Virtual tours

SOUTH PACIFIC

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From the air, Costa Rica’s South Pacific is like a sea of green and blue with a border of white sand between. The Rio Sierpe snakes through this imposing expanse, creating the sensation of a mini-Amazon. To the north the region is bordered by Cerro Chirripo, and as the highest peak in southern Central America at 12,603 feet, it’s a formidable border indeed. La Amistad flows southward to Panama and the land falls eastward to the sea and coastal regions such as Dominical, Playa Ballena, Playa Uvita and beyond. The Peninsula Osa is one of the most remote areas in Costa Rica. The area is host to an incredibly rich array of wildlife and virgin rainforest, with nearly half of the Peninsula comprising either national park or other forms of protected land. It is also important to note that the region is also home to one of the largest concentrations of indigenous peoples, making it culturally rich as well.

The majority of visitors enter the region by either boat or plane. Drake Bay, which lies along the western shores of the peninsula, is accessed by boat along the Rio Sierpe. This is a fascinating trip along nearly 37,000 acres of mangrove swamp, with ample opportunity for spotting water birds. As the boat approaches the mouth of the Pacific, it becomes clear why it is recommended to only take this voyage with a local, experienced boatman. As you ease out into the open water, waiting for just the right opportunity to pass between large rocks and swirling current, there is a negotiation with the waves that’s astounding to watch. Once out at sea the boat eases back into the calmer waters of the bay, where at different times of the year it’s possible to see four types of whales and two types of dolphin. If you’re traveling to this region in July, you might find yourself surrounded by a cloud of luminescent jade wings. “Urania fulgens” is a migratory day flying moth, and it’s difficult to describe the almost childlike joy experienced while watching these green jewels flutter above the waves. The Drake Bay area boasts a variety of lodging for different styles and budgets. All are built in a low impact style, and many offer services such as snorkeling and diving, guided trips to Corcovado National Park and Isla de Cano Biological Reserve, as well as world-class sport fishing.

Corcovado National Park is located in one the richest and 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, and the region itself supports one of the two largest populations of scarlet macaws in the country. The most comfortable way to visit the park is on a day tour of hiking and snorkeling with one of the local lodges—some of which are very luxurious indeed-- but it is possible to camp in the park near the ranger stations. It’s extremely wet, buggy and primitive, so be prepared to carry everything in and out with you, including some very potent insect repellent.

Isla de Cano Biological Reserve lies just 20 kilometers off the coast. Thought to be a pre-Colombian cemetery due to the number of mysterious stone spheres discovered there, the island is also a richly forested oasis surrounded by crystal clear waters and five coral platforms. Snorkeling and diving are both excellent here, with many species of fish and several marine mammals commonly sited. The island itself is host to numerous forms of bird life, but contains small populations of reptiles, amphibians and mammals due to its isolation from the mainland.

Visitors wanting to visit the Golfo Dulce usually fly into Puerto Jimenez and head to various lodges located along the coast or into the interior. It is a noteworthy point that Lapa Rios, one of the most revered eco-resorts in the world, lies within a private rainforest reserve of 1000 acres stretching from the Camino del Osa down to the Playa Pan Dulce on the gulf. The Golfo Dulce can be the starting point for a great deal of nature related activities within the region. Both conventional boats and kayaks ply the Esquinas River, where visitors are likely to encounter a wide range of both flora and fauna. In fact, in nearby Golfito National Wildlife Refuge, the abundant rainfall has created the perfect climactic conditions to maintain large stands of exotic trees such as purple heart and plomo. These trees are commonly found in this area, yet in danger of extinction in other parts of the country. Botanists, birders, students and tourists alike will also enjoy a visit to the Robert and Catherine Wilson Botanical Gardens. These gardens, containing 22 acres of cultivated area amid a 600-acre forest reserve form part of the Amistad Biosphere Reserve and are managed by the Organization of Tropical Studies—a consortium of U.S. and Costa Rican universities.

The South Pacific region of Costa Rica provides visitors with an extensive range of nature related activities. Here you can hike through some of Costa Rica’s richest and most untouched landscapes. Nearly every indigenous species of large mammal makes its home within the large tracts of protected land, and sometimes people are lucky enough to see them. For many, just knowing that these beautiful creatures continue to thrive is satisfaction enough. This, combined with opportunities to explore marine life both above and below the water’s surface, makes a visit to the region an unforgettable one.

TRAVEL TIPS

HOW TO GET THERE:
You may wish to brave the lengthy roads by taking the Pan American highway down toward the South Pacific in order to visit the mountainous regions of Cerro de la Muerte and Chirripo National Park. Buses go through the San Isidro de El General. But if you wish to arrive further south fresh and energized for your travels, take one of the many daily flights that will take you into the heart of the region.

CLIMATE:
A truly tropical climate awaits visitors to this region. High humidity and dense vegetation form lush landscapes. Rains are frequent year round, but shouldn’t keep travelers off the trails, as they tend to be brief.

WHAT TO BRING:
Insect repellent and rain gear are necessary when traveling in this region, although the rains are often more refreshing than disturbing. Keep clothing light and airy, as heavy items are more difficult to dry in the humid atmosphere. Snorkeling equipment is highly recommended, as many beaches offer beautiful reef systems right off shore.

PLACES TO GO

Corcovado National Park
Pristine rainforest, home to jaguars, macaws and other rarely seen wildlife.

Isla de Canos Biological Reserve
This island off of Drake Bay preserves pre-Columbian archaeological sites, as well as marine and terrestrial habitats.

Wilson Botanical Garden
Beautifully landscaped gardens bordered by rainforest containing an abundance of wildlife.

Chirripo National Park
Surrounds Costa Rica’s highest peak. Spectacular hiking trails available.

San Gerardo de Dota
Numerous private reserves that form habitat for the resplendent quetzal.