We booked two tours with Bucaneros and were very satisfied. We especially enjoyed a trip with Carlos on the boat, where we saw a huge pod of dolphins and were treated to a delicious meal in a beautiful bay. Carlos is a relaxed, caring, and friendly guide. If you're still hungry or thirsty after the tour, the family-run restaurant El Bucanero is a great option.

Corcovado · Sirena Station (1 Day) from Drake Bay
A full day deep inside Corcovado Sirena Station: boat from Drake Bay to Sirena Station and hike secondary rainforest with an expert local guide, in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
What to expect
Sirena sits at the wild heart of Corcovado National Park. We leave Drake Bay by boat at first light — the best time for wildlife — and land on the beach to begin around four hours of guided hiking through secondary rainforest.
Tapirs, four species of monkey, scarlet macaws, coatis, sloths and colourful frogs all live here. Entrance fees, the boat, lunch at the ranger station and a certified bilingual guide are all included.
Secondary rainforest
Around five hours hiking the park's richest trails.
Exceptional wildlife
Tapirs, monkeys, macaws, coatis and sloths.
Boat from Drake Bay
Scenic Pacific crossing, dolphins along the way.
Permits & lunch sorted
Park fees, lunch and safety gear all included.
The itinerary
Meet at Drake Bay beach
Gather on the beach and get ready to depart.
Boat to Sirena
Ride the morning Pacific to the ranger station.
Jungle hikes begin
Guided trails through secondary rainforest.
Lunch at the station
A hearty meal at the Sirena ranger station.
Boat back to Drake Bay
Depart Sirena along the coast.
Arrival in Drake Bay
Back on the beach by early afternoon.
What's included
- Certified local guide (EN / ES)
- Round-trip boat from Drake Bay
- Park entrance fees & permits
- Lunch at the ranger station
- Guided rainforest hike
- Safety gear & first aid
Not included
- Breakfast before departure
- Alcoholic beverages & snacks
- Flashlight, sunscreen & repellent
- Tips for your guide (appreciated)
Good to know
What to bring
Light long trousers, a shirt that dries fast, a hat, water, insect repellent and closed shoes you do not mind soaking. We land on the beach from the boat.
Who it's for
Anyone comfortable walking around four hours on flat forest trails in heat and humidity. No climbing, no technical ground — but it is a long day, and it starts before dawn.
Best season
Year round. December to April is drier and the sea is calmer; May to November is greener, quieter and the rain usually holds off until afternoon.
Where we meet
On the beach in Drake Bay at 5:50 AM. There is no dock — you wade a few steps to the boat, so pack anything that must stay dry in a bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a guide to enter Corcovado National Park?
Yes. Costa Rica requires every visitor to Corcovado to enter with a certified guide, and the park limits how many people each station takes per day. Your guide and your permit are both included in the price, and we file the paperwork for you.
How much walking is there at Sirena?
Around four hours, split across the morning and early afternoon, on flat and mostly shaded trails. We walk slowly — stopping to look at things is the point — but the heat and humidity make it harder work than the distance suggests.
What animals am I likely to see?
Sirena is the richest wildlife station in the park. Four species of monkey, coatis, sloths, scarlet macaws, peccaries and a great many frogs and birds are all common. Tapirs are regularly seen near the station. Nothing is guaranteed — it is wild forest, not a zoo.
Why do we leave so early?
Two reasons. Animals are most active in the first hours of light, and the sea between Drake Bay and Sirena is calmest in the morning. A later start would cost you both.
What happens if it rains?
Normal rain does not stop the tour — it is part of a rainforest and the wildlife does not mind it. We cancel for heavy storms or sea conditions that make the crossing unsafe, and then we move you to another day.
Is this tour refundable?
No. Once this tour is confirmed, we purchase non-refundable park tickets, permits or other third-party reservations. If we cancel due to force majeure, we will offer another date or a full refund.
Hear from travelers who chose us
The bioluminescence tour was wonderful. Carlos and Carlos or friend will take you out on a multipurpose boat, the same one their family uses to catch fresh fish for their restaurant. This type of bioluminescence is reactive to the touch. In Drake Bay in mid-July, we went out into the middle of the bay and swam in life jackets. They were willing to do a private tour for a bit longer for a little more, and were very flexible and nice. I felt comfortable at night with a ratio of 1 guide to 3 people, so if swimming in a lifejacket at night in the bay is scary for you, you might inquire about that. It is difficult to climb up to the boat without a ladder on your own, but extremely easy with the captain's helping hand. This bioluminescence is not easily photographable and requires at a minimum a very very large aperture DSLR with very high ISO and sensitivity, and even then it's extremely faint. Think of it as bright as small ephemeral stars in the water, a few dozens whenever you move. The snorkeling goggles are not compatible with prescription glasses, but I preferred personally the clarity of no goggles (which can get foggy), while my companions preferred with goggles. Any night is good as long as the moon is not up in the sky (new moon or near new moon is fine any time of night, but anything else and you have to check the lunar hour by hour moonrise moonset time table). Very nice family, who helped us out a few times when we forgot an item or two. Tasty drinks and food at their restaurant too. Another unnamed popular agency across the street cancelled another bioluminescence tour we booked, disingenuously claiming "weather" (seemed fair weather; I think they didn't get enough customers that night), but Bucaneros Corcovado Tours is very good. Bucarenos Tours honored the scheduled time and has always been straightforward and honorable, and we greatly enjoyed their kindness/hospitality and experience. Muchas gracias para todos 🤎
Thanks Carlos for the amazing kayak tour showing us the bioluminescence! After paddling out in the sea for a while, the biolumnescence was clearly visible from the kajak and even more while swimming in the sea. It was magical!
We booked the Sunset & Bioluminescence Tour as a family, and it was absolutely amazing. Carlos and his friend did an outstanding job throughout the experience. Our kids especially loved when they cut fresh coconuts from the palms and prepared sugar cane for us to try. They even brought along cold beers, which we enjoyed while watching the sunset from the boat. Later, swimming in the glowing water under the pitch-black, starry sky felt truly magical. We can without hesitation recommend this tour. If you're interested, it’s best to visit Bucaneros Restaurant and arrange it directly with them, as the website still needs a bit of improvement . Its worth it! :)
My wife and I were impressed by the professionalism and knowledge of Carlos during our inshore fishing tour today. He tried different spots, different techniques in pursuit of the best experience. We caught Bonito Tuna, Red Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, and Jack. The Jack fish was served at the El Bucanero Restaurante in a Ceviche dish - muy deliciosa!
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