The Osa Peninsula is located on the Pacific Coast of southern Costa Rica. This long inaccessible and ignored region has remained intact. It offers unique natural and cultural wealth in the world. Here are 10 reasons why this region is a must-see.
The Osa Peninsula is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. It was presented by the National geographic as “The most intense biologically place on earth” with more than 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity. The biodiversity found on the Osa Peninsula is not surpassed by any region of similar size anywhere on earth.
It is home to an incredible variety of plant species (15,313 species of plants, 500 species of trees), many of them endemic, and 13 different ecosystems.
It is home to 140 species of mammals (including the 4 primates present in Costa Rica), 367 species of birds, 117 species of reptiles and amphibians, 40 species of fish and 6,000 different insects, numerous endemic and/or endangered animal species such as the Baird’s tapir, the jaguar, the puma, the ocelot.
The Osa Peninsula has been isolated for a long time and the rainforest, beaches, mangroves, rivers … have been preserved. Today, it is protected on most of its territory under diverse legal systems (national park, forest reserves, wildlife reserves, private reserves…).
The Corcovado National Park, with 54,000 hectares, covers almost half of the Peninsula. Numerous private reserves, various protection areas, ecological corridors… protect the rest of the Peninsula.
Tourism in Osa is developing in a sustainable way.
The Corcovado National Park is often presented as one of the best national parks in the world. A reference for all biologists in the world.
Less accessible than other national parks in Costa Rica, it offers a unique experience of proximity with the fauna and flora.
The peninsula is mainly made up of forest. The largest primary forest and the largest tropical rainforest on the Pacific coast of the American continent.
One of the characteristics of the coasts of the peninsula is that it is one of the few places where the rainforest is in direct contact with the sea.
Captain Cousteau presented the Golfo Dulce as a “tropical fjord”. There are only four in the world. The gulf is home to two species of dolphins, three species of sea turtles, whale sharks and humpback whales…
There are many options to discover the beauties and treasures of the Golfo Dulce, especially boat tours, sailboat, kayak, paddle…
On the Pacific side, Isla del Cano and its underwater surroundings are a biological reserve offering a unique fauna to discover and one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Costa Rica. The island and its underwater surroundings are accessible from Sierpe or Bahia Drake.
Finally, the coasts are bordered by many beautiful and deserted beaches… and several famous surf spots. The sunrises in the south and the sunsets on the Pacific coast are moments of pure happiness.
There are sandy (volcanic) and mangrove beaches, with and without rocks. There are animated beaches with bars and restaurants, and many completely deserted beaches…
The coasts are also surrounded by Mangroves including the wetlands of Terraba-Sierpe (protected areas). It is a unique and fascinating ecosystem that constitutes a vital ecological resource. Mangroves protect against storms, help maintain water quality and prevent carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
North of the Peninsula, The Térraba Sierpe National Wetland is the largest mangrove forest of all Latin America. Cette zone est protégée.
One of the only ways to discover the mangroves is to do a kayak tour.
In addition to its plant and animal wealth, the peninsula also contains many veins of gold. The gold of Osa is said to be one of the purest in the world. Even if gold panning is forbidden in order to preserve the environment, there are still many “gold diggers” in the old way.
Vous pouvez rencontrer de vrais “chercheurs d’or” en randonnant dans les rivières notamment à Dos Brazos ou en faisant un tour organisé.
Contrary to the official story, Costa Rica and the Osa Peninsula were densely populated lands before the invasion by the spanish. The peninsula contains many traces of these civilizations, among which the mysterious stone spheres of the Diquís delta, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mystery remains on their functions.
The Osa Peninsula gathers many of the eco-systems and biodiversity present in the country. One of the only thing missing is the volcanoes… And even from the south coast of the Peninsula, it is often possible to see the Baru Volcano (the highest peak in Panama).
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