Planning a visit to Corcovado National Park? One of the first questions everyone asks is how much it costs and how to get in. Unlike many national parks around the world where you simply show up and pay at the gate, Corcovado has a specific system that requires some advance planning. The good news is that once you understand how it works, the process is straightforward.
Here is everything you need to know about entrance fees, permits, guides, and booking for Corcovado National Park in 2026.
Entrance Fees for International Visitors
The entrance fee for Corcovado National Park is $15 USD per person per day for international adult visitors. Children (ages 2 to 12) pay a reduced fee of approximately $5 USD. Costa Rican citizens and residents pay significantly less.
This fee covers your access to the park for one day. If you are doing a multi day hike with an overnight stay at Sirena Station, you will pay the entrance fee for each day you are inside the park.
Important: Entrance fees are managed by SINAC (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación), the government agency that oversees all national parks in Costa Rica. Fees can change, so it is always wise to confirm the current rate when you book your trip.
The Mandatory Guide Requirement
This is the most important thing to understand about visiting Corcovado: you cannot enter the park without a certified guide. This is not optional, not a suggestion, and not something you can get around. Rangers at the station check that every visitor has a registered guide before allowing entry.
The guide requirement exists for several reasons. Corcovado is genuinely wild. The trails pass through dense jungle where jaguars, peccaries, and venomous snakes live. Having a trained naturalist guide with you is not just about safety; it dramatically improves your experience. A good guide will spot wildlife that you would walk right past on your own: a camouflaged viper on a branch, a sloth hidden in the canopy, or fresh tapir tracks crossing the trail.
At GoCorcovado, all our guides are certified by SINAC and have years of experience in the Osa Peninsula. When you book a Corcovado tour with us, the guide, park entrance fee, transport, and meals are all included in the price, so you do not need to worry about managing the permits yourself.
How the Booking System Works
Corcovado limits the number of visitors allowed into each station per day. Sirena Station, the most popular and biodiverse sector, has a daily cap that is enforced strictly. This means you need to reserve your spot in advance, especially during the dry season (December to April) when demand is highest.
Here is how it works in practice:
Reservations are made through SINAC’s official booking system. As an individual visitor, you technically can make a reservation yourself through the SINAC website, but the system is in Spanish, can be confusing, and requires you to have a certified guide assigned to your booking.
The easiest and most reliable way to handle this is to book through a tour operator. When you reserve a Corcovado Sirena Station day trip with GoCorcovado, we take care of the entire process: we secure your park permits, assign a certified guide, arrange boat transportation from Drake Bay, and prepare your meals for the day. All you need to do is show up with your passport.
How far in advance should you book? During peak season (December to March), we recommend booking at least 2 to 4 weeks ahead. The daily visitor limit at Sirena means popular dates sell out, particularly around holidays. During the green season (May to November), availability is more relaxed, but booking a week or two ahead is still advisable.
What Is Included in a Guided Tour vs. What You Pay Separately
Understanding what your tour price covers helps avoid surprises:
Typically included in a guided day tour from Drake Bay: Park entrance fee, certified naturalist guide, boat transport from Drake Bay to the San Pedrillo or Sirena trail entrance, lunch and snacks during the hike, and drinking water.
Not usually included: Personal gear (hiking boots, rain jacket, camera, binoculars), travel insurance, gratuities for your guide, and transport to and from Drake Bay itself.
When comparing prices between tour operators, make sure you are comparing the same inclusions. Some advertise a lower base price but charge the park entrance fee separately. At GoCorcovado, our tour prices include everything listed above so there are no hidden costs.
Do You Need Your Passport?
Yes. Rangers at the Corcovado stations check identification for every visitor. You must carry your passport (or a clear photocopy) when entering the park. This is linked to the permit system, and if you cannot present ID, you may be denied entry even with a valid reservation.
We recommend carrying a photocopy in a waterproof bag and leaving the original in your lodge safe. However, some rangers insist on seeing the original document, so carrying the actual passport in a waterproof pouch is the safest option.
Park Stations and Access Points
Corcovado has several ranger stations, each offering a different experience:
Sirena Station is the heart of the park and the most popular destination. It sits deep inside Corcovado and offers the highest concentration of wildlife. This is where most visitors go on a day trip from Drake Bay. The area around Sirena is home to all four monkey species, tapirs, scarlet macaws, and is one of the best places in Costa Rica to spot a jaguar.
San Pedrillo Station is closer to Drake Bay and is a good option if you want a shorter hike with beautiful waterfalls and excellent birdwatching. The trail from San Pedrillo passes through primary forest with massive old growth trees.
La Leona Station is accessed from the south side of the park, near Carate. It is the entry point for the famous coastal trail along the Pacific and is typically used by visitors staying on that side of the Osa Peninsula rather than in Drake Bay.
Los Patos Station is on the eastern edge of the park and is primarily used for the cross park trek from Los Patos to Sirena, a challenging multi day hike through the interior jungle.
Overnight Stays at Sirena Station
It is possible to stay overnight at Sirena Station in basic dormitory style accommodation. This allows you to experience the park at dawn and dusk, when wildlife is most active, and to hike trails that are too far for a single day visit.
Overnight stays require additional permits and must be arranged well in advance. Capacity is very limited (usually 20 to 30 people per night), and you need to reserve meals at the station since no outside food is allowed to be stored overnight.
A multi day trip is the ultimate Corcovado experience. If you are interested, contact us and we can help you plan and book the entire itinerary.
October Closure
Corcovado National Park closes during the month of October every year for trail maintenance. This is standard practice and is not negotiable. No visitors are allowed during this period.
If you are planning a trip to the Osa Peninsula in October, you can still enjoy Caño Island snorkeling and diving, night walks in the rainforest around Drake Bay, and other activities. The park simply is not accessible during this one month.
Tips to Make the Most of Your Visit
Book early during high season. Permits are limited and Sirena fills up fast between December and March.
Bring your passport. No ID, no entry. It is that simple.
Wear appropriate footwear. Rubber boots are available for rent at the station during the rainy season. Good hiking shoes or trail runners work well in the dry season. Our packing list has the full rundown.
Start early. Most Corcovado tours from Drake Bay depart around 5:30 to 6:00 AM. The early morning hours are when wildlife is most active, and you avoid the midday heat.
Listen to your guide. They know where the animals are, which trails are in the best condition, and how to keep you safe. The more you follow their lead, the better your experience will be.
Bring enough water and sun protection. The tropical heat and humidity will make you sweat more than you expect, even on cloudy days. Reef safe sunscreen is required if you combine your trip with water activities at Caño Island.
Ready to Visit Corcovado?
The permit system might sound complicated, but it exists to protect one of the most important ecosystems on the planet. And when a tour operator handles the logistics for you, all you need to do is show up ready for an incredible day in the jungle.
Explore our Corcovado tours, read the complete Drake Bay travel guide, or contact us to start planning your visit.
GoCorcovado is based in Bahía Drake, Costa Rica. Our certified naturalist guides lead daily tours to Corcovado National Park, Caño Island, and the wildlife rich forests of the Osa Peninsula. Get in touch to plan your trip.