While the principal habitat is the montane or cloud forest which covers approximately half the park, a wide variety of other habitats are present including palm swamp, prairie forest, alluvial plains forest and mangroves. This creates an environment to see a wide variety of plants and animals.

The altitude varies considerably as well. Corcovado boasts a virtually uninterrupted sandy beach which extends for 20 kilometers. There are cliffs and pocket beaches at both the northern and southern ends of the park. The low plains feature creeks and rivers. The uplands climb to 2,444 feet and the highest mountains are Rincón and Mueller.

There is intensive tectonic activity here. Up to ten tremors a day sometimes occur in the region, and crustal elevations have been observed. Landslides do occur in the upland areas.

There are over 500 tree species in Corcovado. In 1993 the cedro caracolita, a new genus and species was discover.