Wildlife of Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula

Corcovado boasts 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, which is an extraordinary amount for an area of only 424 square kilometers. When in the park itself, you sense that 2.5% everywhere you look and everywhere you tread. I stayed at Corcovado Wilderness Lodge, which is right on the border of the national park, an hour’s boat ride from Drake Bay, offering the best access to the park of any accommodation in the area. The lodge itself is extremely comfortable, serving delicious food, with great views over the Pacific Ocean. It is however, the experienced guides and their enthusiasm to show you the incredible wildlife that makes staying here really special. On the very first day a huge male tapir marched through the grounds of the lodge, whilst a rarely spotted tayra sat in a large mango tree munching its way through the now perfectly ripe fruit, shortly followed by an ant eater trundling through our guide briefing. Staying at the Wilderness Lodge really is a wildlife enthusiasts dream especially for those willing and able to spend a good few hours walking in the park, which is the highlight of any stay here.

www.lastfrontiers.com/hotels/costa-rica/the-osa-peninsula/corcovado-wilderness

My five hour walk in the park itself on well-marked trails brought further contact with numerous different species, from spider monkeys to toucans, from scarlet macaws to sloths, to the resident crocodile in the river at San Pedrillo ranger station. This is not to mention the countless species of insects present, that help keep this incredible ecosystem functioning. A night walk encountering bats, frogs and snakes finished off a truly incredible day in the rainforest, and an experience I would highly recommend. Whilst staying at the Wilderness Lodge, one also has the opportunity to take a boat out to Caño Island biological reserve to snorkel over the coral beds. Along with a wide variety of fish, there is the chance to see manta rays, dolphins and sea turtles to name but a few.

Staying on the Osa Peninsula doesn’t have to include a visit to Corcovado National Park. A boat journey back along the coast past Drake Bay and up the Sierpe river brought me to the small village of Sierpe. A two hour drive to Puerto Jimenez, on the shores of Golfo Dulce (the gulf that separates the Osa Peninsula to mainland Costa Rica) and a bumpy hour in a 4x4 led to the peaceful El Remanso property, perched on the hillside overlooking the Pacific and surrounded by lush primary rainforest. The most common way to access the property however is to fly from San José directly to Puerto Jimenez as generally a stay on the peninsula would only incorporate one location.

With a modern, contemporary feel, El Remanso offered the chance for some mild relaxation in a secluded part of the forest, whilst also offering multiple rainforest walks around the property. A suspension bridge close to the forest canopy enhanced wildlife viewing, whilst zip lining and waterfall rappelling were also on offer for the more adventurous guests. After a morning exploring the trails with my excellent guide, a welcome a la carte lunch in the stunning newly refurbished restaurant was just what was needed. With rainforest right up to the restaurant, as well as ocean views, this was a great place to take time over the well curated dishes on offer and watch the toucans squabble in the nearby trees. In the late afternoon a ten minute walk downhill to the ocean revealed a deserted and pristine stretch of Pacific coast line with rainforest spilling right on to the beach. Staying at and exploring around El Remanso offered a different experience to staying at Corcovado Wilderness Lodge and visiting the National Park, but it was equally enjoyable. We would recommend staying here if you are looking for some very comfortable down time as well as having access to some of the wildlife in the rainforests outside of the National Park.

www.lastfrontiers.com/hotels/costa-rica/the-osa-peninsula/elremansolodge

If you happen to be traveling in this region from August to October, there is a good chance of seeing the humpback whales in Golfo Dulce that swim thousands of miles from Antarctica each year to breed and give birth in warmer waters. It is possible to explore the Golfo Dulce either when staying on the eastern side of Osa Peninsula, or indeed you may stay at a property on the shores of the gulf itself, such as Playa Cativo. A few days spent here, alongside potential whale sightings, offers calm water for kayaking, snorkelling, boat trips and short walks in to the Piedras Blancas national park which sits directly behind the grounds of the property. Playa Cativo offers very comfortable suites, some with private plunge pools and good views over the Golfo Dulce. We would recommend this as a good option for those keen on water borne exploration whilst relaxing in peaceful and characterful accommodation.

www.lastfrontiers.com/hotels/costa-rica/the-osa-peninsula/playa-cativo