Corcovado and the large Osa Peninsula, on the south western Pacific coast of Costa Rica, are a long drive or short plane hop from San Jose, but are major attractions for visitors. Osa is the second largest peninsula in Costa Rica after Nicoya. 

Nature, and particularly the marvellous Corcovado National Park, is the main draw as it has the best remaining coastal rainforest on the Pacific coast of Central America. The park size is 41,788ha, and has the largest population of scarlet macaws (around 1,200 birds) in the whole of Central America. It is extremely biodiverse, hosting more than 400 bird species (of which 20 are endemic), 139 mammals, and 116 reptiles and amphibians. The park has several hiking trails, both short and long.

Visitors also come for fishing, surfing around Pavones (great waves), or some diving or snorkeling to the 300ha Caño Island Biological Reserve about 20kms off the coast.

Access is limited to one road on the eastern coast, so that the western coast is mainly accessed by boat. The relative isolation of the peninsula, and distance from San Jose, is why the region has remained relatively pristine. However gold mining fever struck in the 1980s, causing some environmental damage until the 3,000 or so oreros (miners) were banned in 1986, and logging, both legal and illegal, continues.

visitor info
There is a wide range of lodges and camps around the area, some of very high standard, and they frequently work on an all-inclusive package basis for two nights or more.

You could manage without a car in the Osa Peninsula if you rely on the normally extensive range of activities available at the inclusive lodges. Otherwise if you want to travel around, we recommend you have your own rental car but you will need to pick this up (and then drop off) either in San Jose or in Quepos. The only exception are Budget, who will deliver and pick vehicles up at Puerto Jimenez and Golfito at $150 per pickup/drop off (check current price).

getting there
There are several ways to access the area. The first is by car or plane to Palmar, and then by boat along the Sierpe river to Drake Bay, another is to fly to Puerto Jimenez or Golfito. Lodges typically provide transfers from one of these (Palmar, Puerto Jimenez or Golfito), normally as part of the package.

Domestic flights go to the airports of Puerto Jimenez , Golfito, or Palmar. For rented cars , 4x4 is highly recommended for this area, particularly during the rainy season.