A guide for the tourist

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How to get there?
If you need more information about a hotels, transportation or local activities and how to book them, you can contact us at:
funcorco@racsa.co.cr or call us at (506) 297-3013

By car...
There are three main entrances to Corcovado National Park:
 
La Leona: Head south on the Interamerican Road and turn right on Road 245 at Chacarita, 78 km up to Puerto Jimenez and 42 kms up to Carate.
Los Patos: Head south on the Interamerican Road and turn right on Road 245 at Chacarita, 56 km up to La Palma and then continue for 11 km more, on the way to the Rincón River.
San Pedrillo: One of the most popular ways to access Corcovado National Park is through Drake Bay. You can get to Drake Bay after an exciting drive from San José.

First, you will have to drive thru Cartago, Costa Rica’s first political capital. Its old churches and ruins are a good reason to make a short stop in town.
Continue on the road that takes you to San Isidro del General. This road is the highest road in the country and will give you two hours of magnificent views. This is a good place to make a stop and grab something to eat. Back on the road, you will head to Palmar Sur.

In Palmar Sur you have two options:
a) Drive all the way to Drake Bay
If you decide to continue by car, you will have to drive to Chacarita and turn right. This road is partially paved and the views of the gulf and the rainforest are breathtaking. Make sure after an hour you make a left turn to Drake Bay. The road here is more rough (we recommend only 4 wheel drive cars), you will have to cross some rivers and there will be some steep hills, too.
b) Take a boat in Sierpes Pier.
Drive 20 minutes to Sierpe, find a parking place for your car and take a boat to Drake. The boat ride takes 1 1¾ - 2 hours and the mangrove on the sides of the river is the house of crocodiles, sloths and birds, among other fauna.

By bus...
You don’t need to drive to this places , you can always take the buses to Plamar Sur or Puerto Jiménez.
To Puerto Jiménez, go to the Bus Station of Transportes Blanco located in Barrio México, Tel. 257-4121. The bus fee is around 2.000 colones (US$ 5,30) and they all leave at 6:00 am and 12:00 noon from San José. The trip takes about 8 hours. >From Puerto Jiménez to San José, there are buses that leaves at 5:00 am and 11:00 a.m.

To Palmar Sur, go to the Bus Station VIA AIR Travelair and Sansa.

By plane...
The flight takes about 45 minutes. There are two main companies that fly regularly to Palmar Sur or Puerto Jiménez: Sansa and Travel Air.

SANSA:
Central Offices: (506) 221-9414
Puerto Jiménez Office: (506) 735-5017
Palmar Sur Office: (506) 786-6353.
The flights leave from Juan Santamaría International Airport.

TRAVELAIR:
Central Offices: (506) 220-3054, 232-7883 and 296- 1102.
The flights leave from the Tobías Bolaños Airport in Pavas.

For every reservation made through the Foundation, these companies will pay us a fee. This much needed funding will be destinated to support our projects and won't cost you a penny more.

Do you need help getting your way down to Corcovado National Park ? Please, do not hesitate to e-mail the Foundation, we will be happy to help you...