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Getting to the Osa Peninsula From San Jose to Puerto
Jimenez (the largest town on the peninsula), La Palma (40km
north of Pto. Jimenez) and Drake (30 km from Rio Rincon crossroad). By air: You can take
a local flight with Sansa to Puerto Jimenez or Drake. The flight is
50 minutes and departs once a day (check with Sansa). By car: Travel to
the south of the country on the international highway, route 2, 273
km from San Jose until Chacarita (the entrance to the peninsula). The
Rio Rincon crossroad is 35 km past Chacarita. From this crossroad the
west branch will take you to Drake (30 km), and the south branch will
take you to La Palma (5 km) and then Puerto Jimenez (40 km past La Palma). By bus: Tansportes Blanco has 2 buses daily from San Jose to La Palma and Puerto Jimenez, one leaving at 6 am and the other at noon. The bus trip lasts at least 8 hrs (+/- 2 hrs) depending on the road or the bus driver. If you want to go to Drake there is a bus that leaves La Palma to Drake 4 days a week. |
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Visiting the Stations
in Corcovado Sirena Biological Station.
This station is deep in the park and access is difficult and visitation
is somewhat restricted to space. To visit Sirena you need written authorization
from the ACOSA office. There are no roads and walking to Sirena from
any of the any of the three stations surrounding stations (Los Patos,
San Pedrillo or La Leona) requires some physical condition. Sirena is
14 km from La Leona (this hike includes one big river mouth to cross
and an area restricted by the tide), 23 km from San Pedrillo (with two
big river mouths to cross) and 20 km from Los Patos. A short but expensive
flight form Puerto Jimenez will land at the airstrip in Sirena if money
is not an issue ($175 each way). Or by boat from Drake, Sierpe, Golfito
or Puerto Jimenez, big loads are possible this way. La Leona Ranger Station:
There is a dirtroad to Carate (3km before La Leona), and trucks
leave to Carate every day at 6 am. The rest is a nice walk in the beach! Los Patos Ranger Station:
From the town La Palma, there is a dirtroad that goes to Rio Rincon,
upriver 7km to the border of the park. Take the trail and 3 km into
it you get to the station. El Tigre Ranger Station:
A short car trip from Puerto Jimenez on a dirtroad will take you
to the village called El Tigre, where this station lyes at one side
of Dos Brasos River Los Planes: From Drake Bay, there is a road to the station, a 4x4 vehicle can make it to the station entrance, but there is a short walk to the park itself. |
| Prices and accomodations for Sirena | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Snakes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Poisonous snakes are commonly seen in Sirena. They are most active at dusk and in the evening. Always watch where you step even when near the station. Rubber boots are strongly recommended. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trails | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sirena offers numerous well maintained trails for tourists. Some, like the Pavo Trail, are flat. Others, like the Ollas and Claro trail, are steep. All offer excellent opportunities for seeing wildlife . | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Click here to see a trail map. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swimming | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Sirena beach is a high energy beach with rip currents and bull sharks. The Sirena River is home to a population of crocodiles and due to its brackish water, bull sharks and sting rays can be found there. Swimming is not advised. However, you can swim in the Claro River. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Things to bring to Sirena |
| Sirena is remote. Supplies cannot be bought at the station and kitchen facilities are not available. Bring in everything you need and please carry out your trash. |
Here is a list of a few
recommended items:
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| Page last updated on June 2007 |
