A puma (Puma concolor) was spotted very close to a group of tourists in Corcovado National Park, on the Osa Peninsula, during a guided tour on February 6, 2026. The sighting was recorded by a local guide and served as a reminder of the close coexistence between people and wildlife in one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse protected areas.
The encounter took place around 11:48 a.m. at the San Pedrillo station, a frequent access point for excursions within the park. According to the guide who captured the moment on a cellphone, the feline briefly emerged from the forest and appeared just a few meters away before returning to the vegetation, highlighting the presence of large mammals even in areas visited by tourists.
The Puma and Its Behavior in Corcovado
The puma, also known as cougar or mountain lion (Puma concolor), is a carnivorous mammal widely distributed across the American continent. However, direct sightings by tourists in the wild are relatively rare due to its solitary and elusive behavior. In Corcovado National Park, the presence of this feline forms part of the biodiversity protected within the area, which is home to numerous mammal, bird, and reptile species.
Corcovado National Park, managed by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) under the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), protects more than 40,000 hectares of tropical rainforest that host an extraordinary variety of species, including large felines such as the puma and jaguar.
Official Recommendations for Visitors
Environmental authorities and national park officials recommend that visitors always maintain a safe distance from wildlife, observe animals through binoculars or cameras from afar, and never interact with or feed wildlife under any circumstances. These guidelines are part of the management and environmental education measures promoted by MINAE and SINAC to reduce risks for both visitors and animals.
The sighting also serves as a reminder that Corcovado National Park, established as a protected area in 1975, remains one of Costa Rica’s richest ecosystems, attracting scientific research, nature tourism, and ongoing conservation efforts.
Ecological Importance of Corcovado National Park
Corcovado is considered by experts and international organizations as one of the most biodiverse habitats in Central America, with hundreds of tree species, more than one hundred mammal species, and hundreds of bird species recorded within its territory. The presence of apex predators such as the puma and jaguar reflects the ecological integrity of the ecosystem and its role within the food chain.
Such encounters also highlight the importance of conserving biological corridors and protected areas that allow wildlife species to move and occupy territories where favorable natural conditions still exist.
Sources consulted
• Tico Times – Information regarding the puma sighting near tourists in Corcovado National Park.
• National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) – Official information about Corcovado National Park and its biodiversity.
• Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica (MINAE) – Wildlife conservation policies and visitor guidelines in protected areas.
• Corcovado National Park – Institutional description of the protected area and its ecological significance.
