South Pacific Coast
According to National Geographic, the south-western tip of the Osa Peninsula is 'the most biologically intense place on earth'. This extensive area of complex ecosystems ranging from freshwater swamps and mangroves to primary jungle and low-altitude cloud forest, shrouds an area of more than 40,000 hectares in Corcovado National Park. Home to countless species of wildlife including all four species of Costa Rican monkey's (spider, white faced, squirrel and howler) and endangered species such as the giant anteater, tapir and jaguar; this area of such undeniable beauty is paradise found for nature lovers.
Birdwatching is also extremely rewarding with the opportunity to glimpse Central America’s largest population of scarlet macaws and the magnificent great curassow. Between December and February it is not uncommon to observe the enormous tail flukes of ponderous Humpback Whales breaking spectacularly through the ocean surface.
Visitors typically descend on Corcovado National Park from the small friendly town of Puerto Jimenez on the northern stretch and the secluded crescent-shaped bay of Bahia Drake. From Bahia Drake you can also embark on a boat journey to Isla del Cano, a marine biological reserve with coral reefs frequented by sharks and a huge variety of fish. Isla del Cano is also the site of a Pre-Columbian civilisation with an existence of mysterious stone spheres, tombs and statues.