Osa Peninsula Costa Rica is a landmass jutting out into the Pacific Ocean on Costa Rica’s southwest coast. It is one of the most rugged and beautiful areas of Costa Rica, with pristine beaches and plentiful wildlife.

Around one third of the Osa Peninsula is protected by Corcovado National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most popular and gorgeous wildlife preserves.

There are two sides of the Osa Peninsula. The interior adjoins the calm Golfo Dulce and is accessible by a bumpy dirt road that passes through Puerto Jimenez and ends in the tiny hamlet of Carate. On the other side of the peninsula is the mighty Pacific, which buffets the dramatic, rugged coastline here that is only accessible by boat, plane or hiking trails.

The waters surrounding Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula offer amazing fishing with opportunities for anglers to catch marlin, sailfish, dorado or other large game fish.

Puerto Jimenez (known as Port Jim by gringo locals) is the largest town on the Osa Peninsula and is the most popular jumping off point for people looking to explore the immensity of Corcovado National Park’s forests. The town offers access to the two main trailheads of leading into Corcovado. There’s also an airport here, so it’s easy to get back to San Jose after exploring the area.

For surfers, if you head 17km south of Puerto Jimenez you’ll find a killer double-point break at Cabo Matapalo’s Playa Pan Dulce, or check out the awesome right hand wave at Playa Matapalo. Cabo Matapalo is tiny, so accommodations are rustic and basic.

On the north end of the Osa Peninsula you’ll find Drake Bay, another popular and pretty spot in this region (it’s pronounced “Dra-kay” in Spanish by the way). This is a great spot for sportfishing and scuba diving trips and there are various outfitters in the area.

Drake bay is located between the Sierpe River and Corcovado National Park. It’s most easily accessible by boat from Sierpe or by plane, though it’s possible to drive if you’re up to fording three rivers. If you do drive, be sure to look for crocodiles and tapirs at the Laguna Chocuarco, a good sized lake you’ll be passing.

To further explore the peninsula check out the map below, you can click on the white boxes to get explanations on the various highlights and points of interest on the Osa Peninsula Costa Rica.