Southern Zone

South Pacific Costa Rica, consisting mostly of The Osa Peninsula, is one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the country. Home to the Corcovado National Park, the tallest mountain in the country, and great beach towns like Dominical, Golfito and Matapalo, this region may be harder to get to, but it is worth the effort! The tropical climate is perfect for the vast array of rain forests and plant life in the area. Monkeys, lizards, snakes, beautiful birds, insects and other small mammals rule this territory. Many of the resorts that call The Osa Peninsula home are nature friendly and set you in the midst of it all. You can’t beat waking up to the sound of tropical birds and the waves beating on the shore. For surf lovers, there are plenty of coves to be explored just north of the peninsula.

Further inland, you will find the most difficult and rewarding hike in the country: to the summit of Chirripó. The hike takes two days to reach the summit, and another day back down. There is a guest house run by park rangers just short of the top, and guests are encouraged to time the hike to watch the sunrise from the peak. If such physical exertion isn’t your thing, hire a guide and let a horse do the walking while you stay along the romantic shoreline.

• Dominical
• Drake Bay
• Puerto Jimenez
• Golfito
• The Osa Peninsula
• Corcovado
• Chirripó
• Coco Island
• San Isidro