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This region is most commonly known as the Osa Peninsula. This is where you can find the largest portion of preserved land in national parks and other reserves of Costa Rica. This region also features the highest mountain in Costa Rica, Mount Chirripo (12,530 feet); Pavones, one of the longest left surf breaks in world; and Corcovado National Park, one of the most biologically diverse places in the world. If you are looking for off-the-beaten-path types of places this is where you should go.

Where Is It?

Extending from Playa Dominical, south to Panama, east over to the Talamanca Mountain Range including part of La Amistad International Park and Mount Chirripo.

Weather

Hot and humid, with a regular temperature 82°F, humidity varying 75%-90% depending on the season.

Places to Be

Dominical

This is a laid back town where you will be able to experience walking barefoot or swinging in a hammock in this cool seaside village. This is a popular surf spot but if you want to do it be careful. The strong wave currents are not for beginners. There are long stretches of rocky coastline where wildlife and nature activities flourish. Plus, this is one of the best places to see whales and dolphins.

Can’t-Miss-This!

…..- The Costa Ballena & its beaches (Dominical to Ojochal)
…..- Ballena Marine National Park
…..- Whale and Dolphin Watching
…..- Day trips to Cano Island and Corcovado National park

Drake Bay

This is a secluded spot of Costa Rica popular among nature lovers and eco-tourists. Also recognized as the northern gateway to Corcovado. Youcan only access it by plane or by boat and sometimes by taxi. Don’t be surprised by how remote this place is because locals want to preserve the natural environment of a natural world. Hotels are hidden amidst the vegetation and some are only reachable by boat or foot trail. Whale watching in the warm waters of Drake is an attraction you should see if you visit this place.

Can’t-Miss-This!

…..- Dolphin & whale watching expeditions
…..- Day trips to Cano Island
…..- A relaxing day at Playa San Josecito
…..- Exploring the Terraba  Sierpe Mangroves
…..- Corcovado National Park

Puerto Jimenez

This is also a secluded place of the Osa Peninsula, Puerto Jimenez. In it you will find dirt roads, well developed tourist infrastructure, luxurious hotels and variety of restaurants. The surfing hot spots, Cabo Matapalo and Carate on the coast, are bordered by forest, mangroves and the Sweet Gulf.

Can’t-Miss-This!

…..- Sport Fishing
…..- Mangrove Tours
…..- Day Trips to Cano Island and Corcovado National Park
…..- Wildlife viewing

Pavones

It is famous for its left point break. It is one of the longest surf breaks in the world and is the pride of Pavones. It has been recorded to last up to three minutes on a slow, south swell. Since it is very remote it has become popular for people looking for a deeper nature experience.

Can’t-Miss-This!

…..- Surfing
…..- Sport Fishing
…..- Day Trips to Matapalo
…..- So Much To See in the South Pacific Region!

Beaches

Ballena Coast Beaches

…..- Playa Dominical
…..- Playa Uvita

Southern Beaches

…..- Drake Bay
…..- Playa San Josecito
…..- Playa Llorona
…..- Playa Sirena
…..- Playa Carate
…..- Playa Matapalo
…..- Playa Pavones

Museums and Gardens

…..- Orchid Garden
…..- Parque Reptilandia
…..- Wilson Botanical Garden

Parks & Reserves

Ballena National Marine Park

This water park is named after the humpback whales that migrate here from August to October and December to April. It also welcomes the Olive Ridley turtle as they come ashore to nest along more than nine miles of coast. Its mangrove swamps and coral reefs also house a variety of interesting animals.

…..- Miles of deserted beaches
…..- Mangrove forests
…..- Snorkeling
…..- Dolphin and whale watching

Cano Island Biological Reserve

Cano Island is excellent for snorkeling, diving, and visiting archaeological sites. Marine life is abundant and whales and dolphins are often sighted on the way to and from the island from Drake Bay.

…..- Some of the best diving in Costa Rica with 80 foot walls and drops as deep as 250 meter, all with clear water and usually excellent visibility.
…..- Pre-Columbian artifacts from the Diquis tribe
…..- Marine life: sea turtles, manta rays, white-tipped reef sharks, king angel fish, puffer fish, moorish idol fish, surgeon fish, barber fish, damsel fish and a variety of eels, just to name a few.

Corcovado National Park

It was called by the National Geograhic one of the “most biologically intense places on our planet“. It has over 4% of the world’s total plant and animal species. This is a remote location and is often hard to get to. If venturing on your own, make sure to call the park office for the latest trail closures and updates.

About the Biodiversity!: 370 species of birds, 140 species of mammals (including 4 species of monkeys), 40 species of freshwater fish, 117 species of reptiles & amphibians, more than 6000 species of insects, more than 300 tree species.

…..- Almost guaranteed sightings of the scarlet macaw
…..- Endangered animals like Baird’s tapir, anteaters, wild cats and the Titi monkey
…..- Waterfalls and remote hiking trails

Chirripo National Park

Home to the highest peak in Costa Rica at 12,530+ feet (3820m), this area is also one of the coldest in Costa Rica. This peak and others in the Talamanca Mountain Range are known for its high numbers of endemic species and biodiversity in the Paramo (montane grassland and shrubland found above elevations of 3000-3100 meters). Chirripo is ranked the 38th most prominent peak in the world. Glacial lakes, flowering bromiliads and other unique aspects like occasional snow in the tropics, make Chirripo a nature lovers dream.

Waterfalls

…..- Playa Llorona Waterfall, Corcovado National Park
…..- Agujitas Waterfall, Drake Bay
…..- Nauyaca Waterfalls, near Dominical
…..- Matapalo Waterfall, near Puerto Jimenez (canyoning available here)
…..- Punto Banco Waterfall, Pavones. Good swimming hole here too
So Much To Do in the South Pacific Region!
…..- Nature Activities
…..- Bird and Wildlife Viewing
…..- Dolphin and Whale Watching
…..- Snorkeling and Diving
…..- Adventure & Recreational Activities
…..- ATV Tours
…..- Canopy Tours
…..- Canoeing & Kayaking
…..- Caving (Fila de Cal caverns)
…..- Hiking
…..- Horseback Riding
…..- Rafting & Tubing
…..- Sea Kayaking
…..- Sport Fishing
…..- Surfing
…..- Ultra light

Photos By: 
• Osa Peninsula – Sarah and lain; Dominical – Christian Haugen; Drake Bay – Fimb; Puerto Jimelez – Christian Haugen; Ballena Marine National Park – Chad Teer; Corcovado National Park – Christian Haugen; Chirripo National Park – amandicacom; Pavones – Bruce McGonagle; Cano Island Biological Reserve – jurvetson.

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