One of the most magical places in Costa Rica is the Osa Peninsula.
Famous for the largest national park in the country, a lush rain forest and incredible coastlines, the Peninsula de Osa contains so much biodiversity that renown researchers, conservationists and scientists visit specifically to study the flora and fauna.
Since the Peninsula is so vast, it can be difficult to know exactly where to go. This post will help plan your trip to Osa Peninsula.
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Osa Peninsula Travel Guide
Location
The Osa Peninsula is in the Puntarenas province on the Pacific side, on the lower end of the country.
Towns/Villages
Since Corcovado National Park makes up the large part of the Osa Peninsula, there are few towns and villages scattered throughout.
The two main tourist hubs in the Osa Peninsula are Puerto Jimenez and Drake Bay. Puerto Jimenez, though a small town, is bigger than Drake Bay.
Travel Map
Here is a map we made of the Osa Peninsula, including the different towns, villages and hotels, which we will talk about below.
Puerto Jimenez
The main tourism hub of the Osa Peninsula town is Puerto Jimenez.
This is usually where people stay if they plan to do the long hike from Leona Ranger Station or Los Patos to Sirena Station. It has its own dock for those taking the boat to Corcovado National Park.
It’s not a huge town, but there is everything in Puerto Jimenez: banks, pharmacies, clinics, supermarkets, restaurants, hostels and hotels. The main road is well paved and well marked.
Puerto Jimenez, despite its growing popularity still retains a very Tico vibe and strong Costa Rican culture.
How to Get to Puerto Jimenez
Read our detailed guide on how to get to Puerto Jimenez or check quick info below.
Driving: ~ 5.5 hours from San Jose on a paved highway. No 4×4 required. Get our Costa Rica car rental discount to save some money!
Flying: Fly into the local Puerto Jimenez air strip from San Jose, a 50 minute flight from San Jose with Sansa Air or Green Airways.
Boat: From Golfito, there is a boat that goes across the Golfo Dulce to Puerto Jimenez. Tickets are ~3000 colones each way per person. About 40 minute boat ride.
Bus: There is a public bus from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez everyday at 12 PM with Transportes Blanco, that takes ~8 hours. Costs ~8565 CRC.
Private Shuttle: From the San Jose International Airport area, a private shuttle for 1-5 passengers cost around ~$600 USD one way. This ride is around 360 kms (225 miles) so it’s not cheap. Contact us for a private shuttle booking,
Where to stay
Puerto Jimenez has a handful of hostels, mid range hotels and upscale lodges to choose from.
Iguana Lodge: A beachfront lodge about ten minutes outside of town. Has modern rustic rooms with ocean views.
Botanika Osa Hilton: Part of the Curio Collection. Huge property with a big pool, restaurants and hiking trails. Lots of on-site activities, they have their own dock.
Cabinas Refugio Turistico: Budget friendly, family owned cabinas in town. Nothing fancy, small clean rooms with air conditioning and hot water.
Cabo Matapalo
Caba Matapalo is a village on the outermost point of the Peninsula.
A lot of people visit Matapalo to surf. There are beaches with waves ranging from beginner to expert.
Matapalo has a ton of wildlife and a handful of luxury eco hotels and resorts.
Get in
From Puerto Jimenez, continue on the very bumpy road (route 245) for about 45 minutes until you reach the small town of Matapalo.
A 4×4 in the rainy season is very very recommended. During dry season, a high clearance 2wd SUV can suffice. If visiting during October, November or December, definitely get a 4×4, those are the rainiest months.
December is the start of the dry season, but the roads will be at their worst condition.
Hotel recommendations
There are a few very nice rainforest resorts, a handful of vacation rentals and modest cabinas. This area has grown a lot the past few years, and there are way more vacation rentals and hotels now.
- Four Monkeys Eco Lodge: Beachfront lodge with direct beach access, with bungalows, a two bedroom house and bungalows.
- Lapa Rios Eco Lodge: This world class lodge is on a 1000 acre private reserve with beautifully decorated, spacious and cozy villas and suites, all with amazing rainforest views. Has a pool, no air conditioning.
- Bosque del Cabo: An excellent option for families with a private pool, hiking trails and easy wildlife watching from the cabinas. Situated on a 700 acre reserve. No air conditioning. Amazing ocean views. Rates include 3 meals a day.
Carate
The tiny town of Carate is another stop over town for travelers who are hiking Leona Station in Corcovado National Park.
Carata to Leona Station is about a 45 minute – 1 hour walk. It has its own airstrip, but it’s not widely used.
A 4×4 is required when driving to Carate.
Hotel recommendations
There are a few lodges in Carate.
- La Leona Lodge: Glamping tents, the closest hotel to Leona Station. Beachfront. Fun glamping experience with outdoor showers.
- Finca Exotica Eco Lodge: Bungalows have jungle or sea views, has a yoga studio and spa and close to the beach. Very into the health conscious, organic and farm to table scene. Big yoga focus, they do yoga teacher training.
- Luna Lodge Ecolodge & Wellness Center: Bungalows and tents in the rainforest, huge focus on wellness and yoga.
Drake Bay
Sitting on the west coast of the Osa Peninsula is Drake Bay which has a rich history as it was believed to be a port used by Sir Francis Drake, hiding treasure long lost.
It has its own airport, doesn’t have ATMs and is close to the Corcovado National Park. You can find a few hostels, budget hotels and luxury all inclusive lodges.
We’ve stayed at Copa de Arbol, a boat access only rainforest and beach resort. Save 5% with our promo code mytanfeet on their website Copa de Arbol!
We’ve also stayed at Tranquilo Lodge, an all-inclusive adult only boutique resort in town.
Read our Drake Bay guide here.
Best Things to Do in the Osa Peninsula
Here are the must dos when visiting the Osa Peninsula, no matter which town or hotel you stay at.
Corcovado National Park: The ultimate activity in the Osa Peninsula is hike Corcovado National Park. With five different ranger stations, visitors can spend over a week exploring this national park.
- Sirena Station: Most popular station, welcoming day visitors and overnight guests. Has eight different hiking trails. Can hike in from Leona or Los Patos or take the boat from Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez.
- San Pedrillo: Closest station to Drake Bay, popular station for birding. Has hiking trails, beach trails and waterfalls.
- Leona: Beachfront ranger station on Playa Carate. Most people go to Leona just to start their 16 hike to Sirena.
- Los Patos: Ranger station in the northern part of the park. Most people pass through Los Patos to hike 20 kms to Sirena.
- El Tigre: Towards the eastern part of the national park outside Puerto Jimenez, El Tigre has a 7 km mountain trail for day hikes.
Snorkeling/Scuba diving Caño Island: The island is considered the second best place for snorkeling/scuba diving in Costa Rica. Best as a day trip from Drake Bay (45 minute boat ride).
Humpback whale/dolphin tour: Best time is August and September, but also possible July, January, February and March. Take a whale/dolphin watching tour out of Drake Bay. If you’re in Puerto Jimenez, you can see dolphins and whales in the Golfo Dulce.
Sierpe Mangrove: If you’re in Drake Bay, visit Sierpe Mangrove to see wildlife on a leisurely boat ride.
Fishing: Catch huge rooster fish, snappers, groupers and more. Can be done from both Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez.
Surfing Playa Matapalo: If you’re a surfer, head to Matapalo to catch waves, the best spot on the Osa Peninsula.
Tips for Visiting Osa Peninsula
- If you’re renting a car, a 4×4/4wd is a must in the rainy season. The road to Puerto Jimenez is paved but that’s it. Carate and Matapalo are equally as bumpy, especially in rainy season. Get our car rental discount here.
- Make sure to check road conditions with your hotel during rainy season months of August/September/October and November, especially if you’re going to Carate.
What to Pack
This area is incredibly humid so pack properly!
- Bring dry fast clothes, such as Nike Dri-Fi or microfiber clothing.
- Sturdy walking shoes, trail running shoes or hiking shoes. Read about our recommended shoes for Costa Rica.
- Bring waterproof equipment in rainy season, especially if you have camera equipment. We used our Aqua Quest waterproof backpacks.
- Bring a waterproof rain shell in rainy season.
- A microfiber towel to wipe off sweat since it’s so humid.
- Travel umbrella.
- Body powder to help you stay dry.
- An insulated water bottle. Drinkable water is usually not available in the Osa Peninsula. Most hotels will have water filling stations.
- Mosquito repellent and sunscreen are an absolute must! Highly recommend insect repellent clothing
- Bring a fully charged extra battery pack and 10 foot charging cables.
- A small hand flashlight
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Check our Costa Rica destinations map and Costa Rica restaurant map
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
- Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica.
- Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels and our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.
Tamas says
Hi, I’ll visit Osa early February and I’m looking for the best way to experience the jungle. I’ll spend some days in Drake (Sierpe mangrove kayaking, San Josecito hike), and I’ll also stay in the forest at Bolita, but I was wondering if landing by boat and overnighting at Sirena Station then hiking back to La Leona the next day (or the other way around) would add to the overall experience.
If you think that is the case, I’d ask your advice on how to bridge the distance between Drake and PJ. I feel bad about wasting a day just to get to PJ on land. Do you think it is feasible to get to Sirena from Drake, stay overnight, then have my luggage sent to La Leona/Carate the next day by boat? Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Tamas, I would recommend to ask your hosts to see what they can offer and help to arrange, or check with a tour operator in the Osa Peninsula to see if they can arrange the entire trip for you because it does take a bit of time to get between Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez if you don’t have a car. If you have a rental car, it’s only about a 2 hour drive.
madeleine says
Hi, thank you for the great information. I visited Corcovado which was amazing but there were a lot of ticks. I was picking them off for days. I am thinking of going back to the Osa without visiting Corcovado this time. Do you know if there are ticks everywhere on the peninsula or are they mostly in the Park area? Also which town would you recommend to stay in? Thank you.
Sammi says
I’d say they are everywhere on the peninsula as it’s all like tropical primary/secondary rainforest and very dense. I’d check out Drake Bay if you haven’t gone it or Puerto Jimenez. You can also go down to Matapalo/Carate, there are some hotels there
Liz says
Hola Sammi – MyTanFeet has been so helpful in planning our return trip to Costa Rica! Thank you! My family of 4 including 2 adult children will be staying on Cabo Matapalo for a few days at the end of this month. Casa Bambu. Very excited, but there are no included tours as there are at the various eco-lodges and we are trying to find a private guide for a nature hike / walk / tour in the area. Can you recommend someone? Looking for English-speaking skills in addition to good nature skills.
Thanks.
Sammi says
Hi Liz, unfortunately we don’t have any partners down there. Maybe you can ask your host if they have any contacts, usually they do even for Airbnbs
Linda says
Hello,
This will be our first time traveling to Costa Rica. We are trying to see as much wildlife as possible. We are nature lovers and not so much into tourist places. We are planning on two weeks. So far I have the following lodges picked out.
3 days Arenal Observatory Lodge,
2 days Senda Monteverde Hotel,
3 days Bosque del Cabo
3 days Playa Nicuesa
When first planning our trip my main focus in the Osa Peninsula of course was hiking to Corcovado National Park. It seems it is more difficult to get to Corcovado from the lodges I’m staying at. Do you think I should change one of the lodges and spend some time in Drakes Bay instead? Should I add another day in Monteverde?
Sammi says
You can ask Bosque del Cabo to set you up with a tour to Corcovado National Park, as it’s not too far from the Leona sector of the NP.