A Complete Guide to Vacationing in Osa Peninsula

Osa Peninsula is one of the most adventurous and exciting cities in Costa Rica. It is the only place in Costa Rica where you will find all types of mammals, birds, reptiles, and marine and plant life. The Corcovado National Park covers the largest area of the Osa Peninsula. Much of the peninsula comprises forest and wildlife, forming the Osa conservation area. 

Regarding wildlife viewing in Costa Rica, I recommend the Osa Peninsula. Did you know that the Osa Peninsula hosts half of the wildlife in Costa Rica? The area has a small human population, leaving a lot of land for forests. However,  we were pleasantly surprised to find good restaurants and accommodation options even in the small towns. 

Key Takeaways From This Article

Osa Peninsula is in the southwestern part of Costa Rica, in Puntarenas province. Golfo Dulce is to the East, while the Pacific Ocean is to the West. A faulting system that extends north to California led to the formation of the Osa Peninsula. Here are my key takeaways on everything you need to know about Osa Peninsula. 

• Puerto Jimenez town gets its name from the first Costa Rican President, Ricardo Jimenez, to land in the small town. Santo Domingo was its name then. 
• If you want to learn more about the history of the Osa Peninsula, Ciudad Cortes is the district where you should camp. The district also has the primary institutional services in Osa. 
• The Osa Peninsula is among the ten cantons of Puntarenas province and has six districts. Piedras Blancas, one of the districts, is in a conservation area and was part of the Corcovado National Park. 
• There are a lot of activities to do in the Osa Peninsula, including wildlife watching, beach hopping, farm tours, hiking, diving, and snorkelling, among others. 

The Origin of Osa Peninsula

When Costa Rica gained independence from Spain in 1821, the Osa Peninsula was still virgin land inhabited by few communities. However, diseases led the communities to move to other parts of Costa Rica, leaving the Osa Peninsula as a forest cover. 

A few years later, some naturalists saw the potential of the Osa Peninsula, and the government funded a few legislators to create a map of the area. In 1910, Ricardo Jimenez, the first president to visit Osa, landed in Santo Domingo, a village taking root. Santo Domingo became Puerto Jimenez. 

In the 1930s, Puerto Jimenez was now an agricultural town with a few hundred people. At the same time, some explorers discovered gold, and Osa Peninsula’s growth accelerated. However, in 1975, the Costa Rican government aggressively started acquiring the Osa Peninsula from U.S. companies. 

This began the journey of eco-tourism, which saw the preservation of the now Osa Peninsula. 

Major Towns/Cities of Osa

Puntarenas is one of the provinces in Costa Rica. Osa is among the ten cantons of Puntarenas. The Osa Canton has five districts. 

• Piedras Blancas is next to Golfito district. 

• Palmar is the commercial city of Osa. 

• Sierpe is the entrance to one of the largest mangroves in Central America. 

• Costa Ballena 

• Ciudad Cortes: Many of the government agencies are in this district. 

• Bahia Drake

The capital of Osa Canton is Ciudad Puerto Cortés, formerly known as Puerto Cortés.

Piedras Blancas

The district has an area of 263.27 km. Near the town of La Gamba is the Piedras Blancas National Park, which is on 30,000 acres of land. As a part of the Osa Conservation area, the park protects beaches and rainforests in the Golfo Dulce. Previously, it was a part of the Corcovado National Park before splitting in 1999. 

Piedras Blancas National Park is the last remaining home of the jaguar in Costa Rica. It’s also home to rare plants, insects, and reptiles and is one of the best bird-watching parks in Costa Rica. To get to Piedras Blancas (white rocks), fly to Puerto Jimenez or Golfito before taking a boat. 

Palmar

The district has two central towns divided by the Térraba River: Palmar Sur and Palmar Norte. Palmar has a total area of 250.72 km². Known as an agricultural district, Palmar also has several tourist attractions. Palmar Sur has an airport with direct flights from San Jose International Airport. The district’s attractions include. 

• Esferas de Piedra park 
• The unique pre-Columbian stone spheres
• San Pedrillo Ranger Station is one of the entry points of Corcovado National Park.
• Térraba-Sierpe National Wetlands

Restaurants, hotels, and bus companies are in Palmar Norte. It is also near Playa Uvita. Palmar is also the starting point when visiting Bahia Drake and Cano Island Biological Reserve. 

Bahia Drake

Created in 2012 by the Costa Rican Government, it has an area of 393.39 km². It’s a small Bay named after Sir Francis Drake, who used it as a base in his many raids against the Spanish. Agujitas is the main town in Drake Bay (Bahia Drake). Reaching Drake Bay is by plane, boat, or car (only in the dry season). 

The main attractions of Drake Bay are the Cano Islands and Corcovado National Park. Eco-lodges like La Paloma, Aguila de Osa, Casa Corcovado Jungle, and Copa de Arbol are the ideal accommodation options. The nightlife is not vibrant since it’s a small community. However, avoid visiting the bay in September and October as most eco-lodges close due to heavy rainfall. 

Ciudad Cortes

It is the district with the richest history in the region, sitting on an area of 230.98 km². Also known as Puerto Cortés, Ciudad Cortes is at the mouth of River Balsar, leading into the great Great Rio Terraba. It is the main centre for institutional services in the Osa Peninsula.

The main attractions near the district include Playa Tortuga, Marino Ballena National Park,  and Corcovado National Park. It is also near Palma Norte for the stone spheres. Ciudad Cortes is 10km from the Rio Grande de Terraba Valley. 

Sierpe

It is a reasonably large district with an area of 631.15 km². It is in the Diquis Valley, and many people use it as an entry point into the Osa Peninsula. The principal town, also known as Sierpe, sits along the Sierpe River. Two public buses pass through the city from San Jose to Sierpe town. 

The town is archaeological, with numerous artefacts such as pottery and stone spheres. Where the Sierpe and Terrabe rivers meet is a mangrove, home to crocodiles, bird species, sloths, and monkeys. Fishing is also another significant activity in the mangroves. 

Sierpe is a point of departure for Corcovado National Park, Cano Islands, and the various mangrove forests. Accommodation options include Sabalo Lodge, Hotel Pargo Rojo, Eco-Manglares Lodge, and Estero Azul Lodge. 

Bahia Ballena

Costa Ballena (whale Coast) is the smallest district in Canton Osa at 160.39 km². The main town is Uvita. Home to the Marino Ballena National Park, this district has more beaches and beautiful resorts. It is between Ojochal and Dominical. 

Some of the beaches in Bahia Ballena include. 

• Playa Ventanas:  Popular with the locals, the name ventanas ( Spanish name for windows) comes from the caves that look like little windows. There are no bathrooms, washrooms, or snack vendors on the beach. The sand on the beach is dark and compact, with dark blue waters in the ocean. Only venture into the caves in low tide as waves burst through so fast during high waves.  

• Playa Ballena is part of the Marino Ballena National Park. It’s the best place to observe migrating whales. You can access one of Costa Ricas most extensive coral reefs from Playa Ballena. The hawksbill and Ridley’s sea turtles come to Playa Ballena from May to October to nest. 

• Playa Uvita is ideal for family activities such as sunbathing, beachcombing, and swimming. Most shops and restaurants in Uvita are within walking distance from the beach. 

• Playa Piñuela land curves to form a small bay and is within the boundaries of Marino Ballena National Park. The coral reefs and sandbars usually quieten the ocean swells forming calm waves suitable for swimming. In the distance, you might see the Las Rocas Tres Hermanas (Three Sisters Rock). 

What To Do In Osa Peninsula?

The Osa Peninsula region has many attractions to keep you busy throughout. There is a lot to see in Osa. The top on the list for me was sighting the jaguar or the tapir, some of the rarest animals to see; fortunately, during my last visit to Corcovado National Park, I saw a tapir. We had no luck with the jaguar, but we spotted its paws. 

When planning a visit to the Osa, please include at least a few places in your schedule. 

Cultural Attractions

Accommodation and Dining

Travel Tips and Logistics

Climate and Best Time to Visit

The Osa Peninsula enjoys a tropical climate, characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity year-round. Average temperatures typically range from 75°F to 90°F (24°C to 32°C), providing a consistently warm environment perfect for outdoor adventures. The region experiences two main seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.

• Dry Season (December to April): This is the best time for sunny days, clear skies, and minimal rainfall. Expect plenty of sunshine, making it ideal for beach outings, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
• Rainy Season (May to November): Also known as the “green season,” this period sees increased rainfall, especially from September to October. While the rain can be heavy at times, the landscape becomes lush and vibrant. The rain usually falls in the afternoon or evening, leaving mornings relatively dry.

For the best experience, plan your visit during the dry season, from December to April. This is the peak tourist season, and for good reason: the weather is perfect for exploring the rich biodiversity, pristine beaches, and dense rainforests without the interruption of rain. The dry season offers optimal conditions for wildlife viewing, with animals more likely to be spotted near water sources.

However, if you prefer fewer crowds and don’t mind occasional showers, consider visiting during the early part of the rainy season, from May to August. This time of year offers a unique charm with fewer tourists, lower accommodation rates, and the rainforest in full bloom. Plus, the rainfall brings out the vibrancy of the flora and fauna, providing a different yet equally captivating experience.

If you’re looking to have an unforgettable experience while vacationing in Osa Peninsula, you should explore our list of 12 Fun Things to Do in Osa Peninsula.

Conclusion

Osa Peninsula is a beautiful region, though it is the remotest in Costa Rica. However, for a nature-loving enthusiast like me, it has become one of the best places to visit. I usually recommend it to my friend who loves adventures and living off-grid.

What would you like to learn about Osa Peninsula? Please share what we have left out in the article. 

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!

Related Content

Make sure to check out our related content!

Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen Review

Old Heidelberg in Fort Lauderdale (Authentic German Food!)

Rendezvous Bar & Grill Fort Lauderdale

Arenal Backpackers Resort (La Fortuna Costa Rica)