Corcovado National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🐗 Baird's Tapir on the Sirena Trails

🧭 Guide required ⏱ 2–3 days 🥾 Challenging trails

🌍 #57 Global · 4.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #12 in Central America #21 in Tropical Forest

Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica 1068 spp. recorded

Called “the most biologically intense place on Earth” by National Geographic, Corcovado protects the last major Pacific coastal rainforest in Central America. It is the only park in Costa Rica where all four monkey species coexist alongside jaguars, tapirs, and the largest wild scarlet macaw population in the country. One of the few remaining places where jaguars and pumas share territory.

8.508° N 83.542° W

Wildlife

⭐ Iconic Species

Central American Spider Monkey

Ateles geoffroyi

60–70% · Likely

Baird's Tapir

Tapirella bairdii

60–70% · Likely

Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao

70–80% · Very likely

Central American Squirrel Monkey

Saimiri oerstedii

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

White-nosed Coati

Nasua narica

60–70% · Likely

Black-mandibled Toucan

Ramphastos ambiguus

60–70% · Likely

Common Basilisk

Basiliscus basiliscus

60–70% · Likely

Osa Anole

Anolis osa

50–60% · Likely

Chestnut-backed Antbird

Myrmeciza exsul

50–60% · Likely

Northern Tamandua

Tamandua mexicana

50–60% · Likely

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

50–60% · Likely

Black-hooded Antshrike

Thamnophilus bridgesi

50–60% · Likely

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

Ramphocelus passerinii

40–50% · Likely

Riverside Wren

Cantorchilus semibadius

40–50% · Likely

Mantled Howler Monkey

Alouatta palliata

40–50% · Likely

Dicotyles tajacu

Pecari tajacu

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Central American Spider Monkey

Ateles geoffroyi

60–70% · Likely

Baird's Tapir

Tapirella bairdii

60–70% · Likely

Central American Squirrel Monkey

Saimiri oerstedii

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

White-nosed Coati

Nasua narica

60–70% · Likely

Northern Tamandua

Tamandua mexicana

50–60% · Likely

Mantled Howler Monkey

Alouatta palliata

40–50% · Likely

Dicotyles tajacu

Pecari tajacu

40–50% · Likely

Central American White-faced Capuchin

Cebus imitator

40–50% · Likely

Brown-throated Sloth

Bradypus variegatus

40–50% · Likely

Central American Agouti

Dasyprocta punctata

30–40% · Possible

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

Choloepus hoffmanni

20–30% · Possible

Red-tailed Squirrel

Sciurus granatensis

20–30% · Possible

Central American Red Brocket

Mazama temama

10–20% · Possible

Mountain Lion

Puma concolor

10–20% · Possible

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

10–20% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Black-mandibled Toucan

Ramphastos ambiguus

60–70% · Likely

Chestnut-backed Antbird

Myrmeciza exsul

50–60% · Likely

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

50–60% · Likely

Black-hooded Antshrike

Thamnophilus bridgesi

50–60% · Likely

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

Ramphocelus passerinii

40–50% · Likely

Riverside Wren

Cantorchilus semibadius

40–50% · Likely

Cocoa Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus susurrans

40–50% · Likely

Great Kiskadee

Pitangus sulphuratus

40–50% · Likely

Short-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas nigrirostris

40–50% · Likely

Common Black-Hawk

Buteogallus anthracinus

40–50% · Possible

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

30–40% · Possible

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Common Basilisk

Basiliscus basiliscus

60–70% · Likely

Osa Anole

Anolis osa

50–60% · Likely

Fer-de-lance

Bothrops asper

40–50% · Likely

American Crocodile

Crocodylus acutus

30–40% · Possible

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

Ctenosaura similis

30–40% · Possible

Common Caiman

Caiman crocodilus

30–40% · Possible

Four-lined Ameiva

Holcosus quadrilineatus

30–40% · Possible

Green Iguana

Iguana iguana

30–40% · Possible

Helmeted Iguana

Corytophanes cristatus

30–40% · Possible

Central American Boa

Boa imperator

30–40% · Possible

Bighead Anole

Anolis capito

20–30% · Possible

Middle American Ameiva

Holcosus festivus

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Giant Marine Toad

Rhinella horribilis

40–50% · Likely

Rosenberg's Gladiator Frog

Boana rosenbergi

30–40% · Possible

Savage's Thin-toed Frog

Leptodactylus savagei

30–40% · Possible

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

Dendrobates auratus

30–40% · Possible

Red-eyed Treefrog

Agalychnis callidryas

30–40% · Possible

Masked Tree Frog

Smilisca phaeota

20–30% · Possible

Golfo Dulce Poison-Dart Frog

Phyllobates vittatus

20–30% · Possible

Stejneger's Robber Frog

Craugastor stejnegerianus

20–30% · Possible

Granular Poison Frog

Oophaga granulifera

20–30% · Possible

Fitzinger's Robber Frog

Craugastor fitzingeri

20–30% · Possible

Guayaquil Dwarf Frog

Engystomops pustulosus

20–30% · Possible

Rainforest Rocket Frog

Silverstoneia flotator

10–20% · Possible

Animal Events

🦜

Scarlet Macaw Nesting Season

DecJanFebMar

Scarlet Macaws pair off and retreat to hollow trees to raise their chicks, their brilliant red, blue and gold plumage flashing as bonded couples fly and forage together. Nesting season concentrates these loud, unmistakable parrots around the canopy, making them easier than ever to spot.

Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao

70–80% · Very likely

🐸

Poison Dart Frog Breeding

JunJulAugSep

During the breeding season the tiny Golfo Dulce and Granular poison-dart frogs grow bold, males calling from the leaf litter and ferrying tadpoles to water-filled bromeliads. Their jewel-bright warning colors make these thumbnail-sized amphibians a rainforest highlight for anyone who looks down at the forest floor.

Granular Poison Frog

Oophaga granulifera

20–30% · Possible

Golfo Dulce Poison-Dart Frog

Phyllobates vittatus

20–30% · Possible

🐢

Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting

AugSepOctNov

Olive Ridley sea turtles haul ashore under cover of night to dig their nests and lay clutches of eggs on Corcovado's remote beaches, later joined by nesting Green Turtles. Watching a heavy female drag herself up the sand and cover her nest is one of the coast's most primal wildlife spectacles.

Green Turtle

Chelonia mydas

10–20% · Possible

Pacific Ridley

Lepidochelys olivacea

10–20% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Species Total

50–60

50–60

50–60

50–60

50–60

60–70

50–60

50–60

50–60

40–50

50–60

50–60

Central American Spider Monkey

60–70

50–60

60–70

50–60

60–70

60–70

60–70

60–70

60–70

20–30

40–50

60–70

60–70

50–60

60–70

60–70

70–80

60–70

70–80

70–80

40–50

20–30

40–50

50–60

70–80

60–70

70–80

80–90

70–80

70–80

60–70

70–80

70–80

70–80

60–70

60–70

Central American Squirrel Monkey

40–50

40–50

40–50

50–60

60–70

50–60

50–60

50–60

50–60

30–40

40–50

50–60

White-nosed Coati

60–70

70–80

60–70

60–70

60–70

70–80

70–80

60–70

60–70

30–40

60–70

60–70

Black-mandibled Toucan

60–70

60–70

60–70

60–70

50–60

60–70

50–60

40–50

60–70

50–60

60–70

70–80

Common Basilisk

60–70

60–70

50–60

60–70

60–70

50–60

50–60

50–60

60–70

40–50

40–50

50–60

50–60

60–70

50–60

50–60

60–70

60–70

60–70

40–50

50–60

50–60

40–50

50–60

Chestnut-backed Antbird

50–60

50–60

50–60

60–70

40–50

60–70

60–70

50–60

60–70

40–50

50–60

60–70

Northern Tamandua

60–70

60–70

50–60

50–60

50–60

60–70

40–50

50–60

30–40

20–30

60–70

60–70

60–70

50–60

50–60

50–60

40–50

50–60

50–60

50–60

40–50

50–60

40–50

50–60

Black-hooded Antshrike

40–50

50–60

40–50

50–60

40–50

60–70

50–60

40–50

60–70

40–50

40–50

60–70

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

50–60

50–60

40–50

50–60

40–50

40–50

40–50

50–60

40–50

50–60

40–50

40–50

40–50

50–60

40–50

50–60

30–40

40–50

40–50

40–50

50–60

40–50

40–50

50–60

Mantled Howler Monkey

40–50

50–60

40–50

40–50

40–50

50–60

40–50

50–60

40–50

30–40

30–40

40–50

Dicotyles tajacu

40–50

40–50

40–50

40–50

40–50

30–40

40–50

50–60

40–50

30–40

40–50

50–60

Animal Events

🐸 Poison Dart Frog Breeding

🐢 Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting

🦜 Scarlet Macaw Nesting Season

* Sirena station (the main sector) typically closes in October due to heavy rains, adverse trail conditions, and annual maintenance. Other sectors like San Pedrillo and La Leona remain open with reduced services.

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent

🐗 Baird's Tapir on the Sirena Trails

🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg

4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Species by taxon

🦅 Birds

661

🐒 Mammals

208

🦎 Reptiles

122

🐸 Amphibians

77

1068 Total Species

841 Global average across 280 parks

37 Threatened 66 Endemic

🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg

4.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★

🎯

Top-12 Avg Probability

62% Global avg

59%

📊

Coverage (282 species at ≥5% of 1068 in the inventory)

24% Global avg

26%

🔀

Taxon variety in top 12 (6 bird, 4 mammal, 2 reptile)

47% Global avg

81%

🔭

Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)

132 Global avg

163

🌟

Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)

14 Global avg

33

⭐

High-prob species (>40%)

26 Global avg

23

Explore Other Parks

Piedras Blancas National Park

📍 37 km 🐒 All Four Monkeys, Golfo Dulce Dolphins

Piedras Blancas National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica 🌍 #19 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #2 in Central America #4 in Tropical Forest

Marino Ballena National Park

📍 72 km 🐋 Humpback Whales Off the Whale's Tail

Marino Ballena National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica 🌍 #101 Global · 4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #18 in Central America #46 in Tropical Forest

Manuel Antonio National Park

📍 101 km 🐒 Monkeys & Sloths in the Trees

Manuel Antonio National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica 🌍 #71 Global · 4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #15 in Central America #31 in Tropical Forest

Chirripó National Park

📍 115 km 🐦 Highland Hummingbird Haven

Chirripó National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica 🌍 #199 Global · 3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #34 in Central America #92 in Tropical Forest