Located in the southwest corner of Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula encompasses lush primary rain forests and a complex system of freshwater and marine resources. The Osa Peninsula is bounded on the northwest by Coronado Bay, on the west by the Pacific Ocean, and on the east by the Gulfo Dulce.

The main natural attraction of the Osa Peninsula is the Corcovado National Park on the western part of the peninsula. Referred to as the Amazon of Costa Rica, Corcovado National Park is located on one of the richest and most diverse tropical areas on the planet!

This 108,022 acre park contains some of the highest rainforest canopy, due to the abundant rainfall and low elevations. The humidity and terrain can present quite a challenging hike not for the casual hiker, though rewarding as jaguar prints can be sighted. Calls of scarlet macaws will serve as background music to your visit, and a beautiful segment of the Pacific Ocean offers wonderful opportunities to snorkel, surf, kayak, scuba dive, as well as sportfishing. Dolphins frolic in these seas and even humpback whales spend a portion of the year in the area.

Situated along the western shores of the Osa Peninsula and accessible by boat along the Sierpe River or a small airstrip, the remote Drake’s Bay area offers the adventurous traveler a truly unique opportunity to experience the beauty of untouched Costa Rica with the luxury of first class jungle lodges and inns. Tide pools, spring-fed rivers, waterfalls, forest trails and some of the best bird-watching in all of Costa Rica are featured in the still pristine Drake’s Bay. Local activities include world class sportfishing, surfing, diving, snorkeling, canopy tours and guided nature and wildlife tours.

Twelve miles offshore of Drake’s Bay is Caño Island, home of the Caño Island Reserve. This island is of major archaeological importance since it was used as a cemetery in Pre-Columbian times. Caño Island is also where many of Central America’s mysterious stone spheres can be found, some believe these were carved by pre-Columbian natives although scientists are still pondering their origin.

The Golfo Dulce (sweet Gulf) is a hidden gem in Costa Rica, ringed by secluded beaches and the wonderful biodiversity of the region. Of the many tourist attractions Costa Rica has to offer, Golfo Dulce is the perfect destination for nature lovers, both those seeking true adventure and those who want the peace and tranquility of an undiscovered paradise. Circling the warm blue waters of Golfo Dulce is a tropical rain forest with abundant hiking trails, where one may encounter four species of monkey (spider, white-faced, squirrel and howler), Poison Dart frogs, Morpho butterflies, anteaters, agoutis, coati mundis, jaguars, ocelots and margays.

Piedras Blancas National Park is the newest addition to the park system with 30,000 acres of primary and secondary forests.

Just eight miles from the border of Panama is the Pavones area of Costa Rica. Pavones is home to legendary left-point break waves that run perpendicular, rather than parallel, to the shore allowing a surfer to ride a single wave for up to a mile!

Climate: Dry Dec-Apr, Green May-Nov.
Temp: High 90° F
Hotels: Click here for Hotels in the area