From Wikitravel

The Osa Peninsula is in South Costa Rica.

[edit] Introduction

The Osa Peninsula is a wondrous, magical, and untouched place for nature-lovers and adventurers.

[edit] Cities

• Drake Bay
  • Drake Bay is actually just a bay that is often regarded as a city. The village in Drake Bay is actually called Agutijas. The Bay is named after Sir Francis Drake, the British pirate who, as the story goes, buried treasure on its beaches in 1579. Besides Agutijas, Drake Bay holds beautiful beaches and birds, along with expensive resorts and lodges.
• Puerto Jimenez
  • Puerto Jimenez is a small, convenient city with its own airport. It can get crazy at night. It offers easy access to the beach villages of Carate and Cabo Matapalo.

[edit] Villages

• Cabo Matapalo
  • Great for surfers--it gets three amazing surf breaks. Waves are inconsistent but big when swells hit. Pristine beaches. Secluded, yet close to Corcovado National Park and Isla del Caño.
• Carate
  • Has a local airport with regular flights to San Jose. Surrounded by tropical rain forest on east end of Corcovado National Park. Nice accommodations. Largely unknown to tourists.

[edit] Get in

You can fly into Puerto Jimenez or cross the Golfo Dulce from Golfito in a launch to reach the Osa Peninsula. Golfito is directly across from Puerto Jimenez, the main city near the tip of the Osa Peninsula. You will need a passport and money, but no vaccinations are required.

[edit] Get around

Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park can both be reached by charter planes from Pavas and San Jose. A boat trip with a duration of one hour and thirty minutes from the Sierpe River is another possible method of reaching these destinations. In Puerto Jimenez, taxis are readily available, and you can also rent a car there. To reach Cabo Matapalo, fly to Puerto Jimenez and drive (45 minutes) to the village. Bumpy travel by bus is possible throughout the peninsula.

[edit][add listing] See

Mysterious stone spheres made by unknown people have been discovered in the Valle de Diquis area around Sierpe. See them first-hand to develop your own theory about their history.

Gold nuggets were discovered on Isla Violin of the Sierpe River. Go to see where a Gold Rush began.

[edit] Animals

Animals are the main thing to see. The Osa Peninsula is home to at least 1/2 of ALL of the species that live in Costa Rica. Costa Rican fauna includes:

• Scarlet Macaws
• Tayras
• Peccaries
• Monkeys
• Blue morpho butterflies
• Frogs
• Snakes
• Anteaters
• Armadillos
• Bats
• Wild cats
• Crocodiles
• Deer
• Manatees
• Fish
• Exotic squirrels
• Exotic raccoons
• Agoutis
• Coatis
• Sloths
• Tapirs
• Exotic Weasels

[edit][add listing] Do

There are plenty of things to do on the Osa Peninsula, from birdwatching to horseback rides through the jungle. The sea, of course, offers various activities such as snorkeling, swimming, SCUBA diving, and fishing. In Puerto Jimenez, the main town on the tip of the peninsula, you can shop and see the local culture. If you are lucky, you just might catch one of their many festivals. Some great restaurants are there for you to discover. The people are friendly and helpful. The Osa Peninsula is partly covered by the Corcovado National Park, which offers an exciting day-trip for travelers. The land of the peninsula is covered in white sand beaches and virgin tropical rain forest. With four species of monkeys, exotic birds, and countless amphibians and reptiles, the Osa Peninsula is also an ideal place for nature-watching. Rappelling, (waterfall or otherwise) mountain biking, surfing, hiking, and kayaking are a few other adventures for visitors to the Osa Peninsula.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Lookout Inn Eco-lodge (Carate, Osa Peninsula), Beachfront- Carate (follow the road from Puerto Jimenez to Corcovado. We are the only beach front resort. Find us at the end of the road. Approx 1.5 hours from PJ), [1]. checkin: flexible; checkout: flexible. The Lookout Inn is a solar powered eco-lodge nestled in the canopy overlooking the warm Pacific Ocean. If you are looking for breathtaking views, animals at your doorstep, and amazing food, look no further, Lookout's right for you!$115-$150 per person.  edit
• Jinetes de Osa (800) 317-0333
  • In Agujitas, the village of Drake Bay; nine-room lodge; faces black beach; tours; meals; dive and adventure packages.
• Cabinas Mirador Lodge (506) 8836-94-15 / (506) 8334-44-38
  • Drake Bay views, amazing sunsets; three meals a day; mid-range; tours; hiking;rustic cabins. [2]
• Cabinas Las Caletas
  • On top of steep ridge; views of Drake Bay; cabins; tours; meals; owned by Tico/Swiss couple. [3]
• Eco-Manglares Lodge (506) 786-7414
  • Offers day tours of Drake Bay, Corcovado Park, and Caño Island; mangrove estuary boat rides and fishing trips; bungalow hotel; rustic wood rooms; restaurant.
• Estero Azul Lodge (506) 786-7422
  • On the banks of the Sierpe River; guided tours; individual bungalows; restaurant; run by North Americans.
• Hotel Pargo Rojo (506) 786-6092
  • Cheap; Tico restaurant; private boat tours; in Sierpe town; car-watching service.
• Veragua River House (506) 786-7460
  • Recently remodeled; spacious grounds with flowers; bungalows; Italian food restaurant; run by Italians.
• Río Sierpe Lodge (506)225-8553
  • Accessible only by boat; especially for divers, fishers, and eco-adventurers; day tours; package rates for multiple nights; at mouth of Sierpe River close to Isla Violin.
• Black Turtle Lodge [4]

[edit] Stay safe

The Osa Peninsula is a relatively safe area, and Costa Rica is much, much more stable than the surrounding Central American countries. However, it is recommended that you watch your pockets to make sure your wallet and passport do not get picked out. Also, lock your valuables in a hotel safe or lockable closet if possible. Do not wear flashy jewelry or fancy clothes, as they attract attention and may allow criminals to target you as a wealthy tourist. No shots are needed to get into Costa Rica, but you should bring bug-repellent to keep away mosquitoes and other biting insects and prevent malaria and other similar diseases. Try to get a hat or bed with mosquito nets for extra protection. Be sure to drink lots of bottled water. Most restaurants have reliable food and water, but stay on the safe side with well-established restaurants and bottled water. All fruits and vegetables, such as cabbage or mangoes, should be thoroughly washed. It may seem obvious, but many people forget: wear sunscreen to prevent sunburn and skin cancer! Make sure that has a high SPF (Sun Protectant Factor) and blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Do not allow small children to swim in the ocean alone, as always. No matter who you are, do NOT travel alone at night. It is dangerous.

[edit] Holidays

These fun and religious holidays are celebrated uniquely in Costa Rica and should be watched for on the Osa Peninsula.

• Fiesta de Los Diablitos
• Festival/Carnival del Mar
• Fiesta Palmares
• Fiesta Santa Cruz
• Día de Santo Cristo de Esquipulas
• Dia de los Boyeros
• Dia de San Jose
• Semana Santa
• Dia de Juan Santamaria
• Dia de los Trabajadores
• Fiestas Patronales Trinidad de Moravia, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, Leon Cortes, and San Jeronimo
• Fiesta San Juan de Tibas

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!