(Corel)

As the world’s rainforests shrink at an exponential rate, Costa Rica has made a concerted effort to set itself apart from its Central American neighbors, viewing its ecological and environmental riches as a birthright. Nowhere is this more evident than in Corcovado National Park, the final stronghold of primary forest on a Pacific coastline stretching from Mexico to South America. Encompassing eight full habitats, including montane forests, mangroves, and swamplands, Corcovado is situated on Costa Rica's southwestern Osa Peninsula. Covering over 100,000 acres of land and 5,000 acres of marine habitat, the park houses 116 species of amphibians and reptiles, 139 species of mammals (10% of all mammals in the Americas), and more than 400 bird species, including the largest concentration of scarlet macaws in Central America. Quite simply, this is Mother Nature at her most vibrant, lush, and decadent.

No roads penetrate Corcovado, which is a large factor in the park's purity. Instead, a vast network of hiking trails snake throughout the park's 160 square miles, linking up the four major ranger stations. The most popular trail, the 25-mile coastal walk, offers a glimpse of both jungle and aquatic environments. Others delve deep into the jungle, leading the sure-footed to such animal-rich environs as the Corcovado Lagoon, the refreshing waters of San Pedrillo Falls, and a collection of viewing platforms built atop massive ajo trees. Hiking in Corcovado can be challenging, however. Trail maintenance is not common and a good map and map-reading skills are essential should you brave the trails without a guide.

Getting to Corcovado is no easy feat. Day trips via boat from the Drake Bay area or charter flights to the Sirena Biological Station are possible, but true exposure to this rich ecosystem requires spending a few days in the bush. The terrain is rugged and temperatures often soar into the 90s. One thing you needn't worry about is where to rest your weary head at the end of the day. Sirena Biological Station has basic lodging, and camping facilities are available at all ranger stations. That said, Costa Rica Expeditions' Corcovado Lodge Tent Camp on Playa Carate is the park's most inviting domicile. Its beachfront setting near the coastal walk trailhead assures both isolation and beauty. And, lest you feel a touch overwhelmed by Corcovado's beauty, the camp's 120-foot tree platform will be able to put it all into perspective as a misty veil enshrouds the dense forest canopy.

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