Must-see attractions in Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

  • Eagle Ray swimming in the waters of Coco Island in Costa Rica; Shutterstock ID 127196843; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI
127196843

    Parque Nacional Isla del Coco

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    Around 500km southwest of the Costa Rica mainland, Isla del Coco is a natural wonder that teems with wildlife, including the largest schools of hammerhead…

  • Costa Rica, Las Cruces, Wilson Botanical Garden, bromeliad bud, close-up

    Wilson Botanical Garden

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    The world-class Wilson Botanical Garden is internationally known for its collection of more than 2000 native Costa Rican species. Species threatened with…

  • Sitio Arqueológico Finca 6

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    This site, 4km north of Sierpe, offers the best opportunity to view the mysterious pre-Columbian spheres created by the Diquís civilization between 300…

  • Tiskita Jungle Lodge

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    Set on a verdant hillside between Pavones and Punta Banco, Tiskita Jungle Lodge consists of 100 hectares of virgin forest and a huge orchard, which…

  • Parque Nacional Chirripó

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    While much of the Cordillera de Talamanca is difficult to access, Costa Rica’s highest peak, Cerro Chirripó (3820m), is the focus of popular two-day…

  • Playa Rincon de San Josecito

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    Just past Playa San Josecito is the less famous but more impressive beach, Playa Rincon de San Josecito. It's a vast stretch of sand – 1km or more –…

  • Playa Cocalito

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    Just west of Punta Agujitas, a short detour off the main trail leads to the picturesque Playa Cocalito, a secluded cove perfect for sunning, swimming and…

  • Finca Cántaros

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    About 3km south of San Vito, Finca Cántaros is a recreation center and reforestation project. Over 7 hectares of grounds – formerly coffee plantations and…

  • Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Golfito

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    This small, 28-sq-km reserve encompasses most of the steep hills surrounding Golfito, though it's easy to miss. There are no facilities for visitors, save…

  • Playa Cacao

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    Just a quick trip across the bay, this small beach offers a prime view of Golfito, with the rainforest as a backdrop. It's a pleasant spot to spend the…

  • Casa Orquideas

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    This vibrant botanical garden is the product of 40 years of effort and off-the-grid living by an expat couple, who once cultivated cacao here. Nowadays,…

  • Playa San Josecito

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    South of Río Claro, Playa San Josecito is one of the longest stretches of white-sand beach on this side of the Península de Osa. It is popular with…

  • Playa Platanares

    Puerto Jiménez

    About 5km southeast of town, the long, secluded – and often deserted – Playa Platanares is excellent for swimming, sunning and recovering from too much…

  • Casa del Bosque

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    This small, newer butterfly farm features 10 butterfly species native to the Osa Peninsula. Visitors learn about the metamorphosis process and tour the…

  • Playa Caletas

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    A recommended spot for snorkeling, situated in front of Las Caletas Lodge.

  • Museo Comunitario Indígena de Boruca

    Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa

    Marked by an enormous stone sphere out front, this tiny museum has interpretive exhibits explaining Boruca legends, and displays tools and materials used…