According to National Geographic, Corcovado National Park is ‘the most biologically intense place on the planet’.
This lush and verdant area of complex ecosystems ranges from freshwater swamps to cloud forest, with 8 different “life zones” and over 500 species of tree in an area of more than 40,000 hectares.
Wildlife includes all four species of Costa Rican monkey (Spider, white-faced Capuchin, Squirrel and Howler), all 6 cats and endangered species such as the giant anteater and tapir. Between December and February, it is not uncommon to observe the enormous tail flukes of Humpback Whales breaking spectacularly through the ocean surface. This area of outstanding natural beauty is a paradise for nature lovers and offers one of Costa Rica’s richest and most rewarding wilderness and wildlife experiences.
Birdwatching is tremendous here with over 370 recorded species including the opportunity to glimpse Costa Rica’s largest population of Scarlet Macaws and the magnificent Great Curassow. You have to put a little effort into getting to this remote corner of the country. Light aircraft from San Jose will treat you to tremendous views of mountains and volcanoes before following the Pacific coast south to a small airstrip at Palmar Sur or Puerto Jimenez. Some of the more remote lodges require a further journey by boat past crocodile inhabited mangroves along the Sierpe River and into the Pacific Ocean, followed by a wet landing and a final leg in a tractor-towed buggy to the lodge. However, you don’t have to compromise on comfort. The Osa Peninsula boasts some of the country’s finest forest lodges.
A stay on the Osa Peninsula will typically include guided hikes into Corcovado National Park and a boat journey for snorkelling to Isla del Cano, a marine biological reserve with reefs and a huge variety of fish. Isla del Cano also contains an archaeological site that suggests the existence of a Pre-Columbian cemetery. The perfectly round stone spheres that are found on the mainland in the Diquis Valley can also be seen here. Nobody is sure how and why these mysterious over-sized marbles were created.
Spend as much time as you possibly can in and around Corcovado Park. There is no development permitted within the park but also no fences to restrict the movement of creatures and at some of the closest lodges, you’ll find yourself literally tripping over wildlife such as huge toads, snakes and coatimundis. Night is a magical time on the peninsula – grab a glass of courage, take a seat outside your bungalow and surrender yourself to the night time noise of the rainforest and the sense that something in that dark and dense wall of jungle is watching you.
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It was my passion for languages that first encouraged me to leave the UK behind and grab my rucksack. Since then, it’s been a mixture of intriguing cultures, jaw-dropping landscapes and the wonder of seeing animals in their natural habitat that sees me continuously extending my travel wish list.
Costa Rica is simply the best spot in Central America for nature lovers, and is always John’s top recommendation for those wishing to hike, swim, zip, raft, ride or float through outstanding scenery and rich biodiversity.
Corcovado National Park contains 140 species of mammals, 370 of birds, 177 amphibians and reptiles and 40 freshwater fish.
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Plantations, fincas, primary rainforest and ravines of a truly beautiful wilderness area.
The Pacific Coast stretches from the Nicoya Peninsula in the north to the Osa Peninsula in the south. This coastal plain rises…
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