At 715 am we had to walk down to the bottom of the hill in Bahia Drake to catch our ferry to Corcovado National Park.
Most people that came here did day tours, which includes an hour and a half transportation to Sirena station at 715am, guided hiking until about 1, then a lunch before the boat leaves the island at 145pm. It also includes the $10 daily park entrance fee.
We had inquired about skipping the guide and only purchasing the boat ride there and back. This was $50, so we decided it was worth paying the few extra bucks for a guide with lunch. Our plan was to stay the night since we already had our camping reservations and we would catch a ride back with a boat the following day at 1:45. We figured it would be good to have a guide to show us the ropes bit also would be nice to be able to roam on our own.
The boat dropped us off at the island where we had a “wet” landing.
We did a couple hikes very slowly and quietly. Apparently the morning around 8 is the best time to go as the animals are most active and prevalent. Later in the day it becomes too hot so they rest.
We saw a crocodile on the bank
But when we got closer we scared him away.
We saw an animal called a Taper which I guess aren’t normally seen there but the guide said the past months there have been a lot of them.
We saw lots of different types of monkeys including the howler monkey which makes a crazy loud monster like noise in the jungle.
We saw some different birds and spiders.
We saw ant eaters and wild pigs but I didn’t have my camera with me the first day.
At the end of the day after we ate, my brother and I walked the 20 minute hike back to Sirena station.
We had accidentally gotten a camping pass for the park instead of the dorm room accommodations that are also available. We were told that there would be mattresses out for grabs as well as drinking water.
However when we got there we were told they don’t supply mattresses and that the only ones that were there were ones people had left in the past. We managed to scrap up a couple thin grimy ass foam pieces and were lucky enough to have brought our own sheets.
Although told there was clean drinking water, we were told it wasn’t 100% safe so we should filter it. Luckily we brought water purification tablets although we were also told there was bottled water for sale.
The next morning we thought we would wake up super early to be the first ones to the best locations so the animals wouldn’t be scared away by the other groups. Unfortunately, everyone else had the exact same plans.
We hiked along the beach
And even climbed a tree to get some coconuts
We saw more of the same animals we had seen the day before (can you see the gecko?)
As well as Taper tracks
We went swimming in Rio Claro, the only place you are allowed to swim because of the danger off crocodiles.
Overall it was a pretty cool experience in Sirena national park. It was very beautiful. However, for me, I didn’t like all the people there and the tour groups, we couldn’t escape them. The animals seemed like they were always in the same places so the guides knew exactly where to look, like a zoo. So in that aspect we were a little disappointed. The peninsula itself was beautiful.