National Parks

Location: on the Osa Peninsula, in southern Puntarenas province.
Carate Beach GPS Coordinates: 8.4430997, -83.4626198 (8°26’35.16″N, 83°27’45.43″W)
Drake Bay GPS Coordinates: 8.690428,-83.664175 (8°41’25.54″N, 83°39’51.03″W)
Size: 42,000ha (104,000acres)
Altitude: sea level to 745m (2444ft)
Schedule: from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Corcovado National Park Telephone: +506 2735-5036
Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) Telephone: +506 2735-5580 / +506 2735-5276
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Corcovado National Park, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Of all the national parks and other protected areas in Costa Rica, Corcovado is undoubtedly the most beautiful.  Corcovado National Park was created in October 24th 1975 and is located in the Osa peninsula, in the southwest corner of the country. Considered to be one of the most important natural preserves in America, with the captivating visual beauty of its forest and of its coastline, with miles of uninhabited beaches and roaring cascades, it draws visitors from all over the world. At least thirteen distinct vegetation types can be seen in close proximity, including mangroves, palm swamps and blood weed forest, making Corcovado a botanist’s dream. With more than 500 species of trees, 140 species of mammals (which is 10% of all mammals in America), 367 species of birds – including 20 endemic, 40 species of freshwater fish, 117 species of amphibians and more than 10,000 types of insects – and 100 plus butterflies, it is easy to understand why Corcovado National Park has been called “the most biologically intense place on Earth” by National Geographic.

It has a wide biological diversity due to its remoteness and the fact that it has suffered little disturbance by humans in the past. The hot, wet climate – rainfall averages 4000mm (158in) – promotes eight habitats including mangrove swamps, montane forest, lowland rainforest, and Jollito palm groves. Corcovado also has sandy beaches, freshwater lakes and tidal estuaries. This is why it is considered a living laboratory where it is easy to study the structure and functioning of tropical ecosystems and the relationships between them.

The forest areas are spectacular, with some of the tallest trees reaching 50m (165ft) and sporting enormous buttresses, which help support the trees in the thin tropical soil. The trees are swathed with lianas and epiphytes, while there is a luxuriant shrub growth at lower levels. Biologists report over 100 different types of trees within one square hectare. Such a biomass supports an incredible range of wildlife.

All four of Costa Rica’s monkey species can be found here, the Howler, Capuchin, Spider and the endangered Squirrel. The country’s six wild felines, the jaguar, margay, ocelot, oncilla or tiger cat, jaguarondi and the puma. There is also a good chance of seeing other mammals including the Baird’s Tapir, peccaries, agouties, red brocket deers, coaties, raccoons, river otters, anteaters and sloths.

The beaches of Corcovado National Park provide nesting site for all four of Costa Rica’s sea turtles – the Hawksbill, the Olive Ridley, the Green and the Leatherback. Amongst the birds are around 1200 Scarlet Macaws. Although their population is relatively healthy, the macaws still suffer badly from poaching. The estuaries and the Corcovado Lake provide a fruitful habitat for a variety of egrets and herons, including the strange Boat-billed Heron. The rarest of Costa Rica’s vultures, the King Vulture, is also found here. The huge Harpy Eagle, which preys on arboreal mammals such as sloths and monkeys, is now nearly extinct in Costa Rica, but few pairs may remain in Corcovado. The park is also a great area for hummingbirds, supporting around 16 species. Reptiles and amphibians including crocodiles, which lurk around the estuaries, 40 species of frog (such as Red eyed Rain, Glass and Poison Arrow Frogs) and scores of snakes – amongst their number are the dangerous Boa Constrictors and Bushmasters. Finally, mention must be made of the 50 species of bats, including fruit and fish-eating varieties.

Corcovado has three entry points: San Pedrillo (Saint little Peter) at the northwest corner; La Leona (the lion) in the southeast, and Los Patos (the ducks) on the northern edge of the park (the Pedrillo-Sirena path is closed from May 1st to December 1st, every year). All have ranger stations. In addition, the park headquarters and research station at Los Planes (the plans) in the north. All of these have short trails and are linked with each other by longer hiking trails, some following beaches for long stretches. The lengthier hikes require considerable rainforest trekking experience, with wet-weather equipment essential. Hikers should be aware of some difficulties; the paths can be extremely muddy, especially in the wet season; insects such as mosquitoes and horseflies can be a major irritation. The park administration office is in Puerto Jimenez, next to the Banco Nacional (National Bank).

Getting to Corcovado National Park

Take the Interamerican Highway from San Jose to Piedras Blancas until the La Chacarita gas station and then exit to the right (dirt road) to Puerto Jimenez, or you can take the exit to Sierpe and then take a boat to Drake Bay. The total distance from San Jose takes about 7 hours.

BY BUS

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Puerto Jimenez, which takes about 8 hours (Transportes Blanco, +506 2771-4744). From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Corcovado National Park, which takes about 15 minutes. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

You can also ake a bus from the route San Jose – Golfito, which takes about 8 hours (Tracopa-Alfaro, +506 2221-4214). From here you can take a boat to Puerto Jimenez and then rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Corcovado National Park, which takes about 30 minutes. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

To get to La Leona (duration: 2.5 hours): From Puerto Jimenez take a bus to Carate beach and then walk about 1 hour until the La Leona Station.

To get to Los Patos (duration: 1 hour): From Puerto Jimenez take a bus to La Palma, once there you walk about 4 hours or you can hire a taxi to take you to Los Patos Station.

To get to San Pedrillo (duration: 1 hour): From Puerto Jimenez you take a bus to La Palma and then take another bus to Drake Bay and then take a boat, another route would be to take a boat in Sierpe. From Puerto Jimenez you can take a bus to La Palma, from there another bus to Drake Bay and then a boat to Corcovado National Park. Another route would be to take a bus from the route San Jose – Puerto Jimenez, which takes about 8 hours, and get off at Palmar Norte (Transportes Blanco, +506 2771-4744). From here go to Sierpe and there take a boat to Corcovado National Park.

BY PLANE

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Puerto Jimenez Airport, Golfito or Drake Bay either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Corcovado National Park, which takes about 20 minutes. Charter flights to La Sirena station can be arranged.

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Río Piro Costa Rica

Rio Piro Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica was created on April 26th 1999, to protect the mouth of the river and beach areas on the southern Osa Peninsula in the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

At this beach you may also do some turtle watching. The refuge has a large number of waterfalls, just perfect to cool off on a hot tropical day.

The Osa Peninsula is one of the most biologically diverse and humid places on the planet, receiving a total rainfall of 5,000 mm, with a maximum rain period from August to October with about 600-900 mm per month.

Due to the Rio Piro National Wildlife Refuge location, biodiversity is extremely rich in marine and terrestrial species, with over 700 species of trees, 365 species of birds, 117 species of reptiles and almost 10,000 species of insects, endemic species like monkeys, sloths, peccaries, coatis, big cats like the jaguar and the puma, as well as birds native to the area like trogons, macaws, toucans, pelicans and gulls. And you might be able to watch dolphins, sharks and turtles, in addition to the spectacular humpback whales and their calves during the months from December to May.

There are no public facilities at Rio Piro National Wildlife Refuge. Other nearby Costa Rican parks include Rio Oro National Wildlife Refuge, Lagunazul National Wildlife Refuge, Pejeperro National Wildlife Refuge, Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, Osa National Wildlife Refuge and Corcovado National Park.

Getting to Rio Piro Wildlife Refuge:

From San Jose, take the Pan-American Highway south towards Panama. At the town of Rio Claro, take the exit to Puerto Jimenez. The refuge is about 22 km south of Puerto Jimenez. The total trip from San Jose takes about 7 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San Jose – Puerto Jimenez, which takes about 8 hours (Transportes Blanco, 2771-4744). From here you can rent a car and drive, take a taxi or another bus from the route Puerto Jimenez – Carate beach, making the stop at Rio Piro Wildlife Refuge.

You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – Golfito, which takes about 8 hours (Tracopa-Alfaro, 2221-4214). From here you can take rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Rio Piro Wildlife Refuge. In both cases we recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Golfito or Puerto Jimenez Airports, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Rio Piro Wildlife Refuge, which takes about 30 minutes.

Location: Osa Peninsula, district: Puerto Jimenez, canton: Golfito, province: Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 60702.
Puerto Jimenez GPS Coordinates: 8.535819,-83.303914 (8°32’08.95″N, 83°18’14.09″W)
Size: 31 ha (77 acres)
Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) Telephone: +(506) 2735-5580 / 2735-5276
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Rio Piro Wildlife Refuge, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Río Oro Costa Rica

Rio Oro Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica was created to protect the mouth of the river and beach areas on the southern Osa Peninsula in the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

Through this refuge the government pretends to ensure the perpetuity of species typical to the area, their populations and habitats, as well as providing an opportunity to perform different activities of scientific, educational and recreational values, as long as they do not jeopardize the main objectives of the refuge.

Rio Oro National Wildlife Refuge has the same weather that prevails in the Osa Peninsula, with an average temperature of 25ºC (70ºF), which results in a very humid evergreen forest with heavy rains, making it one of the wettest places in the world. Rainfall is abundant throughout the year, and in the months of October and November it can rain more than 700 mm.

There are no public facilities at Rio Oro National Wildlife Refuge. Other nearby Costa Rican parks include Rio Piro National Wildlife Refuge, Lagunazul National Wildlife Refuge, Pejeperro National Wildlife Refuge, Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, Osa National Wildlife Refuge and Corcovado National Park.

Getting to Rio Oro Wildlife Refuge:

From San Jose, take the Pan-American Highway south, towards Panama. At the town of Rio Claro, take the exit to Puerto Jimenez. The refuge is 22 km south of Puerto Jimenez. The total trip from San Jose takes about 7 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San Jose – Puerto Jimenez, which takes about 8 hours (Transportes Blanco, 2771-4744). From here you can rent a car and drive, take a taxi or another bus from the route Puerto Jimenez – Carate beach, making the stop at Rio Oro Wildlife Refuge.

You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – Golfito, which takes about 8 hours (Tracopa-Alfaro, 2221-4214). From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Rio Oro Wildlife Refuge. In both cases we recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Golfito or Puerto Jimenez Airports, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Rio Oro Wildlife Refuge, which takes about 30 minutes.

Location: Osa Peninsula in southern Puntarenas, district: Guaycará, canton: Golfito, province: Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 60703.
Puerto Jimenez GPS Coordinates: 8.535819,-83.303914 (8°32’08.95″N, 83°18’14.09″W)
Size: 39 ha (96 acres)
Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) Telephone: +(506) 2735-5580 / 2735-5276
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Rio Oro Wildlife Refuge, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Preciosa Platanares Costa Rica

Preciosa Platanares Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica was created on April 20th 1998, to protect forested and beach areas on the Osa Peninsula in the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

The Platanares Preciosa Wildlife Refuge is a protected coastal-marine area, belonging to the Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA), which is a very important center for the conservation of wildlife and natural resources of a very particular ecosystem. This refuge is also a biological corridor between Corcovado National Park and Golfo Dulce reserve.

The Preciosa Platanares National Wildlife Refuge mangroves are both relaxing and amazing. The mangroves are intense environments where wildlife shows in many different ways. You will learn about the ecosystem while sailing in calm waters, and at the same time, visitors can enjoy watching dolphins, sea turtles, fish, crabs, crocodiles, caimans, ocean birds and coatis, anteaters, raccoons, monkeys, iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards, snakes and butterflies hiding in the forest.

The refuge has the same climate that prevails in the Osa Peninsula, very humid with heavy rains, evergreen forests and an average temperature of 25ºC (70ºF), so the Preciosa and Platanares beaches have a unique vegetation with a variety of “Piñuelas” or “Piros” (Bromelia plumieri).

Immerse yourself in indescribable wild and silent beauty, where nature reveals its life. This trip explores the mangrove estuaries near the Platanares River in the Preciosa Platanares National Wildlife Refuge.

There are no public facilities at Preciosa Platanares National Wildlife Refuge. Other nearby Costa Rican Parks include Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, Hacienda Copano Wildlife Refuge, Carate Wildlife Refuge, Lagunazul National Wildlife Refuge, Rio Oro National Wildlife Refuge and Corcovado National Park.

Getting to Preciosa Platanares Wildlife Refuge:

From San Jose, take the Pan-American Highway south towards Panama. At the town of Rio Claro, take the exit to Puerto Jimenez. The refuge is about 22 km south of Puerto Jimenez. The total trip from San Jose takes about 7 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San Jose – Puerto Jimenez, which takes about 8 hours (Transportes Blanco, 2771-4744). From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Preciosa Platanares Wildlife Refuge.

You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – Golfito, which takes about 8 hours (Tracopa-Alfaro, 2221-4214). From here you can take rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Preciosa Platanares Wildlife Refuge. In both cases we recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Golfito or Puerto Jimenez Airports, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Preciosa Platanares Wildlife Refuge, which takes about 20 minutes.

Location: near Platanares River in Osa Peninsula, southern Puntarenas, district: Puerto Jimenez, canton: Golfito, province: Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 60702.
Puerto Jimenez GPS Coordinates: 8.535819,-83.303914 (8°32’08.95″N, 83°18’14.09″W)
Size: 226 ha (558 acres)
Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) Telephone: +(506) 2735-5580 / 2735-5276
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Puerto Jimenez, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Pejeperro Costa Rica

Pejeperro Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica was created on April 5th 2000, to protect lowland areas on the southern Osa Peninsula in the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

This refuge encloses the Pejeperro and Pejeperrito Wetlands. It consists of two coastal lagoons partially separated from the sea by strips of sand. They are very beautiful despite having undergone some alterations. Pejeperro Lagoon is really a lagoon with a mangrove swamp and a flooded forest in the northern part, while Pejeperrito is the only saltwater lagoon in the country, that’s why they are so fragile and important ecosystems as breeding sites for amphibians, reptiles and birds, such as the crocodile (Crocodilus acutus), the cayman (Caiman crocodiles) and several species of herons and river turtles. Also, due to its closeness to the Corcovado National Park, this refuge is extremely rich in terrestrial and marine biodiversity species, with large populations of monkeys, sloths, peccaries and coatis, not to mention the birds native to the area as toucans, macaws, trogons, parrots, pelicans and gulls. The refuge has a large population of dolphins, sharks and the spectacular humpback whales and their calves during the months from December to May.

The weather is typical of the Osa Peninsula, hot and humid, a wild and abrupt area with very heavy rains and evergreen forest, making it one of the wettest places in the world. Rainfall is abundant all year long but in October and November it can rain over 700mm, which feeds innumerable waterways and encourages the growth of very tall trees laden with epiphytes. The dry season goes from February through April.

There are no public facilities at Pejeperro National Wildlife Refuge. Other nearby Costa Rican Parks include Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, Hacienda Copano Wildlife Refuge, Carate Wildlife Refuge, Lagunazul National Wildlife Refuge, Rio Oro National Wildlife Refuge and Corcovado National Park.

Getting to Pejeperro Wildlife Refuge:

From San Jose, take the Pan-American Highway south towards Panama. At the town of Rio Claro, take the exit to Puerto Jimenez. The refuge is about 22 km south of Puerto Jimenez. The total trip from San Jose takes about 7 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San Jose – Puerto Jimenez, which takes about 8 hours (Transportes Blanco, 2771-4744). From here you can rent a car and drive, take a taxi or take another bus Puerto Jimenez – Carate beach, making the stop at Pejeperro Wildlife Refuge.

You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – Golfito, which takes about 8 hours (Tracopa-Alfaro, 2221-4214). From here you can take rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Pejeperro Wildlife Refuge. In both cases we recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Golfito or Puerto Jimenez Airports, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Pejeperro Wildlife Refuge, which takes about 30 minutes.

Location: southern Osa Peninsula, district: Puerto Jimenez, canton: Golfito, province: Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 60702.
GPS Coordinates: 8.436794,-83.399972 (8°26’12.46″N, 83°23’59.90″W)
Size: 441 ha (1,089 acres)
Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) Telephone: +(506) 2735-5580 / 2735-5276
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Pejeperro Wildlife Refuge, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Osa Costa Rica

Osa Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica was created on April 26th 1999 in order to protect forested beach areas on the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula at Cabo Matapalo in the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

The Osa Peninsula is one of the most biologically diverse and humid places on the planet. With over 700 species of trees, 365 species of birds (many of them endemic), 117 species of reptiles and almost 10,000 species of insects, and it receives a total rainfall of 5,000 mm, with a less rainy season from January to March (50-150 mm per month), a long rainy season from April to December (with more than 200 mm per month) and the maximum monthly rain period from August to October (about 600-900 mm per month). The Osa National Wildlife Refuge holds the most important population of Caryocar costaricense, with densities of up to 4 trees per ha.

This refuge is without doubt a private Eden which joins rainforest nature with the tranquility and beauty of its beaches and spectacular views. Its forests, full of tropical fruits and flowers, attract many of the colorful wildlife residents of the area, such as macaws, toucans, parrots, monkeys, coatis, kinkajous, agoutis, sloths, peccaries, and occasionally even wild cats like pumas, jaguarondis, ocelots and jaguars.

There are no public facilities at Osa National Wildlife Refuge. Other nearby Costa Rican Parks include Carate National Wildlife Refuge, Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, Hacienda Copano National Wildlife Refuge, Pejeperro National Wildlife Refuge, Rio Oro National Wildlife Refuge and Corcovado National Park.

Getting to Osa Wildlife Refuge:

From San Jose, take the Pan-American Highway south towards Panama. At the town of Rio Claro, take the exit to Puerto Jimenez. The refuge is about 22 km south of Puerto Jimenez. The total distance from San Jose is about 7 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San Jose – Puerto Jimenez, which takes about 8 hours (Transportes Blanco, 2771-4744). From here you can rent a car and drive, take a taxi or take another bus from the route Puerto Jimenez – Carate beach, and then go to Osa Wildlife Refuge.

You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – Golfito, which takes about 8 hours (Tracopa-Alfaro, 2221-4214). From here you can take rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Osa Wildlife Refuge. In both cases we recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Golfito or Puerto Jimenez Airports, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Osa Wildlife Refuge, which takes about 20 minutes.

Location: Cabo Matapalo in Osa Peninsula, southern Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Puerto Jimenez GPS Coordinates: 8.535819,-83.303914 (8°32’08.95″N, 83°18’14.09″W)
Size: 1,605 ha (3,962 acres)
Altitude: from 0 to 200m above sea level
Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) Telephone: +(506) 2735-5580 / 2735-5276
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Osa Wildlife Refuge, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio de Vida Silvestre Lagunazul Costa Rica

Lagunazul Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica was created on April 13th, 2000, in order to protect forested and beach areas on the Osa Peninsula at the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

Lagunazul National Wildlife Refuge has an average temperature of 25ºC (70ºF) with an average annual rainfall ranging between 2,500 and 6,000 mm, making it one of the wettest places, with a relative humidity that exceeds 90% most of the year.

Biodiversity is extremely rich in marine and terrestrial species, with endemic species like monkeys, peccaries, sloths, coaties amongst others, and endangered species such as some big cats, like the jaguar and the puma. Birds native to the area as trogons, macaws, toucans, pelicans and gulls. At the refuge you can also watch dolphins, sharks and turtles, as well as the spectacular humpback whales which can be seen with their calves during the months from December to May.

There are no public facilities at Lagunazul National Wildlife Refuge. Other nearby Costa Rican Parks include Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, Pejeperro National Wildlife Refuge, Rio Oro National Wildlife Refuge, Carate National Wildlife Refuge and Corcovado National Park.

Getting to Lagunazul Wildlife Refuge:

From San Jose, take the Pan-American Highway south towards Panama. At the town of Rio Claro, take the exit to Puerto Jimenez. The total trip from San Jose takes about 7 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San Jose – Puerto Jimenez, which takes about 8 hours (Transportes Blanco, 2771-4744). From here you can rent a car and drive, take a taxi or take another bus Puerto Jimenez – Carate beach, making the stop at Lagunazul Wildlife Refuge.

You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – Golfito, which takes about 8 hours (Tracopa-Alfaro, 2221-4214). From here you can take rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Lagunazul Wildlife Refuge. In both cases we recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Golfito or Puerto Jimenez Airports, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Lagunazul Wildlife Refuge, which takes about 20 minutes.

Location: Osa Peninsula in Golfo Dulce, southern Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Puerto Jimenez GPS Coordinates: 8.535819,-83.303914 (8°32’08.95″N, 83°18’14.09″W)
Size: 14 ha (35 acres)
Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) Telephone: +(506) 2735-5580 / 2735-5276
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Lagunazul Wildlife Refuge, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Hacienda Copano Costa Rica

Hacienda Copano Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica was created on July 26th, 1995 in order to protect forested river areas on the southern Osa Peninsula at the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It lies entirely within the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, near Puerto Jimenez.

The Hacienda Copano National Wildlife Refuge is privately owned, 100% Costa Rican capital which has properties under the forest regime, located on the south side of Puntarenas.

Hacienda Copano reforestation process started in 1991 by leasing their properties to the development of forestry projects with the planting of Gmelina arborea, a native of Southeast Asia introduced to America with very good results and high commercial potential for its ability for renewal and transformation.

The weather is typical of the Osa Peninsula, hot and humid, a wild area with very heavy rains and thick evergreen forest, making it one of the wettest places in the world. Rainfall is abundant all year long but in October and November it can rain over 700mm, which feeds innumerable waterways and encourages the growth of very tall trees laden with epiphytes. The dry season is from February through April.

There are no public facilities at this wildlife refuge. The nearest parks include Corcovado National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park, Golfito National Wildlife Refuge and Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve.

Getting to Hacienda Copano Wildlife Refuge:

From San Jose, take the Pan-American Highway south towards Panama. At the town of Rio Claro, take the exit to Puerto Jimenez. The total trip from San Jose takes takes 7 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San Jose – Golfito, which takes about 8 hours (Tracopa-Alfaro, 2221-4214). From here you can take rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – Puerto Jimenez, which takes about 8 hours (Transportes Blanco, 2771-4744). From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to the reserve. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Golfito or Puerto Jimenez Airports, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, which is takes 20 minutes.

Location: within the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve in Osa Peninsula, southern Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Puerto Jimenez GPS Coordinates: 8.535819,-83.303914 (8°32’08.95″N, 83°18’14.09″W)
Size: 105 ha (260 acres)
Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) Telephone: +(506) 2735-5580 / 2735-5276
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Hacienda Copano Wildlife Refuge, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Reserva Forestal Golfo Dulce Costa Rica

Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve Costa Rica was created on June 27th, 1979 in order to protect forested lowland areas surrounding the Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) and the Osa Peninsula in Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. These are fragmented, dense evergreen forests which provide a biological corridor, connecting Corcovado National Park with Piedras Blancas National Park.

This forest reserve is nestled in Golfo Dulce, a large bay ringed by rivers and secluded beaches with calm waters, which offers a great attraction to tourists seeking peaceful swimming, or to get pleasure from nature, wildlife and birdwatching. It is one of the few places in the world where you can enjoy the shade of the rainforest from a kayak or boat while observing its unique wildlife or swimming in crystal waters.

Most of the lowlands surrounding the Golfo Dulce are characterized by tall evergreen forest, from 100 to 140 ft, and it is one of the wettest places in the world, with an average annual rainfall of 150 to 200 inches.

The Osa Peninsula has been named by the National Geographic as one of the most bio-diverse places on earth, it is home to an abundant plant and animal life, with some of the rarest ones on the planet. This forest reserve is made up of a tropical rain forest and protects all timber-wood species in the zone. The most numerous tree species are Epená (Virola koschnyi), Purpleheart (Peltogyne purpurea, a species with extremely beautiful purple wood), and Camibar (Copaifera camibar), which is known as Camibar oil and is used in popular medicine to cure wounds, particularly as a scar healing method.

Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve is a great place to observe nature at its most pristine. Monkeys are the most common residents here followed by tapirs, coatis, tayras or tolomucos, anteaters, sloths, many big cats and numerous bird species as macaws, toucans, trogones, pelicans and gulls. Moreover, the region where the forest meets the sea at the mouths of rivers makes impressive mangroves that are breeding grounds for many marine species such as dolphins, rays, eels, jumping fishes, as well as spectacular humpback whales and their calves during the months from December to May.

Though there are no public facilities at Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, tourists are welcome to visit and enjoy the tremendous wealth of wildlife found here. Other nearby parks include Corcovado National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park, Golfito National Wildlife Refuge and Carate National Wildlife Refuge.

Getting to Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve:

From San Jose, take the Pan-American Highway south towards Panama. At the town of Rio Claro, take the exit to Golfito. Accessible either from the town of Puerto Jimenez or Chacarita, since the highway from Chacarita to Puerto Jiménez crosses a large part of this reserve. The total distance from San Jose is about 7 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San Jose – Golfito, which takes about 8 hours (Tracopa-Alfaro, 2221-4214). From here you can take rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – Puerto Jimenez, which takes about 8 hours (Transportes Blanco, 2771-4744). From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to the reserve. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Golfito or Puerto Jimenez Airports, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take taxi to Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, which is about 20 minutes.

Location: Osa Peninsula in Golfo Dulce, southern Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Golfito GPS Coordinates: 8.638792,-83.166678 (8°38’19.65″N, 83°10’00.04″W)
Puerto Jimenez GPS Coordinates: 8.535819,-83.303914 (8°32’08.95″N, 83°18’14.09″W)
Size: 60,565 ha (149,593 acres)
Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) Telephone: +(506) 2735-5580 / 2735-5276
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps