Is Osa Peninsula worth visiting?

The Osa Peninsula is one of Costa Rica’s best destinations for an authentic nature &amp, wildlife experience. What could be better than staying in a beautiful eco-lodge, surrounded by exotic animals and tropical rainforest? While this wild piece of Costa Rica is a natural playground for some, it is not for every traveler.

Is Osa Peninsula safe?

The Osa Peninsula is a relatively safe area.

Can you drive to Osa Peninsula?

From here, the Osa Peninsula is 5-6 hours by car, depending on your final destination. … For extensive driving around the Osa Peninsula during your stay, you’ll want to rent a 4×4 vehicle. Many of the local roads on the Osa Peninsula are unpaved and may require water crossings when rivers swell in the rainy season.

Is OSA Costa Rica safe?

Yes. While Costa Rica experiences everyday crime that is common to all big cities, the rest of the country (especially the Osa Peninsula), is much safer. According to a recent report by FTI Consulting, Costa Rica was named the safest country in Central America and among the top in the rest of Latin America.

Is Osa Peninsula a rainforest?

The Osa Peninsula, located on the Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, is a world premier rainforest destination dubbed one of the most biologically intense places on earth by National Geographic.

Can you drink water in Costa Rica?

Tap water in Costa Rica is generally clean and safe to drink. In some areas of the country, though, mainly on the Caribbean side and in non-touristy pockets around the country, it’s best to stick to bottled water. … If you have any doubt, bottled water is widely available to purchase.

Is Drake Bay worth it?

It is well worth the trip and you often have the added value of seeing dolphins, whales or sea turtles. You cannot drive to Drake Bay. The only options are to fly in or take a boat from Sierpe. The boat ride is through the Sierpe Mangroves and then out to the Pacific Ocean.

How do you travel to Osa Peninsula?

Getting there: Most travellers fly to Costa Rica’s international airport in San Jose (SJO). From there, you can reach the Osa Peninsula in 5-6 hours by car. Alternatively you can book a regional flight from San Jose to the Osa Peninsula airport in Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez.

How do you get to Cano Island from Costa Rica?

The easiest access to the island is from the boat in lodges along the section of the coast stretching from Drake Bay past Punta Río Claro and along Playa San Josecito.

Is Manuel Antonio park open?

Manuel Antonio National Park is open to visitors from Wednesday to Monday from 7:00 a.m. at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday closed. Visitors must present their identity card when entering the park when they show the entry ticket, which is valid only once.

Where is the Osa Peninsula?

Osa Peninsula, Spanish Península de Osa, peninsula, southern Costa Rica, bounded on the northwest by Coronado Bay, on the west by the Pacific Ocean, and on the east by the Gulf of Dulce.

What province is OSA in in Costa Rica?

The Osa Peninsula (Spanish: Península de Osa) is a peninsula located in southwestern Costa Rica, in the Puntarenas Province, with the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Golfo Dulce to the east.

How did the Osa Peninsula get its name?

Some 20 years after Christopher Columbus lands on the beach near Limon, explorer Gil Gonzalez Dávila met a local cacique or tribal chief named OSA, hence the name of the peninsula. … The Osa Peninsula most likely became uninhabited, and the forest cover throughout the area expanded.

How big is Osa Peninsula?

Named by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on earth,” the Osa Peninsula is a true jewel of land, water, and life. Covering an area of just 700 square miles on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the Osa’s geological history makes it home to a nearly unparalleled amount of biodiversity.

How safe is Costa Rica?

In Central America and The Caribbean overall, Costa Rica is ranked the number one most peaceful country in the region out of 12. However, the homicide rate increased from 11.9 homicides per 100,000 people to 12.3 in the last year, and crime is still a significant threat to travelers in Costa Rica.

How do you get to Corcovado Costa Rica?

To get to Corcovado national park from Drake Bay, you have to take a boat for about 1 hour. The boat ride is included in the guided tours. The meeting point is usually by the bay. Also, there is a lunch included in the tour.

What should I avoid in Costa Rica?

Can I flush toilet paper in Costa Rica?

You can’t flush toilet paper in Costa Rica – TRUE!

The country’s plumbing was never built to accommodate for excessive amount of toilet paper and, since many systems are septic or composting, you’ll find ‘toilet paper bins’ in every toilet stall, all over the country.

Is Costa Rica a third world country?

Costa Rica is considered on of the safest countries in Central America. But exotic as it is, Costa Rica is still a Third World country, meaning the poor far outnumber the middle class and rich.

What is Corcovado National Park known for?

Corcovado National Park is the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national park system. Located on the remote Osa Peninsula in southwest Costa Rica, Corcovado protects the largest remaining expanse of primary rainforest on the Pacific coast of Central America.

How do you get around Drake Bay?

Wild and remote Drake Bay sits on the northern side of the Osa Peninsula and can only be reached by boat or plane. There is a small airport near Drake Bay that you can fly into from San José or you can take an adventurous two-hour boat ride from the small town of Sierpe.

How much does it cost to go to Corcovado?

The park is open from 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM daily. There are ranger stations at La Leona, Los Patos, San Pedrillo and La Sirena, each offers public restrooms. The entrance fee to Corcovado is $15 per person and a permit is required. Permits are not guaranteed as the park limits the number of visitors.

How do you get to Manuel Antonio?

Quepos is the closest town, and it is a 10 minute drive from downtown Quepos to the nearest beach in Manuel Antonio. Those visiting Manuel Antonio, have the option of taking coast highway 34, a scenic drive, or utilizing a domestic airstrip just a few minutes away from Quepos.

How do I get from San Jose to Corcovado National Park?

Via Drake Bay, you can take a bus from the San Jose bus station with the TRACOPA bus company. You can choose the San Jose to Sierpe route, which will take eight hours and thirty minutes of travel time. From there, you can take a boat to Drake Bay and then go onwards to Corcovado.

How do you get to Piedras Blancas National Park?

To reach the Piedras Blancas National Park, take the Pan-American Highway to Palmar Sur and go some 20 miles further south to La Gamba village. From here you can easily access the entrance to this park. What is this? You can also fly or drive to either Golfito or Puerto Jimenez and then take a boat to the Park.

Is there scuba diving in Costa Rica?

Thanks to the nutrient-rich coastal waters, diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica can be a magical experience. The clear sea offers visibility for scuba diving between 30 to 100 feet, guaranteeing you’ll spot all kinds of marine life.

What islands are near Costa Rica?

The most popular islands to visit are Isla Tolinga, the main island of the Tortuga Islands, and Isla San Lucas, home to an infamous old prison and beautiful nature reserve. Isla Chira is the second largest island in Costa Rica and is inhabited by about 3,500 fishermen and farmers.

Where is Cano island in Costa Rica?

Isla del Caño is a biological reserve located in the Pacific region of the country, about 16bkm northwest of the Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas. Isla del Caño covers 320 hectares of land and 5,800 hectares of sea. It has one of the most extensive and healthiest coral formations on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

Is Manuel Antonio worth visiting?

Manuel Antonio is the smallest and most visited of the national parks in Costa Rica. You have an excellent chance of spotting sloth and monkeys-but this is certainly not a zoo-unless you’re talking about the tourists!

Can you walk around Manuel Antonio?

El Manglar Trail, Perezoso Trail, and Main Trail/Road

The first trail you come from the ranger station is the new El Manglar Trail (Mangrove Trail). This one is really interesting because it has a raised platform that you can walk on, instead of the ground.

Is there food inside Manuel Antonio park?

FOOD IS NOT ALLOWED.

There is a kiosk at the beach area. There are bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, and water refill stations.

How do I get from San Jose to Osa Peninsula?

The best way to get from San José to Osa Peninsula is to bus which takes 8h 13m and costs $9 – $15. Alternatively, you can fly, which costs $140 – $340 and takes 2h 34m.

Where is Drake Bay Costa Rica?

Bahía Drake (Drake Bay) is a small bay on the north side of the Osa Peninsula on the coast of southwestern Costa Rica. This bay is believed to be a port used by Sir Francis Drake during his raids on the Spanish Main in the 16th century and the location of one of the British pirate’s fabled hidden treasures.

How many peninsulas does Costa Rica have?

Even most Costa Rica “experts” only recognize two peninsulas – Nicoya and Osa – because Burica is so far down on the map that most tourists never even think of going there. The majority of visitors are surfers hoping for a three or four minute ride on the “second longest left in the world” at Pavones.

What Canton is uvita Costa Rica?

Playa Uvita is located in the Marino Ballena National Park, to the south of San José and near the Playa Pedregosa Beach, in the Osa Canton of the Puntarenas province and approximately 16 km from Dominical.

Is Costa Rica safer than Mexico?

Is Costa Rica safer than Mexico? Yes, Costa Rica is statistically safer than Mexico. The US State Department considers Costa Rica among the safest countries for US nationals. As per its safety ranking, Costa Rica is Level One whereas Mexico is Level Two.

When should you not go to Costa Rica?

But if you have just a week or two to get away, there are certain times of year you’ll want to avoid. The rainiest months in general are September and October. During this time, you could have several days in a row with prolonged periods of rain, which can make it difficult to get out and explore.

What are the disadvantages of living in Costa Rica?

Though many aspects of Costa Rican living are decidedly first-world, the roads are not among them. Potholes, dips and cracks mark the roads so severely that cars can be damaged driving over them. Locals drive quickly and dangerously, passing where it is not safe to do so and not respecting the right of way.

Where should I stay when visiting Corcovado?

Where to Stay. Our Experts recommend staying at one of the many eco-lodges outside Corcovado National Park near the town of Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez. Many of the lodges on the Osa Peninsula are eco-boutique hotels.

What animals are in the Corcovado National Park?

The park is home to Baird’s tapirs, ocelots, pumas, giant anteaters and harpy eagles. Other protected species include: howler, spider, squirrel, and white-faced capuchin monkeys, great tinamou, silky anteater, poison dart frog, glass frog, bushmaster snake, and leatherback, olive ridley, and green turtles.

How do I get from Puerto Jimenez to Corcovado National Park?

There are 4 ways you can travel the 30km distance from Puerto Jimenez to Corcovado National Park: a 3-hour-15-minute colectivo (plus hike) via La Leona, a 1-hour taxi through Los Patos, a 15-minute flight straight to Sirena, or an 8-hour day trip also to Sirena.

Are there drug cartels in Costa Rica?

Organised crime &amp, drug-related crime

Up to 70 percent of the violence has been associated with territorial battles between local drug gangs.”. Additionally, Michael Porth reported that Costa Rica has had a history of drug trafficking and money laundering since the mid-1980s.

Why is Costa Rica so expensive?

The combination of purchasing more from abroad than producing at home, the increased cost of fuel to transport foreign goods, the additional costs of production, and the erratic behavior of the colón has made Costa Rica a perfect storm for elevated prices.

What are the major problems in Costa Rica?

Overcrowding, poor sanitation, insufficient access to health care, and violence remain serious problems in Costa Rica’s prisons.

Why you should not go to Costa Rica?

Reason not to visit: If you are into nightlife such as clubbing or late nights in general, Costa Rica may not be the best destination for you. Most bars at resorts close by 10pm and most public bars close by midnight unless you are staying in places such as Tamarindo, San Jose, Puerto Viejo or Jaco.

Are parasites common in Costa Rica?

Unfortunately, Costa Rica has its share of them, most of which are types of worms. Intestinal parasites are largely acquired by eating uncooked, unwashed or improperly prepared foods.

Can you use a US cell phone in Costa Rica?

If someone is calling you in Costa Rica from the US, they just dial your US area code and your number, no international access code needed. *Side note: In the US, two of the four major carriers (Verizon and Sprint) use CDMA while the other two (AT&amp,T and T-Mobile) use GSM.

Are there black Costa Ricans?

Afro–Costa Ricans are Costa Ricans of African ancestry. Costa Rica has four small minority groups: Mulattoes, Blacks, Amerindians and Asians (primarily Chinese/East Asian). About 8% of the population is of African descent or Mulatto (mix of European and African) who are called Afro–Costa Ricans.

Is Costa Rica a rich nation?

In many aspects, Costa Rica is a success story in terms of development. It is considered an upper middle-income country, which has shown a steady economic growth over the past 25 years.

What does the blue mean on the Costa Rican flag?

The new design to the Costa Rican flag adopted the colors of the French tricolor. The blue color stands for the sky, opportunities, idealism, and perseverance. The white color stands for peace, wisdom and happiness.

Is the Osa Peninsula safe?

The Osa Peninsula is a relatively safe area.

Is Drake Bay worth it?

It is well worth the trip and you often have the added value of seeing dolphins, whales or sea turtles. You cannot drive to Drake Bay. The only options are to fly in or take a boat from Sierpe. The boat ride is through the Sierpe Mangroves and then out to the Pacific Ocean.

Where can I see a sloth in Costa Rica?

The best places to see sloths in Costa Rica in the wild are Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero, Manuel Antonio, Uvita, Dominical and the Osa Peninsula. You can see them in the treetops on the side of the road, crossing the road or snoozing in palm trees on the beach!

Do you need a car in Drake Bay?

By car. You absolutely have to have a 4X4 for this route. Once you turn off Route 2, it’s unpaved and through pretty much the rainforest. It is not advised to drive during rainy because you have to cross 3 rivers which can flood when it rains.

How long is the boat ride from Sierpe to Drake Bay?

There are two boats leaving from Sierpe to Drake Bay daily: 11.30am and 4:00pm. The one hour boat ride takes you along the main river of the Térraba-Sierpe mangrove forest park and then along the spectacular coastline.

Is Drake Bay good for swimming?

Between dozens of hidden beaches and lagoons, Drake Bay is the perfect place for water activities. Go swimming, kayaking, sport fishing and horseback riding on the beach!