Puerto Jimenez, Osa Peninsula Beach Hotels, Corcovado Eco-Lodges, Hotels in Matapalo & Carate , Hotels on Secluded Beaches, Costa Rica’s Best Rainforest, Secluded Beaches, Wildlife & Tours near Puerto Jimenez & Osa Peninsula Costa Rica, Tours to Corcovado, Costa Rica Tours & Hiking Guides, Canopy Tours, Dolphin, Whale Watching, Sea & Mangrove Kayaking.

   
       
   

Puerto Jimenez / South Osa Peninsula

Puerto Jimenez is an old gold mining town, which has morphed with the decline of mining, into a fun wild-wild west sort of funky town. You can still feel the town folks riding into town on horseback as they did in the old days! Now though it is a place teeming with the eco-tourist & eco-friendly businesses. Here you will find lodges, hotels, resorts, cabinas & some really cool tent camps on the beach! Use Puerto Jimenez as your staging area for trips into Corcovado National Park, for day trips & surfing Matapalo, Carate , Corcovado and for all the adventures the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica has to offer. The high season is between December and April. This is considered the dry season. And by contrast with May — late Nov it sure is dry. If you want to experience rainy season though, come during September, October & November. You will see rivers, which are dry in the summer, full to overflowing. This is known here as the green season.
While it is a distance from San Jose and a long drive (plan on at least 7.5 hours and more if it is raining) the Osa Peninsula IS accessible. Many older guidebooks and even new ones use information that is outdated and just plain wrong.

The new Pan American Highway, which brings you to the turn off for the Osa, is newly paved and is excellent. The roads on the Osa are all dirt roads, but certainly they are very navigable. You can by- pass the long drive by flying into Puerto Jimenez and renting a car here. But regardless of what you hear — you CAN get here and it will not take a flight plan to do it!

If you drive from San Jose plan to spend a day or two on the way down in Dominical, Uvita or Ojochal. Beautiful beaches & surfing, activities& waterfall excursions await you or just time to relax.

Many Dominical businesses reported that this year many would- be visitors to their area as well as the Osa have been told that it is impossible travel. In the rainy season it can be difficult but certainly what you would expect in a downpour! You really do not need a car here on the Osa at all if you do not mind taking the “collectivo” which is a safari style bus/pickup truck with service twice a day to Carate in the summer and once a day in the rainy season. There is also a very reliable & very cheap bus service to and from all the outlying areas of Puerto Jimenez.

The Osa Peninsula is what you are thinking of when you dream about a trip to Costa Rica. The Jurassic type of ruggedness & wild life in one of the last frontiers on Earth! So come on & visit us. The trip to get here is just the beginning of the adventure!

Accommodations, Restaurants, Activities, Real Estate And More!

Accommodations















Tour Operators





Sportfishing




Restaurants


Transportation


Real Estate





Music & Art


Conservation


Other Businesses



Lodging, Restaurants, Tours And Businesses In The South Osa

Keep in mind as you venture out from Puerto Jimenez these things:
  • Most hotels and cabinas are all inclusive once out of Jimenez for good reason — there are NO restaurants open to the public once you get past Carbonera. If you are leaving later in the day be sure you have time to get where you are going before dark & you have a reservation. You do not want to drive back to Jimenez at night from Carate! There are rivers with no bridges & the road is ALL DIRT, some steep areas, etc.

  • If you do not have a reservation, have a back up plan for food & sleeping- like a tent & cooler with food and ice. Bring water as well & plan to haul out ALL trash. Carefully choose where you use as a bathroom or ask at a nearby hotel- some will allow use of certain services for a fee. Every beach in Costa Rica is considered public so you can camp anywhere on any beach. Be careful about leaving valuables in your tent. Carefully choose where you place your tent if it is low tide. Be sure you are above the high tide mark.

  • For a day at the beach & playing in the water bring sunscreen & a hat. The black sand will keep you hopping if you do not have a pair of flip flops or sandals to walk on the sand with til you get to the water line! It is hot. Take water bottles as well and DRINK a lot.

While in Jimenez take a walk. There are scores of resident birds & wildlife — all you have to do is look up. From the majestic Lapa, Scarlet Macaw, to the local monkeys there is always something to see. Flocks of raucous Green Parrots fly by in the morning, there are boats to watch at the town pier as they leave for the day with sportfishing & tours. Get an idea what you want to do & then GO DO IT! But remember to take some time to watch the wildlife and appreciate its abundance here on the Osa. A lot of the time you don’t have to go look for wildlife- it comes to you!

Accommodations

The choice of accommodations in and around Puerto Jimenez & the Osa Peninsula varies greatly! From very rustic, basic budget rooms to moderate range and more luxury, it is all available on the Osa Peninsula. It is best to make advance reservations. As of November 2005- the entire 2005 —2006 season will be a record breaker here in Costa Rica — many hotels are booked- so email or call in advance and make reservations. If you are already in town there are a number of places, well marked, which can help you find what is available & what to do. Remember, the town closes up for lunch from 12 PM — 1PM. Go have lunch & a cold drink!


Puerto Jimenez
  • A Luxury Vacation Home w/Pool
    Only 45 Minutes Away From Matapalo Beaches, Located on 120 acre Private Rainforest Reserve
    Contact A Luxury Vacation Home W/Pool  US 508-714-0622  Costa Rica phone 506-8378-3013  

  • Cabinas Jimenez
    Secluded Cabinas on the Water in Jimenez Air Conditioned
    Contact Cabinas Jimenez  735-5090  

  • Crocodile Bay Lodge
    Crocodile Bay is Costa Rica’s newest and finest Sport Fishing and Ecotour resort. The resort is situated on 44 acres of lush tropical gardens.
    Contact Crocodile Bay Lodge  1-800-733-1115  (415) 209-9976  

  • Iguana Lodge
    Rustic Luxury, Grand Adventure Jungle Juice!
    Contact Iguana Lodge  829-5865  

  • La Choza Del Manglar
    Secluded Rooms & Bungalows Hidden Away on a Private Mangrove and Animal Sanctuary. Most of our Guests See More Wildlife
    Contact La Choza Del Manglar  506-735-5002  1-888-467-3181  

  • Parrot Bay Village
    Cabinas on the Beach walking distance to Puerto Jimenez
    Contact Parrot Bay Village  735-5180  

  • Playa PreciOSA Lodge
    The Osa’s precious hideaway right at the Osa’s best beach
    Contact Playa PreciOSA Lodge  818-2959  

  • The Palms
    Contact The Palms  506-735-5012   Fax: 506.735.5028  


Matapalo

Carate

Other Fantastic Places

Tour Operators

Are you ready for a little spill of adrenaline? Then go take a ride on a zip line or rappel a flowing waterfall, hike in the jungle & climb a majestic Matapalo tree. Go horseback riding in the mountains or on the beach, swim with the dolphins. Wow there is not a more biologically diverse place on earth & you can get face to face with nature. Get excited — DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. It will make a difference in your life & you will have a vacation to remember forever. As with the hotels — it is best to make a reservation with guides in advance.

  • Aguila de Osa
    Adrake Bay Rainforest & Marine Frontier- Diving & Snorkeling Trips, Tours, Lovely Accommodations & More
    Contact Aguila De Osa  296-2190  

  • Aventura Tropicales
    Mangrove Exploration, Sunset Dolphin Tours, Snorkeling, Kayak & Bike Tours
    Contact Aventura Tropicales  735-5195  

  • Aventuras Tropicales
    A Marine Paradise! Un Paraiso Marino
    Contact Aventuras Tropicales  506-735-5195  

  • Bosque Del Rio Tigre Lodge
    Birding at its best ! Riverside Lodging with Excellant Meals.
    Contact Bosque Del Rio Tigre Lodge  506-735-5725  Elizabeth Jones or Abraham Gallo  

  • Bosque Mar Boat Tours
    Anywhere you want to go in the Golfo Dulce
    Contact Bosque Mar Boat Tours  735-5102 or 813-8753  

  • EveryDay Adventures
    “Where every day is a holiday and every meal a feast.“
    Contact EveryDay Adventures   011.506.353.8619 in Costa Rica  Andy & Terry  

  • Guaria de Osa
    Rainforest Ocean Discovery Center & Ethno Botanist Gardens, Yoga, Tai Chi, Massage & Wellness Center
    Contact Guaria De Osa  USA 508-714-0622  

  • Osa Aventura
    Jungle guided tours of Corcovado, education, personal tours.
    Contact Osa Aventura  506-735-5758  Cell 506-830-9832 or 506-836-4114  

  • Osa Discoveries
    ATV Tours, Adventure Tours, Sportfishing, Birding- All Kinds of Tours
    Contact Osa Discoveries  011 506 735-5260  011 506 735-5159 FAX  

  • Osa Trails Travel
    What’s on your Life’s “To DO” List? Hiking, birding, naturalist guide
    Contact Osa Trails Travel  735-5649  

  • Surfdog Internet Cafe & Tour Office
    High Speed Internet and Tour Office in Puerto Jimenez
    Contact Surfdog Internet Cafe & Tour Office  735-5825  

Sportfishing

Hey have you ever reeled in a huge sailfish? How about a Marlin or Tuna. Ever seen the beautiful colors of the Dorado? So you want to do it for the first time or you have been all over the world sportfishing huh! Well the Osa is one of the world premier spots for Sportfishing & the Osa has some of the world’s best equipment — not to mention the boats & the experienced captains. Get your poles & camera ready & make a reservation and head to the warm tropical waters of the Golfo Dulce & the Pacific Ocean.

  • Brainwave Sportfishing
    Puerto Jimenez Sportfishing Charters 1/2 and Full Day Charters
    USA 508-714-0622  

  • Cabo Matapalo Sportfishing
    Offshore/Inshore sportfishing
    Contact Cabo Matapalo Sportfishing  735—5531  

  • Crocodile Bay Lodge
    Crocodile Bay is Costa Rica’s newest and finest Sport Fishing and Ecotour resort. The resort is situated on 44 acres of lush tropical gardens.
    Contact Crocodile Bay Lodge  1-800-733-1115  (415) 209-9976  

  • Mar Huron Sportfishing
    Costa Rica Sportfishing
    Contact Mar Huron Sportfishing  in U.S.A.: 508-246-6814  In Costa Rica: 011-506-735-5451  

  • Parrot Bay Sportfishing
    Fishing Charters and accommodations on the beach, private restaurant locted near Puerto Jimenez.
    Contact Parrot Bay Sportfishing  735-5180  

  • Parrot Bay Village
    Contact Parrot Bay Village  USA 508-714-0622  

Surfing

With one of the longest left breaks on the planet — southern Costa Rica is well known to you surfers. Wax your board & paddle out for some of the gnarliest surfing ever! Cabo Matapalo is a great surfing area while Backwash & Pavones boasts some excellent surf as well. Matapalo is not a place for budget or backpackers on a budget unless you are prepared to camp on the beach and bring a cooler of food. There are a few places where you can get a meal & cold drink though which are delicious, such as Martina’s Bar Esperanza in Carbonera just before Matapalo.


Pavones
Considered one of the longest lefts in the world, when the swell goes in the right direction you can connect to different sections for an 800 meter (more than 2400 feet) long ride. So long, in fact, that it’s easier to walk back up the beach than it is to paddle back to the starting point! From here you can take a boat across the Golfo Dulce to Matapalo or drive through Puerto Jimenez to get there.

    Punto Burica
    This very remote & little explored reef break, accessible only by boat from Pavones, is the last beach to the south on the Pacific coast.

      Matapalo
      This tiny little surfers paradise boasts three fantastic surf breaks and is surrounded by tropical rainforest.

      If the surf is flat:
      • Go tree climbing & waterfall rappelling for a thrill.

      • Get a guide & go for a jungle hike. Matapalo is teeming with exotic birds, amphibians, monkeys & all kinds of cool insects!

      Go have a cold one at Martina’s Bar! Enjoy the beautiful beach or go to town & check your email & get supplies

        Restaurants

        Things are a changing here! Used to be your choices were very limited. Wow- have things changed! Now there are some choices! Typical Tico food, Mexican food, Pizza & Italian, sushi & even five star dining are all available outside of the all inclusive hotels & lodging. Take some time to experience these choices.

        • El Restaurante Jade Luna
          The Best in Casual Fine Dining- 3 minutes from Jimenez House Made Breads, Ice Cream, Delicious dinners
          735-5739  for reservations  

        • Juanita’s Mexican Bar & Grille
          Fajitas, Nachos, Burritos & Best Margaritas in Town! Next to Internet Café on corner
          735-5056  

        Real Estate

        So you are under the ether huh! Came here for a vacation & now you just HAVE to own a piece of paradise too! We ex-pats know the feeling. So take some advice & call a few of the local real estate agents. Do your homework & you will be very happy with that piece of paradise. Unlike some other countries, when you buy property in Costa Rica you own it the same as a local would. But there are some laws & other information you need to be aware of. So call a local real estate agent & hook up with a lawyer referred to you by someone else who has purchased property & go have fun looking for that piece of paradise.

        Conservation

        Corcovado National Park is the second most biologically diverse eco system on Earth. With 100,000 acres, it is home to more plant & animal species than Central and North America combined. Still it is but one part of Costa Rica’s national system of parks & preserves. Nature, however, does not prosper in isolation, thus, to insure that the species of Corcovado and all the other parks survive, it is necessary to create connecting corridors that will provide critical migration routes guaranteeing continuation of their diversity. To hike through Corcovado and explore its canopy is to appreciate first hand the necessity of preserving this unique eco system. Donating your time and / or money while visiting provides resources to help the local conservation groups to create “One More Strand in our Web of Life”. Here are some good places to start:

        Corcovado National Park

        Park office is located in front of the airstrip in Puerto Jimenez. Office hours are as follows: Mon — Friday 7:30 AM — 5 PM. 735-5036. Everything in town closes for lunch from 12 noon til 1 PM so if they are closed go have a cold drink & lunch! The biological stations such as Sirena have limited accommodations for guests so you must have a reservation.

        It is highly recommended you take a guide as you will see A LOT more. Their eyes & soul are in tune with nature. You will see a lot more if you take a guide. There are several ways to see Corcovado. With the guide you can hike in to Sirena either at night or during the day. Night hikes afford you the opportunity to see lots of nocturnal creatures & it is a blast! If you visit during the full moon you will never forget a full moon night hike! You can hike in both ways or hike in & fly out. There are a few local companies who offer flights to or from Sirena. Corcovado is over 100,000 acres so there is a lot to see. Your guide will help keep you oriented as well as spotting wildlife. To make reservations for the Sirena Biological Studies Station call them at 011-506-735-5036. To make reservations with a guide check out the guide listings.

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          Classifieds

          Got something for sale? Want to give something away? Post it here. When you need something or have something to get rid of this is the place to come.
          Get More Info

            Bulletin Boards And Notices

            Need a ride somewhere? Going somewhere & have room for a passenger? Having a function that you want everyone to know about? Need volunteers for a project? Art/music/theatre - This is the place to come. Post your notice & then get response. The more we use this area, the better we can become at communication when we cannot be in town to ask around for what is needed. Please post only legitimate items and use this area in a positive way!
            Get More Info

              Community Corner

              Puerto Jimenez & the surrounding areas, all the way to Carate, have a very active conservation & community service attitude. From saving the sea turtle volunteer projects to the local recycling projects the entire area can stay pristine and clean. A new project this year is a recycling center at the high school. In the past, plastic bottles, cans, etc were all thrown in the trash & put in a landfill. A local volunteer group called WOO for Women of the Osa, has brain stormed & come up with the recycling center. The group is made up of local women who are concerned for the environment of the Osa. By getting the school kids involved & educated there is now an ambitious & enthusiastic response to the project. Save the Sea Turtle Project is also another very rewarding & effective project on the Osa.
              Get More Info

                Travel And Reservation Help

                Transportation

                • Dacx Jimenez
                  From San Jose to the Osa Dacx will get you &/or your belongings/ equipment, etc to the Osa & back
                  388-3401  

                • Paradise Air
                  Charter Flights Tailored for Your Vacation
                  Contact Paradise Air  011 506-231-0938  011-877-412-0877  

                Music & Art

                • Artes de Osa
                  Fine Art on The Osa Peninsula (Oils, Acrylic, and Pastels )
                  Contact Artes De Osa  735-5429  Support the local Artists !  

                • Osa Art Gallery
                  Fine Art gallery Located in Downtown Puerto Jimenez, Just 1 block West of The Carolina Restaurant, across from the Pharmacy. Featuring the works of local fine artists of the Osa Peninsula.
                  Contact Osa Art Gallery  8378-3013  

                • Sombra de la Lapa
                  Originals, Murals, Designs, Prints, Brochures, Cards, Flyers, PostCards, Commissioned Paintings
                  Contact Sombra De La Lapa  8378-3013  

                Other Businesses

                 

                 
                 
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