Bringing Food to Corcovado

Can I Bring Food to Corcovado National Park?

Corcovado National Park, renowned for its incredible biodiversity and pristine landscapes, is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and adventurers. However, given its protected status and delicate ecosystem, visitors often have questions about the do’s and don’ts when planning their trip. One common query is whether bringing food into the park is allowed. Here’s what you need to know.

Bringing Food into Corcovado National Park: Guidelines and Restrictions

Depending on your itinerary in Corcovado National Park, you may be able to bring food, but there are strict regulations to follow.

Prohibited

Sirena Boat In – Boat Out Itineraries

Day or Overnight Tours: Tourists and guides on boat-in and boat-out itineraries to Sirena are strictly prohibited from bringing food.

Necessary meals are included in your package when boating in and out of Sirena.

Allowed with Strict Restrictions

Boat In to Sirena – Walk Out

• Day Tours: On one-day intense itineraries, you boat into Sirena Beach, register with the park ranger, and start walking towards La Leona or Los Patos without stopping at Sirena Station. You must bring food for the day. Allowed items are limited to sandwiches, granola, energy bars, nuts, grains, and dried fruits.
• Overnight Tours: You are allowed to bring snacks solely for the long hike the day you walk out of the park. These snacks must remain in your backpack at all times while in Sirena station and Sirena’s trails. Allowed items are limited to granola, energy bars, nuts, grains, and dried fruits. Sandwiches are not permitted.

Walk In to Sirena – Boat Out from Sirena

• Starting your tour with a long hike from La Leona or Los Patos, you can bring sandwiches, granola, energy bars, nuts, grains, and dried fruits. All food must be eaten before reaching Sirena Station; otherwise, the park ranger may confiscate any leftovers.

Walking In to Sirena – Walking Out of Sirena

• You can bring sandwiches, granola, energy bars, nuts, grains, and dried fruits. Sandwiches must be consumed before reaching Sirena on the first day. The remaining items must stay in your backpack until the day you walk out of Sirena.

Allowed

La Leona, San Pedrillo and Los Patos day tours

While the park recommends limiting food to sandwiches, granola, energy bars, nuts, grains, and dried fruits, the rangers at La Leona, San Pedrillo, and Los Patos are not as strict as those at Sirena since these stations do not offer food for purchase and most wildlife is concentrated in Sirena.

Examples of Prohibited Items:

• Cans: You are not allowed to bring cans of tuna, sardines, or any other canned food.
• Fruit Restrictions: While fruits are typically not allowed, rangers may not confiscate them. However, you must pack out any organic waste, such as banana peels, orange peels, or apple cores.
• Food prep: Your packed lunch must be ready to eat. There is no time for food preparation inside the park or kitchenware.

Water & Drinks

Only reusable/refillable bottles are allowed throughout Corcovado National Park. PET bottles are prohibited and rarely sold on the Osa Peninsula. Park rangers will confiscate any PET bottles found in your backpacks upon your arrival in the park. Acceptable bottles are those typically sold empty, made of hard plastic, aluminum, or metal. Even energy drinks must be transferred into reusable/refillable bottles. Ensure you comply to avoid being without water in Corcovado.

If you don’t have a reusable bottle, you can purchase one at the local grocery store in the village where you’re staying for less than $5 per 500 ml bottle. In Sirena, the same size bottle costs over $25. Attempting to hide PET bottles is not worth the risk, as it could result in penalties for you, your guide, and the company you booked with.

One of the many perks of visiting Costa Rica is the quality of its tap water. It is among the best in Latin America, allowing you to stay hydrated and enjoy your adventure without the need to constantly purchase bottled water. This not only adds to the convenience of your trip but also supports environmental sustainability by reducing plastic waste.

The water in Corcovado comes from natural springs and well-maintained water wells, providing a refreshing and pure drinking experience. Tourists and locals can confidently drink water without concern.

If you’re traveling between Sirena and Los Patos, you will need a minimum of 4 liters of water for the trek to stay hydrated while trekking in the mountain in the heat and humidity. It’s a good idea to bring a water filter or water purification tablets in case you need to refill in the river.

Security Standards & Prohibited items

Corcovado National Park prioritizes your safety above all else. To protect visitors, guides, staff, and wildlife, all belongings are subject to a security screening upon arrival at the first ranger station or immediately after boating in at Sirena.

Sirena

• The park ranger security check is mandatory for all tourists and guides visiting the park and includes the opening of all bags.
• For day tours to Sirena, you can leave food on the boat.

All Other Stations

• Since food is not sold at any station except Sirena, these stations have a less strict food policy and do not always require you to open your backpack.

If you have items removed from the park ranger, you can not get them back at the end of your tour.

Where can I buy food?

Inside the Park:

• Sirena Station Only: While food is provided at Sirena according to your itinerary, you can also purchase additional snacks such as ice cream, natural fruit juices, coffee, hot chocolate, sweet cookies, sweet empanadas, candies, plantain chips, yuca chips, and more.

Outside the Park:

• Drake Bay, Puerto Jiménez, and La Palma: Grocery stores, convenience stores, and bakeries.
• Street Food Stands or Vendors: Located near boat departure points.
• Carate: A small convenience store, a coffee/restaurant shop, and a vendor at Coco Osa Beach after a hike offers snacks, drinks, and coconut water.

Ranger Stations: Bathroom Trash Cans

Throwing food-related trash in the bathroom garbage cans is strictly prohibited. Everyone must take responsibility for their own trash. Corcovado’s remote location makes waste removal challenging; staff and guides must transport trash out by walking, horseback, or boat, often navigating tides, waves, and rivers.

Wild animals are highly sensitive to food smells and can scatter trash, become intoxicated, or even die from ingesting plastic or other non-food items. Please be considerate and responsible for your own trash and help preserve the pristine environment of Corcovado National Park while ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for everybody.

Tourist Dietary Restrictions

Do not deprive yourself of visiting one of the most incredible national parks in the world because of concerns about the food served inside the park. At Corcovado National Park, we understand the importance of accommodating various dietary needs and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all our guests.

Comprehensive Dietary Accommodations

While typical Costa Rican food is served at the Sirena Ranger Station, we take all allergies, food restrictions, and diets into consideration. Whether you have a specific allergy, follow a particular diet, or have religious food restrictions, we are committed to meeting your needs. When booking your tour, please make sure to inform us of any dietary requirements. This allows us to prepare appropriately and ensure your needs are met throughout your stay.

Attention to Detail in the Kitchen

No matter what you can’t eat, our dedicated kitchen staff will ensure that there is no trace of it in your meals. They are experienced in managing various dietary restrictions and are meticulous about preventing cross-contamination. Utensils are sterilized and kitchen surfaces are thoroughly cleaned to maintain a safe environment for preparing specialized meals.

Dietary restrictions we often cater to are vegetarians, vegans and pescatarians. The kitchen staff is well-versed in preparing meals without gluten, ensuring that those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can dine with confidence. We also respect and accommodate dietary practices based on religious beliefs, providing meals that align with your needs.

Your dietary preferences and restrictions will be handled with the utmost care, allowing you to fully enjoy the wonders of Corcovado National Park without worry.

Tips for a Successful Food Strategy

There are specific guidelines you should to follow to protect the park’s environment and wildlife.

1. Pack Light and Eco-Friendly: Opt for lightweight, and eco-friendly food options. Avoid items with excessive packaging to minimize waste. It’s best to bring reusable and sealed containers that you can carry back with you and prevent attracting animals. Your guide could tell you numerous stories of people having their lunch eaten by ants, backpacks destroyed by rats overnight or even robbed by wild animals.
2. Non-Perishable Food: Preventing food intoxication. The hot and humid weather can quickly spoil perishable food. To avoid food intoxication, eat meat or egg & mayo sandwiches no later than midday. If you buy non-refrigerated sandwiches or empanadas from a bakery, ensure they are freshly made if you don’t plan to eat them before lunch, or choose a different option.
3. Pack Smart: Bring nutritious, high-energy snacks that are easy to carry and consume.
4. Leave No Trace: Corcovado National Park operates under a strict “leave no trace” policy. This means whatever you bring into the park, you must take out. Pack all your food waste, wrappers, and containers, and dispose of them properly once you are back in the village.
5. Wildlife Safety: The park is home to numerous animals, some of which are adept at sniffing out food. To prevent attracting wildlife, store your food securely and avoid feeding any animals as it is strictly prohibited in Corcovado. It disrupts their natural behaviors and may lead to harmful interactions.
6. Water: Bringing enough reusable water bottles according to your itinerary is essential. While there are refill stations at Sirena Beach and Leona Station, it’s advisable to carry enough water for your hike, especially since these refill spots are 16 km apart.