accustomed to hosting travelers heading into Corcovado for overnights, so you can safely leave any extra luggage at the hotel.

Tip: Prioritize air conditioning when picking a spot. You’ll be glad to have a cool retreat after a humid day in the jungle.

I’ve got tons of tips and details to share, but first, a big shoutout to our tour operator, Rancho Tropical. They were incredibly responsive throughout the planning process, patiently answered my zillion questions, and matched us with an amazing guide (more on Carlos later).

Spending the night in Corcovado is wildly fun but definitely not for the faint of heart. Picture this: mosquito nets draped over bunk beds in an open-air shelter, strangers sleeping just feet away, humidity that clings to you like a second blanket, and a nighttime soundtrack of howls, chirps, and rustles you won’t find on any white noise app.

Everyone needs a certified guide to enter the park, so be sure to book through a reputable tour operator.

If a day trip feels more your speed, you’ve got options:

• Take a quick 30-45 minute boat ride from Drake Bay to San Pedrillo Ranger Station, or
• Venture deeper into the park with a 1-1.5 hour ride to Sirena Ranger Station – the heart of Corcovado and where overnight stays happen.

Staying overnight? Pack light. A small backpack will do the trick. All you really need is:

• A change of clothes (long pants and shirts may be recommended, but you’ll be much happier in shorts and t-shirts)
• A reusable water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Basic toiletries
• Bug spray

The ranger station provides cold (refreshing!) showers, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, and potable water. There’s also a small snack stand selling fresh popsicles, and the kitchen serves up hearty, delicious meals to fuel your adventure.

Your guide will either meet you right on Drake Beach and ride the boat in with you, or they’ll join you once you arrive at Sirena Beach.

Our incredible guide, Carlos, met us at Sirena, and off we went. We opted to splurge on a private tour (worth it!), though the group tours looked fun too. It really just depends on how much social energy you’re bringing into the jungle.

Once you’ve settled in at the ranger station, your guide will lead you along a mix of trails, some that cut deeper into the rainforest, others that trace the coastline, but all in search of Corcovado’s wild residents: over 400 species of birds, plus tapirs, sloths, jaguars, anteaters, peccaries, monkeys, and more.

Carlos was born in Corcovado (literally). It felt like the jungle spoke directly to him. He spotted animals I would’ve walked right past, and when my husband Matthew wasn’t feeling well, Carlos jumped into caretaker mode, making herbal teas and encouraging rest so we could keep the adventure going. If you book through Rancho Tropical, request Carlos!

The hike itself wasn’t technically difficult, but between the heat and the miles we racked up, it definitely took a toll. Between treks, we took full advantage of our bunk beds for a well-earned nap.

One of the best parts? The flexibility. While most people were up at 4:30am to catch the sunrise hike, we slept in and started a bit later. There’s no one-size-fits-all. You can truly tailor the experience to your own pace.

We didn’t spot the elusive jaguar (Carlos has only seen one a handful of times!), but we were lucky enough to encounter some truly incredible wildlife. It was an honor to witness these creatures and share space with them in their natural home.

Hiking and sleeping in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth is a surreal experience, one that puts you in your place in the best way. The level of protection Corcovado receives, and the deep care and respect shown by the guides, is truly inspiring.

Whether you’re a bird lover, nature enthusiast, adventure seeker, or simply someone craving a glimpse of a world few get to see, I highly recommend this journey.

Next time, I’d love to explore even more of the Osa Peninsula, including Puerto Jimenez and Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre (Carlos’ hometown!). And one thing I’ll definitely be adding? The nighttime jungle walk – I’ve heard that’s when the spiders and snakes come out.

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