Wildlife Holidays in Costa Rica’s South: Visit Corcovado National Park

Wildlife holidays in Costa Rica’s south take wildlife enthusiasts to an under-visited biodiversity hotspot in this spectacular country: Corcovado National Park. Its location in the far south of the country has resulted in its exclusion from many itineraries, but it is well worth the visit. There are many other exciting stops on the way, from the Talamanca Mountains and Las Cruces Biological Station, to Piedras Blancas National Park.

Talamanca Mountains

The Talamanca Mountains are a beautiful first stop on wildlife holidays in Costa Rica. Their cloudforests are home to one of the world’s most beautiful birds, the Resplendent Quetzal, as well as a wide array of other bird species. Magnificent and Fiery-throated Hummingbirds, Swallow-tailed Kites, and mixed flocks of tanagers and warblers with Flame-throated Warbler and Collared Whitestart are often among them.

Las Cruces Biological Station

Along the country's mountainous spine lies Las Cruces Biological Station, a working research station at a 1,500 m altitude. The station is set within Wilson Botanical Gardens, which protects a large area of pre-montane wet forest. With 2,000 plant species and over 350 bird species, it is a picturesque and rewarding destination. Highlights include the Central American Agouti (which may be sighted searching for palm nuts on the ground) and the Fiery-billed Aracari, Red-faced Spinetail, and Speckled and Golden-hooded Tanagers.

Piedras Blancas National Park

From the heights of the mountains, wildlife holidays in Costa Rica descend to Piedras Biancas National Park in the lowland tropical rainforest. Based on the edge of the forest, bird watchers can look for Buff-rumped Warbler, Slaty-tailed Trogon, King Vulture, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Rufous Jacamar, Orange-collared Manakin and many more. Walking into the forest at night under expert naturalist guidance, enthusiasts can hope to see some of the park’s interesting nocturnal species, including the Red-eyed Tree Frog, Eye-lash Pit Viper and several owls.

Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park encompasses 424 km2 of the Osa Peninsula along the Pacific Coast. It is particularly notable for being the largest remaining area of primary rainforest on that coastline in all of the Americas, and it is haven for wildlife. Holidays in Costa Rica’s south take visitors to the Corcovado National Park by river; then, from a beach lodge, they can explore the park’s amazing flora and fauna. Enthusiasts will have a good chance of seeing the rare Baird’s Tapir on early morning walks, as well as the more common mammal species Central American Spider Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Mantled Howler Monkey and Northern Tamandua. There are Pumas and Jaguars in the rainforest, and their elusive nature makes a sighting a very fortunate event. The park is rich in bird species, including the rare Harpy Eagle (in the lesser-visited areas) and the White-crested Coquette, as well as the Scarlet Macaw, Baird’s Trogon, Blue-throated Goldentail, Long-billed Antwren, White Hawk and many more.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you’re looking for wildlife holidays in Costa Rica Naturetrek specialises in expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to polar expeditions and tours to other spectacular regions on Earth.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.