…Jutting out from the southern coast of Costa Rica lies the Osa Peninsula, the country’s wildest and most spectacular region. Bordered by the pristine Golfo Dulce on the east side and the Pacific ocean on the west makes for some stunning land and sea-scapes.  Evolution at it’s finest.  Osa is a bit more remote compared to other more developed parts of the country like Quepos, Dominical or the arid Guanacaste zone.  It’s more lush and tropical with spectacular wildlife, deserted beaches and virgin forests. This attraction draws people with a bit more pioneer spirit and a desire to co-exist with unspoiled nature. 

​

Much of the peninsula is still without electricity and four wheel drive is a necessity here. Many of the foreign owned resort homes and small tourist projects operate on solar power, generator, or hydro-power. The population of the entire area is about 5,000 people with approximately 200 foreigners living here on the Osa at least part of the year. For those of us that live here, the Osa is what Costa Rica is all about.

The Osa’s unique bio-diversity is made up of eight different habitats with the largest and most exuberant lowland wet tropical forest remaining in Pacific Central America. Species density and geographical location make it unique. 

​

Osa, means “bear” which the native people called the giant anteater.  The Osa is home to Corcovado National Park, the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national park system and one of the most biologically diverse places on earth according to National Geographic. The largest trees in Costa Rica are found in the forests of the Osa.  Endangered plant and animal species still thrive here such as the Tapir, the Giant Anteater and the Harpy Eagle that preys on monkeys in the trees.  The big cats are still king of the jungle here and the more common wild animals are seen regularly near the towns including Scarlet Macaws and four species of monkeys.  

Non-mainstream tourist’s have discovered this previously little known, rugged paradise and come from around the world to experience the “wild side” of Costa Rica, the undisputed best kept secret, a naturalist’s paradise and an outdoor adventurer’s dream. Truly a paradise lost, 30 years ago Outside Magazine called it “The last best peninsula” which holds true to this day.

BUGS: There is an amazing variety of insects in Costa Rica, over 10,000 species right here in the Osa.  But the stories of killer mosquitos is all hype, actual numbers aren’t even close to the summer swarms in parts of the Midwestern US.  Snakes and lizards are also plentiful but you won’t see them that much unless you are out in the habitat at night or disturbing their hiding places in the daytime.

CLIMATE:  How’s the weather? Fairly hot all year, of course. It’s the tropics! The key is to stay hydrated – I recommend the beer!  But being a peninsula of land surrounded by water tempers the climate somewhat along the coastline and at elevation. The heat is not as intense as the drier Guanacaste region nor as stifling as the summers in south Florida.  December through April is the dry season with the rainy season starting around May.  The heaviest rains come in September and October. The Caribbean born hurricanes only pass as far south as Nicaragua, affecting Costa Rica with heavy rains but not the destructive high winds.

PUERTO JIMENEZ – the gateway to the Osa was originally called Santo Domingo, a frontier outpost for gold miners, loggers and farmers.  Main access was by boat up until the road was improved in the 70’s.  Situated on a small harbor facing the Golfo Dulce, “Port Jimenez” has a paved airstrip with daily commuter flights to and from the capital city. The main road is paved from the PanAm Highway all the way to Jimenez but from there the secondary roads are gravel, passable but rough.  Jimenez has a small hospital, a good supermarket and hardware and assorted shops and restaurants, cell and internet service. Four wheel drive taxis can take you anywhere around the peninsula.