Costa Rica

[Turtile]

I'm thinking about traveling to Costa Rica in January. I'm thinking about going to Corcovado National Park. I'm looking to explore in the outdoors all day long. I've seen websites that say you can camp there but I have no idea what you'd need to do (get a reservation, bring your own tent?, are you stuck to one location?). Since I would be outside all day, I would have to find packaged food and a water source everyday. I would also need electricity to charge my camera every few days.

Has anyone been this park or have any other suggestions? I've never planned an international trip before so I'm completely clueless.

Thanks!

[Kathryn]

I don't have any answers to your questions, but wanted to make sure you've seen the two posts about Corcovado.

Jeff and Andrea Searle

Kim's Post Trip

[KONADANTOM]

Aloha Turtile – following the IPS 2008 Biennial I boarded a 12-seater plane to join in a Post-Biennial Tour with a smaller group of International Palm Society members. On this remote jungle adventure I enjoyed time with travel companions Kim Cyr from San Diego; the Yao family George, Aurora, and Garvin from the Philippines; Urs and Susanne Germann from Switzerland; Stephen and Bunni Collins from Barbados; Grant Stephenson from Texas; and Jayanne Crawley from Louisiana. Our destination was a true jewel in the jungle, the Corcovado Jungle Lodge, which sits just above the cocoa-brown sandy beaches and the dark teal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean next to Corcovado National Park. Known for its biodiversity including big cats and tapirs, Corcovado offers abundant wildlife including all four Costa Rican monkey species. Trail guides were essential components of the many different tours and side trips I enjoyed during my stay I Costa Rica. Trail guides performed a wide variety of tasks with ease including language translation, schlepping delicious lunches in their large backpacks, and keeping us safe from dangerous insects and reptiles along the trails. During a day hike at Corcovado, our Corcovado Jungle Lodge trail guide Alberto Quepas took us to an area in the river not favored by the larger crocodiles. Alberto then waded out onto nearby rocks to maintain a continuous watch over me to make sure no crocs slipped into the water and headed in my direction during the midday swim in that cool river water.

I spent my high school summers working as a camp staff member at the East Texas Area Council Boy Scout Camp, so I’m familiar with basic precautions when roaming snake territory. Costa Rica including Corcovado National Park is a place inhabited by many deadly snakes and other nasty creatures like bullet ants (the ant bite is said to feel like you were shot by a bullet). While at Corcovado Jungle Lodge we were strongly advised to keep our bungalow doors closed at all times to keep the snakes out, and we were provided with walking sticks and flashlights to shine ahead of us when walking after dark to avoid the snakes crossing back and forth across the paths.

While in Costa Rica I saw many different snakes in captivity and in the wild. I’m sure that you will do enough research ahead of time to be prepared for a safe and fun adventure. It would be good if you are able to join some other campers who are experienced in hiking / camping in the Corcovado area so you can watch after each other. Costa Rica is making good advances in their anti-venom development and storage procedures, but those who are in the jungle without a local experienced trail guide will need to develop a contingency plan for obtaining prompt treatment following a venomous snake bite.

Below is some general info on various snakes one might encounter in Costa Rica – you could google the snake names to find photos, or view my slideshow at http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/index.php/KONA_OUTDOOR_CIRCLE

Atropoides mexicanus Central American Jumping Pitviper - a venomous pit viper inhabiting Mexico and Central America as far south as Panama.

The Bird-eating Snake is also called Puffing Snake, and has a black, dark brown, or green body with yellow / orange bars or blotches; yellow lips, throat and belly.

The Brown Vine Snake Oxibelis aeneus is an exceptionally thin snake that closely resembles a vine. It uses its mild venom, injected by grooved rear teeth, to subdue lizards which make up the bulk of its diet. An excellent climber, this snake spends a lot of time in trees and shrubs where it can be difficult to spot.

A green beauty, the Copes Vine Snake Oxybelis brevirostris is a keen predator of frogs and lizards. Note to tourist – if handled, a Copes Vine Snake will bite without hesitation.

Exercise caution when examining Heliconias and other plants in Costa Rica – pit vipers will hide in the foliage and may strike out at you if disturbed. Like all pit vipers, the Eyelash Palm Pitviper Bothriechis schlegelii has large, hypodermic needle-like fangs in the upper jaw that fold back when not in use. Its most distinguishing feature is the set of modified scales over the eyes that look much like eyelashes. The eyelashes are thought to aid in camouflage, breaking up the snake's outline among the foliage it usually hides in. Villagers have reported these snakes will wink, flashing its eyelashes at its victim, following a venomous strike.

Neotropical Rattlesnake Crotalus simus bite symptoms may be severe, with pain, massive swelling, blistering and necrosis that often lead to physicians performing skin tissue removal, and in some cases amputations.

The Atropoides picadoi’s common name Jumping Pitviper refers to the ability these snakes have to launch themselves at an attacker during a strike, bridging a distance equal to or greater than the length of the snake’s body. It has been reported they live up to their name, striking at their assailants with such force that they actually leave the ground.

The venomous bad boy Rain Forest Hognosed Pitviper Porthidium nasutum prefers open areas and clearings – keep a watchful eye when you are near logs, stumps, and litter piles.

The dreaded Fer-de-Lance Bothrops asper is THE most dangerous snake in Costa Rica - responsible for about 45% of all snake bites each year, and the cause of about 10 fatalities a year in Costa Rica. The female is one of the heaviest venomous snakes in the world, and does NOT lay snake eggs. Instead, she gives birth to as many as 90 LIVE YOUNG per litter. This has all the makings of a scary Creature Feature movie – just imagine a large number of juvenile snakes with fully developed fangs and deadly venom being expelled from their mother’s womb.

[amazondk]

Dan,

Thanks for all the information. I enjoyed the slide show a lot. From my experience I have a few words of advice. When going into the tropical rain forest it is always wise to have someone along that knows where they are and where they are going. And, what you should touch or not touch or where you should be walking. I think that in Costa Rica it is a bit more developed and marked than around where I live. But, I still would be cautious. Here in our forest you can literally step off the road into the forest and get lost for weeks if not forever. And, last but not least be very careful with your possessions. We had the unfortunate experience while in Costa Rica last December to have all our documents and my computer stolen on what was to be our last day in the country. It was a not too pleasant end to an otherwise great trip. Fortunately with time the good memories are the ones that last. Have a good time.

dk

[JakeK]

  Turtile said:

I'm thinking about traveling to Costa Rica in January. I'm thinking about going to Corcovado National Park. I'm looking to explore in the outdoors all day long. I've seen websites that say you can camp there but I have no idea what you'd need to do (get a reservation, bring your own tent?, are you stuck to one location?). Since I would be outside all day, I would have to find packaged food and a water source everyday. I would also need electricity to charge my camera every few days.

Has anyone been this park or have any other suggestions? I've never planned an international trip before so I'm completely clueless.

Thanks!

I've been to the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado before.

You can camp out at any of the ranger stations, but you need to pick up a permit beforehand in Puerto Jimenez. You cannot just pitch a tent. Most hiking/exploring in the park either consists of day hikes from any of the 4 ranger stations, or hiking between the ranger stations. Besides those trails, there really aren't any marked trails. Popular hikes are to Sirena Station from either Leona, San Pedrillo or Los Patos ranger stations. Here are some routes you can take.

- San Pedrillo - Sirena - La Leona

- San Pedrillo - Sirena - Los Patos

- Los Patos - Sirena - San Pedrillo

- Los Patos - Sirena - La Leona

- La Leona - Sirena - San Pedrillo

- La Leona - Sirena - Los Patos

The Los Patos to La Leona route is logistically the easiest and also the cheapest since you can catch the taxi from La Leona back to Puerto Jimenez.

Each leg is easily a full day's hike and I would not recommend hiking alone. If you spend a few days in Puerto Jimenez you'll usually run into some people about to set off for a trip to Corcovado.

If you will be hiking along the coast, you must time your hike to account for the tide.

Regarding food and water, most people bring enough water to make it between the ranger stations since you can refill at each station. Bring more water than you think you will need as the hiking is not easy and it is blisteringly hot when in the Sun. For food, your best bet is to bring in food with you. There is a kitchen at La Sirena where you can cook. You can buy all your supplies in Puerto Jimenez.

My last tip is to get yourself a pair of chaco sandals. They provide excellent wet and dry traction and they dry fast. Hiking in wet boots is not fun. I hiked 28 miles through the rainforest in chaco sandals. Best gear decision I made.

Regarding electricity, bring extra batteries.

Have fun, the place is magical.

[Turtile]

Thanks for all of the advice!

Does anyone recommend the company that they stayed with or have any information I could look into? I'm considering doing something similar as all of you did since I found out from a link Jeff gave me that you can only stay in the park 5 days.

Don, how did your laptop get stolen?

Thanks!