National Parks

CORCOVADO

Area:
54,039 Terrestrial Ha
2,400 Maritime Ha

Location: Puntarenas Province, on the Pacific coast; southwestern side of the Osa Peninsula.

The park protects major habitats including a mountain forrest, which covers more than half the park; a cloud forest, located in the highest region, richly populated by oaks and tree ferns; swamp forests, flooded practically all year-round; a holillo forest, predominated by palms; a mangrove swamp, located on the estuaries of the Llorona, Corcovado and Sirena Rivers; and a freshwater herbaceous swamp.

The park is home to some 500 species of trees -equivalent to a quarter of all the tree species in Costa Rica. Some of the larger trees include the purple heart, poponjoche, nargusta, banak, cow tree, espave and crabwood.

The park protects several endangered species including cats and large reptiles. Moreover, it is home to several species of birds, which are either endemic or whose distribution is very restricted.

There are 140 species of mammals, 367 birds, 117 amphibians and reptiles, 40 types of freshwater fish, and it is estimated that there are some 6,000 types of insects.

It is common to see large herds of white-lipped peccary, as well as howler and spider monkeys, and squirrels. The park is sanctuary to the largest population of scarlet macaws in the country.

Other species of birds found here are the vulture, white hawk, short-billed pigeon, tovi parakeet and bronze-tailed sicklebill.