Best Time to Visit Corcovado National Park (Ultimate 2025 Guide)
“Weather • Wildlife • Prices 2025”
Quick Answer: Best Time to Visit Corcovado National Park
Mid-December → April is the prime dry season—sunny trails, river crossings are safe, wildlife gathers at watering holes. May & November are shoulder months: lush jungle, 20-30 % lower hotel prices, fewer crowds. August–September bring migrating humpback whales and sea turtles but expect short afternoon showers. October is the wettest; Sirena & San Pedrillo stations often close for safety.
Month-by-Month Weather – Plan the Best Time to Visit Corcovado National Park
Corcovado sits on Costa Rica’s remote Osa Peninsula where the Pacific meets the equator. The climate swings between a distinct dry season (Dec – Apr) and a green season (May – Nov). Rain rarely means all-day storms; showers are intense but short, reviving the rainforest within minutes.
Rainfall Chart: When the Trails Are Most Walkable
Dry vs Green Season – Finding Your Best Time to Visit Corcovado National Park
Dry Season (Dec–Apr): Why It’s Often the Best Time to Visit
Pros
- 10-11 hours of sunshine; river crossings below knee-depth
- Amazing sunsets
- Migratory bird season
- Predictable Weather
Cons
- Park permits sell out 8–12 weeks in advance – book early
- More tourist
- Lodges and domestic flights at peak pricing
Green Season (May–Nov): An Underrated Best Time to Visit
Pros
- Electric-green foliage, orchids in bloom, amphibian boom
- Hotel rates drop 20-40 %, smaller tour groups
- July “veranillo de San Juan”: a two-week sunny window
- More wild encounters
Cons
- Afternoon cloudbursts; muddy trails
- October: Sirena & San Pedrillo often close for safety
- Limited ferry/shuttle schedules – budget extra travel time
Wildlife Calendar – Best Time to Visit Corcovado for Tapirs, Macaws & More
If you’re eyeing Corcovado during the busiest weeks (Christmas, Easter or July), skip the day tour and book an overnight at Sirena Station or Sirena & San Pedrillo. Day-trippers crowd the main loops between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.; dawn and dusk are when the real jungle wakes up. On the flip-side, don’t dismiss the green season. From May to early November the forest smells of wet earth, frog calls echo under a misty canopy, and it usually rains only two predictable hours each afternoon or morning. Fewer tourists, cooler trails, and photos wrapped in jungle fog—magic you can’t script.
Which Sukia Tour Date Fits Your Style?
Corcovado Day Expedition (Drake → Sirena → San Pedrillo)
07:30–16:00 hike with wildlife guide, picnic lunch, permits.
$165 USD –
Corcovado Overnight Tour (Sirena Station)
2 days/1 night, sunrise & night wildlife hikes, all meals, permits, guides.
$390 USD –
Corcovado Overnight Adventure Tour (Sirena & San Pedrillo Stations)
2 days/1 night, sunrise & night wildlife hikes, all meals, permits, guides.
$355 USD –
Corcovado 2 Nights & 3 Day Tour (Sirena & San Pedrillo Stations)
3 days/2 night, sunrise & night wildlife hikes, all meals, permits, guides.
$615 USD –
FAQ – Your Questions on the Best Time to Visit Corcovado National Park
Is Corcovado open in October?
Sirena and San Pedrillo stations usually close for 3–4 weeks due to heavy rain and river flooding; reopening is announced by SINAC around 1 Nov.Can I visit Corcovado without a guide?
No. SINAC regulations require all visitors to enter with a licensed guide and pre-purchased permits.What’s the temperature inside the park?
Daytime highs 26-31 °C year-round; nights drop to 22-24 °C. Humidity ≥85 %.Are mosquitoes worse in rainy season?
Yes—peak May-Sep. Wear long sleeves and bring 20 %+ DEET repellent.When is whale-watching season?
Southern humpback population calve off Drake Bay from **mid-July to late Oct**, peaking Aug-Sep.
David Villanueva is a certified Corcovado wildlife guide, Wilderness First Responder and co-founder of Sukia Travel. He has led 500+ expeditions into Costa Rica’s most biodiverse rainforest since 2012.
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