Corcovado Sirena: Rainforest Hike & Wildlife from Drake Bay

Summary

Boat ride to Sirena, rainforest hike with wildlife and lunch

You’ll start your day with a boat ride from Drake Bay to Corcovado’s Sirena station, then hike deep into rainforest trails with a local guide searching for tapirs, monkeys, and more. After hours exploring one of Costa Rica’s wildest corners, you’ll return for lunch by the bay — tired but buzzing from what you’ve seen.

What’s the experience like?

"If you’re lucky, the tapir will be napping right by the trail," our guide Luis grinned as we stepped onto the boat at Drake Bay. I’d never seen anyone look so at home in rubber boots before sunrise. The air was thick with salt and something sweet — maybe mangroves? The motor started up and we all leaned forward, chasing the coastline as the sun burned off the last bit of mist. I had no idea how loud pelicans could be until that morning.

The hour-long boat ride felt shorter than it sounds. Water slapped the hull, and every now and then Luis would point out something — dolphins once, a line of brown pelicans gliding just above the waves. When we landed at Sirena station, the forest felt like it swallowed us whole. Five hours of hiking sounds tough but honestly, time gets weird in Corcovado. We saw spider monkeys arguing overhead, and once I nearly stepped on a line of leafcutter ants hauling pieces bigger than my thumb. The ground was soft underfoot, muddy in places — I slipped once but nobody minded. Luis spotted a tapir in a patch of shade; it looked prehistoric, just blinking at us like we were the odd ones.

Lunch back in Drake Bay tasted better than usual after all that walking (rice and beans never fail me). My shoes were still damp but I didn’t care — there’s something about sitting with strangers-turned-friends after sharing sweat and silence in that rainforest. I still think about that moment when everything was just green and alive around us. Not sure if I’ll ever hear cicadas quite like that again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat ride and hiking at Sirena Station

• Boat ride to Sirena Station
• Hike around Sirena Station for 5 hours
• Boat ride back to Drake Bay
• Lunch and tour conclusion

Top questions

How long is the boat ride from Drake Bay to Sirena?

About one hour each way by boat.

How much hiking is involved at Sirena?

You’ll walk around the station for about five hours.

Is lunch included on this tour?

Yes, lunch is included after returning to Drake Bay.

Are park fees covered in this tour?

Yes, all park fees are included.

What animals might I see on this Corcovado tour?

You may see tapirs, monkeys, peccaries, and more local wildlife.

Is transportation provided from my hotel?

The tour includes private transportation; public options are also nearby.

Do I need to be very fit for this hike?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation by boat between Drake Bay and Sirena station, entry fees for Corcovado (so you don’t have to worry about tickets), guided hiking through the rainforest looking for wildlife, plus lunch back in Drake Bay before you finish up.