The warm waters of the Osa Peninsula are ideal for whales during their mating season and for giving birth to their babies. The humpback whales come from the South and stay here from August till mid October,whilst from January to March, they come from the North.

In addition to humpback whales you can also see dolphins and turtles. Take advantage of the various boat trips to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural environment.

The Térraba-Sierpe mangroves area is one of the largest wetlands in Central America and the largest in Costa Rica. It has an extension of 32,000 hectares with a high degree of biodiversity, including six different mangrove species.

The mangroves ecosystem is very important in this area as it offers an ideal habitat for about forty kinds of birds, various types of snakes, crocodiles, monkeys and basilisks.

Isla del Cano is one of the most outstanding biological reserves of Costa Rica.

It is known for its rich marine life, its wonderful underwater rock formations, which are complemented by turquoise waters that offer excellent visibility. In addition, the corals that surround the island are the largest on the Pacific side of the country. These are the reasons why diving and snorkeling are the main activities for people who visit the island. In fact, diving out of Isla del Cano is considered the best of all Costa Rica.

You are likely to find magnificent creatures such as stingrays, sea turtles, moray eels, barracudas and quite often dolphins and white tip sharks. You will be fascinated by the underwater cliffs, caves and landslides that can descend up to 24 meters deep.

So, if you want to take the opportunity to explore the underwater wonder of Isla del Cano, now it’s time!

This National Park has an area of 110 terrestrial hectares and 5375 maritime hectares. The park is known to be visited by humpback whales during their migrations for breeding from the cold seas of the Northern Hemisphere from January to  March and vice versa, from the cold seas of the Southern Hemisphere  from August to October.

Most of the park is in the maritime domain, but its protected area includes beautiful beaches, such as Playa Uvita, Playa Ballena and Playa Piñuela.

The tours organized by local operators offer the opportunity to meet the whales and other marine species that inhabit the waters of the Park.

In the Osa Peninsula lies the largest national park in Costa Rica: the Corcovado National Park.

It is a nature reserve composed of several protected tropical ecosystems. Considered one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, the park hosts, among others, red macaws, tapirs, jaguars and various types of monkeys. The paths extend along the coast or inland, through a variety of natural environments.

Piedras Blancas is a beautiful national park with an incredible variety of flora and fauna. An important nature reserve and a wildlife refuge located in the Golfito area.

With its extensive and dense forest, this national park is essentially a primitive evergreen forest that houses many native trees and plants, hundreds of species of plants, animals and rare insects, as well as a large number of snakes and other reptiles, waterfalls and rivers, beautiful beaches and a coral reef.

La Amistad International Park is a national park that stretches from Costa Rica to Panama.
Classified as a national park in both countries, it is also a World Heritage Site.
This forest of mists is a regional focus of biodiversity (it would house around 20% of the regional species of Central America).
La Amistad International Park is one of the most original corners of the world, with a particular charm with incredible panoramic views of incomparable beauty.

Stunning views, birdwatching and a tour of moors and glacial lakes make a visit to this park a breathtaking experience …. not only for its altitude….3,819 meters the highest peak.

In Chirripó, every site is unique. From the premontane forests with a broad biodiversity to the rainforest, full of epiphytic plants (aerial plants) covering trunks and branches of trees.

One of the main attractions of the park is the observation of birds, because along the way you can find different species such as quetzal, goldfinch and lechucita serranera.

In sunny days with clear sky both oceans can be seen.

Right in the center of Uvita, just a few hundred meters from main highway: the beautiful Cascada Verde.

Surrounded by lush tropical jungle with monkeys and toucans, you can enjoy a day out bathing in the natural swimming pools or take an energizing massage under the main waterfall.

If you feel hungry a small restaurant bar is on site.

Waterfalls are one of the most fascinating natural landscapes of Costa Rica. Set among the volcanic rocks and the emerald green of the jungle, they offer an ever-new vision rich in bright colors. Among the multiple opportunities, the complex of Nauyaca falls is undoubtedly one of the most evocative.

Nauyaca Falls are the ideal place for nature and adventure lovers where it is possible to walk, ride horses, swim, climb, and enjoy a wonderful day in one of the most beautiful places in the South Pacific.

Cascada el Pavon has a quite unique design, making it one of the most peculiar discovery in the area. It has a big rock stuck on the top between the waterfall openings. There are several natural swimming pools along the river too.  If you have time, you can also spend some time to the near Playa Ventana or enjoy some local food in the nearby restaurant.

You can find the enchanting Poza Azul waterfall in the jungle of Dominicalito.

Ideal on a hot day, it provide shade and natural swimming pool. You can reach it quite easily with any type of car. It’s a very short walk down from the park area, but quite steep, so be prepared for it.

Eco Chontales is an idyllic waterfall  hidden in the middle of the jungle,  on the way to Pérez Zeledón.
The waterfall is one of the attraction of a successfull Costa Rican Family owned ecotourism project.
Visit the waterfall, horseback riding and food. They have different packages, parking and the ability to bring your own snacks and drinks.

Arrive at what seems to be the top of the world. Stand inside rainbows looking down to the Pacific coast while being refreshed by the crystal mist of waterfalls. Be grounded, energized and experience how you are a part of this wonderful world.

Your tour will be lead by brothers Humberto and Enrique Nunez, who own Santa Lucia Falls. They have chosen to protect this land and instead make their livelihood in eco-tourism. Your lunch and snacks will be prepared and served by Yajaira, Humberto’s wife.

If you are a beginner, professional, amateur, here you will find your happiness.
Choose your rank according to your abilities. Some beaches offer you the biggest waves. So enjoy the scenery as you fly over the waves. Many surfing schools are located on the coast and offer courses and board rentals. Do not worry, you will find what´s right for you!

Costa Rica, an appropriate name for a country surrounded by oceans. On the Pacific side, islands close to the coast defined by their underwater pinnacles, such as Cocos Island, offer tantalizing encounters with sharks and stingrays. These destinations have strong currents, which makes them more suitable for advanced divers. These are the most famous diving sites in Costa Rica and they are worth it.
The Pacific Basin is also known for its pelagic life. Manta stripes of humpback whales, this coast is suitable for all diving levels with quiet areas and some known for having a bit of power. Remember that the south of the country is a protected biological reserve. The underwater landscape is formed by rocks and pinnacles, and you will enjoy large schools of fish swimming in each dive.
For diving, the diving schools will train you and then you can go with the waters of Costa Rica.

In Costa Rica, manta rays, barracudas, sharks, sea turtles and coral reefs evolve peacefully in waters between 24 and 27ºC. Although it is possible to dive all year round, the best time is during the dry season, that is, from November to April. Snorkeling is a pleasure for the eyes. You will discover a lot of small colorful fish, and after a beautiful walk underwater, you will have full eye images

Rafting is one of the main activities that can be practiced in Costa Rica.
It is well developed in the country and highly regulated with rigorous international standards. The many rivers that cross the country are accessible to everyone: from class I (easy) to class V (very difficult). The best season for rafting is from June to October, due to the amount of cubic meters of water flowing into the rivers, but it is possible to do so throughout the year.

With more than 20 rivers and both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, Costa Rica kayaking offers almost limitless options for adventurers. What do you prefer: venturing into the maze of mangroves, paddling along the coast to spot dolphins and wildlife, testing the whitewater? 

Uvita de Osa is a small town in the south of Costa Rica. It is notable for hosting an annual musical event (Envision Festival) and for the whale tail of the Ballena Marine National Park.

Uvita, in recent years, has become the tourist center of the Costa Ballena region. Visits range from whale watching, mountain biking and surfing lessons to snorkeling excursions.

Discover Costa Rican ladnscapes or beaches in a different way.
Horseback riding will take you from the deep jungles to soft sand beaches. Most of the excursions are led by bilingual tour guides who will point out the diverse flora and fauna to along the route.

Through the forest, rivers, beaches, pedal to discover the unique fauna of the country.Or if you want to explore a little more, you can also rent bicycles and take a walk around the city or the beaches.

Boruca is an indigenous tribe of the South Pacific, located in the Talamanca Mountains, 20 km from Panama. The Boruca tribe has approximately 2,000 members and is located in an indigenous reserve, where about 140 km² of land are protected for use. According to Costa Rican law, tribes on reserve lands, such as Boruca, have the right to self-govern.

Boruca is a proud indigenous people of Costa Rica. His impressive hand-carved Boruca masks are so popular that imitations are sold throughout the Central American country. But indigenous culture is more than a mask. Boruca is based on faith in the wisdom of the ancients and the legends of Boruca that count, transmitted for centuries. Boruca’s identity reflects a deep respect for the stories told, the nature that surrounds them and the community they share.

Explore the site to learn more about culture, crafts, legends, food, tours and people that make Boruca’s identity unique in the world.

Finca 6 is one of the most important archaeological sites in the region. Here you can see the spheres that the natives made more than 2000 years ago and that were used to mark the important places of the villages, as well as the astronomically important moments, that is, the beginning of the rainy season (April and August)
In the archaeological site there is also a small museum that collects interesting discoveries and describes the life of the town.
Traces still visible, not to mention the damage, left by the banana companies that were active in the region until 1985. Finca 6 is a World Heritage Site (UNESCO).

The stone spheres (or rock balls) of Costa Rica are an assortment of more than three hundred oil spheres in Costa Rica, located in the Diquís delta and in Isla del Caño. Locally, they are known as Las Bolas. Spheres are usually attributed to the extinct culture of Diqu and are sometimes referred to as Diqu spheres. These are the most famous stone sculptures in the Colombian isthmus region. It is believed that they were placed on the lines along the access to the houses of the chiefs, but their exact meaning remains uncertain.
To discover, you can visit Batambal.Batambal, a village with occupations of the Aguas Buenas Period (300 a.C.-800 a.D.) and Chiriqui (800-1550 a.C.) in the Delta del Diquís. It is located on a hill with a spectacular view to the delta, the sea, the mountain and the river Térraba canyon. It was known that they appeared in this place, but the excavations recently carried out on the site, which also has a set of structures built with boulders and four stone spheres, show that their number is very high.

The archaeological site extends about 20 hectares, on a terrace of the Térraba river and on the slopes of the Cordillera Costeña. The outstanding feature of the El Silencio site is the monumental sphere 2.54 m in diameter and some 24 tons in weight. Next to the sculpture there is a paving stone 12 m long and about 2 m wide, built with pebbles and limestone.

The El Silencio sphere is the largest recorded to date and was made of granodiorite, extracted from Quebrada Cansot, located one kilometer from the site. Its surface presents severe detachments caused by fire.

The Grijalba site, a complex settlement of the del Diquís delta
The Grijalba site, located on a terrace of the Balsar River, a tributary of the Térraba River, near Ciudad Cortés, Osa Canton.
The place has several mounds that have cobbled entrances with boulders, ceramic and lithic deposits and a stone sphere, which are associated with the Chiriquí period (800-1500 AD), the late period of pre-Columbian occupation where large and complex settlements are reflection of the cacical organization that occurred in the area in pre-Columbian times.
The site was also selected for its location towards the western sector of the delta, and in this way have a representative sample of settlements in different areas of the delta.
An archaeological site where you can discover the pre-Columbian history of the region. A great site full of history.

This is part of the Marino Ballena National Park. Don’t miss this classic place as it is where you access the “Cola de Ballena” sand slot. Here are the sweetest waters in the area that offer good swimming opportunities for the whole family. Fantastic possibilities to see the sunset.

Located within the Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita. Colonia is an imposing beach, with light gray sand and beautiful sunsets. It is a place with enough space to enjoy a walk in the middle of the vegetation that surrounds it. There is also a spot suitable for surfing. Near the beach, surf lessons are offered. It also has a camping area.

Located between the cities of Piñuela and Uvita, Playa Bahía Ballena is part of the great Marino Ballena National Park. Visitors to the beach are most likely to see the magnificent creatures between December and March of each year, when the animals migrate through the adjacent bay. Many interesting animals also live on land near Playa Bahía Ballena. The beach is home to the nesting colonies of several exotic bird species, including magnificent frigates and blue-footed boobies. Large groups of green iguanas and lizards can also be seen running across the sand, and the beach seems to come to life every day when hermit crabs move in and out of the water.

Spanning about 1,300 meters in length, the relaxing Playa Piñuela is an ideal place to enjoy the scenic wonders of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. This quiet and small beach is rarely filled with tourists. Instead, it is a getaway to paradise where travelers and locals alike enjoy the warm sun and relax without any interruption. This small community is home to fishermen, and there is often the opportunity to buy fresh fish at the end of the day – be sure to pick someone who picks up their nets! Playa Piñuela is part of the Ballena Marine National Park, so tourists will always be surrounded by exuberant flora and fauna..

Located between Uvita and Dominicalito, it is a good place to take the family since the waves are not strong, there are no dangerous currents and the beach is very extensive, bordering the mouth of the river Morete, where you can bathe in the tranquility of the gentle currents and at the same time enjoy washing off the salty water…

One of the great attractions of the place are the caverns, rock formations that can be entered without problem at low tide. Inside it is quite dark and it is still a strange sensation to see only one light at the end. When you visit this beach you can locate them very close to where you enter on the right hand side. There are two of them and they have similar characteristics.

When the tide rises, the water comes out of both windows, which creates a different environment, forming a kind of small stream where some take the opportunity to bathe and take pictures.

For tourists wishing to have a good time during their visit to Costa Rica, they might consider a visit to Playa Tortuga, a beautiful beach located on the South Pacific coast. Playa Tortuga, is located a short distance from Ojochal. The main attraction of Playa Tortuga is however its abundant fauna and its impressive natural landscapes. This beach offers visitors breathtaking views of the high mountains, lush forests and sparkling sea.