Corcovado Overnight Tour at Sirena Station

This Corcovado overnight tour is the most immersive wildlife experience available in Costa Rica. Departing from Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula, this two-day expedition takes you deep into the heart of Corcovado National Park, where you spend the night at Sirena Ranger Station — the only facility in the park with overnight lodging.

Corcovado National Park is widely recognized by National Geographic as the most biologically intense place on Earth. Sirena Station sits at the confluence of two rivers inside primary rainforest, making it the best single location in the park to encounter wildlife. Tapirs, jaguars, scarlet macaws, white-lipped peccaries and four species of monkey are regularly spotted on the trails around Sirena.

By booking this Corcovado overnight tour, you gain experiences that day visitors cannot have: early morning wildlife activity at dawn, a night walk through the jungle, and hours more time on the trail. This is the tour for travelers who want to truly go deep into Corcovado.

What Makes Sirena Station So Special

Sirena Ranger Station is the only place where visitors can stay overnight inside Corcovado National Park, offering a truly unique opportunity to experience one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth after the day visitors have departed.

Located approximately 1.5 hours by boat from Drake Bay, Sirena is deep within the heart of the rainforest, far from roads, towns, and modern distractions. While the park closes to day visitors in the afternoon, overnight guests remain inside as the jungle begins its remarkable transformation from day to night.

These quieter hours often provide some of the most memorable wildlife encounters. As the temperatures cool and the crowds disappear, animals become more active. It is not uncommon to see Baird’s tapirs emerging along the riverbanks, coatis foraging near the station, troops of monkeys moving through the canopy, and a variety of birds and other wildlife preparing for the night ahead.

Throughout the experience, you will be accompanied by a certified naturalist guide, who will lead all hikes and share insights into the park’s extraordinary flora and fauna. Their expertise greatly enhances your chances of spotting wildlife and understanding the complex ecosystem that makes Corcovado so special.

The overnight tour includes four guided hikes over two days: one upon arrival at Sirena, another in the afternoon, an early morning hike at dawn when wildlife activity is often at its peak, and a final hike before returning to Drake Bay.

To preserve this fragile environment and ensure a high-quality visitor experience, the SINAC permit system limits overnight access to only 70 guests per night throughout the entire Sirena sector. This strict limitation creates an intimate, uncrowded experience and makes the overnight stay one of Costa Rica’s most sought-after wildlife adventures.

Wildlife You Can Expect at Sirena

Sirena Station is renowned for consistently high wildlife encounter rates. Here is what our guides regularly spot on overnight tours:

• Baird’s tapir: the largest land mammal in Central America is regularly seen at the rivers and beaches around Sirena
• Jaguar and puma: Corcovado has the highest jaguar density in Central America and tracks or sightings happen on most overnight stays
• Scarlet macaw: flocks of dozens roost near the station each evening in a display you will not forget
• Poison dart frogs: the red poison dart frog is abundant on the trails around Sirena
• Four species of monkey: spider, howler, squirrel and white-faced capuchin are all resident around the station
• White-lipped peccary: large herds move through the area regularly and their sound alone is unforgettable

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart from Drake Bay by boat and travel along the spectacular coastline of the Osa Peninsula to Sirena Ranger Station, located in the heart of Corcovado National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy your first guided wildlife hike with a certified naturalist guide, followed by lunch and some time to relax. In the afternoon, embark on a second guided hike, exploring different trails in search of tapirs, monkeys, scarlet macaws, sloths, and other wildlife. After dinner, spend the night at Sirena Ranger Station, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.

Day 2: Begin the day with an early morning guided hike at dawn, one of the best times to observe wildlife when animal activity is at its highest. After breakfast, enjoy a final guided hike through the park before returning to Sirena Station for lunch. Following the morning activities, board the boat back to Drake Bay, arriving around midday.

The overnight experience includes four guided hikes over two days: one upon arrival at Sirena, a second hike in the afternoon, an early morning hike at dawn on the second day, and a final hike before departing the park. This extended time inside Corcovado significantly increases wildlife viewing opportunities and allows visitors to experience the rainforest during its most active hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can do this overnight tour?

The Corcovado overnight tour is suitable for adults and older children with moderate fitness. The trails are flat but can be muddy. You do not need prior hiking experience to join this tour.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes round-trip boat transfer from Drake Bay, park entrance fees, all meals at Sirena Station, bedding and sleeping quarters at the ranger station, and a certified bilingual naturalist guide for both days.

How many people sleep at Sirena per night?

To protect the park’s fragile ecosystem and maintain a high-quality visitor experience, Costa Rica’s SINAC permit system strictly limits overnight access to just 70 guests per night at Sirena Ranger Station, across all tour operators.

Because Sirena is the only location where visitors can stay inside Corcovado National Park, demand is extremely high. During peak travel periods—particularly from December through February and July through September, overnight permits often sell out weeks or even months in advance.

Due to these limited spaces, we strongly recommend booking as early as possible to secure your preferred dates and avoid disappointment.

What should I pack?

Pack light. You need rain gear, hiking shoes or rubber boots, insect repellent, sunscreen, a headlamp and a change of clothes. We provide a full packing list after booking.

Is the Sirena Overnight tour safe?

Yes. Sirena Station is a fully equipped ranger station with park staff present at all times. Your naturalist guide is certified and trained in wilderness first aid. Simply follow the trail guidelines and you will have an excellent experience.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking your tours at least 1–2 weeks in advance, especially during the high season from December through February, as well as during the busy travel months of July, August, and September. Availability inside Corcovado National Park is limited, and permits can sell out quickly.

Please note that Corcovado National Park is closed to visitors throughout the entire month of October due to annual maintenance and conservation activities. Therefore, no tours to the park operate during this period.

To ensure availability and secure your preferred dates, we encourage making reservations as early as possible.