Corcovado National Park
The sweet smell of coffee and the unmistakable sounds of birds and primates coming from the depth of the forest, announce an awakening symphony of color and swarming life in Corcovado.
Often shrouded in mist, the densely forested slopes of Corcovado National Park look like an impenetrable fortress of trees. Indeed, it is only within the last 30 years that scientists and visitors have come to fully appreciate the enormous beauty and scientific knowledge hidden within this lush forest. Corcovado National Park and the associated Isla del Caño are the most significant remaining areas of lowland Pacific tropical rainforest in Central America. This particular location between the ocean and high mountain ranges has created an extraordinary array of biodiversity and endemism. This exceptional international resource is of outstanding universal value in terms of science, conservation potential, and natural beauty.
Corcovado National Park protects major habitats including a montane forest, a cloud forest, located in the highest region, richly populated by oaks and tree ferns, and swamp forests flooded practically year-round. The park is home to over 600 species of trees-equivalent to a quarter of all the tree species in Costa Rica. The national park is also home for white-lipped peccary as well as howler, spider white faced, and squirrel monkeys. Corcovado is considered a true sanctuary to the largest population of scarlet macaws in the country. Biologically, Corcovado is like an island due to its isolation by dry forests along the Pacific coast and by high mountains further inland. The historical isolation of this area, which was a separate island until millions of years ago, has contributed to speciation within Corcovado.
By all means, our avid travelers on board the Sea Voyager were eagerly looking forward to step foot on the pristine sands of Corcovado. Right after debarkation, the several groups commenced an exciting exploration of the fascinating trails that cover up the park. Little by little, all magical secrets, so well kept by Mother Nature for centuries, began to be revealed to the inquisitive eyes that scrutinized every fraction of the park.
A pleasant surprise was reserved for those who chose to hike up to the waterfall trail near by the ranger’s station. Not only the incomparable sensation of a fresh dip in the river primeval waters, but the awesome view of a whole troop of coatis foraging on the forest soil. The coatis usually travel on groups from 15 to 25, mostly formed by females and young males not necessarily related.
All too soon, it was time to return to our vessel after an afternoon plentiful of sensations and experiences for every participant of this magnificent expedition in the rain forest of Costa Rica!
The sweet smell of coffee and the unmistakable sounds of birds and primates coming from the depth of the forest, announce an awakening symphony of color and swarming life in Corcovado.
Often shrouded in mist, the densely forested slopes of Corcovado National Park look like an impenetrable fortress of trees. Indeed, it is only within the last 30 years that scientists and visitors have come to fully appreciate the enormous beauty and scientific knowledge hidden within this lush forest. Corcovado National Park and the associated Isla del Caño are the most significant remaining areas of lowland Pacific tropical rainforest in Central America. This particular location between the ocean and high mountain ranges has created an extraordinary array of biodiversity and endemism. This exceptional international resource is of outstanding universal value in terms of science, conservation potential, and natural beauty.
Corcovado National Park protects major habitats including a montane forest, a cloud forest, located in the highest region, richly populated by oaks and tree ferns, and swamp forests flooded practically year-round. The park is home to over 600 species of trees-equivalent to a quarter of all the tree species in Costa Rica. The national park is also home for white-lipped peccary as well as howler, spider white faced, and squirrel monkeys. Corcovado is considered a true sanctuary to the largest population of scarlet macaws in the country. Biologically, Corcovado is like an island due to its isolation by dry forests along the Pacific coast and by high mountains further inland. The historical isolation of this area, which was a separate island until millions of years ago, has contributed to speciation within Corcovado.
By all means, our avid travelers on board the Sea Voyager were eagerly looking forward to step foot on the pristine sands of Corcovado. Right after debarkation, the several groups commenced an exciting exploration of the fascinating trails that cover up the park. Little by little, all magical secrets, so well kept by Mother Nature for centuries, began to be revealed to the inquisitive eyes that scrutinized every fraction of the park.
A pleasant surprise was reserved for those who chose to hike up to the waterfall trail near by the ranger’s station. Not only the incomparable sensation of a fresh dip in the river primeval waters, but the awesome view of a whole troop of coatis foraging on the forest soil. The coatis usually travel on groups from 15 to 25, mostly formed by females and young males not necessarily related.
All too soon, it was time to return to our vessel after an afternoon plentiful of sensations and experiences for every participant of this magnificent expedition in the rain forest of Costa Rica!
