National Treasure of Southern Costa Rica

If I had to choose only one destination to recommend to travelers that would best represent the incredible natural beauty Costa Rica has to offer, it would have to be the stunning Osa Peninsula.  This  area is within the province of Puntarenas and includes the towns of Dominical, Uvita, Drake Bay, Puerto Jimenez and Golfito to name a few.  Considered a haven for world-class ecotourism, surfing,  hiking, sport fishing, diving, and cycling, the Osa is simply one of the world’s top “must- experience” natural wonders.  It was with great care and forethought that NatureAir chose to focus reforestation and protection efforts of its carbon neutral program in the Osa.  The Nature Conservancy calls this amazing area Costa Rica’s last wild frontier.

The national parks of the Osa include Marino Ballena, Corcovado and Piedras Blancas.  Named for the Humpback whales that migrate there, Marino Ballena is on the Pacific coast stretching from Playa Hermosa just above Uvita down to Playa Pinuela and spans into the sea around 9 miles.  In addition to the breathtakingly beautiful Humpback whales, you may also experience Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles, bottle nose and common dolphins, green marine iguanas, many birds, corals and countless other creatures that inhabit the beach, mangroves and coral reefs.  You can’t miss the “whale tail”sand bar that juts out into the sea in Uvita.  For lodging, Dominical has Villas Rio Mar which is very well priced and has nearby local restaurants and down to earth Costa Rican hospitality.  For the ultimate splurge head to Rancho Pacifico on the cliffs of Uvita which has lovely rooms, a wonderful spa, and an elegant restaurant all framed with spectacular cliff-side ocean views.   From either of these you can experience Marino Ballena as well as other local activities easily.

Whale Tail in Uvita Marino Ballena National Park

Next is the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national parks: Corcovado.  This vast and lush park has the largest remaining primary forest on any Pacific coast and is comprised of 41, 788 hectares (103,000 acres) which cover practically the entire southern tip of the peninsula.  National Geographic cited Corcovado as “the most biologically intense place on earth”and once you visit you will know why!  It is literally teeming with an abundance of flora and fauna, protecting more than 120 species of mammals, 375 species of birds, 117 species of reptiles and amphibians, 66 species of freshwater fish, 70 species of marine crabs, 700 species of trees, 4 to 5 thousand species of vascular plants, 100 species of butterflies, an estimated 10,000 types of insects, not to mention all the marine life in the coastal areas. The park’s rivers and lagoons have large populations of both the American crocodile and Spectacled caiman as well as some Bull sharks. Corcovado is also one of the last places you will find the jaguar within Central America and several other felines including ocelot, margay, jaguarundi, and puma.  All four species of Costa Rican monkeys can be seen within the park, including the endangered Squirrel monkey, White-faced capuchin, Mantled howler and Goeffroy’s spider monkey.  You may also find two and three-toed sloths, coatmundi, silky anteaters, red-eyed tree frogs, glass frogs, Fer-de-Lance, peccaries, the Baird’s tapir, the rare Harpy eagle, toucans and the largest concentration on Central America of the gorgeous Scarlet macaw.  There are 13 different ecosystems that house these amazing creatures including lowland rain forest, highland cloud forest (montane forest), jolillo forest (palm swamp), alluvial plains forest, mangrove, and coastal or marine beach habitats.  The rainfall is intense with 13 feet of rain annually; the wettest months being September and October, and the least amount of rainfall January through April.  The beauty of all this wildlife, and of the lodges that service the area, is you may truly experience and adventure at your own level. You can go all adrenaline and camp within the park at various ranger stations, or at the other extreme stay at a luxury eco-lodge such as the beautiful and one-of-a kind La Paloma in Drake Bay  There are many fantastic lodges for the mid-range budget  as well in this area.  From La Paloma you may enter Corcovado with an expert guide and experience the park at your pace.  Some advantages to the Pacific side of the Osa are: the ability to experience Cano Island (which is a great day boat trip for snorkeling, diving and sightseeing) as well the whales, dolphins and other marine life abundant in the area.

Sunset in Corcovado National Park

The third national park in the Osa is Piedras Blancas, on the east side of the peninsula near Golfito.  The terrain changes as the rainforest meets the mellow inlet gulf called Gulfo Dulce.  Between Corcovado and Piedras Blancas is the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve.  Efforts in this area continue to  preserve this area as it is a vital animal corridor between Corcovado and Piedras Blancas.  Really the entire southern part of the peninsula is made up of wildlife refuges, wetlands, forest reserves, and national parks that are all connected, which accounts for the incredible density of wildlife.  The beauty of this area encompasses the calm gulf,secluded beaches, and lazy rivers surrounded by dramatic tall evergreen rain forest.  You may access the park through La Gamba and stay at Esquinas Rainforest Eco Lodge.  Also Playa Nicuesa is an excellent sustainable lodge near Golfito. The other side of the Golfo Dulce is great as well and has the amazing lodge of Lapa Rios which is accessible through Puerto Jimenez. From previous articles you will see that Lapa Rios is a family favorite and truly a gold standard for luxury eco lodges in Costa Rica.  It is a stunning overall experience in hospitality, true sustainability, elegance, and great dining; all in a gorgeous setting with monkeys, macaws and much more in abundance as you lounge in your bungalow or dine in the tree-top restaurant.  Bosque del Cabo is another super option in this area.  La Luna Lodge in Carate is fantastic as well.

View from Bungalow at Lapa Rios

My experience has been that I consistently see more wildlife here than anywhere else in Costa Rica, and many times without any specific hike or excursion whatsoever.  When you are staying in a private reserve which is part of a lush animal corridor, it is easy to see why.  The Osa simply has that special something, a unique energy resulting in the type of experience that stays with you forever.  Long after your visit you will look forward to the way you feel when you call up your layered, sensory-filled memories.  Whatever you do, don’t miss the Osa!

Macaw in Osa Peninsula

Osa Peninsula Costa Rica Vacation

National Treasure of Southern Costa Rica

by Lisa Khajavi