Costa Rica is hands down one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. It’s rich in nature, boasts delicious Latin food, and is full of the happiest people I’ve ever met.
The Osa Peninsula is located in the South-West region of Costa Rica where the jungle meets the ocean. Here you’ll soon become charmed by the roaring wake-up call of the Howler monkey and the salt of the ocean that lingers in the air. Perhaps one of the best parts of your visit is never needing to be dressed in more than a bathing suit.
The locals will offer you surf lessons, and your day isn’t complete without water from a freshly cracked coconut. This jungle paradise is, while sometimes a challenge, a lovingly wild home, excited to show you its beauty and wonders.
6 Must-See Places to Visit in The Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica – Pura Vida!
With so many amazing places to visit in the Osa, it was difficult to shortlist 6 places that shouldn’t be missed on your next trip to Costa Rica.
My Suggestions For The Top 6 Places to See In The Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
1) Puerto Jimenez
Many people wonder why this one turns up on my list. It’s because this little town will be your first port of call if you’re arriving by air or boat. In Puerto Jimenez, you can enjoy a day at the beautiful beach followed by an evening sampling some of the local or international cuisines on offer. For those more adventurous types, you can experience the nightlife where bars tend to be open until fairly late, offering loud music and a wide array of drinks. This is a popular spot at the weekend where locals and ex-pats converge to enjoy themselves.
Puerto Jimenez restaurant must-go’s:
- Los Delfines
- Monka Cafe
- Hellen’s
- La Terreza
- Marbella
- Marisqueria Corcovado
2) Blue Osa Yoga Resort and Spa
I’ve spent weekends staying in friends’ houses around the Osa Peninsula. As a yoga student and teacher, I’m always looking for studios where I can take yoga classes, and I haven’t found a better yoga deck than the one at Blue Osa. Most resorts in this area don’t tend to have yoga decks. Blue Osa’s deck is impressive with huge, open windows that face the ocean, and provide beautiful views of the vibrant and picturesque garden.
Imagine standing in Tadasana, facing the ocean, listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the call of macaws and other bird species floating by for a visit. The texture of the air is warm and soft as it comes through the wide open windows that line each wall of the shala and you feel a deep sense of connectedness to the natural elements that surround you. This is the experience of yoga at Blue Osa.
A yoga class at Blue Osa is unlike any you can find at home or in Puerto Jimenez. Blue Osa provides the setting, but of course, the magic you experience is created by you.
3) Pan Dulce and Matapalo beach
If you want to take a surf lesson, you’ll definitely want to go to Pan Dulce and Matapalo. It’s likely that if you sign up for one, this is the place you will go.
Matapalo is about a 15-minute drive from Blue Osa. In Matapalo, you’ll find three beautiful beaches that back up to the jungle. While the Osa offers many beaches, they each offer a particular charm. Pan Dulce and Matapalo are great locations to surf and swim.
They are usually empty and always clean with deep turquoise waters. If you’re lucky, you may see dolphins!
4) Backwash
Backwash is a beautiful blue-water beach, lined by enormous black rocks, but perfect for deep-water swimming and surfing. You’ll meet lots of people gathered on this sunny and open shoreline, eager to float in the large, gentle waves.
Backwash is situated right next to Pan Dulce, so getting here is a quick taxi ride or hike through the jungle. Or, you can walk along the beach from Martina’s.
5) Carate
As you venture further south around the Osa Peninsula you’ll find Carate. This is a hidden gem most people aren’t aware of. It’s not a tourist hotspot which is why it’s remained untouched. You’ll drive up into the mountains to get here through majestic jungle scenery. At the end of the drive, the view is postcard perfect when you arrive at a beautiful lagoon and experience gorgeous sunsets.
The beach is deserted and surrounded by trees of various shapes and sizes. This is a stunning area to visit and photograph the rich nature. Alternatively, if photography isn’t your thing, lay your towel down to sunbathe and enjoy a dip in the ocean.
6) Lapa Rios Waterfall
I stumbled upon this waterfall by accident. This huge waterfall was the perfect surprise after a long day of horseback riding and hiking. It’s likely you’ll catch a moment here alone, which enhances the sound of the crashing water into the pool below. The water was clean and refreshing – ideal after the energetic day we were coming from. In the rainy season, catching a rain shower here is nothing short of mystical. Costa Rica really never fails to infatuate and surprise it’s awe-struck guests.
There are a lot of beautiful places around the world that I am yet to discover, but for now, the Osa Peninsula remains firmly at the top of my list of favorite places. Being a huge nature lover and explorer, I felt immediately at home in this magnificent land.
Whether you are like me, and you are nature-obsessed, or not, the Osa Peninsula cannot fail to impress with its reputation for being “the most biologically intense place on earth”. You’ll notice the impact this reputation has had on the area with a strong sense of pride when it comes to the eco-friendly focus of many establishments.
Experience the Corcovado National Park in all its glory. Blue Osa Yoga Retreat and Spa serves as the perfect base to explore. Let this be the adventure of your lifetime.
About The Author
Born in Colombia, raised in Florida with a mind full of curiosity on spirituality and how to make the world a better place. Nicole has been practicing yoga since she was 16 years old, ever since she’s wanted to expand her yoga practice which has turned into her ultimate passion. She went to Costa Rica where her practice got deeper and now being a certified yoga instructor, still in Costa Rica, as a writer/blogger and finishing her studies on holistic health. Growing up in a household and group of friends full of support and love is what has allowed her to achieve her dreams and to continue to be where she currently is. Expressing her passions with yoga, writing, health and nature through social media wanting to spread her passion through out the world, one picture and one message at a time. (IG: @nicoletovz)(FB: Nicole Tovar)
