How to Get From Puerto Jimenez to Corcovado

The cheapest way to get from Puerto Jimenez to Corcovado National Park is by taking a colectivo. By colectivo, we mean a pickup truck with benches on the back. It’s a shared transport so expect to join the ride with a few other people.

A seat costs $18 (8,000 CRC) and travel time is a little over 3 hours. That includes the hike to La Leona Ranger Station, the park’s entry point.

Below, we explain how you can reach the park step by step.

Los Patos is another entry point that you can reach from Puerto Jimenez to Corcovado. The only way to get to Los Patos is by a 1 hour taxi via the town of La Palma. Rates start from $80 (36,500 CRC).

What to expect in the trail starting from Los Patos Ranger Station?

You can find Sirena about 20 km southwest of Los Patos Ranger Station. The main difference of this trail compared to that from La Leona is that it’s mostly hilly, making it more physically challenging.

We recommend this 8 to 9-hour hike only for experienced hikers. The jungle here is thick and beautiful, but there may be fewer sightings of wildlife.

You can also reach Sirena by a 1 to 1.5-hour boat trip from Puerto Jimenez. It’s not a common option, though. So if you want to take this route, you’ll have to either join a day trip or rent your own private boat.

Costs for a day trip start from $180 (82,000 CRC) per person, while you can rent a boat with prices from $390 (178,000 CRC).

This option is a great choice if you’re travelling with family, especially with young kids.

For the fastest option from Puerto Jimenez to Corcovado, you can take a 15-minute flight. Alfa Rome Air offers private plane rides that will take you straight to the heart of the national park, which is Sirena Ranger Station. Rates start from $1000 (455,000 CRC) for a small plane that can accommodate up to 5 people.

Flying gives you stunning aerial views of Corcovado National Park’s lush rainforest and saves you from the long hikes required for other routes, like La Leona or Los Patos.

Alfa Rome Air offers private rides daily. For reservations, you can e-mail them through [email protected] or visit the Alfa Rome Air website.

The trail from Sirena Ranger Station

As the heart of Corcovado, Sirena is where you’ll spot the most variety of flora and fauna. From here, the trails are beautiful and easy. We recommend heading straight to Sirena, especially if you’re not into long hikes or if you’re travelling with kids.

It’s possible to visit Sirena on just a day trip, but you can also stay overnight at the ranger station for the ultimate experience! This will allow you to explore Corcovado at night and in the early morning when fewer people and more animals are roaming the grounds.

A note on accommodations at Sirena Ranger Station: don’t expect luxury. They provide basic amenities like dorm-style bunk beds and clean toilets. The food is good too! But if you’re looking for private rooms and hot baths, this may not be the place for you.