The Osa Peninsula is a place where you can immerse yourself in the tranquillity of vast forest lands and wildlife conservation areas. Historical sites such as the large pre-Colombian stone spheres in Sierpe and the region’s historic gold mines add a fascinating dimension to your adventure.
Whenever Tim and I crave an off-grid experience surrounded by nature, the Osa Peninsula is our go-to destination. Having explored its major towns and delved into its unique attractions, I’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge about this captivating region. In this article, I will share a comprehensive travel guide to the Osa Peninsula, offering insights and tips to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
If you’re considering a journey to this remarkable part of Costa Rica, read on to discover the best ways to get there, the ideal times to visit, where to see the most incredible wildlife, and the top places to stay. This guide will provide everything you need to know to make the most of your Osa Peninsula adventure.
Key Takeaways
The Osa Peninsula is part of the Puntarenas Province and is separated from mainland Costa Rica by the Golfo Dulce. Puerto Jimenez is the principal town and the “capital city.” Here are my key takeaways from the Osa Peninsula’s full travel guide.
- The easiest and fastest way to reach the Osa Peninsula is by flight. The next option is to drive or take a bus, which would take about 6-8 hours.
- While the best time to vacation is during the dry season ( Mid-December to April), visiting Osa during the rainy season is ideal, especially if you want to see wildlife.
- You can still get luxury resorts even in this remote region of the Peninsula. Botanika Osa Peninsula Resort is a luxury resort that is a part of the Hilton group of hotels.
- Getting a guide is the best way to see a lot of wildlife, as they have experience in the areas where the different animal species frequent. You can share the specific animals you want to see.
How To Reach Osa Peninsula
Flying is the easiest and fastest way to the Osa Peninsula. You can take a domestic flight from Juan Santamaria Airport and land at Golfito, Drake Bay, Carate, Palma Sur or Puerto Jimenez airstrips. Alternatively, you can charter a private plane from Liberia or San Jose Airport. The flights take between 40 minutes to one hour.
You can rent a car and drive to any of the towns in the Osa Peninsula. The journey takes around 6-8 hours. There are several routes you can take. Please note that the roads to Osa Peninsula are rough, and you will need a four-wheel drive. Several river crossings and some roads become impassable during the rainy season.
Another way to reach the Osa Peninsula is by bus. The central bus station is at the San Carlos terminal in downtown San Jose. One bus leaves in the morning and the second at noon. The bus usually takes 6-8 hours to reach Golfito or Puerto Jimenez.
Where To See Wildlife in Osa Peninsula?
Corcovado National Park covers half of the Osa Peninsula region and is home to many wildlife, including some of the world’s endangered species. Some of the endangered species you will see are the harpy eagle, tapirs, silky anteater, and Costa Rica’s big cats. 50% of the animals in Costa Rica live in the National Park.
La Amistad International Park is also a great place to see wildlife. You can interact with Costa Rica’s indigenous people, the Ngobe, Bribrí, Boruc, and Cabécar. The park is a world heritage that Panama and Costa Rica share. It is also the most remote and most prominent park in Costa Rica.
Another wildlife habitat you should visit is Piedras Blancas National Park, part of the Osa Conservation Area. The park is near La Gamba town in Golfito and protects beaches and rainforests in the Golfo Dulce. Bats are the most common mammals at the park, which was initially part of the Corcovado National Park.
The table below shows some animals you’ll likely see in the Osa Peninsula.
| Wildlife at the Osa Peninsula | ||
| Peccaries | Scarlet macaws | Sloth |
| Different monkey species | Tanagers | Sea turtles |
| Tamandua | Black vultures | Crocodiles |
| Dolphins | Snakes | Quetzal |
| Humpback whales | Coatis | Kinkajou |
| Skunks | Olingo | Opossums |
Rural Tourism
When you want to learn more about the History of Costa Rica and the Osa Peninsula, head over to the gold-mining villages of Dos Brazos and Rancho Quemado. You can visit Trapiche Don Carmen to learn more about sugar cane growing and milling. Alternatively, visit Finca Köbö, a large cacao farm on the outskirts of Puerto Jimenez.
The Los Mineros Guesthouse in Dos Brazos village is an exciting place to visit. It is a former gold miners’ jailhouse. To see the stone spheres, visit the Sitio Arqueológico Finca 6, an excellent museum 4km north of Sierpe. It is among UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.
Water Sporting in the Osa Peninsula
Cabo Matapalo is one of the beaches with the best surfing spots. However, the tides here are stronger and might be better for beginners. If you’re a confident new beginner, try Playa Pan Dulce, which has calmer waters. The surfing spot has very few people, and you can comfortably practice.
Drake Bay is another area where you can surf, kayak, and explore the mangroves. It is a sprawling village with a 17 km coastal trail. There is a traditional belief that Drake Bay has some buried treasure from the 1600s. It is the best whale-watching spot in Central America.
The Humedal Nacional Térraba-Sierpe (Sierpe Terraba Wetland Reserve) is Costa Rica’s largest mangrove swamp, covering 330 sq km and home to tea, red, and black mangrove species. The swamp hosts the following animals.
- Boas
- Caimans
- Water birds
- Monkeys
- Sloths
Isla del Caño is 40 minutes from Drake Bay and is a top diving and snorkeling destination. Diving or snorkeling is the only way to reach the islands. The Devil’s Pinnacle is one of the best dive spots, and you will see barracudas, manta rays and reef sharks.
Best Places To Stay in Osa Peninsula
Golfito, Drake Bay, and Puerto Jimenez have some eco-lodges, hotels, and one or two resorts. One thing about accommodation options in the Osa Peninsula is that most include all three meals in their room rate. While the towns have several good restaurants, they are far away and will inconvenience you during meals.
A few of my recommendations for the best places to stay include.
- Lapa Rios Lodge is part eco-lodge and part luxury stay south of Puerto Jimenez. It is part of a 1000-acre tropical rainforest. The lodge’s villa units have thatched roofs and decks overlooking the Pacific coast. You will enjoy their outdoor bathrooms.
- SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge: One of my favourites at the edge of Corcovado National Park. It’s a few meters from Playa San Pedrillo. The resort is 90 minutes from Sierpe town and has 14 bungalows. It also has an onsite restaurant (Los Vitrales) and Terra Kitchen Sunset Bar that serves a plant-based Costa Rican menu.
- Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort: You can only access the resort by boat as it is between Corcovado National Park and Drake Bay. The resort has several cabins a few meters from the beach. It has an open-air restaurant that serves local meat dishes and seafood.
- Botanika Osa Peninsula resort is at the edge of Purto Jimenez. Botanika Resort is part of Hilton and has a fitness center, spa, beach club, pool, hot tubs, on-site restaurant, and a choice of suites. While staying at the resort, you can access Cahui Beach Club at Preciosa Beach.
- Martina’s Place Hostels: If you are looking for a budget-friendly place to stay, I recommend Martinas. They have single or double rooms. The hostel grounds have a soda that offers a variety of meals and is open as early as 5 AM. Martinas is in Agujitas town, and you only need a 300m walk to Sierpe dock.
Tips to Getting the Best of Osa Peninsula
I encourage all nature enthusiasts to visit the Osa Peninsula. You might have to travel a long distance from civilization, but it will be worth it. I highlight a few tips you should consider if you want to get the most out of the Osa Peninsula.
- If you want to see a lot of wildlife in the Osa Peninsula, I encourage you to visit during the rainy season (May to mid-December). The animals are more active, and you’re more likely to spot them. The foliage grows in the forest during the rainy season, and the rivers swell.
- Engage a guide to advise on the best places to spot wildlife. The guides are more likely to know where you can see specific animals and what time they come out. You only have to tell the guide which animals you hope to see, and they will lead you to their habitats.
- However, as much as I advocate going during the rainy season, avoid September and October, as most accommodation places and parks are closed.
- The Osa Peninsula’s moisture content is high, so breathable, light, and fast-drying materials are ideal. Hydrate as much as possible during the day.
If you are considering a trip to the Osa Peninsula soon, you should check out our guide on how safe the Osa Peninsula is.
Conclusion
If you love nature, visiting the Osa Peninsula should be on your bucket list. My husband and I had lots of fun during our first visit. I recommend a domestic flight to the Osa Peninsula unless you can endure an eight-hour journey by road.
Have you ever been to the Osa Peninsula? Please share your experience.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
