Corcovado Packing Tips
Preparing for a hike through Corcovado’s rainforest is essential, but don’t worry—packing isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Here’s everything you need to know:
The Ultimate Checklist
- Water
- 1 to 4 liters in reusable bottles (the amount of liquid needed depends on your itinerary)
- PET bottles are prohibited and will be confiscated by park rangers.
- Bottles can be refilled at all stations.
- Energy Drinks (must be in reusable bottles as well)
- Sun Protection
- Sunscreen
- Sunhat or cap
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Sunglasses
- Insect Repellent
- No specific brand is required, but environmentally friendly options are preferred.
- Footwear
- Comfortable, sturdy shoes for long hikes: hiking boots, tennis shoes, or water boots (Sandals and open-toed shoes are NOT allowed on trails)
- Sensitive feet: Bring water shoes or sandals for beach landings from the boat.
- At stations: Flip-flops or sandals are fine (dirty shoes or boots must be left outside).
- Long socks (above your shoes/boots) to prevent blisters and friction.
- Observation and Photography Gear
- Camera
- Phone: For photos through the guide’s spotting scope.
- Binoculars: Useful for short hikes but avoid them on long hikes to reduce weight.
- Flashlight
- Overnight tours: For nighttime bathroom trips.
- Emergency use in case a hike extends past daylight.
- Spotting wildlife inside the rainforest (e.g., in trees).
- Snacks
- Overnight tours: Limited to granola, energy bars, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits on itineraries passing through La Leona or Los Patos only.
- Day tours: Same as above, with sandwiches allowed (except Sirena boat-in/boat-out tours).
- Prohibited: All snacks on Sirena boat-in/boat-out day and overnight tours.
- Swimwear
- Quick-dry clothes are preferred over swimsuits.
- Going in the river is possible on specific itineraries (overnight tours, San Pedrillo, and Los Patos).
- Ocean swimming within the park is prohibited.
- Backpack/Dry Bag
- Use a small hiking backpack or waterproof dry bag (no duffels or suitcases).
- A lightweight, waterproof backpack or one with a cover is recommended.
- always available).
- Waterproof Poncho
- Lightweight and thin.
- Overnight Stay Essentials
- Towel and toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, pyjama, etc.).
- A change of clothes for each day (you will sweat).
- Earplugs (dorm-style accommodations at Sirena Station).
- Extra phone battery or camera battery (since electric plugs in Sirena are very limited and not 13. Trash Bags or Dry Bags
- To keep personal items dry and pack out ALL trash.
- Passport
- A printed copy or a digital version on your phone is sufficient.
- Travel Insurance Information
- Not mandatory but recommended for emergencies.
- First-Aid Kit
- Prescriptions and personal medications.
- Electrolytes in powder.
- Hydration Tablets.
- Motion sickness tablets (for boat rides and/or rough roads).
- Moleskin for blisters, band-aids, etc.
- Essential oils (to reduce skin friction during long hikes and to help deter ticks from attaching to the skin).
- Money
- For tipping your guide, boat captain, or driver.
- To purchase snacks or souvenirs at Sirena Station.
Do NOT Bring:
- PET bottles.
- Unnecessary items like warm clothing, sleeping bags, or excessive makeup.
- Brand-new shoes that might cause blisters.
Prohibited Items (Park Rules)
Park rangers enforce strict rules and may check your bags at the entrance. Confiscated items will NOT be returned.
- PET Bottles
- Only reusable bottles are allowed (must be empty and refillable).
- Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, and Drugs
- Smoking or bringing any drugs is strictly prohibited inside the park, including stations, trails, beaches, and all other areas.
- Weapons
- Only guides are allowed to carry a small machete in their backpack.
- Camping gears
- Camping outside Sirena Station is not allowed. If you were planning to bring your own tent or hammock for extra privacy or to avoid the sounds of fellow travelers snoring, bring earplugs as stepping outside Sirena Station after dark is strictly prohibited.
- Pets
- No dogs or other animals are allowed inside the park.
- If you travel with a service dog, make sure to mention it before booking, extra documentation might be needed for your reservation.
- Drones
- Commercial Use:
- Operators must have a remote aircraft operation license from Civil Aviation.
- A formal written request must be submitted to ACOSA, specifying the purpose, operator’s details, and flight information (date, time, duration).
- Approval will be granted through a resolution.
- Personal Use:
- Inform us of your intent to use a drone as it will be written in your reservation.
- Drones must not disturb wildlife, invade people’s privacy, or exceed the maximum flight height of 120 meters (as per national regulations).
Rule Number One: Less Is More
We’ll be hiking with daypacks for distances up to 16 miles in a day (depending on the itinerary) under conditions very different from what you might be used to in a temperate climate. If you’re not accustomed to it, the intense humidity in the rainforest can make hiking significantly harder. To prepare, pack light and only the essentials.
Bonus tip: Leave your duffle bags and suitcases at the lodging where you’ll be staying the night before your tour. Most accommodations allow you to store your belongings overnight for free while you are in Corcovado National Park, but it’s always a good idea to confirm this before booking. For self-check-in accommodations, you may need to request specific instructions in advance.
The Sun
Costa Rica’s location near the equator means a hot and humid climate with intense sunlight almost all year round. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat are must-haves, as well as plenty of water to stay hydrated through the journey. You should drink a minimum of 200 ml per hour.
Bonus tip: If you wear glasses, consider bringing contact lenses or an anti-fog spray. Foggy lenses can be a hassle and may slow you down.
Long or Short Clothing?
The choice ultimately depends on what you’re most comfortable wearing, but quick-drying clothing is highly recommended.
Long pants provide protection from the sun, scratches, and mosquitoes. For tops, it’s a personal preference: long sleeves offer better sun protection, while short sleeves (with sunscreen) may feel cooler if you sweat heavily.
Footwear
Shoes might get dirty and wet.
High hiking boots are best for their support, but might feel uncomfortable if you are not used to hiking with them. Especially during the rainy season, rubber boots can be a smart option since you might need to cross rivers and some trails might be muddy. These can be rented for a fee at Sirena Station or be bought at the supermarket.
Bonus tip: If you bring your own boots, make sure they’re easy to identify by marking them with something visible, like a ribbon or your name on the side. Since boots are left at the entrance, it’s easy to confuse them with others—many tourists and guides may have the same style. Personal touches help prevent mix-ups, especially if you use special insoles or want to avoid accidentally ending up with boots that don’t fit.
Bonus tip: During the driest months (January to April), ticks are more common. To protect yourself, wear knee-high socks, tuck your pants into your socks, and apply insect repellent to your shoes.
Anything specific for an Overnight Stay?
- Keep a flashlight or a phone with a light handy by your bed, as the solar-powered lights are turned off at 8:00 p.m.
- Bring mosquito repellent, as mosquito activity tends to increase after dark.
- Pack essentials for dorm-style accommodations: pajamas, earplugs, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and a change of clothes for each day.
- Don’t forget your own towel, as you’ll need one. Soap dispensers are provided in the showers.
- Each bed is equipped with a mattress, linens, a pillow, and a mosquito net for your comfort.
Do I need to bring documents and money?
You must bring your passport or a copy (printed or digital) showing your picture and passport number. This is required to match your reservation when registering with the park ranger at the entrance.
If you’d rather leave your passport in your hotel safe, be sure to take a picture of it before heading out on your Corcovado tour.
Our Corcovado tours include everything you need, but bringing some money is a good idea for the following reasons:
- Souvenirs: If you visit Sirena, you can support local artisans and farmers by purchasing something from the souvenir shop.
- Unexpected needs: You might need to replace an item like a torn T-shirt, wet socks, or broken shoes, or treat yourself to a snack like ice cream between meals.
- Emergencies: In case of an emergency, you may need private transportation (by boat or land) to leave the park quickly.
- Tipping: If you’ve had an amazing time, tipping your guide in cash is a wonderful way to show your appreciation.
Rain Protection
In the rainy season, it will rain—no doubt about it. Rain in Costa Rica can be heavy but usually brief, it rarely rains all day. The rain is part of the unique experience of visiting a rainforest. A breathable rain jacket or, even better, a poncho, is highly recommended. Bringing a dry bag for electronics, documents, and clothes is also a smart idea.
Bonus tip: Don’t hesitate to tie plastic bags over your shoes or turn a garbage bag into an improvised poncho by cutting holes for your arms and head. You’re here to enjoy Corcovado, not to walk the runway—let the rainforest be the star!
Water quality in the park
The Osa Peninsula is fortunate to have high-quality water, so there’s no need to worry about drinking tap water. However, it’s a good idea to include water purification tablets in your first-aid kit in case you run out of water on the trail and need to refill from a stream. Otherwise, you can safely refill your bottles at the stations, which have a purification system installed.
Bonus tip: If you’re hiking from Los Patos to Sirena and don’t want to carry 4 liters of water, bring a water filter to refill from rivers and streams along the way.
Bonus tip: Bring stomach medication. The water in Corcovado is high quality, and the food is safe, but the combination of physical exertion, dehydration, and unfamiliar foods might upset sensitive stomachs. It’s better to be prepared just in case.
Photography and Videography Gear
If you plan to bring heavy equipment, consider the boat-in/boat-out itinerary, as the long hikes to and from Los Patos and La Leona require traveling light to fully enjoy the experience.
For those with expensive gear, be mindful of the intense heat and humidity. Bring essential items to clean your lenses and protect your equipment.
Bonus tip: Using a silica gel packet inside an airtight camera case is a great way to absorb moisture and safeguard your gear.
Bonus tip: Photographers, you may want to request a private guide who specializes in your specific area of interest, such as wildlife or birdwatching.
What about bringing antidotes and EpiPens?
Your guide will carry the first-aid kit recommended by their CPR & First-Aid Training for the Corcovado tour.
Guides are not permitted to administer injections or provide medication, including pills. Additionally, antidotes are not included in your guide first-aid kit, as they are costly and have a short shelf life.
The chances of being bitten by a snake or scorpion are extremely low. However, if having your own antidote helps you feel more at ease, you can purchase it at certain pharmacies in San José, Costa Rica.
If you have severe allergies, it’s essential to bring your own EpiPen and inform your guide about your condition.
With all these tips, you’re ready to pack smart for a safe and enjoyable Corcovado adventure!
