CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK
Osa Peninsula Costa Rica
Being one of the closest lodges to Corcovado National Park, Luna Lodge has a birds-eye view of the Primary Osa Peninsula rainforest. This 360 degree view of the natural world allows our guests to experience…
Experience this magical park with Luna Lodge“…the most biologically intense place on Earth”
National Geographic Magazine
Discover the crown jewel of the Costa Rica National Park System, Corcovado National Park, spanning over 164 square miles on the magnificent Osa Peninsula. As one of the largest parks in Costa Rica, it serves as a sanctuary safeguarding one-third of this remarkable peninsula.
HISTORY TELLS THE COLORFUL TALE
In the mid-1960s, Joe Tosi first suggested this area as the most logical Osa park or research reserve, because while it was of relatively modest in size (compared with, for example, the Amazon basin) its “definable” and “defensible” natural boundaries encompassed so many habitats and animal species.
When Corcovado NP was created in 1976, there were about 300 active gold miners in and around the future park. The total population of cattle in the park was about 500 head. The Oreros (gold miners) spent most of their time panning for gold in the river watersheds. Most had no property, but traveled between claims, building temporary shacks along the rivers and streams. Their earnings averaged about US$15 a month. Few struck it rich, but many were caught with gold fever.
Establishing the park was one thing, keeping it was another…
The gold rush of the 1980s was the tipping point. The Osa exploded with a perfect storm of calamities that included: the collapse of the banana business in the gulf with widespread unemployment; the spillover from the wars of Nicaragua, and El Salvador, and the contagious narco-militarism of Panama; and gold peaked at atmospheric levels.
A government study confirmed that 1,500 gold miners were working illegally in the park in 1985 and an additional 3,500 were working in nearby areas (Evans 1999, 144). According to the estimate, the community above Madrigal Beach had approximately five hundred inhabitants living in two hundred makeshift houses.
In 1986, the Park Service obtained a court order under the Judge of Instruction in Golfito. The eviction of the miners was completed that year.
Why Experience Corcovado National Park with Luna Lodge
Corcovado National Park is often called the crown jewel of Costa Rica travel—and there’s no better way to experience its breathtaking beauty than with Luna Lodge. Nestled near the peaceful La Leona entrance, Luna Lodge offers early access and expertly guided tours that take your rainforest adventure to the next level.
🦜 Expert Naturalist Guides
Our highly trained guides bring decades of experience and passion to each tour. Their deep knowledge of the park’s flora, fauna, and intricate ecosystems helps you spot elusive creatures like tapirs, peccaries, and toucans, while also gaining insight into the rainforest’s remarkable biodiversity.
🌿 Unmatched Proximity & Secluded Access
Luna Lodge is near to the La Leona Ranger Station, the quietest and most serene entrance to Corcovado National Park. As more visitors now take the boat from Puerto Jiménez to Sirena, the Corcovado trails at the La Leona entrance remain uncrowded—offering a tranquil, intimate connection with the rainforest and its abundant wildlife. Our guests often begin their journey before anyone else even reaches the park.
🌅 Immersion in Nature
Unlike other Costa Rica vacation experiences, Luna Lodge allows you to live in harmony with nature from sunrise to starlight. Wake to the calls of howler monkeys and fall asleep under a blanket of stars. This kind of full immersion fosters a sense of mindfulness, connection, and inner calm.
🧘 Balance of Adventure and Serenity
After exploring Corcovado’s rugged trails, return to the comfort and rejuvenation of Luna Lodge. Enjoy nourishing organic meals, rest in your private jungle bungalow, or relax with a treatment at our world-class spa—the finest wellness sanctuary on the Osa Peninsula. It’s this unique blend of adventure and serenity that makes Luna Lodge one of the best Costa Rica retreats.
🌱 Eco-Conscious, Soulful Travel
Luna Lodge was built on principles of sustainability, conservation, and community. Your journey supports an ecolodge deeply committed to protecting the rainforest and empowering the people who call this region home. Traveling with us means leaving a positive impact while experiencing the very best of Costa Rica wellness retreats and ecotourism.
Experiencing Corcovado with Luna Lodge is more than just a park visit—it’s a transformational journey into one of the last truly wild places on Earth. With the easiest access to Corcovado via the serene La Leona entrance, your adventure begins without crowds or complication. After a day immersed in rainforest wonders, return to the comfort of Luna Lodge, where a soothing spa treatment awaits to relax and renew your body and spirit. Embrace the peace, the power, and the profound magic of the Osa Peninsula—where nature and soul meet in perfect harmony.
YOUR CORCOVADO DAY-TOUR WITH LUNA LODGE
Be where the animals are, not where the people are!
A 45-minute beach/jungle walk from the month of the Carate River brings you to the entrance of Corcovado National Park.
Then once in the park, hike with your guide through the tropical lowland rainforest to the beautiful Madrigal River. Learn about the flora and fauna.
Madrigal has some deep colorful history from the two gold rushes that occurred there in the 1940s and the 1980s. There are still remainders of that wild-west time hidden in the rainforest if you look closely enough.
You can enjoy a dip in the river that meanders down to the beach. And then a leisurely walk back to Carate along the beach or duck back onto the rainforest trail.
Included in this tour: our experienced nature guide, round-trip transportation to Carate Beach (a 10-minute drive from Luna Lodge), the national park entrance fee, and a snack. After the tour, you’ll return to Luna Lodge to enjoy a delicious lunch.
US $100 per person 5-6 hours minimum 2 people
At the end of the Corcovado tour, we will be waiting for you at Luna Lodge with a delicious dinner, a tempting spa treatment and a perfect place to rest after this wonderful experience.
Corcovado National Park is considered by many a must-see experience. We recommend you let us know if you are interested in visiting the park so we can organize your experience ahead of time.
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