According to National Geographic, Corcovado National Park is “the most biologically intense place on Earth”. As far as the opportunity for spotting animals, Sirena Ranger Station is the most biologically intense place within Corcovado. Understanding the history of this land helps to see why the animals seem to flock to this section of the park more than any other.
Sirena was once a village settled by 7 Costa Rican families. The families were encouraged to move to the area as a way to protect it from Panamanians that might move north and claim the land for themselves. The families cut much of the vegetation in the Sirena area to make room for cattle farming, banana plants and orange trees- sustaining the families while they searched for gold. After years of success as gold miners, the Costa Rican government sent men to Sirena with boats, guns, and no notice to take the families from their homes. They were given some compensation by the government and many then settled in Drake Bay. October 14, 1975 Corcovado National Park was born.
Almost all of the gigantic primary forest trees were removed prior to eviction day, so when the area became a protected national park sunlight was able to reach the soil, promoting quick regrowth. Young plants produce significantly more food for animals than the large trees of primary jungles, so animals quickly returned to the area. Sirena also has abundant clean water from Rio Sirena and Rio Claro. Basically, if an animal in Sirena is hungry, it eats. If it is thirsty, it drinks. With so much abundance, animals here are more picky than in other regions of Costa Rica and work very little for their food.
Almost everyone who visits Drake Bay goes to the Sirena Station. The fact that so many biologists pay to do it over and over again proves how impressive it is. If you are traveling with only one other person and you are here for 3 activity days, do the Sirena Station. It has a very high level of satisfaction amongst those with little time and a desire to see animals.
