Corcovado: an untouched paradise
1. Setting the Stage
Corcovado wasn’t somewhere I had planned on visiting, but when I went to see my mom in Costa Rica in April 2025, she announced that we were going. I’d heard the name before, but honestly, I didn’t know much about the park—other than the fact it was supposed to be the spot to see wildlife. And let me tell you, they weren’t wrong.
Corcovado wasn’t somewhere I had planned on visiting, but when I went to see my mom in Costa Rica in April 2025, she announced that we were going. I’d heard the name before, but honestly, I didn’t know much about the park—other than the fact it was supposed to be the spot to see wildlife. And let me tell you, they weren’t wrong.
2. The Journey In
The journey to Corcovado was an adventure in itself. First, we drove to a tiny town called Sierpe, then hopped on a boat to Drake Bay (where we spent the night), before catching yet another boat to the park entrance. Along the way, we spotted dolphins and even whales—though they were too far for a good picture.
That boat ride, though, was something else. Terrifying. I was clutching my camera for dear life, praying we didn’t go flying overboard. I still don’t know how our driver managed to find the entrance; it was hidden away behind dense walls of forest.
3. Wildlife Encounters
I’ve visited Costa Rica many times, so I thought I knew what to expect. But nothing prepared me for the sheer amount of wildlife in Corcovado. Monkeys swung from the trees, bright birds darted overhead, and coatis scurried along the forest floor.
Most of the animals were far enough away that I was grateful for my telephoto lens, but sometimes we got lucky—catching glimpses of creatures only a couple of meters from us.
4. The Jungle Experience
Despite the heat, the forest felt surprisingly cool, the canopy offering relief from the brutal sun. The downside? Mosquitos. I swear, I always felt like something was crawling on me.
The jungle was alive with sound—birdsong, the rustle of leaves, the wind weaving through the trees, and unseen critters scuttling through the underbrush. It was both overwhelming and magical.
One of the most unexpected sights was an old plane crash site. The wreckage is still there, swallowed by the jungle, adding a haunting and mysterious layer to the experience.
5. The "Wow" moments
Two moments really stuck with me.
The first was a spider monkey, just a few meters away, lazily eating his breakfast. He was so close, yet so calm and unbothered by our presence—it felt like we were invisible.
The second was a family of coatis. We saw them often, but this encounter was different. One had climbed up into a tree, something I’d never seen before. At almost eye level, he peered at me through a gap in the branches. For a second, it almost felt like he was posing for me.
6. Closing Reflection
Corcovado is a place of beauty and balance—a reminder that we can observe nature without disturbing it. I was in awe, not just of the wildlife, but of the raw, untouched power of the jungle itself.
Corcovado wasn’t just about the animals. It was about feeling small in a place where nature is still firmly in charge.
If you’re interested in visiting, check out my Southern Costa Rica Itinerary!
Corcovado is a place of beauty and balance—a reminder that we can observe nature without disturbing it. I was in awe, not just of the wildlife, but of the raw, untouched power of the jungle itself.
Corcovado wasn’t just about the animals. It was about feeling small in a place where nature is still firmly in charge.
If you’re interested in visiting, check out my Southern Costa Rica Itinerary!
