As far as the costal front is concerned, this region stretches from the mouth of the Barú River to Punta Burica, on the border with Panama (490 kilometers in area/ 303 miles); and the inland section reaches to the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains.
It includes the following cantons of the Puntarenas province: Golfito, Corredores, Osa and Coto Brus, as well as the canton of Pérez Zeledón (province of San José). In fact, the administrative center of Pérez Zeledon, San Isidro, figures not only as the port of entry to the region but also as its distribution center.
This region is distinguished by its tourism-related products connected to sun and beach, nature, adventure, water sports, archeology, rural and indigenous communities.
Due to its ample size, there are a wide variety of ecosystems in this region that range from rain forests in the lower regions to cloud forests in higher zones. Within its domain the tallest mountain in Costa Rica if found, Chirripó (3,820 meters) from which, both coasts can be seen (Pacific and Caribbean) when it’s clear.
Chirripó mountain forms part of La Amistad International Park Costa Rica-Panama. In topographic prominence, it is point No. 38 in the world and figures among the 1,500 highest in the world. In the park there are life zones such as high plateaus cloud and rain forests.
Natural treasure:
The Southern Pacific has such an abundance of natural wealth that it was even rated by National Geographic magazine as “the most biologically intense place on Earth”. From there many natural reserves and national parks are found within its territories.
Given its very particular characteristics, it is a region distinguished by geographical contrasts; in addition, it is listed as an obligatory place to visit for those who love nature and enjoy extreme adventure.
Climate:
The best time to visit this region of the country is between the months of January and April, when there is little rain. Nonetheless, the fact that it is a higher rainfall region guarantees permanent green coloring.
Attractions:
Corcovado National Park:
This protected area is located on the Pacific Coast, precisely on the Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas province. It has an extension of almost 55 thousand hectares of land and 2400 of sea.
Within its terrain 500 species of trees exist, which according to scientific studies, are equivalent to a fourth of all of the tree species in Costa Rica.
The tropical rain forests in this park form the best ecosystem its type that is being preserved along the Pacific Coast and equally make up the only one of its type in the entire Central American region.
As far as its fauna is concerned, animals such as the jaguar, puma, ocelot, tapir, giant ant eater and monkeys such as the congo, white-faced, colorado and squirrel. Among the species of birds that are found in this area, scarlet macaws, the white hawk, Jacana, la pava ganadera (penelope albipennis), gallina del monte (tinamus major), Martín peña (butorides striata), various species of hummingbirds, the american black vulture and the two-colored toucan or curré (ramphastos swamsonii).
This park also forms one of the most important sites in the area of conservation, in the protection of the lizard and the crocodile.
The tropical rain forests protected in the area not only form the best of these ecosystems on the Pacific slope, but are also the last of them in the Central American region.
The vegetation of the park is made up principally by very humid tropical forest, with the following habitats: mountain forest, cloud forest, prairie forest, swamp forest, yolillal (another type of swamp forest), the herb marsh, the mangrove, cliff vegetation and coastal vegetation.
Among the most standout fauna we find the tapir, jaguar, puma, ocelot, giant anteater, monkeys such as the congo, white faced, colorado and squirrel; scarlet macaws, white hawk, Jacana y la pava ganadera Penelope albipennis). Also the American black vulture, the gallina del monte (Tinamus major), the purple dove, the two-colored toucan or curré (ramphastos swamsonii), the catano (aratinga canicularis), martin peña (butorides striata), cacique (cacicus holosericeus) and various species of hummingbirds. The park is one of the most important sites in the area of conservation, in the protection of the lizard and the crocodile.
Its virgin beaches and virgin tropical forest therefore house one of the most valuable places in the world for the study of these types of ecosystems. But it is not only that numerous species inhabit this land: it is that many of them are unique and in danger of extinction. This elevates its importance even more.
However, it is a very difficult region to access, which is why only true nature lovers decide to embark on this adventure.
DOMINICAL BEACH:
Among its characteristics, it is a beach that distinguishes itself by its strong waves, which make it an ideal site for surfing. On the other hand, it is also a site frequented by campers since the area has the facilities for it.
Dominical is another distribution center for the Southern Pacific region, since from there it is possible to go on tours to nearby places of great scenic beauty, such as the Nauyaca waterfalls or the hills close by, from which the majestic coastal landscape can be appreciated. It boasts a wide range of tourism-related and commercial services.
UVITA BEACH:
It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the Southern Pacific Coast. Its mild waves make it a safe swimming site, while the tranquility of its waters allow for the observation of sea life.
In addition, its estuaries and mangroves, among other attractions make this site the perfect place to go on walks or horseback riding.
BALLENA ISLAND:
To get here you have to take a boat or a canoe, since it is located some 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) off the coast. In addition to possessing an extraordinary beauty, on this island you can dive, as well as observe a wide variety of sea species.
BALLENA BEACH:
This is a beach of enormous scenic beauty, characterized by its light waves and fine sand.
Ballena Beach, as well as the island of the same name and the Tres Hermanas rocks, form part of the Ballena National Marine Park, which extends from Punta Uvita to Punta Piñuela.The waters of this park are frequented by humpback whales.
BALLENA NATIONAL MARINE PARK:
This park, which has 110 hectares of land and almost 6 thousand hectares of sea, has information, marked trails and other services for visitors.
The entire area was created with the purpose of assuring the maintenance of the habitats critical for the reproduction and spawning of many marine species, as well as to preserve the productivity of the biological communities that inhabit the coastal zone.
As far as the coast is concerned, it is an ideal place for observing marine live, since you can even dive there.
But without doubt, its main attraction is in the seasons from April to December and August to November, when it is possible to see humpback whales, an animal that with its length of 15 or 16 meters, are at risk of extinction.
DRAKE BAY
Here the beach has a different composition, since it is made up of rocky sections and small bays of great scenic beauty.
It also has a tropical humid forest very rich in biodiversity, for which without doubt it is a location of great appeal to those who love and enjoy nature. In order to get a better look you can go on walks or go horseback riding.
Every year in the month of February, the arrival of the pirate Drake to this site is commemorated with official and local celebrations.
ISLA DEL CAÑO:
This biological reserve is of double importance, since not only does it enclose a rich natural habitat (land and sea), but also because it has a very valuable historic register from an archeological point of view. Discoveries have shown that this island was used as a pre-Columbian cemetery.
Furthermore, the presence of ceramic remnants from the Guanacaste Mid Polychrome period, suggest that the island was also a key point for commercial exchange along the Pacific Coast.
Isla del Caño protects very important marine environments. Its coral reefs make this place a favorite for those who enjoy diving. It is also an ideal place for dolphin and humpback whale watching.
In the interior of the island there are as many trails as there are archeological sites of interest.
WHALES-DOLPHINS:
The Southern Pacific is ideal for observing four species of whales and five of dolphins, since this site forms part of their migratory route. To this effect, there are companies that offer the possibility to go on boat excursions, as well as the opportunity to go diving, for those who want to see these animals up close.
PRE-COLUMBIAN PAST:
In parts of the Southern Pacific domain archeological samples have been found that reveal the region’s pre-Columbian past. The pieces that are most characteristic, distinctive and enigmatic are without doubt the stone spheres.
All sizes have been found: from very small (3 centimeters) to others measuring 3 meters in diameter and weighing 15 tons. Archeological studies reveal that they were left by indigenous groups that inhabited the region between 400 and 1400 AD.
Regarding their significance, a number of possibilities have been put forth: that they were used to mark territory, that they had spiritual symbolism, among others. But without doubt, the biggest mystery is how they managed to give the stone such a perfect spherical shape.
RIO GRANDE DE TERRABA:
Next to the Sierpe River, it is one of the principal waterways. Its length is 160 kilometers (almost 100 miles) and it has largest hydrographic basin in Costa Rica. A good part of it is navigable.
Due to its numerous estuaries and deltas it also houses the most important wetlands in all of Central America.
LA AMISTAD INTERNATIONAL PARK (Costa Rica-Panama)
Created in 1982, this park has almost 194 hectares on the Costa Rican side and another 207 on the Panamanian side.
In 1982 UNESCO declared it La Amistad Biosphere Reserve, and in 1983 World Heritage site, given its exceptional universal value, from a scientific point of view as well as conservation and natural beauty.
Its surface includes very humid, rainy and cloudy forests, as well as regions crowned with peaks and rocky masses, where cold swamps limited to small areas of great height can be found.
One of the reasons Costa Rica acts as part of a biological bridge and filter between North and South
America is that in this park there are seven life zones and six transition zones. This characteristic represents the great value of this park, endowed with great biodiversity, where an extraordinary number of habitats are found, product of differences in height, soil, climate and topography; for example, high plateaus, swamps, woods, the madroñal, fern forests and mixed forests.
COMMUNITIES
SIERPE:
Besides San Isidro del General, one of the principle points of distribution to the Southern Pacific region, there are other important villages. For example, in Sierpe many tourists start off on an unforgettable experience since from there they board vessels that will take them, via the Sierpe River and later by sea, to the Drake region, to the Corcovado National Park or to Isla del Caño.
PUERTO JIMÉNEZ:
This community, which represents the easiest point of access to Corcovado National Park, can be reached by land using the Interamerican highway and then taking the road up to Chacarita, the point from which you go around Golfo Dulce. That is why this is a trip of enormous scenic beauty.
Another way to reach Puerto Jiménez is taking a boat from Golfito.
GOLFITO:
The fact that for many years the Banana Company was located on this land means that U.S. style buildings predominate the area.
A few years ago a free commercial deposit was created, with the purpose of attracting national tourism, since they can purchase tax exempt items there. On the other hand, it is also a place frequented by international tourists, given its proximity to other sites of interest.
COTO BRUS:
In 1951, the Italian Agricultural Colonization Society signed an agreement with the Costa Rican government found an Italian colony, with the purpose of encouraging development in
this region, located in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains. This is how the town of San Vito was born, a direct product of the combination of cultures.
Using San Vito de Coto Brus as a reference, the following are examples of places to visit:
- Las Tablas Forest Reserve: covers an extension of 19,602 hectares, with an uneven topography and a wide climatic variety. There are bioclimates such as very humid forest, low mountain, low mountain rain forest, covered in 70% forested area; the remaining 30% is for ranching and agricultural use.
- Wilson Botanical Garden: of rugged topography, located in the secondary foothills of the Talamanca Mountains, covered in advanced secondary growth vegetation that surrounds the gardens. It is within the region of medium elevation tropical rain forest; protects and conserves 304 species of birds, 80 of mammals and 71 of reptiles and amphibians, and more than 3,000 of daytime and nocturnal butterflies.
- La Amistad International Park: constitutes the area of greatest biological diversity and has various types of ecosystems; among them mixed forests, high plateaus, swamps, high and very humid cloud forests, as a result of variations in the environment, climate and slope.
- Caves: on the route that connects Coto Brus to Cuidad Neilly, at the height of the site known as Fila del Cal, are some caverns that can be visited with the help of guides, since it also includes a hike within the mountain and along the shores of the Corredores River.
The Coto Brus region is, in addition, renowned for the quality of the coffee produced on its lands.
